ORDER OF BATTLE // January 1, 1949
Battle of Dengbu Island
Estimated force strength by side, with confidence labels per surviving record.
Forces engaged
1 sides catalogued · combined 20,000 estimated
People's Republic of China
20,000
Medium-confidence figure
Battle context
The Battle of Dengbu Island, fought from 3 to 5 November 1949, ended in a Republic of China Army victory over People's Liberation Army forces attempting to seize Dengbu Island near the mainland. With PLA forces numbering 20,000 and sustaining 3,660 casualties against ROC losses of 2,173, the engagement demonstrated that island defenses could exact a significant toll on amphibious assault forces. Coming in the final phase of the Chinese Civil War, when the ROC had already lost the mainland, holding Dengbu Island represented one of the few successful defensive actions available to Nationalist forces. The outcome reinforced the viability of island-based resistance as a strategic posture for the Republic of China.
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