China's Fourth Field Army: Fourth Field Army Archives

Author: Zhai Weijia, Cao Hong
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 far and wide. 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 time of the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was composed of the Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army from the 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 part of it boasting a glorious history and tradition, its battle footprints stretching across the Northern Expedition, the Luoxiao Mountains, the banks of the Yellow River, and the foot of Pingxingguan.
This 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 struggles, 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 quest for supreme power, advancing into the capital, decisive battles in Pingjin, competing for the Central Plains, and driving 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 out of the frontier with exhausted bodies and meager strength, resisting step by step the Guomindang army that sought to occupy the entire Northeast. Three years later, when it was ordered to enter the capital 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 overwhelming!
This was a force that produced heroes one after another. In the fierce struggle of blood and fire, thousands of heroes emerged, ready to die for their cause: Dong Cunrui, Liang Shiying, Chen Shutang, Ma Renxing. Opening 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!
This was a force with brilliant generals. The arduous military struggles had nurtured a generation of outstanding and valiant commanders. Jinzhou, Changchun, Tianjin, Hengbao, crossing the Yangtze and the sea— had directed one after another battles that ended in triumph. 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 of the Navy, the Commander of the Air Force, and the commanders of several major military regions.