Zhongyuan Seizes the Deer, Huaihai Battle

Author: Han Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-05-01
Features: Gu Zhutong, the commander-in-chief of the Nationalist Army stationed in Xuzhou, was taken aback by Liu Bocheng's sudden and fierce offensive. He urgently telegraphed Cao Fulin, the commander of the 55th Army in Yuncheng, to hold Yuncheng firmly and delay Liu Bocheng. Subsequently, he ordered Gu Rugui, the chief of staff, to dispatch the 70th Army, 32nd Army, 66th Army, and 58th Army to relieve Yuncheng. He also ordered the 153rd Division to move east to support, occupy Dingtao, and prevent Liu Bocheng from advancing southward. Li Tiejun was assigned to defend Xuzhou with the 10th Army and the 88th Army to stabilize the situation. Wang Jingjiu was rushed from the front line in Shandong Central to command the operations against Liu Bocheng.