Invading Taiwan would be a logistical minefield for China

The beachesPLAPLAPLAPLA of the tiny island of Kinmen are still dotted with reminders of the ’s first attempt to invade Taiwan. Rusted anti-landing spikes jut from the shallows. Beyond the dunes lie anti-aircraft batteries and old houses pockmarked with bullet holes. Inland, a small museum displays rifles and tanks used in the battle that would haunt the for decades—and lay the ground for the present-day stand-off between China and America.On October 25th 1949 an advance force of 9,000 troops attempted to land in what was meant to be a decisive strike against the Nationalist forces who had fled to Taiwan and nearby islands (including Kinmen) at the end of China’s civil war. They reached Kinmen at high tide. But when their wooden fishing boats turned back to get more men, they were skewered by barricades in the shallows as the tide went out. A brutal battle ensued. The force pushed inland but by day three, it was out of food and bullets. Almost the entire force was either killed or captured.