As everyone knows, the Battle of Huaihai was one of the three major battles in the War of Liberation, and it was an important battle that changed the fate of China. However, in this world-renowned battle, there was a powerful general who was unexpectedly absent. He is General Xu Shiyou, a tiger general of the East China Field Army.
General Xu Shiyou was unable to participate in the Huaihai Battle due to a leg injury, which is a well-known statement for many people. But a closer look at history reveals some puzzling clues. Why did Xu Shiyou, who performed well in the Battle of Jinan, be absent in the subsequent Battle of Huaihai? Was his leg injury really too bad to fight? Or is there a deeper reason behind this Armageddon?
Let's trace history together, starting from three little-known signs, to uncover the truth about General Xu Shiyou's absence from the Huaihai Campaign. Are there more complex military considerations and personnel arrangements involved? What impact will the absence of General Xu Shiyou have on this decisive battle that will change the fate of China?
Xu Shiyou's military talent and personality characteristics
General Xu Shiyou, the son of a peasant born in the Yimeng Mountains of Shandong, wrote a strong mark in the course of the Chinese revolution with his extraordinary courage and outstanding military talents. His military career dates back to 1929, when Xu Shiyou, at the age of 14, joined the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army. Since then, he has grown through the war-torn years and gradually become an excellent military commander.
In the Battle of Jinan, Xu Shiyou's performance can be described as dazzling. As the commander of the main attacking force, he led the troops to break through the city of Jinan with lightning speed. The battle was originally expected to take about a month to complete, but under the command of Xu Shiyou, it took only 8 days to achieve victory. This not only reflects Xu Shiyou's outstanding military talent, but also shows his personality characteristics of daring to fight.
Xu Shiyou's conducting style can be described as "vigorous and resolute". He is good at seizing fighter opportunities, making decisive decisions, and can often turn the tide of battle at critical moments. In the Battle of Jinan, in the face of the stubborn resistance of the defenders, Xu Shiyou decisively decided to concentrate his forces for a fierce attack, a decision that eventually led to the early end of the campaign. This quick and decisive style of command can lead to unexpected victories in some cases, but it can also be too presumptuous and cause problems.
However, Xu Shiyou's personality traits have also brought some controversy. He sometimes adjusts the battle plan formulated by his superiors according to the actual situation on the battlefield. Although this approach was successful in the Battle of Jinan, it also caused some dissatisfaction from the superiors. General Su Yu, for example, was dissatisfied with Xu Shiyou's rapid breakthrough of the city, as it disrupted his original plan to lure reinforcements from the Kuomintang army in Xuzhou.
The relationship between Xu Shiyou and other generals is also a matter of concern. As an excellent commander, Xu Shiyou had a high prestige in the troops, but his unique command style sometimes disagreed with other generals. For example, he and Su Yu have some different views on the way they fight. Su Yu is good at large corps movement warfare, while Xu Shiyou prefers to command operations at close range. This difference affects the coordination between them to a certain extent.
In addition, Xu Shiyou has a straightforward personality and sometimes expresses his opinions bluntly, which may also cause some misunderstandings or friction. After the Battle of Jinan, when he happily asked his superiors for credit, he encountered a cold reaction, which made Xu Shiyou feel a little unhappy. This personality trait, in some cases, may affect unity and cooperation within the military.
In general, General Xu Shiyou was a military commander with outstanding ability and a strong personality. His outstanding performance in the Battle of Jinan fully proved his military talent. However, his unique command style and distinctive personality also brought some complications to his position in the army and his relationship with other generals. These factors may have influenced the consideration of his use by the higher levels to some extent, especially in a large-scale battle like the Huaihai Campaign.
Military layout before the Battle of Huaihai
Before the start of the Huaihai Campaign, the overall strategic layout of the East China Field Army had begun to take shape. This layout is not only related to the upcoming Huaihai Campaign, but also related to the direction of the entire Liberation War in East China. As one of the main forces of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, the strategic deployment of the East China Field Army directly affects the development of the entire war situation.
