[The content of this article is based on authoritative historical data, and there are citations at the end of the article, please be aware.] 】
"History always repeats similar tragedies inadvertently."
In Meng Lianggu, as Li Tianxia's subordinate, Luo Wenlang experienced the thrilling battle of this battle, and his evaluation of Zhang Lingfu - "It's just a horse, I led the troops to rescue, but he used me as cannon fodder", reflecting Zhang Lingfu's complex and tragic figure, which makes people ponder: Is he really the "horseman" of that era?
1. The background of the Battle of Menglianggu
In 1947, the War of Liberation entered a critical phase. After the all-out offensive was frustrated, the Kuomintang army turned to the strategy of focusing on the offensive in an attempt to make a breakthrough in northern Shaanxi and Shandong. In the Shandong battlefield, the First Corps, with the reorganized 74th Division as the core, became the main force of the Kuomintang army.
Zhang Lingfu, the commander of the division, was known as a "fierce general" in the army because of his arrogant and domineering style and arrogant character. However, it was this character that ultimately led to his tragedy. The Battle of Menglianggu was known as "the first rank of general in a million-strong army" and was an important event in the history of the Chinese revolution.
It shows the important influence of the people's support on the outcome of the war by the people in the Yimeng Mountains, as well as the great power of the military and the people working together and uniting as one.
The Battle of Menglianggu not only smashed the Kuomintang army's plan for a "decisive battle in Luzhong" and severely frustrated its key offensive against the liberated areas of Shandong, greatly shook the Kuomintang army, effectively boosted the confidence of the people of the whole country in victory, and also became a monument in the history of the Chinese revolution.
2. Zhang Lingfu's metaphor of "Ma Tan".
Zhang Lingfu, whose name was thunderous in the Anti-Japanese War, was known for his bravery and good fighting. In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Zhang Lingfu, as a Kuomintang general, actively participated in the anti-Japanese battlefield and participated in many important battles, such as the Battle of Nanjing, the Battle of Lanfeng, and the Battle of Wuhan. Li Tianxia has shown extraordinary military talent since she was a child.
In the War of Resistance Against Japan, he made many military exploits and was known for his wisdom and bravery. However, in the battle of Menglianggu, he encountered an unprecedented predicament. In May 1947, the Kuomintang army began a full-scale attack on the liberated area of Shandong, and Zhang Lingfu led the 74th Division to go deep into the depths of the strategically important Menglianggu.
This action completely violated the strategy of steady and steady attack by Tang Enbo and other commanders, but Zhang Lingfu insisted on going his own way, believing that he could take charge of the situation by virtue of the combat effectiveness of his troops. However, he underestimated the strength and determination of the East China Field Army, and also laid the groundwork for his own defeat.
Ma Tan eventually led to the loss of the street pavilion due to his lack of practical combat experience and became a laughing stock for the ages. Zhang Lingfu's performance in the Battle of Menglianggu does have similarities. Although he was a famous general, he was overconfident, ignored the complexity and variability of the battlefield situation, and failed to adjust his strategic deployment in a timely manner, which eventually led to the destruction of the 74th Division.
This kind of command style that disregards reality and is blindly confident makes him make wrong decisions at critical moments, pushing the situation that could have been saved to a desperate situation.
3. Li Tianxia's rescue and helplessness
As Zhang Lingfu's friendly army, the 83rd Division led by Li Tianxia was ordered to go to reinforcements. However, Li Tianxia and Zhang Lingfu have never been on good terms, and the situation on the battlefield is complex and changeable, so Li Tianxia's rescue operation is not active. Despite this, he still sent Luo Wenlang's 57th Regiment to the Laomaowo Mountain south of Duozhuang, responsible for covering the security of the right rear of the 74th Division.
After Luo Wenlang entered the designated place according to Li Tianxia's instructions, he found that Zhang Lingfu did not take the opportunity to escape, but pulled the main force to Meng Lianggu. Zhang Lingfu called Luo Wenlang on Meng Lianggu, with an arrogant attitude, and asked the 57th Regiment to ensure the safety of the right flank of the 74th Division and put it under his command.
