China continues release of archives on anti-Japanese war

China on Thursday released archives of a battle in Shanxi Province in March 1938, as the country marks the 69th anniversary of the victory against Japanese aggressors.

This is the 11th part of the series released daily by the State Archives Administration since Aug. 25.

In March 1938, forces led by the Communist Party of China prepared an ambush on a Japanese transportation contingent in northwest China's Shanxi Province to cut off supply.

On March 16, 1938, the Japanese supply force came under heavy fire when they reached Xiangtangpu, while the nearby Japanese reinforcements were blocked by another Chinese army.

In total, more than 400 Japanese soldiers were killed and 180 vehicles destroyed with few Chinese casualties. More than 130 guns, 4 mortars and plenty of supplies were captured.

The raid was a heavy blow for the Japanese aggressors and supported the the Kuomintang-led forces fighting in the west and south parts of Shanxi, according to the synopsis.

China has officially set Sept 3 as the "Victory Day", when Japan formally surrendered 69 years ago.