Chapter 186 Chapter 21 The Battle of Qingfengdian: A New Record for the Annihilation Battle of Shanxi, Chahar and Hebei

After a year of contests in the National Liberation War, by June 1947, the entire war situation had undergone fundamental changes in favor of the People's Liberation Army.Not only has the total strength of our army increased, but its morale is also strong. In this regard, Chiang Kai-shek's backstage boss, the US Ambassador to China Stuart, said in a report to the US Secretary of State: "The Communist Party has no indication that their combat effectiveness and morale have declined. Rather, on the contrary, they seem to have obtained a better supply of weapons. They have the ability to continue to fight for two or three years, and it is estimated that they will control the area north of the Yangtze River by then. They are steadily improving their organization and training. The officers and soldiers share weal and woe, dedicate themselves to fighting for their ideals, and abandon all selfish ambitions and personal enjoyments.” ([US] ] Rui A, Bruhl: "The Forgotten Ambassador Stuart Leighton's Report in China") and Chiang Kai-shek's key attacks on the two liberated areas of Shandong and northern Shaanxi were almost bankrupt, and the belief in Chiang Kai-shek was shaken by the vast number of officers and soldiers of the Kuomintang army.As Chiang Kai-shek said in June of this year: "I think the most dangerous and painful thing" is "now the general senior generals have completely lost their faith in the commander-in-chief! I said it myself and ordered it myself." The plan, told the generals in front, not only did no one follow it, but also thought I was troublesome and annoying! I thought the chairman was old and passed the time, like an old man in the family, nagging, and taking care of everything, so don’t Take him seriously." (Chiang Kai-shek: "How Can the National Army Complete the Task of Suppressing Bandits and Saving the People", June 5, 1947)

At the same time, Chiang Kai-shek also inspected the so-called "bandit suppression military" in the past year.He said: "Comparing the strength of the enemy and ourselves, no matter in which respect, we have an absolute advantage. The equipment, combat technology and experience of the army are inferior to ours, especially the air force, tanks and rear transportation vehicles. , such as trains, ships, automobiles, etc., are completely unique to our national army. All military supplies, such as food, fodder and ammunition, are ten times more abundant than those of the bandit army. Important transportation points, metropolitan cities, and industrial and mining resources are also completely controlled. It is in our hands." However, "It has been a year since the bandit suppression military, and not only have we not wiped out the bandit army, but we have not been able to bring the bandit suppression military to an end. What is the reason for this?" Chiang Kai-shek thought " The main thing must not be material, but morale and spirit." ("Chiang Kai-shek's speech to all the students of the third training class for officers", June 1, 1947)

However, Chiang Kai-shek was not reconciled to his failure and asked Stuart for advice.Stuart thought it was time to take urgent measures.Chiang Kai-shek followed the advice of his master and implemented a series of measures. On June 28, the Supreme Court ordered Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Communist Party of China, to be "wanted". On June 30, a joint meeting of the KMT Central Standing Committee and the Central Political Council was held. At the meeting, he delivered a speech titled "Review of the Current Situation and Important Decisions of the Party". At the juncture of continuation", we must "work together and work together to reform the party and save the current crisis".There are two ways to save the crisis, "one way is to crack down on the Communist bandits", "the other way is not to issue a crackdown order but to adopt the method of nationwide general mobilization, mobilizing the whole country's manpower and material resources to strengthen the military force against bandits", ("Party and League Important Documents of the Unified Organization", p. 14, collected by the Second Historical Archives of China)

At the meeting, according to Chiang Kai-shek's opinion, three resolutions were passed: (1) to strengthen the "communist suppression" military force; (2) to merge the party and regiment to strengthen the force; (3) to conduct general elections as scheduled. On July 4th, Chiang Kai-shek proposed to his government and passed the "Achievement of Constitutional Government as Scheduled, Implementing the Policy of Peaceful National Construction", and promulgated to various places in the form of government orders: "Enforce the general mobilization order of the whole country to put down the Communist rebellion and remove obstacles to democracy. , implement the constitutional government as scheduled, implement the policy of peaceful nation-building, and implement it immediately." ("General Mobilization and the Movement to End Chaos and National Construction", Times Publishing House, 1947 edition, p. 3)

Then, on July 7, Chiang Kai-shek delivered a radio speech on "Fighting Chaos and Building the Nation." On the one hand, he demanded that the Chinese Communist Party surrender its troops and abandon its base areas, and that it should be a peaceful and legal political party like the Communist Party of Britain, the United States and other capitalist countries. Winning voters, trying to disintegrate the CCP through peaceful means; on the other hand, slandering the CCP as an "open rebellion", "destroying transportation, destroying industries and mines, and destroying dying rural areas everywhere", demanding "the whole country unanimously" and concentrating "will and strength" ", "Be determined to put down the rebellion." ("General Mobilization and the Movement to Fight the Chaos and Build the Nation", Times Publishing House, 1947 edition, p. 5)