What made Li Tianxia even more angry was that Zhang Lingfu not only had no intention of retreating at the critical moment, but instead used his troops as cannon fodder and asked them to take on the task of covering. This kind of command behavior that disregarded the safety of friendly troops and only cared about personal glory undoubtedly made Li Tianxia and his subordinates feel cold and angry. Although Luo Wenlang was angry, he had no choice but to obey the order.
"Lips and teeth are cold", when Zhang Lingfu was in trouble, Li Tianxia was ordered to lead troops to rescue. However, Li Tianxia said that she was used as "cannon fodder" by Zhang Lingfu. Li Tianxia's troops encountered stubborn resistance from the enemy during the rescue process and suffered heavy losses.
He was full of helplessness and indignation in his heart, but he also knew that he couldn't give up, because this was not only about the life and death of his comrades-in-arms, but also about the direction of the entire battle situation; On the one hand, they had to face the stubborn resistance of the People's Liberation Army, and on the other hand, they were dissatisfied with Zhang Lingfu's command. In this complex situation, rescue operations are struggling.
The reasons for this are not only the factional struggles and contradictions within the Kuomintang army, but also Zhang Lingfu's selfishness and arbitrariness in the war.
Fourth, the arrogant soldiers will be defeated: Zhang Lingfu's blind self-confidence
Zhang Lingfu, a general who had been in the limelight in the Kuomintang army, suffered a crushing defeat in the Battle of Menglianggu. He was described as "Ma Yan" by Li Tianxia's subordinates, and this evaluation is by no means groundless. Zhang Lingfu's performance on the battlefield fully exposed his blind self-confidence and self-righteousness.
He thought he was well-equipped and well-armed, but underestimated the strength and tactics of the PLA. This arrogant attitude made him make a fatal mistake in his operational deployment. Ignoring the coordination of friendly forces, he went deep alone, in a vain attempt to defeat the PLA in one fell swoop. However, his arrogance eventually led to his own demise.
On Meng Lianggu, Zhang Lingfu's command level was exposed. He was overconfident and ignored the real situation on the battlefield, which led to the passivity of the troops. The East China Field Army quickly adjusted its deployment and laid siege to the 74th Division.
Zhang Lingfu still insisted on waiting for reinforcements in the predicament, but the reinforcements were delayed. In the end, under the fierce attack of the People's Liberation Army, the 74th Division was annihilated, and Zhang Lingfu was also killed.
5. Luo Wenlang's memories and reflections
Luo Wenlang, as Li Tianxia's subordinate, experienced the whole process of this battle. In his recollections, he described in detail Zhang Lingfu's arrogance and command mistakes, as well as his helplessness and anger as cannon fodder. He thinks that Zhang Lingfu is just a horseman, who can only talk on paper, and does not know how to be flexible according to the actual situation.
At the critical moment, Zhang Lingfu not only did not retreat, but instead used other people's troops in front as cannon fodder, which is really despicable. Luo Wenlang also recalled some details of the battle. For example, Zhang Lingfu's arrogant attitude when he called Luo Wenlang on Meng Lianggu; For example, the misjudgment and chaotic command of the battlefield situation by commanders such as Tang Enbo;
For example, the heroic and fearless charge and sacrifice of the PLA soldiers. These details made him deeply feel the cruelty and ruthlessness of war.
Looking back on this period of history, we can't help but ask: Is Zhang Lingfu's failure just a personal fault? The answer is clearly no. Corruption, factional strife, and strategic and tactical failures within the Kuomintang army were all important reasons for the defeat of the campaign.
"Taking history as a mirror, we can know the rise and fall." From the fate of Zhang Lingfu, we deeply understand that in war, arrogant soldiers are bound to lose, and unity and cooperation are very important. At the same time, correct strategic decision-making and accurate judgment of the enemy are the keys to victory.
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Bibliography:
[1] Ye Jiefu. The Battle of Menglianggu: The First Rank of General in the Million Army[J].Spring and Autumn,2021,(01):11-16.
[2] Yang Wenyu. The Battle between Zhang Lingfu and Meng Lianggu[J].Party History Expo,2020,(07):15-18.
[3]刘兆东.孟良崮战役[J].孙子研究,2016,(03):107-109+114.