Chapter 7 Chapter 07 Preparations for Operation Crossing the River

Before crossing the river, the overall situation was very favorable for the People's Liberation Army, but there were still great difficulties in breaking through the natural danger of the Yangtze River, which was defended by hundreds of thousands of Kuomintang troops.Not only is there no modern navigation tools, but even wooden boats are extremely scarce, and there is also a lack of boatmen and sailors who are familiar with the wind and waves of the Yangtze River and are good at steering the sails; Large-scale forced crossing of rivers; without the cover of the navy and air force; there are still some incorrect ideas and concerns among the troops, and they lack sufficient determination and confidence in crossing the river; most of the areas on the north bank of the Yangtze River are newly liberated areas, and the masses have not yet been fully mobilized. The rear supply line is long, and it is very difficult to recruit ships and boatmen.If these difficulties and ideological problems are not resolved, it will be impossible to complete the task of crossing the river.Therefore, the Central Military Commission and the General Front Committee have repeatedly asked all participating troops to earnestly prepare for the battle across the river, solve and overcome various difficulties, eliminate the ideological concerns of cadres and soldiers, and win the battle across the river.Under the unified deployment of the General Front Committee and the Second and Third Field Army Front Committees, all the troops participating in the war carefully carried out various preparations for the battle across the river.

At the beginning of 1948, in order to implement the Central Military Commission's task of leading three columns across the south of the Yangtze River by Su Yu, the East China Field Army sent a reinforced battalion and more than 200 cadres to southern Anhui. The Central Plains Bureau also sent a group of cadres to Hanshan, Hexian, Anhui. Work in the Chaohu area. In May, the East China Field Army sent an advance column composed of 10 battalions and some local cadres to the south to mobilize the masses along the Yangtze River to conduct investigations and studies, and to investigate in detail the Yangtze River's ferry crossings, hydrology, and connected lakes, rivers and ports, and draw a map.At the same time, the Northeast Military Region was also invited to purchase some engines and convert the wooden boats into motor sailboats.The above work has laid a preliminary foundation and provided experience for the preparations for large-scale crossing operations.After the Huaihai Campaign ended, the participating troops officially began comprehensive preparations for crossing the river.

At the end of February and the beginning of March 1949, the second and third field armies finished their rest and moved southward from Luohe and Shenqiu in Henan, Fuyang in Anhui, and Xuzhou and Haizhou in Jiangsu.The leadership of the Second Field Army went to Shucheng, Anhui, and then to Tongcheng; the 3rd Corps went to Anqing and Wangjiang; the 4th Corps went to Taihu and Susong; and the 5th Corps went to Tongcheng.The leadership of the Third Field Army advanced to Baima Temple in the south of Taizhou, Jiangsu; the 7th Corps advanced to the Lujiang area of ​​Anhui; the 9th Corps advanced to Wuwei and Hanshan areas; To Taixing, Jingjiang area.After the troops entered the Yangtze River, except for a small number of troops to monitor the defenders in front of them, they concentrated their forces on all aspects to carry out direct preparations for the battle across the river.

After political training during the rest period, the majority of commanders and fighters initially established the idea of ​​carrying the revolution to the end.However, due to the short time, heavy work, and insufficient education, after the task of crossing the river was issued, some erroneous thoughts and concerns arose among the cadres and soldiers.On the one hand, some people only saw the favorable conditions for crossing the river, and believed that "the Yangtze River is very long and the enemy's forces are scattered", "all roads are crossed together, the enemy is hard to defend", "once we occupy Nanjing, Chiang Kai-shek will be finished."Some people have a fluke mentality, saying: "I can live if others can live", and so on.After the Kuomintang and the Communist Party started peace negotiations, the idea of ​​"peacefully crossing the river" and "peacefully taking over the south of the Yangtze River" emerged in the army, which led to blind optimism, paralysis and laxity, and a lack of mental preparation to overcome difficulties and continue to fight hard.On the other hand, some people overemphasized and estimated the difficulty of crossing the river, worried that they would not be able to cross the river, and lacked sufficient confidence in crossing the river.They believed: "The south of the Yangtze River is easy to fight, but the Yangtze River is difficult." "The enemy has planes, warships, and mines to blockade it."The vast number of soldiers from the north are afraid of the Yangtze River and crossing the river. They are afraid of "seasickness on the way" when crossing the river, afraid of "losing their way", afraid of "the boat will be hit by a leak in the middle of the river and sink", "fear of confusion in the water team, It is difficult to grasp", fear that "the enemy will suddenly open fire when the ship is not docked", fear that "the beach on the other side will sink its feet" will not be able to go ashore, and so on.Some even say that "jiang pigs can eat people and overturn boats" and "warships can divide the Yangtze River into a deep ditch".After the troops arrived at the Yangtze River from rest, some new ideological problems arose among some cadres and soldiers. Some commanders and fighters whose homes were in the north felt that after crossing the river, they were getting farther and farther away from home. After worrying about Jiangnan, "I can't get used to eating, and I can't understand the words", "Jiangnan is not used to fighting because of the mountains and rivers."Some even exaggerate the difficulties of life in the south of the Yangtze River with false rumors, such as saying that "the weather in the south is too hot to breathe", "eating southern rice will cause diarrhea", "mosquitoes in the south of the Yangtze River are so big that they can kill people", "three mosquitoes can fry a plate dishes", and so on.Some people think that Jiangnan is a good place, life is good, and there are many big cities. After arriving in Jiangnan, they can visit big cities and live in bungalows.

