In 51, Liu Yalou's words made the chairman teary-eyed, chairman: Before I leave, you are not allowed to leave me first. What is the story behind this statement? Why can an ordinary Air Force officer win Chairman Mao's trust and respect? What exactly happened between them that made the chairman so attached to this general? In that turbulent era, what kind of hard efforts did Liu Yalou make to build the air force of New China? What difficulties and challenges did he overcome? And what extraordinary contribution has it made? When Chairman Mao was emotional, did he say such things to Liu Yalou out of simple sympathy and pity? There is a deeper meaning behind it.
1. A heroic general associated with the Air Force
On April 8, 1910, Liu Yalou was born in an ordinary peasant family in Wuping, Fujian. Advancing at a young age, with the ideal and ambition of serving the country and saving the people, he joined the Communist Party of China at the age of 19. After that, he followed Chairman Mao Zedong to participate in the arduous Red Army Long March, and established many combat exploits.
In 1938, Liu Yalou was ordered to go to the Soviet Union for further study, specializing in aviation theory. When he returned to China eight years later, he was already an aviation strategist and was entrusted with the important task of serving as the commander of the Air Force of the Northeast Military Region. In the final stage of the Liberation War, Liu Yalou commanded accurately, led the air force to open the way for the ground troops, and made great achievements for the Chinese people to completely win the war.
On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic finally came to fruition. The nascent people's army urgently needed a powerful air force, and Chairman Mao had the foresight and talent to gladly entrust this important task to Liu Yalou. Liu Yalou has mixed feelings in his heart: on the one hand, he has won many awards and is grateful for the love of the party and the chairman; But on the other hand, he is also well aware of the heavy responsibility on his shoulders and the road ahead is extremely difficult.
For many years, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) has mainly fought ground battles and has not trained too many aviation talents. What is worse is that at the beginning of the founding of the People's Republic of China, the country's financial resources were thin, and the resources for air force construction were stretched. The Army, as the main branch of the armed forces, has also been victorious, resulting in the Air Force often being left out in the cold and ignored. Under such a predicament of internal and external troubles, how did Liu Yalou slowly start his business, work steadily, and build a powerful air force with Chinese characteristics little by little?
Liu Yalou, who was immersed in the smoke of war, was resolute and resolute and tenacious. He systematically studied the art of air strategy and command in the Soviet Union, and during the war, he personally appreciated the know-how of the ground forces and the air force in coordinating operations, which laid a solid foundation for him to take charge of the air force on his own in the future. He knows very well that with the enthusiastic support of the new Chinese people and the wise leadership of the chairman and the party, he will certainly be able to break new ground even in the face of the greatest difficulties.
2. Personally create the cradle of the Chinese Air Force
On June 25, 1950, the Korean War broke out. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea faced a serious threat from the United States military and had to turn to the Chinese Government for help. Chairman Mao readily agreed and decided to send Chinese volunteers to fight in Korea. However, at that time, China had just emerged from the war-torn era, its national strength was still weak, and its air force was even more stretched. In the absence of effective air cover, the ground forces will be at an extremely disadvantage.
At the critical juncture, Liu Yalou fulfilled his duties and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the construction of the Air Force. He worked diligently and personally, starting from nothing to create an aviation dream bit by bit. First of all, he recruited aviation talents on a large scale across the country, organized large-scale propaganda for colleges and universities and local youth, and also issued a recruitment order to the civil aviation system, transportation departments and other relevant units. Under Liu Yalou's advocacy and call, countless people of insight have gone forward to devote themselves to the aviation industry.
Second, Liu Yalou set about setting up an aviation school and training base to systematically train air force flight personnel. The first batch of more than 10 aviation school branches have been completed one by one, and temporary training camps have also been opened in the northwest and northeast places to train all kinds of pilots, maintenance personnel and ground staff. He insisted on combining theory and practice, and arranged for the students not only to be familiar with the teaching models, but also to be diligent in practice, thus effectively shortening the training cycle.
In order to fundamentally reverse the passive situation in which the air force is weak, Liu Yalou also vigorously imported advanced aviation equipment from abroad. He successively went to the Soviet Union, the Czech Republic and other countries to coordinate the procurement of various fighters, transport aircraft, and related ground equipment and accessories. The arrival of these aviation equipment has greatly enhanced the combat effectiveness of the new air force.
However, Liu Yalou's greatest efforts are spent on building a team of high-quality aviation talents. He vigorously promoted young and promising air force talents, personally made up lessons for them, gave lectures, and helped them. He also insisted on starting from the grassroots level, focusing on cultivating backbone cadres, and using his experience to bring up a large number of aviation commanders and political cadres. In order to create a culture of solidarity and hard work in the Air Force, he himself is the biggest role model.