In September 1948, the East China Field Army had just finished the Jinan Campaign. The victory in this battle laid a solid foundation for the subsequent Huaihai Campaign. The East China Field Army not only occupied Jinan, an important strategic location, but also wiped out a large number of Kuomintang troops, greatly weakening the enemy's strength. More importantly, however, this victory won the East China Field Army a valuable strategic initiative.
At this critical moment, General Su Yu, commander-in-chief of the East China Field Army, demonstrated his outstanding strategic vision. He is keenly aware that the Huaihai region will become the next important battlefield. Therefore, after the Battle of Jinan, Su Yu immediately set about formulating a battle plan for the Huaihai Campaign.
Su Yu's battle plan can be said to be a well-designed work of art. His first consideration was how to maximize the advantages of the East China Field Army while effectively avoiding the enemy's strengths. According to intelligence at the time, the Kuomintang army deployed a large number of troops in the Huaihai area, including many elite troops. Faced with this situation, Su Yu put forward the strategic concept of "separate advance and joint attack."
The core idea of this plan was to divide the East China Field Army into several operational clusters and launch attacks on the enemy from different directions. The purpose of this is to distract the enemy's forces and disrupt their defensive deployments. At the same time, close contact between the various combat clusters is maintained, and if necessary, they can quickly concentrate their forces and deliver fatal strikes against important enemy targets.
In order to ensure the smooth implementation of this plan, Su Yu also placed special emphasis on coordinated operations between various units. He demanded that the commanders of the various combat clusters must maintain communication at all times, exchange information in a timely manner, and coordinate their actions. This high degree of coordinated combat requirements is also an important factor for Su Yu to consider when choosing a commander.
In terms of specific operational arrangements, Su Yu divided the East China Field Army into three main operational groups. The first cluster was personally commanded by Chen Yi and Su Yu, and was responsible for the main attack in the direction of Xuzhou; The second group was commanded by Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, and was responsible for attacking Huaiyin and Huai'an; The third cluster was commanded by Chen Geng, responsible for containing and encircling Huang Baitao's corps.
This division of labor not only takes into account the specialties of each general and the combat methods he is good at, but also makes full use of the overall advantages of the East China Field Army. For example, Chen Yi and Su Yu have been partners for a long time, and they are full of tacit understanding, and they can command the direction of the main attack to ensure efficient and accurate decision-making at critical moments. Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping were known for their flexibility, and their responsibility for the Huaiyin and Huai'an directions could effectively contain the enemy. Chen Geng is known for his encirclement tactics, and it is only fitting that he is responsible for encircling and annihilating Huang Baitao's corps.
In this overall layout, it is not difficult to find that General Xu Shiyou's name does not appear in the list of commanders of the main combat clusters. This arrangement has sparked a lot of speculation. Some believe that this may have something to do with Xu Shiyou's personal characteristics. Xu Shiyou was known for his bravery and was good at commanding operations at close range, while a large-scale battle like the Huaihai Campaign required more overall command.
Another possibility is that the top management has other strategic considerations for Xu Shiyou. Although the Huaihai Battle is important, it does not mean that other battlefields can be ignored. As an important general of the Shandong Military Region, Xu Shiyou may have been entrusted with the important task of guarding the rear and preventing the enemy from counterattacking.
In any case, this military layout before the Huaihai Campaign fully embodied the strategic wisdom of the top echelons of the East China Field Army. Not only did they take into account the needs of the current campaign, but they also looked at longer-term strategic objectives. This layout laid a solid foundation for the victory of the Huaihai Campaign and also made an important contribution to the final victory of the Chinese revolution.
Three key signs of Xu Shiyou's absence
When discussing the reasons for General Xu Shiyou's absence from the Huaihai Campaign, we cannot just stop at the superficial "leg injury" statement. By delving into the historical sources, we can uncover three key signs that collectively point to a more complex fact: Xu Shiyou's absence from the Battle of Huaihai was not just due to a leg injury.