Some soldiers whose homes are in the south of the Yangtze River believed that after crossing the Yangtze River, they were close to home and could go home. They were anxious to cross the river and prepare to return home.Although the above-mentioned ideological problems are a reflection of some cadres and soldiers' inability to correctly treat personal interests, the main reason is that they do not understand the situation of the enemy and ourselves, the water regime of the Yangtze River and the difficulties in crossing the river.In response to the above-mentioned ideological problems, the General Front Committee and the Second and Third Field Army Front Committees, while concretely solving the difficulties of crossing the river, started from raising the ideological awareness of the vast number of commanders and fighters, focusing on strengthening and firming the determination and determination to win the battle of crossing the river. Confidence in this center, carry out strong political and ideological work.

First of all, educate cadres and soldiers to establish the idea of ​​fighting to cross the river, and strengthen their determination to win the battle of crossing the river.In response to the thoughts of "peacefully crossing the river" and "peacefully accepting" existing among some cadres and soldiers, as well as blind optimism, paralysis and laxity, and lack of mental preparation for continued hard combat, the Central Military Commission and the General Front Committee pointed out to the commanders and fighters on the one hand that the When the Kuomintang and the Communist Party hold peace negotiations, if the peace talks are successful, the PLA can peacefully cross the river and use the "Peking method" to take over the vast areas of the south of the Yangtze River and cities such as Nanjing and Shanghai.The troops are required to be mentally prepared in this regard.On the other hand, it has repeatedly emphasized that if the peace talks break down, the People's Liberation Army will carry out fighting across the river and use the "Tianjin method" to deal with the Kuomintang troops in the south of the Yangtze River.The commanders and fighters of the entire army should place their foothold on this point. They must be mentally prepared for hard battles, and all preparations should be based on fighting across the river.Especially after the peace talks between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party started, the PLA postponed the launch of the cross-river operation several times. The Central Military Commission instructed the General Front Committee on April 11 and 16: "Our foothold must be based on the other party's remorse. We must assume that After the other party signs it, it will not be announced, or it will not be implemented after it is announced." "Your standpoint should be on the breakdown of negotiations and crossing the river by fighting methods."According to the instructions of the Central Military Commission, the General Front Committee instructed the Second and Third Field Army Front Committees and the party committees of each corps on April 12: Our army's delay in crossing the river is entirely a political and military deployment that must be adopted during this period. Internally, in order to prevent lax fighting will and loss of direction, it is necessary to carry out sufficient education among the troops, explaining the following points: the peace negotiations have made considerable progress, and an agreement may be signed in the near future. Such an agreement is actually the surrender of the Kuomintang. It is beneficial to the people; when we cross the river, we should cross the river on the basis of the most favorable political position. That is to say, if the negotiation breaks down, the responsibility lies with the other party. We cross the river after the negotiation is over, we are justified, and when we achieve this step politically, the enemy will be more disintegrated and chaotic, and the militants will be more isolated, not only winning over the peace faction, but also dividing some of them The main combat faction; the people of the whole country will support us more, and it will be more beneficial to cross the river peacefully or in battle; it must be estimated that most of the Kuomintang troops are now in the hands of Chiang Kai-shek's best friends, even if the agreement is signed, they still have the ability to continue to resist It is possible; therefore, we should start from the battle to cross the river, and because the Kuomintang must use this time to strengthen its military preparations along the river, we should also use this time to make military preparations more fully; if we relax our combat preparations, it is not only a mistake It is dangerous, and it is dangerous; during the extended time of crossing the river, the central task should still be to strengthen combat preparations.

In accordance with the instructions of the Central Military Commission and the General Front Committee, the Second and Third Field Army Front Committees and the party committees of each corps successively issued political work instructions for crossing the river, and made specific arrangements for the ideological education of the troops.In education, each army adopted methods such as attending classes, holding democratic seminars, and individual heart-to-heart talks to convey the determination and intention of the Central Military Commission and the General Front Committee to every cadre and soldier, and clearly told everyone that if they can cross the river in a peaceful way, the liberation of The people in the south of the Yangtze River are beneficial to the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army, and can reduce sacrifices and losses. We should welcome this and make necessary preparations.However, we cannot have any illusions about peace talks. The class nature of Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang ruling group determines that they will never be reconciled to their failure. They will definitely use the natural danger of the Yangtze River to prevent the People’s Liberation Army from crossing the river.After the People's Liberation Army crosses the river, the Kuomintang will not admit defeat and stop resisting. It will inevitably struggle to the death, and the People's Liberation Army will encounter serious battles.The foothold of all commanders and fighters should be on this point. At all times, they must maintain a high degree of fighting will and sufficient combat preparations, and oppose any fluke mentality that underestimates the enemy. They must make the most serious and difficult plans and efforts.All preparatory work must be carried out around "fighting the past". Only with full preparations for "fighting the past" can we cope with various complicated situations and difficulties and successfully complete the task of crossing the river.The patient and meticulous political and ideological work enabled the commanders and fighters to always maintain a high fighting will before the launch of the cross-river operation, eliminated and overcome peaceful paralysis and fluke mentality, and ensured the smooth progress of various preparations for the campaign; After the launch of the Jiang campaign, he overcame numerous difficulties with an indomitable fighting spirit, fought continuously, and completed the tasks scheduled for the campaign in one go, laying an ideological foundation.

