The commander of the three fields and the four corps, Su Yu's "point general" and the "layout" of the Party Central Committee
In 1949, as the dust settled on the Jiangbei War, the Third Field Army ushered in an important moment of reorganization. This reorganization meant the selection of four commanders who could lead the Corps to new victories. With great enthusiasm, General Su Yu submitted to the Party Central Committee a list of ideal candidates in his mind. However, the result was unexpected, among the four fierce generals he recommended, only Ye Fei was selected as the commander of the 10th Corps. What's going on here?
We have to go back to that turning point in history to find out why. In the eyes of General Su Yu, the ideal candidates are undoubtedly those generals who fought alongside him and knew his strength. Tao Yong, Wang Bicheng, Xu Shiyou, these names are as heavy as a thousand catties in Su Yu's heart. They are not only tigers on the battlefield, but also capable generals in Su Yu's strategic layout. Tao Yong's four columns are the vanguard of the enemy annihilation in the Huaye team, and their courage and courage are like tigers descending from the mountains, which is terrifying. And Wang Bicheng, nicknamed "Wang Laohu", his mighty momentum on the battlefield is enough to make the enemy fearful. Not to mention Xu Shiyou, his combat ability and command talent have already been vividly displayed in the Jiaodong Campaign.
However, the Party Central Committee's considerations are clearly more comprehensive and far-reaching. Wang Jian'an, Chen Shiyu, Song Shilun and Ye Fei, the four appointed commanders, each of them have military exploits and qualifications that cannot be underestimated. Wang Jian'an came all the way from the Red Fourth Front Army, went through ups and downs, and finally sharpened a powerful Eighth Column in the Luzhong Army. His appointment is undoubtedly expected by all. And Ye Fei, a general who has been fighting side by side with Su Yu since 1935, his fierceness and bravery have long been fully proven in the Battle of Subei.
However, the appointment of Chen Shiyu and Song Shilun has caused some controversy. Although Chen Shiyu has outstanding combat ability, his performance in the post of chief of staff is slightly bland. This may be the reason why Su Yu did not include him in the recommended list. As for Song Shilun, although this old revolutionary is loyal and reliable, he is indeed a little lacking in the leadership experience of the main force.
Of course, we cannot ignore the situation of the candidates for the commanders of other field armies. The commanders of the First Field Army, the Second Field Army, the Fourth Field Army, and the North China Field Army were all generals with outstanding military achievements and profound qualifications. They are like the stars, and together they have created that magnificent history.
Returning to the appointment of the commander of Sanye, we can find that this is not only a simple personnel arrangement, but also a profound strategic layout. When considering candidates, the CPC Central Committee has undoubtedly paid more attention to overall balance and future development. And Su Yu's recommendation reflects more of his deep understanding of the battlefield and generals.
Nowadays, when we look back at that period of history, we can't help but sigh at the heroes and changes of that era. Each commander is a treasure of that era, and they used their wisdom and courage to write that immortal legend together.
In general, the appointment of commanders of the three fields and the four corps was the result of careful consideration by the Party Central Committee. It embodies both respect for history and expectations for the future. And Su Yu's recommendation allows us to see the deep friendship between the generals and the tacit cooperation on the battlefield. Whether it is the appointment of the Party Central Committee or Su Yu's recommendation, it is worthy of our in-depth study and consideration.
What do you think, guys? **If you were asked to "point generals", which generals would you choose to lead the four major corps of Sanye?