The first sign: the absence of military meetings
In October 1948, before the official start of the Huaihai Campaign, the East China Field Army held an important military conference. The main purpose of this meeting was to discuss and formulate a specific operational plan for the Huaihai Campaign. It stands to reason that as one of the important generals of the East China Field Army, Xu Shiyou should attend this meeting. However, historical records show that Xu Shiyou did not attend this crucial military meeting.
This absence raises many questions. If Xu Shiyou was really unable to participate in the battle because of a leg injury, then he should at least participate in this strategic meeting and contribute his wisdom to the overall planning of the Huaihai Campaign. After all, even if he is unwell, it should not affect his participation in strategic decisions. Xu Shiyou's absence suggests that there may be other deeper reasons.
The second sign: the unusual silence after the Battle of Jinan
In the Battle of Jinan, the troops commanded by Xu Shiyou conquered Jinan at an astonishing speed, creating a miracle in the history of warfare. According to common sense, such a record should make Xu Shiyou's position in the army more stable and become one of the important commanders of the Huaihai Campaign. However, the opposite is true.
After the Battle of Jinan, Xu Shiyou seemed to fall into a state of unusually silence. He did not take an active part in the discussion of the new battle plan, as usual, and did not show enthusiasm for the upcoming Huaihai campaign. This anomalous behavior has sparked speculation among many. Some believe that this may have been due to the fact that some of Xu Shiyou's actions during the Battle of Jinan caused dissatisfaction among his superiors, thus affecting his role in the Battle of Huaihai.
A specific example is that after the Battle of Jinan, Xu Shiyou happily asked his superiors for credit, but was met with a cold response. This reaction may have dampened Mr. Xu's enthusiasm, or it could suggest that the top brass had a new consideration for his use.
The third sign: the special tasks of the Shandong Military District
During the Huaihai Campaign, although Xu Shiyou did not directly participate in front-line operations, he was not completely idle. On the contrary, he was entrusted with a special and important task: to be responsible for the defense of the Shandong Military District.
The Shandong Military Region occupied an important strategic position in the entire War of Liberation. It was not only the rear base of the East China Field Army, but also undertook the heavy task of containing and defending against possible counterattacks by the Kuomintang army. Placing Xu Shiyou in this position shows that the top management has full trust in his ability.
However, this arrangement also raises some questions. As a warlike general, Xu Shiyou is more suitable to command operations on the front line rather than stay in the rear. Does this arrangement mean that the top management has other considerations for Xu Shiyou? Is it to balance the various forces in the army?
Together, these three signs form a complex picture, suggesting that there may be a deeper reason behind Xu's absence from the Huaihai Campaign. It may involve military strategic considerations, high-level personnel arrangements, and even complex interpersonal relationships in the military.
It is worth noting that in April 1949, just a few months after the end of the Huaihai Campaign, Xu Shiyou was appointed deputy commander of the East China Military Region. The appointment seemed to confirm that the trust of the top brass in Xu Shiyou had not wavered, and that his absence from the Huaihai campaign may indeed have been motivated by more complex strategic considerations.
Taken together, these three signs provide a new perspective for us to understand the reasons for Xu Shiyou's absence from the Huaihai Campaign. They remind us that when studying history, we should not stop at superficial explanations, but should delve deeper to find more complex and true historical truths. Xu Shiyou's case may be a window into our understanding of the complexity of military decision-making and personnel arrangements in that special historical period.
Xu Shiyou's special mission in Shandong
While the Huaihai Campaign was in full swing, General Xu Shiyou was given a seemingly ordinary but extremely important task - to defend Shandong. Behind this decision, there is a far-sighted plan of the senior leadership and a comprehensive consideration of the overall battle situation.
