Riding Across East China - A Chronicle of the Battles of the 31st Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army

Author: Chen Guangxiang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-01-01
Features: The predecessor of the People's Liberation Army of China's Third Army, the East China Field Army's Thirteenth Corps, was established in August 1947. The Corps participated in the Jiaodong Defense War shortly after its formation, employing mobile defense to repel the Nationalist Army's advance toward the Jiaodong Liberated Area, killing over 20,000 enemy soldiers. Subsequently, it took part in the Weifang Campaign and the Central Section of the Jinpu Railway Campaign. In July 1948, it collaborated with friendly units to seize Yanzhou; in September, it joined the Jinan Campaign, engaging in fierce battles for eight days and nights. The 09th Regiment was the first to break through the southwest city walls and was awarded the honorary title of "Jinan Second Regiment" by the Central Military Commission. In November, it participated in the Huaihai Campaign, contributing to the capture of Cao Bajiji, encircling and eliminating Huang Baitao's Corps, pursuing Li Yannian and Liu Ruming's Corps, and attacking Huang Wei's Corps. In April 1949, it joined the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign, later controlling Jiangyin, capturing Yixing, and cutting off the Nationalist Army's eastern retreat route from Nanjing and Zhenjiang. It encircled and eliminated fleeing enemy forces in Langxi and Guangde. In July, it participated in the Shenzhou and Zhangxia Campaigns, liberating Fujian. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, it took part in the liberation and defense of Dongshan Island, safeguarding the maritime frontier. In 1958, it participated in the Jinmen Bombardment Campaign. "Capable of first-class combat power," "frequently completing combat tasks," and "full of vitality." These were the evaluations of the People's Liberation Army's Third Army by Comrade Chen Yi when reporting to Chairman Mao Zedong. This book, with rich materials, comprehensively describes the battle journey of the Third Army, reflecting the heroic achievements of the vast number of officers and soldiers in the cause of the People's Liberation Army of China and the battle to defend the new China, as well as their glorious tradition of fearlessness, sacrifice, and bravery in battle.