Chapter 229 Chapter 26 Battle of Xiangfan: Fight against an isolated city flexibly

The Battle of Wandong had just ended, and the Central Plains Field Army Command held a column leading cadre meeting in Zhangxinzhuang, Nanyang on June 5.Commander Liu Bocheng made a report on "Missions and Action Directions of the Central Plains District" at the meeting.He said: "The task of the Central Plains District is to lead the war to the Jiang administration area. Use the enemy's manpower and material resources to destroy the enemy's vital forces, and turn this area into a base for attacking east, south, and west." Liu Bocheng analyzed the enemy's situation and said: "The enemy is divided into 5 groups, namely Wei Lihuang Group, Li Zongren Group, Zhang Zhizhong Group, Gu Zhutong Group, and Bai Chongxi Group. The 5 groups are 5 points in the strategic layout. It happens that we are also 5 The group came to deal with the five groups of the enemy. Wei Lihuang was no longer able to withstand the attack of the Lin Biao group. How will he block it? The Bai Chongxi Group is the last line of defense of its strategic defense, and a breakthrough at this point will definitely disintegrate. The enemy has three fears: one is afraid of entering the customs, the other is afraid of crossing the river, and the third is afraid of entering Sichuan. There are two enemies in the Central Plains. Fear, the Hanshui area is its greatest weakness. This area can not only cross the river, but also enter Sichuan, and the enemy's junction cannot make up for it."

Liu Bocheng analyzed the situation in the Hanshui District from a geographical point of view: "There are three mountains in the Central Plains (Mount Tai, Dabie Mountain, and Funiu Mountain) and four rivers (Jianghuai River and Han). We rely on the three mountains to compete in the Central Plains and turn the four rivers into our inland rivers. The Yellow River and the Huaihe River It has become an inland river, and should develop southeast with its back on Wudang Mountain. The Baihe and Hanshui basins are ancient battlefields. Yunyang, Junxian, and Fangshan were assigned to Henan, Shaanxi, and Hubei, and Nanzhang, Baokang, and Gucheng were assigned to Tongbai. When the three Yuan counties were assigned to Jianghan, it was the beginning of turning the Han River into our inland river."

How to open up the situation in Hanshui District?Liu Bocheng talked about his basic tactics and his vision for the next battle: "The first plan is to attack Xiangfan and Laohekou. First, let Liu Jinxuan, Zhang Tingfa, and Wang Hongkun scout the situation, and then suddenly capture the 104th and 163rd brigades to encircle and wipe them out. The second plan is to move north and south to Xinyang, and the first is to feign movement to Zhengzhou." He handed over these two plans to the column leaders present at the meeting for discussion. After heated discussions at the meeting, the intention to attack Xiangfan was agreed.Liu Bocheng finally concluded: "Everyone has agreed on the battle of Laohekou. The preparation time is set for one week, and Liu Jinxuan is first told to prepare and reconnaissance. The Tongbai Military Region should reconnaissance the enemy's situation and the area where the troops are deployed." "We are strategically strong. In terms of battle tactics, it is weak. The way of fighting is to pinch its forehead, pull its tail, cut off its waist, and put it to death. Hit a little bit to attract the enemy, and I will gnaw at one side. The Battle of Fuyang is an example. Fighting Laohekou Although it is easy, it should be cautious. Killing a tiger should be regarded as killing a live tiger. The flexibility of tactics should be based on the fighting, and the 4-vertical attack should be combined with tactics. Command issues can be divided into centralized command and divided command. Centralized command is used for Pigs were killed, and the command was divided to fight wild boars." Liu Bocheng also emphasized the issues of acting decisively, improving the level of military academics, and communication. ("Liu Bocheng Military Collection")

On June 13, Liu Deng issued a plan for the Xiangfan Campaign.Order Chen Geng to command the 2nd and 4th verticals as the Western Corps, and the first step is to wipe out the enemies of Laohekou and Gucheng.With Wang Hongkun commanding the main force of the Tongbai Military Region, and the 6th Column as the Southern Corps, the first step is to wipe out the enemies in Xiangfan. On the west bank of the Han River, we must use appropriate forces to attack the enemies who may flee, and we must control the Han River ships.The above two corps are under the command of Chen Geng, and the battle is scheduled to start on the 21st.