Shandong, as the rear of the East China Field Army, its strategic position is self-evident. It is not only the source of troops and material supply base of the East China Field Army, but also the strategic fulcrum of the entire Liberation War in East China. If Shandong is lost, it will not only directly affect the course of the Huaihai Campaign, but may also lead to a reversal of the entire East China war situation. Therefore, holding Shandong was crucial to the victory of the entire Liberation War.
Xu Shiyou's tasks in Shandong can be summarized in three aspects: consolidating the rear, supporting the front line, and defending against the counterattack.
First of all, consolidating the rear is Xu Shiyou's top priority. Although most of Shandong is a liberated area that is already in the hands of the Communist Party, there are still some remnants of the Kuomintang and spy organizations. Xu Shiyou needs to command the troops and cooperate with the local government to completely eliminate these potential threats. This may seem like a simple task, but it is actually difficult. Because enemies are often hidden among ordinary people, how to eliminate them without harming the innocent requires great political wisdom and military skill.
There is a typical case that illustrates the complexity of this work. In November 1948, in a county in Shandong, a man who claimed to be a "wandering businessman" aroused the suspicion of the local militia. After careful investigation, it was discovered that this "businessman" was actually a Kuomintang spy who was trying to collect intelligence on the liberated areas. When Xu Shiyou learned of this situation, he immediately instructed the local troops to carry out an operation, and finally not only captured the spy, but also smashed a long-dormant spy network. The success of this operation not only eliminated a major security risk, but also greatly enhanced the trust of the local people in the PLA.
Secondly, supporting the front line is also an important responsibility of Xu Shiyou. Although he himself was not directly involved in the front-line operations of the Huaihai Campaign, the Shandong troops under his command played a vital role in the rear. They are responsible for organizing logistical work such as transporting supplies, transporting the wounded, and building fortifications. These seemingly ordinary tasks are an important guarantee to support front-line operations.
There is a little-known story that illustrates the importance of this work. At the height of the Huaihai Campaign, a batch of heavy weapons was urgently needed at the front. Due to the fact that the roads were destroyed by enemy artillery fire, conventional means of transport could not be used. When Xu Shiyou learned of the situation, he immediately organized a transport team consisting of thousands of migrant workers. Shoulder-to-shoulder, braving enemy artillery fire, they delivered this important batch of weapons to the front line within three days. The timely arrival of this batch of weapons won a crucial victory for the front-line troops.
In the end, defending against each other may be Xu Shiyou's most difficult task. Although the main forces of the Kuomintang had been drawn to the Huaihai battlefield, it was still possible to send troops to launch an attack on Shandong in an attempt to disrupt the rear order of the PLA. Xu Shiyou must always be vigilant and ready to deal with possible surprise attacks.
In January 1949, just as the Huaihai Campaign was coming to an end, the Kuomintang did send an elite force in an attempt to land in Shandong from the sea. Xu Shiyou had already expected that he had already deployed heavy troops at the possible landing site. As soon as the enemy army landed, it was hit hard and was finally completely annihilated. This successful defense not only ensured the security of Shandong, but also provided a strong guarantee for the final victory of the Huaihai Campaign.
Although Xu Shiyou's special tasks in Shandong were not as thrilling as those of front-line combat, they were no less important than directly participating in battles. His work provided solid rear support for the victory of the Huaihai Campaign, and also laid the foundation for the complete victory of the Liberation War in East China.
The historical significance of Xu Shiyou's absence from the Huaihai Campaign
General Xu Shiyou's absence from the Huaihai Campaign, a seemingly ordinary historical fact, actually contains far-reaching historical significance. It not only reflects the complex military strategic considerations of the time, but also provides a unique perspective for us to understand the characteristics of China's revolutionary war.
First of all, Xu Shiyou's absence highlights the strategic thinking of "putting the interests of the whole first" in the revolutionary war. In the traditional military concept, a general's absence from such a major battle is often seen as dereliction of duty or slackness. However, in the context of China's revolutionary war, this absence precisely reflects the strategic wisdom of the senior leadership and Xu Shiyou's own view of the overall situation.
