The mystery of the formation of the four major corps: an analysis of the commander dispute between Han Xianchu and Deng Hua
In the long history of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the formation and development of the Fourth Field Army (referred to as the "Four Fields") is undoubtedly a strong stroke. In the War of Liberation, Siye fought in the south and the north, and repeatedly performed miraculous feats, and its internal organizational structure and personnel arrangements are a link that cannot be ignored in the study of military history. Especially at the beginning of 1949, when Siye formed the four major corps, the only vacant position of corps commander became the focus of subtle competition between Han Xianchu and Deng Hua, two outstanding generals. The purpose of this article is to explore why Han Xianchu ultimately failed to outperform Deng Hua in the competition for this key position.
Background
At the beginning of 1949, as the National Liberation War entered the stage of strategic decisive battle, the Central Military Commission decided to reorganize the major field armies in order to meet the needs of large-scale operations and enhance the mobility and combat effectiveness of the troops. As a powerful strategic force, Siye was entrusted with the important task of forming the four major corps. In this process, in addition to the three existing corps, the newly established corps urgently needs a commander who can control the overall situation and command with certainty.
Han Xianchu: The brave and combative "Whirlwind Commander"
Han Xianchu, known as the "Whirlwind Commander", is known for his bravery, courage and flexible tactical style. In the Northeast Battlefield, Han Xianchu had repeatedly defied public opinion and decisively launched attacks, such as the battles of Sanxia Jiangnan and Sibao Linjiang, all of which achieved major victories and laid a solid foundation for the victory of Siye. He is an excellent commander with great combat experience and the courage to make decisions at critical moments.
Deng Hua: Both strategic vision and political literacy
Deng Hua is a general with profound strategic thinking and high political literacy. He also made great achievements in the Northeast Battlefield, fought side by side with Han Xianchu, and was one of the important military leaders of the Four Fields. While commanding operations, Deng Hua was also good at the political work and ideological building of the troops, was able to think about problems from a higher strategic level, and had the ability to handle complex political and military relations. In addition, Deng Hua served as the deputy commander of the Volunteer Army in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, which demonstrated his outstanding leadership skills on the international stage.
On the issue of vacant corps commanders, the central authorities are obviously not only considering military command capabilities, but also taking into account factors such as political influence, strategic vision, and coordination ability within the armed forces.
Political factors
Deng Hua's political maturity and steadiness made him more handy in handling complex relations between the military, localities, and within the military. In that particular historical period, the political literacy of senior generals was often as important as military ability, and sometimes even became a decisive factor.
Strategic vision
Deng Hua's long-term vision and overall concept in strategic planning make him more prominent in high-level decision-making. He was able to accurately grasp the development trend of the war and formulate an operational plan that conformed to the strategic intent of the central authorities, which was particularly important in the strategic deployment at that time.
Coordination skills
As a corps commander, you must not only be able to win battles, but also have good internal coordination and team management skills. Deng Hua showed a strong overall quality in these aspects, and was able to effectively integrate resources and enhance the combat efficiency of the entire corps.
Historical background and personal characteristics
Each general's upbringing, personality traits, and influence in the military will have an impact on the final personnel arrangement. Deng Hua's prestige during the long revolutionary struggle and his extensive connections in the military may have also been important factors in his eventual victory.
Han Xianchu and Deng Hua had their own merits in military talent, but under the historical conditions at that time, the central government's choice of Deng Hua as the commander of the new corps was based on comprehensive consideration of politics, strategy, coordination, and other aspects. This personnel arrangement is not simply a distinction between superior and inferior, but is based on the needs of army building and the overall strategic situation. Although Han Xianchu did not receive this position, he continued to play an important role in other positions and made great contributions to the cause of China's revolution and construction. The story of the two reflects the rigor and foresight of Siye and even the entire people's army in selecting and employing people from the side, and also reflects the magnificent picture of heroes and leaders in the background of that era.