Battle of Changsha ( 1942 ) The third Battle of Changsha ( 24 December 1941 – 15 January 1942 ) was the first major invasion in China by Imperial Japanese forces following the Japanese attack on the Western Allies . The offensive was originally intended to prevent Chinese forces from reinforcing the British Commonwealth forces engaged in Hong Kong . With the capture of Hong Kong on 25 December , however , it was decided to continue the offensive against Changsha in order to maximize the blow against the Chinese government . The offensive resulted in failure for the Japanese , as Chinese forces were able to lure them into a trap and encircle them . After suffering heavy casualties , Japanese forces called for a general retreat . Course of battle . On 27 December , the Japanese 3rd , 6th , and 40th Divisions massed at Yueyang and advanced southward in three columns and crossed the Xinqiang River , and tried again to cross the Miluo River to reach Changsha . However , the Chinese formed a deep pocket around the city and set up ambush parties around the Luoyang River . Halfway from Miluo River and Changsha , the Japanese columns faced strong resistance from the Chinese and the eastern column was forced to take a detour further east , and the other two columns had to move closer together than originally planned . During the southward advance the Japanese encountered three Chinese army divisions that were pushed aside but not crushed ; they retreated into the eastern mountains . Changsha was evacuated except for the Chinese army and some 160 civilians who wished to stay to help the defense . On 31 December 1941 , the Japanese troops stormed the southeastern defense of the city but failed to make any gains , and then made an attempt at the southern and then eastern part of the defense . Meanwhile , the northern part of the city was heavily bombarded . The Japanese eventually cut through the first line of defense , only to meet stubborn resistance from a second line of defense near the city center . On 1 January 1942 , the Chinese quickly counter - attacked and surprised the Japanese with heavy guns and inflicted heavy casualties on them . At about the same time , the previous army units that had retreated to the mountains swept down to attack the Japanese supply lines , with plenty of aid from local guerrillas . The Japanese line collapsed on 4 January . The three Japanese divisions were besieged and requested the help of the Japanese 9th Independent Brigade stationed in Yueyang . However , on 9 January they faced heavy fighting with the Chinese and were unable to relieve the besieged Japanese divisions . The Japanese then attempted to retreat through the Luoyang River , not knowing that an ambush party was already stationed in the region . Losing heavily at the river crossing , the Japanese eventually reached the Xinqiang River on 15 January to complete the retreat . Results . The 3rd Battle of Changsha can be thought of as decisive . Just a month after Pearl Harbor and U . S . entry into the war , the battle was acclaimed to be the only major Allied victory of the Asia - Pacific theater in late - 1941 / early - 1942 . It was seen as a major victory that could turn the tide of the war against Japan . It earned Generalissimo Chiang Kaishek ' s Government much prestige from abroad and legitimacy in stopping the Japanese . Xue Yue earned himself more prestige in China for his three victories and outstanding tactical skills . Changsha would remain in Chinese hands for a further two and a half years .