Regarding the first big award of the title of our army in 1955, everyone is no stranger, and the historical inn has also written many articles, so today we will review some details of the selection of generals that year.
Everyone today knows that there are ten major generals in our army, all of whom are the most important weapons of our country who are highly respected and have made outstanding achievements in battle. However, in addition to the "ten generals", there were actually two plans at that time, namely 15 generals and 22 generals.
The conferment of this title is the responsibility of the General Cadre Department, the minister is Luo Shuai, and there is a military rank award department under it, which specializes in studying this title.
On January 16, 1955, Luo Shuai reported to the chairman the list of marshals, generals, and admirals. Among them, there are two options for the selection of major generals, one is 15, that is, including the "ten major generals": Su Yu, Xu Haidong, Huang Kecheng, Chen Geng, Tan Zheng, Xiao Jinguang, Zhang Yunyi, Luo Ruiqing, Wang Shusheng, Xu Guangda, and the other 5:
Xiao Ke, Zhou Chunquan, Zhang Zongxun, Wang Zhen, and Song Renqian.
It should be said that these 5 are worthy of the generals, whether they are senior or meritorious, and even more qualified than several of the generals.
For example, Xiao Ke, who everyone regrets the most, can sit on an equal footing with the marshal on seniority, even if there are some problems later, at least the general will not be able to run, but unfortunately, in the end, he was not selected, and only became the head of the general.
There was also Zhou Chunquan, who held a higher position than Xiao Ke during the Red Army period, and served as deputy director of the General Political Department of the Central Military Commission and director of the Political Department of the Red Fourth Front, which was higher than the eight generals in the same period.
Zhang Zongxun, during the Liberation War, was the first deputy commander of the Northwest Field Army, the best partner of General Manager Peng, and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, he also served as deputy chief of general staff, and Su Yu and Huang Kecheng also served as deputy chiefs of general staff at the same time.
Wang Zhen, on the other hand, was the person who Xu Guangda believed should replace him as a general, as early as the Red Army period, he was the political commissar of the corps, and during the Liberation War, he was the commander and political commissar of the corps, which was higher than Xu Guangda, and the merit was also incomparable to Xu Guangda.
As for Song Renqian, although he also held a high position of authority, he actually had no advantage over several other people, and at most he was juxtaposed with Xu Shiyou and Chen Zaidao, probably because Song Renqian was the first deputy director of the General Cadre Department at that time.
In addition, there is a second scheme, that is, 22 generals, in addition to the above 15, there is
Xu Shiyou, Liu Yalou, Deng Hua, Chen Zaidao, Peng Shaohui, Wang Hongkun, Yang Dezhi.
So, are these people qualified to be generals? If you compare Xu Guangda, of course, they are all eligible, but Xu Guangda is a special case, and it will not be discussed here. Among them, two people did compete for the general, one was Xu Shiyou, and the other was Liu Yalou.
Xu Shiyou once asked the premier about this, but the premier said: "Xiao Ke is also a general." "Push Xu Shiyou back." Why? Because Xiao Ke's status is too high, Xu Shiyou can't compare at all, even Xiao Ke is a general, how can you Xu Shiyou be a general?
There is also Liu Yalou, the well-known chief of staff of the Northeast Field Army, and after the founding of the People's Republic of China, he is the commander of the Air Force, and according to his rank, he is basically the standard of generals, especially Tan Zheng, director of the Political Department of the Northeast Field Army, Xiao Jinguang, commander of the Navy, and Xu Guangda, commander of the armored corps, are all generals.
Liu Yalou also looked for Lin Zong for this matter, but was suppressed by Lin Zong.
As for the remaining ones, in fact, they are also eligible, but compared with the latter of the generals, the advantages are not so obvious, and it is acceptable to evaluate the generals or generals.
It's like your company promoting executives, there may be more than a dozen people competing for a position at the same time, seniority, credit are similar, who to let go at this time? There has to be a lucky one. Is it unfair to say it's not fair? After all, your strength has not yet reached the height of completely overwhelming others, and it does not make sense for you to be able to say it.
After the two plans were reported, the chairman discussed with President Zhu, the premier, and others, and decided to use the "Ten Great Generals."