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Text丨Bohn's History of Words
Editor丨Bohn History
After the outbreak of the Korean War, the United Nations forces led by United States quickly intervened, and the situation was extremely unfavorable for North Korea.
Northeast China shares a border with North Korea, and if North Korea completely falls into the hands of the U.S. military, it will directly threaten China's national security.
Therefore, Chairman Mao made a difficult but decisive decision to send Chinese volunteers into Korea to fight against the US army in order to defend the nascent People's Republic of China.
However, it is not easy to choose a suitable commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army, and Chairman Mao was particularly cautious in choosing generals.
In this context, Chen Yi took the initiative to ask Ying, expressing his willingness to personally lead the army to the battle, but was rejected by the chairman.
Why didn't Chairman Mao let Chen Yi be the commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army?
Why does this position fall on Mr. Peng?
Chairman Mao ordered the general
In 1950, the Korean War broke out, and the Korean Peninsula quickly became a fierce confrontation point between the Eastern and Western camps during the Cold War, and the conflict between the North and the South reached its peak at this moment.
The Korean People's Army, having the upper hand in the early stages of the war, quickly advanced southward, occupying almost the entire Korean Peninsula.
However, the situation was quickly reversed, and the United States government decided to step in, announcing on June 27 that it would send U.S. troops into the Korean Peninsula to stop the further advance of North Korean troops.
The United States quickly organized the United Nations forces dominated by it, and with its powerful air and sea forces, it quickly turned the tide of the battlefield after the war began.
By September 1950, U.S. troops landed at Inchon and successfully cut off the rear supply lines of the Korean People's Army, forcing it to retreat.
Subsequently, the U.S. military advanced rapidly and crossed the 38th parallel, bringing the flames of war to the northern part of Korea, approaching the Yalu River on the border with North Korea.
At this time, United States occupied the military initiative on the Korean Peninsula and posed a direct threat to the Sino-North Korean border area, and US air strikes crossed the border from time to time to harass Chinese residents.
United States' military action is obviously not only aimed at repelling the Korean People's Army, but also to test China's bottom line, in an attempt to force China not to intervene in the war through military deterrence.
At the same time, the United States government has taken broader strategic measures in the Far East, particularly along China's southeastern coast, sending fleets to obstruct the PLA's efforts to achieve national reunification.
In the face of military pressure from the US military, China has conducted in-depth discussions and strategic analyses internally.
Chairman Mao realized that United States' military action in Korea was not just for the war between North and South Korea, but directly aimed at New China, trying to isolate China from the international community through military threats and blockades.
If China does not take action in a timely manner, United States will interfere in China's internal affairs more brazenly, and it is very likely that it will form a long-term suppression of China in East Asia, and China's territorial integrity and national security are facing unprecedented threats.
Therefore, after Chairman Mao quickly unified his internal thinking and made the decision to fight in Korea, the next important task was to select commanders, and Su Yu and Lin Shuai were both ideal commanders.
Chen Yi Mao recommended himself
Su Yu was one of the most outstanding military strategists during the Liberation War, he commanded Ruoding in the East China battlefield, repeatedly performed miraculous feats, showed excellent strategic vision and flexible tactical execution, Chairman Mao greatly appreciated his talent.
However, Su Yu's health is not optimistic, he has accumulated a lot of old injuries in the long-term war, and the battlefield conditions to resist US aggression and aid Korea are difficult and extremely risky, Chairman Mao has to consider Su Yu's actual situation.
As for Lin Shuai, his military talent is beyond doubt, especially in the War of Liberation, the Northeast Battlefield he commanded won a series of key victories, laying an important foundation for the establishment of New China.
However, on the question of whether to send troops to North Korea, Lin Shuai always had reservations, believing that a direct military confrontation with the world's number one power, United States, would be extremely risky.
Chairman Mao was unwilling to be timid before fighting, and Lin Shuai's health was not good, so he did not insist on letting him serve as the commander of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.
Neither of these men was up to the task, and Chairman Mao fell into a difficult decision-making dilemma, and it was at this moment that Chen Yi saw the urgency of the Korean war situation and the huge international pressure that China was facing, and took the initiative to stand up and take on this heavy responsibility.
Chairman Mao was moved by Chen Yi's initiative, but after careful consideration, he finally declined Chen Yi's kindness.
The Chair's decision was based on a number of considerations.
First of all, Chen Yi's position at that time was very important, Shanghai was the top priority to restore the economy and consolidate the political power after the founding of the People's Republic of China, and Chen Yi, as the mayor, shouldered the important task of stabilizing East China and building Shanghai.
Chairman Mao believed that if Chen Yi left Shanghai to fight in North Korea, it would affect the stability of work in this important region of China.
Second, the nature of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea was extremely special, the operational environment was complex and changeable, and the battlefield was not only on the Korean Peninsula, but also in a complex international situation and a highly tense military confrontation.
Judging from Chen Yi's past experience, he is more responsible for political work and united front work, and commanding large corps operations is not his strong point.
Therefore, after comprehensive consideration, Chairman Mao still let Chen Yi continue to stay in the domestic leadership position and engage in the work he is best at.
Mr. Peng is in charge
After Chairman Mao politely rejected Chen Yi's self-recommendation, he fell into deep thought, the war to resist US aggression and aid Korea was imminent, and who could serve as the commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army at this critical moment became the most important question in Chairman Mao's heart.
He finally decided to recall Mr. Peng, who was engaged in construction work in the northwest region, which fully reflected Chairman Mao's wisdom of being good at recognizing and employing people.
Peng Lao is always a general who can take charge of our army alone, and he is also a master tactician tempered in the long-term revolutionary war.
He was known for his courage to fight and his ability to fight tough battles, and every battle he commanded terrified the enemy, and his tactical and strategic vision were highly appreciated by Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee.
At the same time, Mr. Peng understood the danger of the continued advance of the US military towards the Chinese border, so after learning that the Party Central Committee had decided to send troops to aid the DPRK, he did not hesitate to express his full support and was ready to accept the most difficult tasks at any time.
In the end, Mr. Peng became the best choice for the commander-in-chief of the Volunteer Army by virtue of his outstanding position in the army, rich military experience, and his resolute support for the war against the United States and aid Korea.
After Mr. Peng was recalled, without any hesitation, he immediately led the Chinese People's Volunteers into the Korean War, and facts proved that Chairman Mao's choice was extremely correct.
Under the command of Mr. Peng, the Volunteers won a series of beautiful battles, successfully contained the offensive of the US army with courage and wisdom, and finally defended the dignity of New China on the international stage.
Under the strong leadership of Chairman Mao and the CPC Central Committee, New China has successfully crossed this major historical juncture.
Through resolute military action and diplomatic wisdom, it effectively contained United States' expansion attempts and established the image of New China as a rising world power. #长文创作激励计划#
Resources:
The marshals of the Republic during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea Source: Study Times 2020-12-04
Chen Yi--Data Center--Communist Party of China News Network. People's Daily Online [Quote date: 2021-06-10]
PENG Dehuai. China Military Network [Citation date: 2019-12-1]