Soon after the Korean War began, the combat strength of the Chinese Air Force began to take shape. Under the outstanding command of Liu Yalou, the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea won many air victories, winning time and space for the smooth offensive of the ground troops. Since then, the Chinese Air Force has also been well-known in the international community and has high morale. Liu Yalou was praised by Chairman Mao as "an outstanding leader in building our air force."
3. A historical turning point in life choices
During the Korean War, Liu Yalou made outstanding contributions to the construction of the Chinese Air Force by virtue of his outstanding military command ability and keen strategic vision. However, in the post-war period, he faced a major test in his life.
In 1953, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, and the fighting between the two sides came to an end temporarily. Liu Yalou's achievements in the Air Force are obvious to all, and the chairman and the central authorities have also given him a very high evaluation and remarks. At this time, the central authorities were brewing reform and readjustment of the PLA, and in order to add new work training to Liu Yalou, they planned to transfer him to the army.
Upon learning of the news of this personnel change, Liu Yalou set off a fierce ideological struggle in his heart. As the founder and leader of the Air Force, he was so good? Years of hard work and hard work have been wasted? What are the prospects for the development of the Air Force? On the other hand, the greatest glory of revolutionary soldiers is to obey the organizational arrangement. But after all, it was difficult for him to give up the "child" he had cultivated for many years.
In the end, Liu Yalou mustered up the courage and politely refused the transfer. He wrote a letter to Chairman Mao and sincerely stated his thoughts, indicating that the Air Force was in a critical period of development, and he was determined to stay and continue to do a good job in the cause of the Air Force. Chairman Mao was not furious when he learned about it, but expressed his appreciation for Liu Yalou's enthusiasm and sense of responsibility for his work.
Just when everyone thought that the turmoil would subside like this, an unexpected thing happened. Chairman Mao suddenly decided not only not to transfer Liu Yalou to his post, but to let him continue to serve as the commander of the air force, and directly "gave an order" to him: to build the Chinese air force into a powerful and combat-effective modern service in the shortest possible time.
This is undoubtedly a heavy trust, Liu Yalou is both surprised and proud. He once again profoundly realized that the greatest honor of being a soldier is to fight in the posts that the party and the people need most. From this moment on, he made up his mind to integrate the pursuit of personal ideals into the cause of the party and the country, and devoted all his efforts to building the Chinese Air Force into a stronger force!
In the following years, Liu Yalou forgot to sleep and eat, delved into business, and devoted himself to the construction of the Air Force. He traveled thousands of miles to inspect various air bases and guide training work. He also consulted materials and delved into emerging missile weapons; He also often led teams abroad to study and introduce advanced aviation theories. He was even more strict with his subordinates and established a fine style of "being able to endure hardships and being willing to study".
Under Liu Yalou's personal planning and specific operation, the Chinese Air Force finally ushered in an unprecedented tide of development. A large number of new fighters, transport planes, and training planes have been installed one after another; The level of pilots trained by aviation schools is also rising; Considerable progress has been made in combat capability and early warning system. Under Liu Yalou's indomitable struggle, the high hopes placed on him by the party and the country have finally not been disappointed!
4. Revolutionary friendship breeds weal and woe
The friendship between Liu Yalou and Chairman Mao Zedong can be traced back to that treacherous era. In 1928, Liu Yalou joined the Communist Party of China, and the following year he successively served as an armed instructor in southern Hunan, western Fujian and other base areas. In 1934, when the Red Army carried out the famous Long March, Liu Yalou was already a tiger general under Mao Zedong, and he personally experienced that thrilling time.
On the Long March, the two sides not only established a solid revolutionary comradeship, but also respected each other in life and death. As a middle- and lower-level cadre, Liu Yalou is brave and belligerent, and has strict discipline, which has won the respect of Chairman Mao. In the eyes of Liu Yalou, Chairman Mao is the supreme commander who is wise and brave and has good command.
During the civil war, Liu Yalou fought in Northwest China, North China and other places, made great achievements, and was awarded the rank of major general. The War of Liberation lasted for a long time, and the two sides were like brothers and sisters, sharing weal and woe, and each other's revolutionary friendship was slowly born. The cordial call of "Lao Liu" was full of the chairman's infinite nostalgia and appreciation for this close comrade-in-arms.
After the founding of the People's Republic of China, Liu Yalou, as Chairman Mao's old subordinate, has always been loyal, brave, upright, hard-working, and once again won Chairman Mao's trust and reuse. The chairman's entrustment of the construction of the Chinese Air Force to Liu Yalou was to a large extent due to this long-standing and unswerving revolutionary friendship.