Second, generally introduce the situation of the Yangtze River to the commanders and fighters, the deployment of the Kuomintang army, as well as the deployment, scale of operations, tactics and related combat experience of the People's Liberation Army, so as to improve the confidence of cadres and soldiers in fighting across the river.In view of the fact that most of the cadres and soldiers in the army are from the north, do not understand the water regime, are not familiar with water, do not understand the Yangtze River, do not understand the south of the Yangtze River, and are afraid of crossing the river and fighting in the south, all troops are requested to sail in the Yangtze River for many years , fishing veteran boatmen, and veteran fishermen introduced the water conditions of the Yangtze River, and organized cadres and soldiers to go to the Yangtze River to "see the water" and to "visit the water" among the people; invite cadres and soldiers from the south of the Yangtze River to introduce the customs, customs, and living customs of the south of the Yangtze River. The topography and other conditions have enabled the commanders and fighters to have a more comprehensive understanding of the situation in the Yangtze River and the south of the Yangtze River. They realized that the flow rate of the Yangtze River is not as fast as imagined, the waves are not as high as imagined, and it is smoother than the Yellow River. "Water-based", there is nothing to be afraid of.The river pig (finless porpoise) in the Yangtze River is not as powerful as the legend, and the situation in the south of the Yangtze River is not as bad as the legend.Thereby eliminating fear.

At the same time, each army recalled the history of the development of the War of Liberation and the growth and decline of the Kuomintang Army and the People's Liberation Army, and compared the strengths and weaknesses of the current two armies, so that everyone realized that since the People's Liberation Army was able to defeat the Kuomintang Army under disadvantaged conditions in the past, , Now that the People's Liberation Army has an absolute advantage, it is more sure of victory.On this basis, by contacting the situation of the two armies in person and calculating the distribution of their forces, we can make everyone understand that although the Kuomintang army has 700,000 people on the south bank of the Yangtze River, most of them are newly built or rebuilt after being wiped out, and their combat effectiveness is not strong.

Moreover, these troops have to defend the Yangtze River, which is more than a thousand kilometers in front, and their strength is obviously insufficient. It is impossible to guard with heavy troops everywhere without gaps, but there are loopholes everywhere.The People's Liberation Army's crossing of the river is not a breakthrough at one or a few points by a certain or a small number of troops, but a breakthrough by millions of troops at the same time on an area of ​​thousands of kilometers, and the Kuomintang army will be unable to defend against it.Therefore, the People's Liberation Army will surely succeed in crossing the river.

In response to the fact that some cadres and soldiers are afraid of warships and aircraft, I explained to everyone that the number of warships and aircraft in the Kuomintang army is not large. Warships have certain routes in the Yangtze River, and there are many restrictions on maneuvering and firing artillery.The People's Liberation Army has powerful artillery to suppress its firepower; the People's Liberation Army's cross-river operations are at night, and the Kuomintang army's aircraft are not easy to play a role.Therefore, the warships and aircraft of the Kuomintang army are not scary.Some troops even used Liu Deng’s army to forcibly cross the Yellow River, and the 27th Army’s reconnaissance battalion crossed the Yangtze River into the south of the Yangtze River at night to educate everyone, showing that the Yangtze River is not terrible.After in-depth and meticulous ideological education, the confidence of cadres and soldiers in winning the battle across the river has been enhanced.Many soldiers said with pride: "The Yangtze River is not scary. The water is high and the waves are rough, but it is no higher than our determination to liberate the whole of China." "We just want to use wooden boats to defeat the enemy's warships!" Third, strengthen propaganda and agitation, carry out meritorious service creation campaigns, and further stimulate the revolutionary will of cadres and soldiers.In order to stimulate the fighting spirit of the commanders and fighters, concentrate everyone's thoughts on the battle of crossing the river, and strive to make great contributions to the people, the Central Military Commission issued 32 slogans for the battle of crossing the river in April 1949.Among them, there are 15 for the troops to use before crossing the river, mainly including: "The unprecedented great march has begun. Invincible heroes, face the south of the Yangtze River!" "Resolutely, bravely and calmly march towards the south of the Yangtze River!" "Cross the Yangtze River and consolidate the Jiangbei Liberated Area!" "Cross the Yangtze River and liberate Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou!" "Fight across the Yangtze River and liberate the southeast!" "Fight across the Yangtze River and liberate the whole of China!" "Follow the command and you can win, and you can cross the river with determination! There are no insurmountable difficulties before a hero!" "Going forward is