On the Korean battlefield in 1950, General Peng Dehuai's anger almost burned through the haze of war. The scene where Mr. Peng angrily reprimanded the two military commanders still makes people feel palpitations. What mistake did the two military commanders make that made Peng Dehuai, who is usually iron-faced and selfless, so angry?
Back in 1950, when the Korean battlefield was on the verge of breaking out, the situation at that time was like a tense bowstring. Peng Dehuai, as the commander-in-chief of the Chinese People's Volunteers, shoulders tremendous pressure and responsibility. His emotions at that time were like a volcano, and they could erupt at any time. And on the battlefield full of gunpowder, the mistakes of the two military commanders undoubtedly ignited the fuse of Mr. Peng's anger.
Liang Xingchu, a general with great achievements, his military career ran through almost every corner of China's modern war history. From the Red Army period to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and then to the War of Liberation, Liang Xingchu had outstanding performance. But it was such a tough guy who made an irreparable mistake in a crucial battle on October 25, 1950.
It is said that on that day, Liang Xingchu's 38th Army was responsible for attacking Xichuan and annihilating the enemy's 8th Division. The original plan was that the 113th Division would attack as the main force, the 112th Division would outflank in a roundabout way, and the 114th Division would serve as a reserve. At the critical moment of the battle, a telegram came from the front line of the 112th Division, and they detected that the enemy was a "black regiment", which made Liang Xingchu hesitate. Worried about the equipment and combat effectiveness of the American army, he decided to postpone the offensive, report to the headquarters, and wait for further instructions.
This delay turned out to be a fatal mistake. It turned out later that the intelligence of the "black regiment" was completely misinformation, and this wait missed the fighter plane. Other troops, such as the 39th Army and the 40th Army, achieved a remarkable victory at the same time, but only Liang Xingchu's 38th Army failed to complete the task on time due to slow action, allowing the enemy to slip away from the eyes.
When Peng Dehuai learned of this, he was furious. He immediately dialed Liang Xingchu's phone, reprimanded him for "delaying the fighter's plane," and ordered him to pursue him immediately. But it was too late. The performance of the 38th Army was particularly bleak in that battle, the attack on Heecheon Fortress was unsuccessful, and the battle of the Cheongchon River also had problems, and it was not until November 4 that the 112th Division made a detour back to Longdeng-ri, Feihushan and other places, but the results of the battle were not ideal.
Peng Dehuai's anger is not only an angry rebuke of Liang Xingchu, but also a deeper reason. He knew that every mistake could lead to the loss of countless soldiers' lives, and every hesitation could turn into huge losses on the battlefield. As a senior commander, Peng Dehuai's strict requirements for his subordinates have almost reached a demanding level. He could not tolerate any kind of missteps, especially in such a crucial battle.
Another army commander who was rebuked by Peng Dehuai was Zhao Shangzhi, and the troops under his command had similar problems during the attack. Zhao Shangzhi's troops originally planned to cross the Yalu River at night, but for various reasons, the operation was greatly delayed. After Peng Dehuai learned of the situation, he was also thunderous and severely criticized Zhao Shangzhi's hesitation.
These hesitations and sluggishness, while seemingly minor, can turn into catastrophic consequences on the battlefield. Peng Dehuai's strictness is not only a personal dissatisfaction, but also a kind of control over the implementation of the overall strategy. He knew very well that in a major war such as the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, any small mistake could lead to a reversal of the entire tide of the war.
Back to Peng Dehuai's angry rebuke, this is not only a reprimand for the two military commanders, but also a reminder of his anger to everyone that there is no room for loss in war, and every decision must be made accurately. Liang Xingchu and Zhao Shangzhi were both experienced generals, but under that pressure, even the most experienced generals could make mistakes.
Behind all this, no one knows Peng Dehuai's mood, but what is certain is that every roar he roars in the hope of stimulating the combat effectiveness of the troops and promoting the course of the war. In the evaluation of history, Peng Dehuai is not only respected for his tactical and strategic vision, but also his strict requirements for his subordinates and the decisiveness he showed at critical moments are also an important part of his leadership.
Peng Dehuai's angry rebuke was not just a momentary anger on the battlefield, but a well-thought-out tactical response. In this way, he hopes to inspire the soldiers and ensure that every action is accurate and effective. Although this approach seemed extremely harsh at the time, the overall outcome of the war showed that this ruthless rigor was exactly what was needed on that brutal battlefield.