Johnson South Reef Skirmish
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| Johnson Reef Skirmish (1988) | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 People's Liberation Army Navy |
 Vietnam People's Navy Philippine Navy (allegedly) |
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| Commanders | |||||||
| Chen Weiwen/陈伟文, CO 502 Nanchong | Unknown Vietnamese commander | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| *502 Nanchong / 南充 (Jiangnan Class/065) *556 Xiangtan / 湘潭 (Jianghu II Class/053H1) *531 Yingtan / 鹰潭 (Jiangdong Class/053K) |
*HQ-505 *HQ-604 *HQ-605 2 Philippine Helicopters |
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| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| *6 killed *18 injured |
*HQ-505 sunk *HQ-604 sunk *HQ-605 critically damaged[citation needed] *60 killed *40 captured[citation needed] |
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It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Naval battle in Spratly 1988. (Discuss) |
The Johnson South Reef Skirmish of 1988 was a naval battle that took place between Chinese and Vietnamese forces over Johnson South Reef in the Spratly Islands on March 14, 1988. It has also been mistakenly referred to as the Battle of Fiery Cross Reef.Chinese victory.
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[edit] Background
The skirmish was sparked by Chinese activities on Johnson Reef in March, 1988.
On January 21, 1988, the Yibin arrived at the Spratly Islands and on January 31, 1988, People's Liberation Army Navy troops were detected attempting to erect an oceanic observation station on Johnson South Reef. The observation station was the 74th station sanctioned under the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Fourteenth Session of the Assembly held in Paris between 17 March to 1 April 1987.[citation needed] Vietnamese forces were rushed into the area to prevent it from occurring.
On February 22 and on March 5, PLA-N frigates Nanchong, Xiangtan and Yingtan were dispatched as reinforcements to the area.
[edit] Locations
| Name (English) | Name (Chinese) | Name (Vietnamese) | Latitude | Longitude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson South Reef | Chigua Jiao / 赤瓜礁 | Đá Gạc Ma | 90 45' N | 1140 18' E |
| Johnson North/Collins Reef | Guihuan Jiao / 鬼喊礁 | Đá Cô Lin | 90 45' N | 1140 14' E |
| Lansdowne Reef | Qiong Jiao / 琼礁 | Đá Len Đao | 90 46' N | 1140 22' E |
[edit] Actual battle
| Part of a series on Spratly Islands |
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| Related Articles | ||||||
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| Confrontations | ||||||
| Johnson South Reef Skirmish Southwest Cay Invasion |
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| Philippine-Related | ||||||
| Kalayaan, Palawan Policies, activities and history... |
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| Others | ||||||
| Kingdom of Humanity Republic of Morac-Songhrati-Meads |
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| Available Island/Reef Articles | ||||||
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On March 13, the Nanchong detected PAVN vessels HQ-604 heading toward Johnson South Reef, HQ-605 heading toward Lansdowne Reef, and HQ-505 heading toward Collins Reef in a simultaneous three-prong intrusion upon the disputed reefs. It was reported 2 Philippine navy helicopters were in the area securing the place for the PAVN vessels
On March 14, PLA-N forces lead by Yingtan arrived at Johnson South Reef and disembarked 25 naval infantrymen: the Nanchong already onsite disembarked a further 33 naval infantrymen in support. The Xiangtan was dispatched to Lansdowne Reef to counter the intrusion there.
At 07:30 hours on Johnson South Reef, Vietnamese troops attempted to erect the Vietnam flag in front of the Chinese marine infantry forces. Chinese sources noted that PLA-N sailor Du Xianghou pulled down the flag and Vietnamese forces, with HQ-604 in support, opened fire in response[citation needed]. PLA-N forces and the Nanchong counter-attacked at 08:47 hours: HQ-604 was set ablaze in the firefight and sunk.
A similar engagement was fought between the Yingtan and HQ-505 at Collins Reef which resulted in the loss of the PAVN vessel.
At 09:15 hours, the Xiangtan arrived at the Lansdowne reef and discovered 9 Vietnamese troops from HQ-605 had already landed. The Xiangtan immediately hailed the Vietnamese forces demanding their withdrawal from the reef and was met with Vietnamese fire in reply[citation needed]. In the ensuing firefight, the HQ-605 was heavily damaged and withdrew.[citation needed]
During the battle, the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of the People's Republic of China got aid from the Republic of China (Taiwan).[citation needed] For example, the fleet of the PLAN got water supply from Taiping (island).
