When it comes to the ace units in the history of the People's Liberation Army, those names are like bright constellations across the night sky, shining with a light that is difficult to ignore. But today, let's not talk about those dazzling stars, let's talk about a special existence of the 12th Army of the Second Field Army, which actually returned empty-handed at the general's party in 1955. Next, let's unveil the mystery of this history and tell their own legend.
When we talk about our August 1st Army Day, it can always arouse people's infinite respect and curiosity. I don't know if you've heard of those tough guys who came out of the smoke of gunpowder, some of them look particularly dazzling under the halo of military rank, but do you know?
There is such a unit, but at the grand military rank awarding ceremony in 1955, none of them wore the general star. This is the 12th Army of the Second Field Army, which is "Liu Bocheng's heart".
Let's start at the beginning. The predecessor of the 12th Army, the Central Plains Field Army, known as the "Sixth Column", was not an ordinary team. These people, who came out of the land of Shanxi, Hebei, and Luyu, were not holding shovels in their hands, but bayonets and guns.
Their establishment is like bringing a group of lions together, and everyone has an iron backbone that will not admit defeat.
Speaking of their leader, it was a "madman commander" Wang Jinshan. This tough guy has been famous for his "sword when he meets the enemy" since the Red Army period.
And his partner, political commissar Du Yide, is a warrior with both civil and military skills, Liu Bocheng praised him, such talents are rare.
The soldiers of the 12th Army were all tempered from the baptism of fire and blood.
Wang Jinshan said that he attached great importance to training, and whenever he had time, he would personally go down to the front line to teach the soldiers how to fight and how to fight at night. Du Yide, compared with Wang Jinshan's vigorous training, he is better at political education and morale motivation. The two of them cooperate like salt and peppercorns in stir-frying, and no one can do without them.
In 1946, it was a great time for the 12th Army to show itself. The Kuomintang's Liu Zhi, Chen Cheng and Bai Chongxi, they mobilized a full 300,000 troops to take the Shanxi, Hebei, Luyu and Henan base areas in one fell swoop.
At that time, Liu Bocheng could only raise 50,000 people, and this war was like an adult against a doll, but at this moment, our 12th Army showed their ruthlessness.
Liu Bocheng directly ordered Wang Jinshan's six columns to strike first, but as soon as this guy made a move, the Kuomintang troops on the opposite side were caught off guard.
The six verticals are called a fierce, just like an old scalper, once they rush up, no one can stop them. On the battlefields of southwestern Shandong and southeastern Henan, they fought one beautiful counterattack after another, and the effect was simply textbook-level.
But do you think that's the end of it? The 12th Army is more than that. During the War of Liberation, they fought all the way from the Central Plains to the southwest and became the main force marching into Tibet.
Along the way, mountains, valleys, and lack of oxygen, which is not a test? However, this unit, as if it had a secret recipe for breaking through the barriers, marched forward bravely one level after another, and finally planted the banner of peace on the land of Tibet in 1951.
Such an ace army, you say, if there was not a single general at the general party in 1955, don't you think it's a bit incredible?
At that time, wasn't there a popular saying?" Men don't flick when they have tears, but it's not yet time to confer titles. Wang Jinshan's tears, did they fall silently like this?
Well, it's a long story. Some people say that it is because Wang Jinshan's personality is too hard and is a little out of step with the leaders above; others say that it is because the position of the 12th Army in history is too special, and it is both a civil war and a foreign war, so it is a little difficult to define when assessing. But in any case, this does not affect the weight of the 12th Army in the hearts of the people.
It was not until 1988 that the 12th Army finally waited for their spring. That year, Zhang Zhen and Zhang Aiping, the two deputy commanders of the former 12th Army, were awarded the rank of general. This moment is like a reparation for history, although it came a little late, but it is finally a recognition of this army.
Ah, having said all this, do you say, is it not only distressing but also admirable that these 12 armies are indomitable and admirable? Their perseverance and defying difficulties are not exactly the spirit of our Chinese nation? They are like a precious treasure that will always be worthy of our singing.
This is the 12th Army, a unit that has been neglected at some point in history, but whose glory and splendor cannot be fully described in any words.
Although they failed to wear the general star in 1955, their spirit was like the brightest star in the sky, shining on the heart of every Chinese.
In the times, we may no longer need the test of blood and fire like them, but we still need to learn from their spirit, the courage to defy difficulties and dare to show their swords. This may be the best inheritance of this history for us.