Battle of Hsimucheng

The Battle of Hsimucheng (Бой у Симучена) was a minor land engagement of the Russo-Japanese War. fought on 31 July 1904 near Hsimucheng, a hamlet about 20 kilometers [13 miles] southeast of the strategic junction town of Haicheng, on the main road connecting Haicheng with the coast.

Background
On the Japanese side were the 5th and the 10th Divisions of the Japanese Fourth Army under General Nozu Michitsura as well as a detachment from the Second Army. On the Russian side was the Second Siberian Army Corps under the command of Lieutenant General Mikhail Zasulich, supported by cavalry units under the command of Lieutenant General Pavel Mishchenko.

Prelude
Following its defeat at the Battle of Tashihchiao, the 2nd Siberian Corps under General Zasulich retreated to the village of Hsimungcheng. General Zasulich had a total of 33 battalions and 80 artillery pieces, but was in an exposed position in mountainous terrain.

The two forces collided at 0200 on 31 July 1904, with the Japanese 10th Division and reserve brigade making a direct frontal assault on the Russian positions, and the 5th Division moving left to threaten the Russian line of retreat.

Description of battle
The Russian forces held out tenaciously through the day and into the night against superior forces. The Japanese 5th Division joined forces with a detachment of the 3rd Division of the 2nd Japanese Army sent by General Oku to assist, and the Japanese were thus in a position to encircle the Russian force. At 23:00 on 31 July 1904, General Zasulich exercised his standing order from General Alexei Kuropatkin to withdraw to Haicheng, and the Japanese 2nd and 4th Armies were thus able to link up for the next push north towards Liaoyang.

Aftermath
The Battle of Hsimucheng cost the Russian forces 1,217 casualties, and the Japanese forces 836.