Li Desheng (1916-2011), a native of Chendian Township, Xinxian County, Henan. Originally a son of an extremely poor peasant family in the Dabie Mountains, he gradually grew up in the course of the Chinese revolution, serving as commander of the Beijing Military Region, commander of the Shenyang Military Region, political commissar of the National Defense University, director of the General Political Department, and vice chairman of the CPC Central Committee. In 1955, Li Desheng was awarded the rank of major general for the first time in the people's army; in 1988, The people's army awarded the rank of general for the second time.
In 1938, Li Desheng (center) was appointed as the commander of the special agent company of the 769th Regiment of the 385th Brigade of the 129th Division.
In March 1949, Li Desheng was appointed commander of the 35th Division of the 12th Army of the 2 fields and 3 corps. In April, in the Battle of crossing the river, the command division troops crossed the river in Zongyang, Anhui, and conquered 16 cities in Anhui and Zhejiang provinces in 20 days, annihilating more than 20,000 enemy troops. This is Li Desheng (front second from left) deploying combat missions before crossing the river.
General Li Desheng at the Battle of Shangganling. In 1952, the "United Nations Army" launched the "Jinhua Offensive" with the main goal of capturing the Shangganling area, code-named "Showdown Operation". The campaign lasted for 43 days and was the longest-lasting battle between the enemy and ourselves during the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. The battle was concentrated on two small hills of less than 4 square kilometers, with more than 100,000 troops on both sides and artillery fire. In this battle to show the prestige of the Chinese army, General Li Desheng, then deputy commander of the 12th Army of the 3rd Corps of the Volunteer Army, played an important role.
Li Desheng commanded the battle at the Battle of Shangganling. In November 1952, the People's Daily pointed out in an editorial entitled "Congratulations on the Great Victory of Shangganling": "This victory has made tremendous contributions to opposing imperialist aggression and defending the cause of world peace. In the Battle of Shangganling, Li Desheng modestly said: "This world-famous Battle of Shangganling is the result of the joint efforts of all arms and units participating in the battle, belongs to the motherland, belongs to the martyrs and heroes who shed blood and sacrificed in the battle, and belongs to everyone who participated in the war!" And those who are familiar with that period of history will say fairly: The glory of Shangganling also belongs to Li Desheng!
Li Desheng inspected the grass-roots units. After returning from the Korean battlefield, in April 1954, Comrade Li Desheng was appointed as the commander of the 12th Army. He actively explored the characteristics and laws of army building, scientifically coordinated all aspects of army building and work, and vigorously grasped ideological education, military training, and the study of scientific and cultural knowledge, thus effectively promoting the comprehensive building of the troops. He conscientiously implemented the training policy of "focusing on me," paid attention to discovering and applying advanced models, and created the "Guo Xingfu Teaching Method," which was highly praised and fully affirmed by Mao Zedong, Ye Jianying, and other leading comrades, and quickly popularized it throughout the army, thus setting off a climax of large-scale military training and contests.
Li Desheng (first from right) accompanied Chairman Mao in receiving foreign guests.
In 1981, Li Desheng was on the rostrum of the review troops.
Comrade Li Desheng's life was a life of revolution, a life of fighting, and a life of selfless dedication to the party and the people. His revolutionary spirit, lofty moral character and brilliant personality are always worthy of our study and remembrance.