victory, and retreating invites death. We want to win, and we will definitely be able to win!" "Actively attack the air, actively block the sea, and smash the enemy's joint sea, land and air system!" "Actively cooperate, support each other, and unite to defeat the enemy!" "Strive for the honorable title of Hero Crossing the River!" "Strive to enter the south of the Yangtze River and win first!" etc. There are 17 articles for use after crossing the river, mainly including: "We have won the battle of crossing the river! Invincible heroes move forward!" "Expand the results of the battle and welcome the neighboring troops to cross the river!" "Expand the results of the battle, chase and annihilate the defeated enemy!" "Expand the results of the battle, restore all towns, and occupy favorable positions!" "Expand the results of the war and reduce the disasters of the people!" "Expand the results of the war, and pay more supplies and guns!" "Expand the results of the battle and strive for a greater and more complete victory!" "Resolutely defeat the enemy and counterattack, stand firm!" "Strict military and political discipline, so that there will be no crimes in autumn!" "Military victory, political victory!" "Victory is not proud, does not underestimate the enemy, does not slacken, does not give in, keep on fighting, keep fighting!" etc. The General Front Committee also promulgated 17 mobilization slogans for crossing the river, the main ones are: "Fight across the Yangtze River resolutely and bravely, and carry out a glorious march!" "Fight across the Yangtze River and completely annihilate Jiang's bandit army!" "Fight across the Yangtze River and liberate the people in the south of the Yangtze River!" "Don't be proud, don't underestimate the enemy, don't relax, and do all the preparations!" "Strictly observe the order of crossing the river, and strictly organize the crossing of the river!" "Resolutely obey orders and obey orders!" "Brave, tenacious, calm, and completely crush the enemy's resistance!" "Mobilize the whole army and strive for the complete victory of crossing the river and annihilating the enemy!" "Create a hero crossing the river, create an army of heroes crossing the river!" After the above-mentioned slogan was issued to the troops, leading organizations at all levels attached great importance to it, and regarded it as a request from the Central Military Commission and the General Front Committee for the majority of commanders and fighters, and promptly conveyed it to every commander and fighter, and held various meetings to contact the troops to elaborate on the actual situation , Organize everyone to discuss one by one, and every time the troops gather, they must shout these slogans.At the same time, it was written as a slogan and posted on the streets of the resident, at the door, on the walls of the dormitory and on the company's board newspaper, so that everyone would know it well and become a guide for their own actions.Some units also put forward slogans suitable for completing tasks according to their own tasks. For example, the Logistics and Political Department of the Third Field Army put forward "resolutely complete the task and ensure the supply of the front line!" , observe discipline, and protect the interests of the people!" "Care for the wounded, food and ammunition, tools, and all public property!" and other slogans encouraged the commanders and fighters to complete the logistical support tasks of the campaign. According to the call of "Creating Heroic Troops Crossing the River" put forward by the General Front Committee, all the troops have generally carried out meritorious service creation activities to inspire the spirit of revolutionary heroism of the majority of commanders and fighters, and call on everyone to learn from heroic model units and individuals, and put forward the idea of ​​"strive to cross the river." The honorable title of a hero, strive for the honorable title of a model worker", "Create a class of heroes crossing the river, a platoon of heroes, and a company of heroes", "Fight across the Yangtze River and make great contributions across the river", "Heroes are better than heroes, and Jiangnan makes great contributions" , "Strive for the first achievement in crossing the river" and so on.At the same time, each unit also organizes and mobilizes the masses, formulates meritorious service plans and plans to become heroes and heroic units, and carries out meritorious service competitions and challenges between individuals and units, to further stimulate the morale of commanders and fighters. Before crossing the river, each army held a grand swearing-in meeting with divisions and regiments as units. The leaders at all levels personally made reports on combat mobilization and led the soldiers to make a solemn oath: We are the glorious People's Liberation Army, we are Chairman Mao, Zhu Soldiers of the commander-in-chief, under the leadership of the party and leaders at all levels, we resolutely fought across the Yangtze River, marched into the south of the Yangtze River, wiped out all enemy troops, liberated Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou, and liberated the people of the whole country.Then, a ceremony was held to present guns and flags to the commandos, wear red flowers and issue commando certificates to the commandos; read out the congratulatory letters and challenges from the fraternal troops; the publicity team performed wonderful cultural programs.The local party organizations and the government also organized local people to congratulate the