Four Fields Archives - China's Invincible Fourth Field Army

Author: Zhai Weijia
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: In the tumultuous history of China's modern revolutionary wars, the Fourth Field Army was one of the five main forces of the People's Liberation Army, renowned both at home and abroad. During the four-year Liberation War, this formidable army, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, fought bravely on the front lines, advancing north and south, and made great contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Chinese people. It was a young force. Born at the end of the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was composed of the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army from liberated areas such as Shandong, Central China, and Jin-Cha-Ji, which had opened up the Northeast base area. However, it was also a battle-hardened force, with every unit boasting a glorious history and tradition, their battle footprints stretching across the Northern Expedition, the Luoxiao Mountains, the banks of the Yellow River, and beneath the Pingxingguan Pass.
It was a brave and skilled force. In over three years, it correctly implemented the strategic guidelines of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China regarding the Northeast struggle. Through arduous efforts and, it finally completely eliminated the reactionary forces on the black land and liberated the entire Northeast. Subsequently, it served as the strategic reserve force of the Communist Party of China in its bid for supremacy, advancing into Hebei, decisive battles in Beijing and Tianjin, vying for the Central Plains, and striking straight to the ends of the earth. Once upon a time, this force of over 100,000 men, when it first crossed the border, traveled thousands of miles, flying into the frontier with exhausted bodies and meager strength, resisting step by step the Nationalist forces attempting to seize the entire Northeast. Three years later, when it was ordered to enter Hebei and advance into the North China battlefield, it had already grown into a million-man army: carriages rumbled, horses neighed, dust clouds stretched endlessly, and its momentum was unstoppable!
It was a force that produced heroes. In the fierce struggle of blood and fire, thousands of heroes emerged, ready to die bravely and sacrifice themselves for the cause: Dong Cunrui, Liang Shiyi, Chen Shutang, and Ma Renxing. the war history of the Fourth Field Army, the heroes who emerged from this force were like the stars in the Milky Way, brilliant and numerous!
It was a force with legendary commanders. Through the arduous and extraordinary military struggles, it nurtured a generation of brilliant military talents. Jinzhou, Changchun, Tianjin, Hengbao, crossing the Yangtze and the sea—outstanding commanders directed one after another victories in battle. From this force came the Minister of National Defense of the Republic, the Chief of the General Staff, the Director of the General Political Department, the Minister of General Logistics, the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, the Commander-in-Chief of the Air Force, and the commanders of several major military regions.