The content of this article is written with authoritative sources, and the source and screenshots of the literature have been marked at the end of the article, please be aware.
In the thick smoke of the Chinese Liberation War, the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo Left-behind Corps played an indispensable role. The commander of each regiment has his own unique combat experience and leadership qualities, and what rank were these heroes given at a special ceremony in 1955?
Admiral Yan Hongyan
Yan Hongyan, a native of Shaanxi, has been closely linked to the fate of the Red Army in northern Shaanxi since his youth. His early involvement laid a solid foundation for his later military career, allowing him to hold several key positions in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Yan Hongyan served as the head of the 3rd Regiment of the Eighth Route Army's Garrison Guard, and let him be responsible for protecting the security of the anti-Japanese base area, which was a glorious and arduous task. His troops often need to carry out their tasks in harsh environments, whether it is a bitter winter night or a scorching summer day, they are always on the front line. During these difficult days, Yan Hongyan's leadership skills were tempered and displayed, and his tactical command and military layout were tested in many battles.
Subsequently, Yan Hongyan further demonstrated his military talent in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningjin-Sui Joint Defense Army, serving as the deputy commander of the 1st Garrison Brigade.
During the War of Liberation, Yan Hongyan's military career reached new heights. He successively served as the deputy commander of the 3rd Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army and the 3rd Column of the Central Plains Field Army, which allowed him to deeply participate in some important battles in the Liberation War. In these positions, Yan Hongyan was responsible for directing large-scale troop movements and the formulation of battle plans, and his tactical judgment and command and dispatch proved his ability in many battles.
Most notably, his role as deputy political commissar of the 3rd Corps of the Second Field Army was not only military command, but also involved in the political work of the Corps, ensuring that morale and party policies were implemented. The challenge of this role is to balance combat effectiveness with the political stability of the Corps, and Yan's work in this area reflects his comprehensiveness and depth. In 1955, Yan Hongyan's military and political contributions received the highest recognition from the state, and he was awarded the rank of general.
Lieutenant General Zhou Renjie and Chen Xianrui
Zhou Renjie's military career during the Liberation War was multifaceted. As the commander of the 3rd Independent Division of the Jichareliao Military Region, Zhou Renjie was responsible for commanding a key division-level unit, which played a dual role of assault and defense in a number of important battles.
Subsequently, Zhou Renjie was promoted to deputy commander of the 11th Column of the Northeast Field Army, a position that was particularly important in the Northeast Liberated Area. During this time, he assisted column commanders in strategic planning and troop deployment, involving a wide range of tactical decisions and logistical support. The complex geographical environment and harsh climatic conditions in the Northeast region require him to have advanced planning capabilities and strong adaptability to ensure that the troops can maintain combat effectiveness under harsh conditions.
Eventually, Zhou Renjie was promoted to deputy commander of the 48th Army of the Fourth Field Army, a position that required him to take full responsibility for the strategic layout and combat command of the army. During this period, he was directly involved in the command of a number of large-scale campaigns, including the planning and execution of military operations, the dispatch of troops, and the optimization of resource allocation. His performance in these important positions culminated in the 1955 attainment of the rank of lieutenant general, a national recognition of his outstanding contributions to military leadership.
For Chen Xianrui, his position during the Liberation War was equally crucial. As deputy commander of the Henan-Hubei-Shaanxi Military Region, Chen Xianrui was responsible for coordinating and managing military operations across several provinces. In this role, he had to deal with complex theater relations, as well as collaboration with local governments and civilian forces. Subsequently, as deputy commander of the Western Henan Military Region, Chen Xianrui was faced with more arduous tasks, especially in the deployment of strategic materials and troops.
During his transfer to the post of deputy commander of the Southern Shaanxi Military Region, Chen Xianrui's responsibilities were further increased, and military activities in this area had a decisive impact on the entire Southwest Liberation Campaign. In this position, he had to ensure not only the achievement of strategic goals, but also the morale and material supply of the troops. In 1955, he was awarded the rank of lieutenant general for his leadership and military skills in several key military regions.
Lieutenant General Wen Niansheng and Zhang Caiqian
Wen Niansheng's job change during the Liberation War was full of challenges and opportunities. He first served as deputy commander of the 3rd Column, a position that involved him in many tactical decisions and combat command, working closely with front-line forces and logistics to ensure the successful completion of strategic objectives. In this role, Mr. Moon's focus is on coordinating joint operations across multiple arms and optimizing the operational efficiency of the force to ensure a rapid response to enemy dynamics.
Subsequently, Wen Niansheng was promoted to commander of the 6th Column of the North China Military Region. This promotion is not only a recognition of his previous work, but also brings him greater responsibilities and challenges. In the North China Military Region, he was responsible for directing all strategic deployments and military operations of a key column. His main task is to maintain stability and security in his jurisdiction, while also defending against enemy intrusions and attacks. At this stage, Wen Niansheng needed to constantly coordinate with other columns and corps to jointly develop regional defense and offensive plans.
During his tenure as commander of the 6th Column of the North China Military Region, Wen Niansheng's leadership ability was further developed. Not only did he have to make quick decisions on the battlefield, but he also had to ensure that the morale of the troops was high and that the internal unity of the corps was maintained. During this period, his command involved frequent and intense battles, requiring him to have a high degree of tactical flexibility and adaptability.
Later, Wen Niansheng was appointed commander of the 68th Army of the 20th Corps of the North China Military Region, which was another important milestone in his career. In this role, he was responsible for a larger force that involved broader strategic planning and military management. As a military commander, Wen Niansheng's decisions directly affected the combat effectiveness and survival of thousands of soldiers. He needs to accurately grasp the situation of the battle, optimize the allocation of resources, and maintain close communication with his superiors and troops at the same level.