swearing-in meeting with various condolences, which made the commanders and fighters feel greatly encouraged and honored. Go across the Yangtze River.When the first echelon boarded the ship and set off, each unit also organized a grand farewell, erected "Heroes' Gate" and "Arch of Triumph" on the river bank, and arranged eye-catching slogans; , singing, shouting slogans.In this warm fighting atmosphere, the soldiers went into battle with excitement and vigor. A correct and comprehensive understanding of the Yangtze River and Jiangnan terrain, social conditions, and the defense deployment of the Kuomintang army is the prerequisite for making the determination to cross the river and making correct deployments.For this reason, all the troops participating in the crossing operation attached great importance to the pre-war reconnaissance work, and took it as an important part of the preparations for the crossing operation. In 1948, the East China Field Army sent troops and personnel to the north bank of the Yangtze River to conduct preliminary investigation and reconnaissance.As soon as the Huaihai Campaign was over, the General Front Committee instructed all units to strengthen reconnaissance work in order to carry out cross-river operations, requiring commanders at all levels to participate in this work in addition to organizing troops to carry out reconnaissance, in order to be familiar with the application, and follow the Scout survey results and correct maps. On January 21, the Third Field Army held an 8-day reconnaissance work conference in Xuzhou, attended by cadres above the reconnaissance section chief of the army, to study the reconnaissance work of crossing the river. On February 4th, the instructions for reconnaissance work across the river were issued, specifying the reconnaissance areas and reconnaissance contents of each corps, requiring the reconnaissance battalions of each army to be commanded by the corps as a unit to carry out this task. Or led by the chief of staff, set off from the spot before February 10 and go to the north bank of the Yangtze River to carry out reconnaissance. Subsequently, the Field Army Command formulated and issued a specific reconnaissance work plan.The plan pointed out that in order to ensure the smooth completion of the crossing operation, it is necessary to carry out reconnaissance activities in an organized and planned way, and indeed find out the Kuomintang army's river defense facilities, the terrain of the Yangtze River and its two banks, social conditions, and the investigation and collection of crossing equipment. , as the basis for the decision-making of crossing the river.The plan specifies the reconnaissance areas, reconnaissance content and reconnaissance methods of each corps.Division of reconnaissance areas: the 10th Corps is in charge of the section from Zhanghuanggang to Sanjiangying; the 8th Corps is in charge of the section from Yangzhou to Cihu Town; the 9th Corps is in charge of the section from Caishiji to Liujiadu; the 7th Corps is in charge of the section from Liujiadu to Zongyang Town.Scouting content: (1) The situation of the Kuomintang army.Mainly its deployment situation, river defense system, troop deployment, depth deployment, reserve force control position, firepower configuration, artillery position, firepower blockade zone, deployment junction, weak point, combat sequence, command system and command position; Kuomintang naval ships The number, name, tonnage, weapons and equipment and their distribution; the area and law of air force activities; the location and strength of the bridgeheads on the north and south banks, the location and equipment of the fortress, the fortification and control of Jiangxinzhou, and the construction of other fortifications and equipment. (2) Terrain conditions.Mainly, the characteristics of the terrain on both sides of the strait affect the landing operations and movement of the troops; the width of the river bed, the flow rate of the water, the direction of the monsoon wind, the speed and time required for the round trip of the ship, the depth of the water on the bank, and the soil quality; the time of the tide rise and fall , size; wharfs, locations, and capacity of boats on both sides of the strait; selection of forced crossing points, where crossing the river is more favorable, and where false crossings can be implemented; troop assembly points, movement roads, and selection of concealed places for ship equipment; The situation of the port; the size and terrain characteristics of Jiangxinzhou, the conditions of village roads, etc. (3) Conditions of military equipment and ships.Mainly, the distribution area, quantity, capacity, time required for concentration and entry, and the entry route of the ships that can be used to cross the river; the distribution locations of other river crossing equipment, such as bamboo and wood, the number of collections and collection The time required; the situation of the boatmen, etc.Reconnaissance means, sending scouts to the reconnaissance area for on-the-spot surveys, or using binoculars for observation; capturing captives, sending cadres or small troops to secretly sneak into the south of the Yangtze River for reconnaissance by taking advantage of favorable weather or dark night; disguised as fishermen and merchant ships to collect intelligence; Interview residents, fishermen, sailors and boats on the river. In order to ensure the smooth development of cross-river combat reconnaissance, the Third Field Army Command required each corps to organize a cross-river reconnaissance