Chapter 240 3. Wang Yaowu suggested abandoning Jinan, but Chiang Kai-shek refused

Jinan, located at the intersection of the Jinpu and Jiaoji railways, is a large city with a population of 700,000.At that time, it was the seat of the Kuomintang Shandong Provincial Government and the Second Appeasement Zone, and it was one of the few strategic points that the Kuomintang army relied on to support its North China and East China endgame. In July 1948, after the East China Field Army successfully ended the Battle of Eastern Henan and the Battle of the Middle Section of Jinpu Road, Jinan was surrounded by the People's Liberation Army.Defending Jinan was the strategic need of the Kuomintang army at that time.In order to shield Xuzhou, cut off the connection between the two liberated areas of East China and North China, and keep Qingdao from being isolated, he was determined to secure Jinan.At that time, the Kuomintang army stationed in Jinan was composed of 3 reorganized divisions (armies) and 12 brigades with a total of more than 110,000 people led by Wang Yaowu, commander of the 2nd Appeasement Zone and chairman of the Shandong Provincial Government.

Not long after the People's Liberation Army ended the Battle of the Middle Section of Jiaoji Road, Wang Yaowu felt that his troops were being wiped out repeatedly on Jiaoji Road. No matter what, I can’t hold it”, that is to say, I flew to Nanjing to meet Chiang Kai-shek on May 15 and reported the military situation to him. Chiang Kai-shek came out to greet him in person, which was an exception.Chiang Kai-shek had never gone out to greet any civilian or military general before.This is not so much about Wang Yaowu, a general, as it is about Jinan, an isolated city. After a few pleasantries, Chiang Kai-shek got straight to the point: "Juncai is coming to Beijing this time, what do you want to talk to me about?"

"This time I came to Beijing, I mainly wanted to report the military situation in Jinan to the principal, and at the same time talk about my personal thoughts." Wang Yaowu said cautiously. "Oh, what do you think? Let me hear it." Chiang Kai-shek was slightly surprised, because he had made it clear about Jinan's principles and policies: stick to it. Wang Yaowu couldn't care less, and confessed his views: "Principal, after the communist bandits turned into an all-out attack, the casualties of the troops under my command on the Shandong battlefield increased day by day. From March this year to the present, in just two months, our department suffered more than 80,000 casualties on Jiaoji Road The students feel that they are scattered and fortified everywhere, and they are easy to be defeated. Moreover, the current situation in Jinan is very isolated. It is very difficult to defend Jinan with the existing troops. Therefore, according to the current situation, the students suggest that Jinan should be abandoned and will be stationed in Jinan The troops in the area will withdraw to Yanzhou and the area south of it, and join forces with the troops in the Xuzhou area to consolidate the railway traffic from Xuzhou to Yanzhou, so as to facilitate future operations. I wonder if the students' concerns are appropriate? Please enlighten me, the principal!"

When Chiang Kai-shek heard this suggestion, he was dissatisfied and said: "You should focus on the big picture. I have considered the issue of Jinan. We must ensure that Jinan cannot be abandoned. First, Jinan is the provincial capital of Shandong and a strategic location in East China. The railway from Jinan to Xuzhou has been repaired and opened to traffic. In order to prevent the "bandits" in East China and North China from becoming one, and to prevent them from mastering the main artery of railway traffic, Jinan must be defended. Second, in order not to isolate the US Navy stationed in Qingdao Jinan must be defended. Otherwise, not only will it be disadvantageous to us militarily and politically, but it will also affect the aid to us from the United States. Therefore, no matter how the war situation in East China changes, Jinan must not be given up. Third, we have an airlift brigade that can be deployed at any time Reinforcements. Under the conditions of air superiority, Jinan is not isolated and can fight without a rear.”

Finally, Chiang Kai-shek encouraged Wang Yaowu and said: "If Jinan is besieged, I will personally urge the main force to quickly reinforce. As long as you can hold on, the reinforcements will arrive in time. I have the strength to untie your siege. In order to ensure Jinan If necessary, you can also increase the defensive troops. The main purpose of fighting is to boost morale. To encourage morale, first of all, don't be discouraged. You must know that our failure is due to the low morale. If you don't work hard and strengthen your will, you will die without burial The land." At this point, he was puffing up, but he himself let out a long sigh, maybe Chiang Kai-shek has already sensed some ominous signs!