In October 1948, just as preparations were being made for the Huaihai Campaign, the headquarters of the East China Field Army held a secret meeting. The meeting discussed the whereabouts of Xu Shiyou. It was proposed that Xu Shiyou lead his troops to participate in the Huaihai Campaign, but in the end it was decided to let him stay in Shandong. Behind this decision is a comprehensive consideration of the entire war situation in East China and even the whole country.
A little-known detail illustrates this. In the course of the discussion, a hypothetical question was raised: What would be the consequences if the Kuomintang took advantage of the Huaihai Campaign to launch a surprise attack on Shandong? This question provoked deep food for thought among the participants. In the end, everyone unanimously agreed that Shandong, as the rear of the East China Field Army, was no less important than the front-line battlefield. And Xu Shiyou, as the general who knows the situation in Shandong best, is the most suitable choice for him to sit in Shandong.
This decision-making process fully demonstrated the importance of the "overall view" in the Chinese Revolutionary War. It tells us that in a revolutionary war, victory depends not only on the bloody battle on the front line, but also on the accurate grasp and rational allocation of the overall situation.
Second, Xu Shiyou's absence also reflects the strategic thinking of "adapting measures to local conditions" in China's revolutionary war. As a revolutionary base area, Shandong's special geographical location and social environment required a general who was familiar with the local situation and had rich military experience to defend it. Xu Shiyou is undoubtedly the best candidate.
There is an example that illustrates this very well. In early 1949, the remnants of the Kuomintang attempted to raid Shandong from the sea. Relying on his familiarity with the local terrain and his accurate judgment of the enemy's situation, Xu Shiyou arranged defenses at possible landing sites in advance. When the enemy army really landed at the expected location, Xu Shiyou commanded the troops to immediately launch a counterattack and completely crush the enemy army. This successful defense not only ensured the security of Shandong, but also provided strong rear support for the victory of the Huaihai Campaign.
This example shows that in a revolutionary war, the strategic idea of "adapting measures to local conditions" is of paramount importance. Putting the right people in the right places can often do more with less. Xu Shiyou's performance in Shandong is the best embodiment of this idea.
Thirdly, Xu Shiyou's absence also embodied the principle of "making the best use of talents" in the Chinese Revolutionary War. Although Xu Shiyou was a good general, his talents were not limited to front-line combat. In the process of defending Shandong, Xu Shiyou showed excellent organizational skills and political wisdom.
A typical example is that during the Huaihai Campaign, Xu Shiyou successfully organized a large-scale migrant labor movement, sending a large number of materials and soldiers to the front line. This work may seem simple, but in fact it requires extremely high organizational skills and mass work ability. Xu Shiyou not only completed the task, but also trained a large number of grassroots cadres in the process, laying a talent foundation for socialist construction in the future.
This example shows that in the revolutionary war, "making the best use of talents" is not only about letting everyone play to their strengths, but more importantly, putting the right people where they are most needed. Xu Shiyou's work in Shandong is a vivid embodiment of this principle.
Finally, Xu Shiyou's absence also provides us with a perspective to understand the "holistic" nature of the Chinese Revolutionary War. In the traditional study of military history, people tend to focus too much on the battles at the front and ignore the work in the rear. However, Xu Shiyou's example shows us that in a revolutionary war, the front and rear are inseparable as a whole.
There is one detail that illustrates this very well. At the height of the Huaihai Campaign, the front line urgently needed a batch of important military supplies. After Xu Shiyou received the task, he immediately organized a transport team composed of tens of thousands of migrant workers. They braved enemy fire to deliver supplies safely to the front. The timely arrival of this batch of materials directly affected the victory or defeat of a key battle.
This detail tells us that in a revolutionary war, victory was the result of the joint efforts of the front and the rear. Although Xu Shiyou did not directly participate in the battle of the Huaihai Campaign, his work in the rear was also indispensable.