committee to recruit responsible comrades from relevant departments such as enemy workers, prisoner management, and communications. In accordance with the instructions of the division and the tasks of the corps, the overall organization, inspection and supervision of this work shall be carried out; each army shall gather reconnaissance detachments and reconnaissance cadres at the three levels of army, division, and regiment to form a reconnaissance detachment, and the chief of the reconnaissance section of the army shall be the head of the detachment. reconnaissance mission.At the same time, some cadres and soldiers who are familiar with the situation of the Yangtze River and who live in the areas along the Yangtze River should be selected from the army and government agencies to carry out this work. In the instructions of the Second Field Army issued on March 24, 1949, the "Notes on the Tactics of Crossing the River", it is required that all corps and armies should "send cadres to observe, carry binoculars, and observe the width and velocity of the river when they arrive at the riverside." , Jiangzhou, especially the terrain and fortifications on the south bank, how the enemy is deployed, when, where, and how the targets are discovered should be registered as the basis for judgment and determination.” According to the instructions and unified deployment of the General Front Committee and the Field Army, various corps and armies also successively held cross-river reconnaissance work meetings to study and determine their respective reconnaissance missions and carry out specific deployments; at the same time, reconnaissance agencies at all levels were adjusted and improved. In mid-February, various reconnaissance detachments arrived on the north bank of the Yangtze River one after another. With the cooperation of the local party along the river and the Jiangnan guerrillas, they used various methods to launch comprehensive reconnaissance activities.After the large troops arrived at the river, they organized a large number of commanders and fighters to conduct on-the-spot surveys and investigations.The 27th Army of the Third Field Army organized 10 smuggling trips, went to Jiangxinzhou and went deep into the south of the Yangtze River for reconnaissance, captured more than 30 prisoners, learned a lot of important information, and especially dispatched an advance reconnaissance brigade composed of more than 300 people. On March 6th, they crossed the Yangtze River in secret from Digang in the west of Wuhu to Sanshan Street, and went deep into the mountainous area at the junction of Tongling, Fanchang, and Nanling counties to carry out reconnaissance behind enemy lines. With the cooperation of the local party and guerrillas in southern Anhui, they overcame many difficulties , Ascertained the situation of the Kuomintang army and the terrain in the area where the 9th Corps was scheduled to cross the river.A reconnaissance squad of the 16th Army of the Second Field Army sneaked to Jiangxinzhou at night and captured 8 officers and soldiers of the Kuomintang army in one fell swoop, including a combat staff officer. After interrogation, they found out the deployment of troops and firearms of the Kuomintang army in front of them.The members of the CCP Jiangnan underground party risked their lives and fought wits and courage with the Kuomintang army. They did everything possible to collect important information such as the "Yangtze River Defense Map" of the Kuomintang army, and sent people to Jiangbei in time. After a series of reconnaissance activities and investigations and studies, the Kuomintang army's river defense system, troop deployment, command system, command position, firepower configuration, fortification construction, and naval ship activity laws were basically ascertained; , weather changes and ideal departure and landing sites.It provides a reliable basis for the troops to formulate a specific battle plan for crossing the river. Overcoming the natural dangers and obstacles of the Yangtze River is the key to winning the battle of crossing the river.In view of the fact that the PLA commanders and fighters are mostly from the north, are not familiar with water, and lack the ability and experience of water combat, the units of the Second and Third Field Armies, under the unified deployment of the General Front Committee and the Field Army, used the lakes, rivers and On the north side of the controlled river, large-scale pre-war training was launched.The first step is to carry out basic technical training.On the basis of "watching the water" and asking old boatmen to "talk about the water", in order to further familiarize themselves with the nature of the water, the commanders and fighters "learn skills, be heroes, make contributions to the Yangtze River", "practice skills to cross the river, and completely liberate the whole of China. Under the slogan of ", braved the cold of early spring, with bare arms and shorts, soaked in the icy water for several hours, familiarized with the water regime, and practiced swimming.Especially the "landlubbers" from the north rolled their eyes when they choked in the water, but they didn't back down. Some hugged a door panel and splashed in the water; some hugged a moso bamboo and plunged into the water.After hundreds of times of practice, the commanders and fighters finally learned to swim, from "black whirlwind" to "white stripes in the waves".Then, on-board training was carried out. Everyone overcame difficulties such as seasickness, vomiting, and ship bumps. Freely, until you learn