Johnson South Reef skirmish

Johnson Reef Skirmish (1988)
Date March 14, 1988 Location Johnson Reef Result Decisive Chinese naval victory Continued disputed between China and Vietnam.
Belligerents
People's Liberation Army Navy	Vietnam People's Navy
Commanders and leaders
Chen Weiwen/陈伟文, CO 502 Nanchong	Deputy Brigadier Tran Duc Thong Le Lenh Son, CO HQ-605 Vu Phi Tru, CO HQ-604 Vu Huy Le CO HQ-505
Strength
502 Nanchong / 南充 (Jiangnan Class/065) frigate *556 Xiangtan / 湘潭 (Jianghu II Class/053H1) frigate *531 Yingtan / 鹰潭 (Jiangdong Class/053K) frigate	Nha Trang HQ-505 (ex-USN USS Jerome County (LST-848) landing ship) *Keo Ngua HQ-604 (ex-USN USS PGM-68) motor gun boat * Kim Qui HQ-605 (ex-USN USS PGM-59) motor gun boat
Casualties and losses
6 killed *18 injured	HQ-505 sunk *HQ-604 sunk *HQ-605 critically damaged *60 killed *40 captured

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.

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 at Johnson South Reef under the pretext of establishing a observation station under the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Fourteenth Session of the Assembly held in Paris between 17 March to 1 April 1987. 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 while the Vietnamese dispatched their own forces on March 11 from Ba Son naval yards in Ho Chi Minh City.

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

Actual battle

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.

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 approximately 07:30 hours on Johnson South Reef, Vietnamese troops attempted to erect the Vietnam flag on the reef. It was reported that PAVN Corporal Nguyen Van Lanh and PAVN Sublieutenant Tran Van Phuong disputed the flag against PLA-N sailor Du Xianghou resulting in pitch battle between the two opposing forces. Vietnamese forces, with HQ-604 in support, opened fire in response. 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 in the same morning was fought between the Yingtan and HQ-505 which was beached at Collins Reef. The subsequent firefight 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. In the ensuing firefight, the HQ-605 was heavily damaged and withdrew.

References

• The South China Sea Online Resource
• Kelly, Todd C. (1999). "Vietnamese Claims to the Truong Sa Archipelago". Explorations in Southeast Asian Studies Vol 3