Wang Zhen Chronicle (Part 1)

Author: Writing Group of "Biography of Wang Zhen"
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 1999-08-01
Features: Wang Zhen, a senior leader of the People's Liberation Army of China. Born in Liuyang, Hunan. Starting in 1922, he worked as a laborer in Changsha and served as the leader of the labor guard corps, participating in labor movements in Changsha. In 1927, he joined the Communist Youth League of China and soon afterwards joined the Communist Party of China. After the failure of the Great Revolution, he went underground and engaged in transportation and military movement work. In 1929, he joined the guerrilla unit and served as the commander of the guerrilla detachment and political commissar. From 1930 onwards, he successively held positions such as the political commissar of the third regiment of the independent division of Xiangdong Red Army, the political director of the independent Xiangjiang Division, the political commissar of the Xiangjiang Division, the acting political commissar of the eighth army, and the acting commander of the Xiangjiang Military Region. He participated in leading the struggle to consolidate and develop the Xiangjiang revolutionary base and coordinated the anti-"encirclement and suppression" struggles with the central revolutionary base. In January 1934, he was elected as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Soviet Republic. In the same year, in August, he served as the political commissar of the sixth corps and led the troops on a westward expedition with Ren Bishi and Xiao Ke. After joining the second corps led by He Long, he participated in leading the creation of the Xiangxi-Chuanxi revolutionary base and subsequent anti-"encirclement and suppression" operations, holding positions such as member of the Xiangxi-Chuanxi Provincial Committee and member of the Military Commission. In November 1935, he began the Long March from Sangzhi, Hunan. In July 1936, he served as the political commissar of the sixth corps of the second front army. After meeting with the fourth front army, he fought against Zhang Guotao's separatist activities. After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, he successively held positions such as the deputy division commander and division commander political commissar of the 359th Brigade of the second corps of the Eighth Route Army. He led his troops in the battle to recapture seven cities in northern Shanxi and commanded battles such as Shaozhuang and Shangxiaxiyaojian. In October 1939, he led his troops back to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region and successively served as the secretary of the Suide Military and Political Committee, the commander of the Suide Garrison District, the secretary of the Yan'an Municipal Committee, and the commander of the Yan'an Military Subregion and Garrison District. At the end of 1940, he led the 359th Brigade to Nanniwan to carry out land reclamation and the Great Production Movement. After two years of effort, the brigade achieved basic self-sufficiency in grain and funds, and was therefore hailed as a banner of the Great Production Movement in the anti-Japanese base areas. In November 1944, he served as the commander of the southward detachment of the Eighth Route Army and led his troops to advance into the Xiangyue border region, serving as the commander of the Hunan People's Anti-Japanese Liberation Army and the commander of the Xiangjiang Military Region, as well as the deputy secretary of the Xiangjiang Border Region. After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, he led his troops northward and served as the deputy commander-in-chief and chief of staff of the Central Military Region. In June 1946, he participated in commanding the Central Military Region breakout operation, and then led the 359th Brigade back to the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia liberated area. After that, he successively held positions such as the commander-in-chief and political commissar of the second corps of the Northwest Field Army, participating in battles such as the defense of Yan'an, Qinghuabian, Yangmaha, and Panlong. Starting in February 1949, he successively served as the commander-in-chief and political commissar of the second army of the field army and the commander-in-chief and political commissar of the field army corps, leading his troops in battles such as Shanzhong, Fucheng, and the liberation of Xining. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he led his troops to advance into Xinjiang, serving as the secretary of the Central Xinjiang Bureau and the acting commander-in-chief and political commissar of the military region, implementing the Party's ethnic policies, strengthening ethnic unity, and leading the settlement and defense, making important contributions to the construction of the frontier and the consolidation of the border defense. Starting in February 1954, he successively held positions such as the commander-in-chief and political commissar of the Railway Corps, the deputy chief of staff, and a member of the Defense Committee. In 1955, he was awarded the rank of General. During the Cultural Revolution, he fought a resolute battle against Lin Biao and the Jiangqing counter-revolutionary group. Starting in 1977, he successively held positions such as member of the Central Military Commission and standing member of the Central Military Commission. In 1988, he was elected as the vice president of the People's Republic of China. This book is one volume in the series of biographies of contemporary Chinese figures. It records the military life of our famous military figure, General Wang Zhen, with a wealth of precious historical materials and photographs, detailing his journey from a cowherd to a highly decorated general. The book is sincere and moving, presenting to readers the glorious life of a great general.