life on board and all operating and combat skills.Artillery, communications, engineering and other professional and technical units also conduct basic technical training according to their respective tasks and the characteristics of crossing the river. During the training, all commanders and fighters actively responded to the call of party committees at all levels, extensively carried out military democracy, everyone contributed ideas, each made inventions and creations, and gave full play to the enthusiasm and creativity of each commander and fighter.Invented life-saving equipment such as "triangular life-saving frame", "bamboo pole basin", "stretcher boat", "straw circle" and "reed circle" made of bamboo, wood board, gourd, straw, reed, etc., which solved the problem of water rescue .In order to speed up the speed of ships and shorten the time of ships sailing on the river, various troops also set off an upsurge in transforming ships and improving navigation methods.The Second Field Army had a soldier who was a railway worker. With the help of everyone, he researched and manufactured a wooden propulsion machine. After this propulsion machine was installed on a wooden boat, it became a soil that could not only conceal the body, but also increase the speed. By boat, you can cross the Yangtze River in less than 20 minutes.After being popularized, this kind of soil steamer played a great role in crossing the river. On the basis of mastering the basic technology, the second step is to conduct tactical drills.Mainly according to the size and performance of the ships, the formation is carried out, the formation is maintained, and the command, communication, infantry and artillery coordination and beach landing training during the voyage are carried out, and each unit is carried out on the terrain similar to the scheduled landing site. , Comprehensive simulation exercises between various arms.The first-line troops also took advantage of the controlled river surface and organized night navigation in the Yangtze River in the darkness of night.Headquarters at all levels organize cadres to conduct sand table operations, constantly revise combat plans, unify tactical thinking, set up various complex situations, and formulate disposal measures.Each professional technical team draws up a collaborative plan according to their respective tasks.Artillery units are grouped together according to the different types and performances of artillery, clarifying their respective tasks, shooting targets, shooting methods, signals for coordination with infantry, ammunition consumption, artillery preparation time, etc. Actions like warship shooting and ship shooting.The communication departments at all levels held communication conferences several times to discuss and study the tasks and characteristics of the communication support work for crossing the river, formulate the principles, methods and various regulations for organizing communication and liaison; supplement and expand the communication detachment; distribute some new communication equipment, refurbished the original communication equipment; purchased and developed a large number of various types of simple signal communication equipment; clarified the distance between the north and south banks, between ships, between platoons and battalions, and between infantry and artillery when crossing the river. The method of communication between them; the buglemen, signal observers, and flag-bearers were trained to make them familiar with and skillfully use various communication signals and communication equipment. Operations across the river are different from land operations, and new tactical thinking must be established.For this reason, the Second and Third Field Armies have successively issued instructions such as the "Tactics Precautions for Crossing the River", and organized various units to conduct in-depth study and research, so that the commanders and fighters can firmly establish a new tactical idea: the combination of smuggling and forced crossing, Focusing on crossing by force, the boats lie down in a straight formation and implement multi-point breakthroughs with wide fronts and key points; they are independent, have no retreat, are not afraid of disrupting the formation, and are not afraid of disrupting the organizational system, and march forward bravely; on the way, when they are blocked by Kuomintang warships, The firepower boats will engage in close combat with them to cover the navigation of the main fleet; they will land on the shore first without waiting or relying on them; In the counterattack of the army, boldly advance to the designated place, not to be restrained by small groups of defenders on the way, penetrate the depth of the defenders, cut off their retreat and wipe them out; assemble and organize troops while fighting, if they cannot find their direct superiors for a while, take the initiative to obey The command of the neighbors and superiors, etc. After diligent study and hard training, the majority of commanders and fighters have learned the skills of water combat, solved the technical and tactical problems of crossing the river, eliminated the fear of crossing the river, and enhanced their determination and confidence in winning the battle of crossing the river. The victory in the battle laid a solid military foundation. To win the battle of crossing the river, the most important problem is to solve the problem of crossing the Yangtze River. Without modern navigation equipment, collecting enough wooden boats and mobilizing local boatmen to participate