In the face of heavy work tasks, Liu Yalou never complained, but worked harder. He often said to his subordinates: "The greatest glory we have in this line of work is to solve the problems that the party and the people need to solve the most." What is most needed now is to build the Air Force, so we must do our best to do this well. This revolutionary spirit of serving the people undoubtedly benefited from his close contacts with Chairman Mao for many years.
When Liu Yalou was sleeping all night and making every effort to manage the construction of the air force, the chairman did not stand idly by. Whenever there is a major military activity, Chairman Mao will personally give guidance; Every time Liu Yalou submits a report, he will try his best to answer it. Even on some difficult issues, the chairman will convene a special meeting of relevant parties to discuss them. It can be said that the chairman is Liu Yalou's think tank and backer for the construction of the Air Force.
What moved Liu Yalou even more was that the chairman often gave him warm words and exhortations. For example, once, Liu Yalou was slightly tired due to working overtime for several days. Seeing this, the chairman personally approached him and told him to pay attention to his body, affectionately addressing him as "comrade". This scene moved all the staff present. It is precisely under the kind care and encouragement of the chairman that Liu Yalou can make unremitting efforts and tirelessly.
Since then, whether in military work or in daily life, the chairman has regarded Liu Yalou as a close revolutionary comrade-in-arms and confidant. This friendship has long gone beyond a simple relationship between superiors and subordinates, but is rooted in the eventful years they have experienced together. It is this profound revolutionary friendship that has given birth to their iron-clad friendship of life and death!
5. The swan song of sharing adversity
In 1970, Liu Yalou, then 60 years old, was terminally ill. This veteran of the Air Force has fought for the country's aviation cause for decades, and it can be said that he has done his best and died. When the news came, Chairman Mao personally visited the hospital.
Witnesses at the scene still remember the scene vividly. Chairman Mao hobbled into the ward and saw the haggard Liu Yalou, his face full of concern. He stepped forward to inquire about his condition and instructed the medical staff to do their best. Then, he sat on the edge of the bed and had a long talk with Liu Yalou.
At first, the two jokingly recalled the hard years of those years. Chairman Mao said, you have to work hard to recover, and we still expect you to go back and continue to lead the Air Force. Liu Yalou smiled and agreed, still looking calm.
Soon, the conversation moved on to deeper topics. Chairman Mao said earnestly: You are a good son of the party and an outstanding builder of the People's Air Force. In your hands, a once-weak air force has become formidable and powerful. It's all the result of decades of hard work.
Chairman Mao's voice changed, and he suddenly choked up: "But, you are terminally ill now, and it is so sad to look at me!" I wish you a good recovery and continue to lead our Air Force cause...... If you have three long and two short, I don't know what to do. ＂
When others heard this, they were all shocked. I have never seen a leader who treats people so kindly and loves his subordinates!
Liu Yalou was deeply moved by the chairman's sincere heart, and tears welled up in his eyes. He tried to articulate his emotions and said intermittently, "Chairman, you think too highly of me. The Air Force is the Air Force of the Party and the people, and I am nothing more than the most humble member of this contingent. I am fortunate to be able to contribute to the revolutionary cause for the third time......
"You have taught us that a person's life is finite, and that only the cause of serving the people is eternal. I have completed the task you have given me now. If there is any regret, it is that things have not been done well enough to build the Air Force into a stronger force. Rest assured, though...... With the leadership of the party and the people, and the successors of our generation, the Air Force will certainly be even more brilliant tomorrow! ＂
When everyone present heard these words, they were all shocked by Liu Yalou's indomitable revolutionary will. Chairman Mao could no longer control himself, and tears welled up in his eyes. He took out a handkerchief to wipe away his tears, and said solemnly: "Lao Liu, you and I have too deep an old friendship, you can't just leave me like this!" Hold on a little longer, don't go before me! ＂
Since then, Chairman Mao often visited the hospital in person and had a long talk with Liu Yalou. The two seemed to have returned to those eventful years, and they talked about everything. Under the careful care of the chairman, Liu Yalou's condition improved for a while. However, after only a few months, his physical condition deteriorated again. On May 17, 1971, the founder of the Air Force and a revolutionary hero, passed away in this way.
Faced with the sad news of the death of his best friend, Chairman Mao was heartbroken. He wrote an elegy in his own handwriting to remember this old comrade-in-arms who shared weal and woe. On the occasion of the national mourning, he also personally went to the Babaoshan Revolutionary Cemetery to visit Liu Yalou's body, and said affectionately: "Lao Liu, I really didn't expect you to leave us so early, I feel so sad!" ＂
This touching friendship reflects the revolutionary friendship between Chairman Mao and Liu Yalou that originated from bloody battles and lasted for a long time. A generation of great men and a generation of loyal servants, they have condensed the aviation dream of the Chinese nation with blood and sweat, and also composed a moving revolutionary swan song with the deep affection of life and death!