When he was conferred the rank in 1955, he was awarded the rank of lieutenant general for his leadership and tactical wisdom at various levels.
Zhang Caiqian's position during the Liberation War was also full of challenges. He initially served as chief of staff of the 1st Column of the Central Plains Military Region, a position that required him to have a deep understanding of military strategy and be able to effectively translate it into practical operation. Here, Zhang Caiqian was responsible for assisting the column commander in daily tactical deployment and troop adjustment, ensuring that the troops could maintain combat effectiveness in a complex and changeable battlefield environment.
After that, Zhang Caiqian was appointed deputy political commissar of the 12th Column of the Central Plains Field Army, a position that allowed him to be more involved in the political work of the army, including morale improvement, political education, and ideological unity of the troops. His work in this capacity helped ensure the cohesion and combat effectiveness of the troops in the heat of battle.
In the end, Zhang Caiqian served as the deputy commander of the Jianghan Military Region, which was another peak in his career. During this period, he will not only participate in strategic planning and decision-making in the theater, but also coordinate various resources to ensure that the theater can effectively respond to various military and political needs. In 1955, his hard work and notable achievements also led him to be awarded the rank of lieutenant general, the highest recognition of his many years of military service.
Major Generals He Jinnian, Bai Zhiwen, Wang Zhaoxiang
As the commander of the 1st Garrison Regiment and an outstanding military leader, He Jinnian's military career began in his hometown of Zichang, Shaanxi, and he participated in the revolution at an early age and became one of the founders of the Red Army in northern Shaanxi. During the War of Liberation, He Jinnian's military responsibilities and roles continued to expand, and he successively served as the deputy commander of the 7th Column and the 11th Column of the Northeast Field Army, and finally rose to the important position of commander of the 48th Army of the Fourth Field Army.
During his tenure as deputy commander of the 7th Column of the Northeast Field Army, He Jinnian was responsible for assisting the Column Commander in developing tactics and strategies in a number of key battles. The troops under his command frequently displayed efficient combat effectiveness and excellent tactical application on the battlefield in the northeast, ensuring the stability and progress of the battle front. Subsequently, as the commander of the 11th Column, He Jinnian directly led the column's important combat missions in the War of Liberation, and his leadership enabled the column to achieve decisive victories in many key battles.
After being promoted to commander of the 48th Army of the Fourth Field Army, He Jinnian's responsibility was even greater, and he was responsible for the strategic deployment and daily management of the entire army. Under his direction, the 48th Army played a key role in many battles in the War of Liberation. In 1955, He Jinnian was awarded the rank of major general for his outstanding military talent and contribution to the cause of liberation.
During the same period, Bai Zhiwen, as the commander of the 5th Garrison Regiment, also held a number of important positions during the Liberation War. He was the deputy commander of the 3rd Division of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, where he oversaw military operations and strategic deployment in the region. Subsequently, when he served as the commander of the 2nd Brigade of the North China Military Region's Supplementary Training Corps, Bai Zhiwen effectively organized the training and integration of new recruits, and improved the combat capability and tactical level of the troops. Finally, he served as the head of the 1st Corps of the Military and Political University of the North China Military Region, responsible for training officers and political workers in the military region, and made important contributions to the strategic implementation and troop enhancement of the entire North China Military Region. In 1955, Bai Zhiwen was also awarded the rank of major general in recognition of his achievements in military training and management.
Wang Zhaoxiang also showed his military talents during this period. As the commander of the 6th Garrison Regiment, he served as the commander of the 13th Independent Division of the Northeast Field Army, and led division-level units to perform many important tasks in the Liberation War. His troops excelled in a number of campaigns, effectively accomplishing the set military objectives. Subsequently, he was promoted to commander of the 49th Army of the Fourth Field Army, and Wang Zhaoxiang's responsibilities were further expanded to include broader strategic planning and force management. Under his command, the 49th Army repeatedly achieved remarkable results on the battlefield and made key contributions to the final victory in the war. In 1955, Wang Zhaoxiang was awarded the rank of Major General for his outstanding performance in military command and tactical application.
Ying's premature death
Yin Guochi, as the commander of the 7th Garrison Regiment, his military career was short but extremely glorious. Born in Yongxin, Jiangxi Province, he devoted himself to the revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China as a young man, became a member of the Red Army, and left his footprints in the famous Long March in history. This arduous experience not only tempered his will, but also deepened his commitment to the revolutionary cause.
After the Long March, Yin Guochi continued to participate in the struggle against Japan, and his military position gradually rose through the ranks, and he was eventually appointed as the commander of the 7th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army. In this position, Yoon led his team in a number of key battles and made important contributions to stopping the Japanese invasion. However, working conditions during this period were extremely difficult, and Yin and his troops often fought without adequate supplies and medical support.
As the regiment commander, Yin Guochi not only had to plan and execute military operations, but also cared about the lives and health of the soldiers, and often personally checked the supply and logistics support at the front. But after a long period of high-intensity fighting and a harsh environment, Yoon's physical condition also began to deteriorate. He had undergone several brief treatments for injuries and illnesses on the battlefield, but given the medical constraints of the time, these treatments often did not solve the problem completely.
In the spring of 1940, after completing a series of combat missions, Yin Guochi's physical condition deteriorated seriously and was arranged to return to Yan'an for treatment. However, on the way back, his condition suddenly worsened. In the limited medical conditions and continuous transfer, Yin Guochi's body was finally unable to bear the burden, resulting in his unfortunate death on the way back at the age of 33.
References:[1]Wei Yanqiu. On the historical contribution of the left-behind corps of the Eighth Route Army to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningbo Border Region[J].Journal of Yan'an Cadre College,2017,10(5):73-7753.)