Battle of Yangcheng (Battle of Baituanwei Village)
945 CE · Baituanwei Village, Yangcheng (near modern Baoding, Hebei) · China · Early modern
The Later Jin army was surrounded by the Khitan at Baituanwei Village; at a critical moment with its water cut off, Fu Yanqing and others attacked under cover of a strong wind, the Khitan suffered a crushing defeat, and Yelü Deguang fled home on a camel
Belligerents
Later Jin
- Commanders
- Du Chongwei, Fu Yanqing, Yao Yuanfu
- Strength
- Main Later Jin army
Khitan
- Commanders
- Yelü Deguang
- Strength
- Main Khitan cavalry
Background
Emperor Chu of Later Jin refused to submit as a vassal, and the Khitan invaded the south year after year. In 945 Yelü Deguang led an army south and surrounded the Later Jin army around Yangcheng.
Course of the battle
- Trapped at Baituanwei VillageThe Khitan cavalry surrounded the Later Jin army and cut off its water supply; the Jin troops dug wells but could not reach water
- Sortie with the windA strong wind whipped up sand and the Khitan used it to set fires; Fu Yanqing, Yao Yuanfu and others judged that this was the moment to attack and, without waiting for the commander's orders, led a cavalry charge
- Khitan retreat in disarrayThe Khitan suffered a crushing defeat, and Yelü Deguang escaped on a camel
Outcome at a glance
| Date | 945 CE |
|---|---|
| Place | Baituanwei Village, Yangcheng (near present-day Baoding, Hebei) |
| Result | The Later Jin army was surrounded by the Khitan at Baituanwei Village; at a critical moment with its water cut off, Fu Yanqing and others attacked under cover of a strong wind, the Khitan suffered a crushing defeat, and Yelü Deguang fled home on a camel |
| Winner | Later Jin |
| Casualties | Heavy Khitan losses |
| Territorial change | Later Jin temporarily drove back the Khitan, but was still destroyed by them two years later |
Impact
The Battle of Yangcheng was one of the rare great victories of a Five Dynasties Central Plains army over the Khitan.
See the world in 945 on the map →