Chapter 128 8. The "Great Victory" of the Kuomintang Army

On the morning of March 19, after Hu Zongnan received the telegram in Luochuan, he immediately urged his staff to fabricate the battle report.The battle report said: "After seven days and nights of fierce fighting, the 1st Brigade finally occupied Yan'an on the morning of the 19th. It captured more than 50,000 enemy people and seized countless weapons. It is under investigation." This blatant battle report was forwarded to Chiang Kai-shek by Sheng Wen, the chief of staff of Hu Zongnan who stayed in Xi'an.Ever since, Xi'an became lively.Zhu Shaozhou, chairman of the Shaanxi provincial government of the Kuomintang, ordered all shops and residents in Xi'an to hang the national flag and set off firecrackers on the same day to celebrate the "great victory in northern Shaanxi".

On March 20, Chiang Kai-shek called Hu Zongnan: "Brother Zongnan: The soldiers used their lives to conquer Yan'an in one fell swoop. The merits of the party and the country are due to the anger I have accumulated for more than 10 years. Officers and soldiers report for verification, and they will be rewarded. The great cause of fighting chaos and saving the country is still extremely difficult, I hope my brother will encourage you. Zhongzheng." In recognition of Hu Zongnan, Nanjing specially awarded Hu Zongnan a medal.Hu Zongnan was regarded as a hero by Nanjing, and he became even more proud and proud.As soon as Hu Zongnan occupied Yan'an, as Mao Zedong expected, Nanjing activated all its propaganda machines, bragging about their "great victory".

The Kuomintang Central News Agency issued a telegram: "General Hu Zongnan smashed the stubborn defense of the Communist Army with a powerful iron fist, and conquered Yan'an, the home of the Communist Party." "Hu Zongnan advanced from Luochuan on March 14, and went to Yan'an on the 19th. , The 359th and 385th brigades of the communist army, known as the most elite, all collapsed. There are also 1st and 2nd brigades for teaching, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th brigades for guarding. .” The Kuomintang also published a military commentary article saying: "In the Battle of Yan'an, General Hu Zongnan only used 5 divisions. From this, it is not difficult to see that in the face of a powerful national army, the Communist Army, which is outdated by the times, is really vulnerable. After Yan'an fell, Northern Shaanxi can be flattened soon. This is the victory of Generalissimo Chiang's key offensive strategy. The Lunan National Army is sweeping deep into the Communist Army under the command of Commander-in-Chief Gu Zhutong, and drove the remnants of Chen Yi to the Yimeng Mountains. The east and west fronts returned to the Central Plains with great victories That day will be the time when the situation in the country will be settled."