Chapter 150 3. The 74th Division of Chiang Kai-shek's "Imperial Forest Army"

What kind of force is the reorganized 74th Division? The reorganized 74th Division has always been known in the Kuomintang army as "the main force in the lineage, the trump card in the main force". Its weapons and equipment, combat quality and technology are second to none in the Kuomintang army. The predecessor of the entire 74th Division was the 74th Army under the command of Yu Ji during the Anti-Japanese War.After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, it was reorganized into the 74th Division, a first-class equipment division, fully equipped with American equipment, and under the jurisdiction of the 51st, 57th, and 58th Brigades. In 1946, he served as the Nanjing garrison, so he was called Chiang Kai-shek's "Yellow Army". In August 1946, the 74th Division was ordered to start from Nanjing to serve as the vanguard to attack the Liberated Areas of East China. It made considerable achievements in the battles of attacking the Huaihe River, seizing Lianshui, and capturing Linyi, so it was repeatedly praised by Chiang Kai-shek. Touted as the "Iron Army", "Golden Steel Diamond" and "Model National Army", the officers and soldiers of the division were extremely arrogant.

Many Kuomintang generals are also proud of the 74th Division. Yu Jishi boasted: "With 10 74th Divisions, China can be unified." Wang Yaowu said: "Only the 74th division of the Chinese army can fight!" Zhang Lingfu, the commander of the 74th Division, said boldly: "If there is the 74th Division, there will be the Kuomintang!" Zhang Lingfu, who was 43 years old at the time, belonged to the complacent "young faction" among the senior generals of the Kuomintang army. Zhang Lingfu was born in Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province. After graduating from middle school, he went to Guangzhou alone to apply for the Whampoa Military Academy and became a student of the fourth infantry department.After graduating from the military academy, just in time for the start of the Northern Expedition, Zhang Lingfu was assigned to the 2nd Battalion of the 1st Division of the 1st Army of the National Revolutionary Army as a platoon leader. In June 1946, the 74th Army was reorganized into the 74th Division. Under the strong recommendation of Yu Jishi and Wang Yaowu, Zhang Lingfu served as the commander of the 74th Division.

Just before Zhang Lingfu led the 74th Division to attack Tanbu, he received another call from his old boss Yu Jishi.Yu Jishi told Zhang Lingfu that Chiang Kai-shek had signed and approved the official document on his recommendation of Zhang Lingfu as the commander of the Fifth Army, and it would be announced after he finished fighting the battle.Zhang Lingfu was very excited when he heard the news.He really wanted to command the entire 74th Division to win a beautiful battle, and then take office in a glorious manner.Therefore, regardless of the distance between the neighboring troops and the entire 74th Division, relying on his well-equipped troops and strong combat effectiveness, he urged the troops to advance quickly to Tanbu, wholeheartedly wanting to destroy the head office of the East China Liberation Army and seize the first place.

It can be seen that the 74th Division led by Zhang Lingfu is fierce, the equipment is first-class, and its strength cannot be underestimated. It seems invincible. However, what is the result?