in the battle became the prerequisites for winning the battle of crossing the river.Because the Kuomintang army destroyed the ships on the north bank before retreating to the south of the Yangtze River, some were sunk into the bottom of the river and lake, and some were forcibly pulled to the south of the Yangtze River; Flee to the field.This has caused great difficulties for the People's Liberation Army to recruit ships and boatmen, and a million-strong army crossing the river requires a large number of ships and boatmen.For this reason, all units of the army regard raising ships and mobilizing boatmen to participate in the battle as a very important task of preparation. As early as after the end of the Battle of Jinan, the East China Field Army sent cadres to northern Jiangsu and other places to plan to collect ships.During the Huaihai Campaign, ships were mobilized and manufactured in central Jiangsu and northern Anhui. At the beginning of January 1949, each army sent an advance detachment led by the director of the political department or a corresponding level of responsible cadre to the north bank of the Yangtze River. With the help of the local party, it was responsible for raising ships.After the participating troops arrived at the riverside, the combat units above the regiment set up special ship collection and management agencies to be responsible for the collection, distribution, management and education of ship workers.With the assistance of the local party and government, these institutions visited the people everywhere, publicized the purposes and policies of the Communist Party of China and the People's Liberation Army to them, and made them understand the great significance of the People's Liberation Army's crossing of the river, and their own vital interests. Relations, calling on everyone to support the People's Liberation Army to cross the Yangtze River and overthrow the rule of the Kuomintang.Most of Jiangbei was once a base area and a guerrilla zone during the Anti-Japanese War, and the general public has some understanding of the Chinese Communist Party and the People's Army.When they learned that the People's Liberation Army in front of them was the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, they immediately rejoiced and cheered up, saying that they would actively support the People's Liberation Army to cross the river. Young boat owners voluntarily drove their hidden wooden boats out of the reeds in the inland river and dedicated them to the People's Liberation Army; The People's Liberation Army builds new ships.许多渔民、船工积极报名参战，出现了许多父亲带着儿子，哥哥带着弟弟报名的热烈场面。有的年轻小伙、姑娘，主动推迟婚期，报名参加水手队，连60岁的老船工，50多岁的老大娘都不甘落后，积极报名当船工、水手。有的甚至全家带着船一起参加突击队。 有的部队还深入到山东、河南、安徽等省和苏北老解放区筹集船只。老解放区的人民表现出更高的觉悟和积极性，他们将所有的海船、河船全部献了出来，用火车运往长江边的湖泊和内河中。全军各部队还选调了一大批识水性、会驾船的指战员充当水手。 经过努力，至4月初，第二、第三野战军共筹集运送部队渡江的船只9400余只，第一梯队军平均达500～600只。第二野战军第一梯队4个军从群众中动员的船工和从部队选调的水手共达4400余名，第三野战军仅第7、第9兵团就达7000余人，基本上满足了航渡的需要。船只和水手集中后，依船只的大小、性能，分别编组为突击、火力(护航)、运输三种船队，分配了水手，配备了军政干部，调整了火器，使每一条船都能成为一个独立的战斗单位。 人民解放军筹集的船只大多分散隐蔽在内湖、内河，距离长江北岸起渡点一般都在5公里左右，为了能在战役发起的前夕把大批船只十分隐蔽地运到起渡点，各级领导发动大家出主意想办法，发挥群众智慧，创造出开渠引水和翻坝、掘堤等办法，在不暴露战役意图和不淹溢农田的原则下，在内湖、内河与长江间开凿引河。广大指战员在地方民工的帮助下，以惊人的毅力，克服了天寒、阴雨、泥泞、工具缺乏等困难，日夜施工，挖掘了数千条引河。如第二野战军工兵部队在1．5万名民工的配合下，疏通干涸及浅水河道150公里；开挖障碍内河入江的大堤数条；堵筑大小坝15道。第三野战军第9兵团开挖河道85公里，筑坝37座，开坝8座。船只运抵江边后，为避免船只被国民党军飞机轰炸破坏，各部队还构筑了许多隐蔽船坞。仅据第三野战军工兵部队的不完全统计，构筑较大型船坞码头29座；第二野战军第16军第47师构筑小型船坞220个。使得船只在渡江前全部隐蔽在江堤后面，做到一声令下，随时即能起渡。 参加渡江作战的地方船工，大部分具有一定的阶级觉悟，但由于渡江作战存在一定的危险，加之他们缺乏军事常识，因而对参战存在不少的思想顾虑，有的担心船只被损坏，有的担心伤亡后家庭生活没有着落，还有的对渡江作战缺乏决心和信心。为了进一步提高他们的阶级觉悟，增强他们的决心和信心，保证渡江作战的胜利，各部队对他们做了许多工作，从关心他们的生活入手，以各种生动活泼，船工乐于接受的方式，对他们进行形势任务教育和阶级教育，使他们了解革命将在全国胜利的大好形势，懂得渡江作战，推翻国民党反动统治的重大意义和同船工本身的切身利益的关系。并通过对比、诉苦、开展立功运动，向他们颁发“渡江船工光荣证”，“船工立功证”等，给船工献旗献花，请会餐，部队首长亲自敬酒，表扬先进事例等，启发他们的阶级觉悟和革命荣誉感。广大指战员则以兄弟感情，热情照顾、爱护和团结他们，诚心诚意地拜船工为师，遵守船工的规矩，尊重他们的风俗习惯，使他们感受到人民军队的温暖，加深军队与船工的阶级感情，建立同舟共济、胜利渡江的思想基础。以上课、谈心等方式，对船工进行基本军事常识教育，和战士们共同进行实际演练，解决乘船部队与船工的协同配合问题，消除他们的思想顾虑。同地方党政机关一起，研究制定支前参战船工家属生活困难补助办法，船工伤亡优抚条例，船只损坏赔偿规定，使广大船工及其家属的生活和财产有保障。通过这些工作，调动了船工们的参战积极性，他们纷纷表示：“誓把大军送过江去”，“争取渡江第一船”的光荣称号。 百万大军较长时间集结长江北岸准备渡江和渡江作战过程中，需要有数量很大的物资供应作保障，渡江作战中估计将有大量的伤员需要治疗。为此，淮海战役结束后，第二、第三野战军前委和华东军区、中原军区相继发出了关于渡江战役后勤工作的指示。要求各级后勤部门要认真做好部队集结期间和渡江作战的各项后勤准备工作：调整和健全各级后勤工作机构；完成物资补给及粮食筹集供应的准备；做好武器装备的调整配备和弹药的补充、储备；加强运输机构和运输部队的建设，充实运输工具，提高运输能力；调整充实各级医疗卫生机构，保证战时能及时收治伤病员；协助地方支前机构动员人民群众积极支前；有计划地建立和经营军队前进的补给基地。中原局和华东局也相继向地方各级党政系统和支前机构下发了有关指示，对地方支前工作作了具体部署。 根据总前委和野战军的统一部署，参加渡江作战的各部队及时召开了后勤工作会议，统一全体后勤人员的思想，研究和部署各项后勤工作；建立和健全了各级后勤组织机构；组建和充实了辎重部队、担架队、医院。淮海战役结束后，华东军区后勤部由新安镇移驻徐州，并以徐州为中心建立运输线，设置后勤仓库，建立了军区的后方基地，负责对第二、第三野战军的物资供应。第二野战军以舒城为中心地区建立了后方基地，并在合肥、舒城、桐城、太湖地区设置弹药仓库，在安庆以北地区设立给养仓库。同时，在蚌埠至舒城沿线开设了5个中站、11个分站，负责组织铁路、公路的运输。开设了移动的军需物资供应站，保证军需物资随领随发。第三野战军后勤部负责全军后勤系统的组织指挥，并在安徽合肥和江苏泰州建立了2个后勤基地，分别负责中集团和东集团的后勤保障。同时，组成了中线和东线2个后勤前进指挥所，中线指挥所在合肥、庐江、巢县地区建立了后方基地，负责对中集团的物资补给和伤员救治。东线指挥所在泰州、扬州、高邮地区建立了后方基地，负责对东集团的物资补给与伤员救治。为保证作战物资的顺利前运，2个后勤前进指挥所还分别建立了由合肥、滁县经蚌埠、固镇至徐州及由高邮经淮安、淮阴、新安镇至临沂的2条运输干线。 为了保证战役的顺利实施，华东军区、第二、第三野战军后勤部补充和储备了大量的物资。为每个指战员配发了1套夏装、2双鞋，补发配齐了米袋、子弹袋、被子、饭碗、炊具、蚊帐、雨衣、雨布等各种装具。储备了每人1套夏装。伤员所需用品，按伤员预计数的50％下发部队医院，其余作为储备，随时下发。武器弹药，第二野战军对各部队补足轻重武器弹药各4个基数；第三野战军规定各级携带的弹药基数为：军轻重武器各2个基数，兵团轻武器0．25个、重武器2个基数，野战军后勤部轻重武器各2个基数。另外，第三野战军后勤部在仙女庙、滁县、合肥等仓库储存5～6个基数，华东军区后勤部储存重武器6个、轻武器2个基数，随时准备供应部队。 华东支前司令部及苏北、江淮和皖西地区的政府筹措了能满足全军(包括民工)近5个月生活需要的粮食2．22亿公斤，并在上述地区建立了52个粮站，5条运粮干线，保证粮食等物资随时供应部队；同时，还储备了大量的油、盐、肉等副食品，仅在徐州、蚌埠两地即储存食油75万公斤，食盐285万公斤。部队自身也筹措了一定数量的副食品，如第10兵团携带猪肉5万余公斤，第23军携带食油1.25万公斤，食盐1.55万公斤，猪肉1.25万公斤。 为了及时将各种物资运往前线，动用于各种运输工具。仅华东军区和第三野战军后勤运输部、后勤司令部直属第1、第2中站即动用了火车车厢8．15万余节，汽车5074台，马车4949辆，船2371只，手推车2051辆，全战役共运送物资7.6万余吨。 为了使伤员能及时得到治疗，华东军区、第二、第三野战军召开了卫生工作会议，调整了医院的设置。第二野战军卫生部按照预计收治1．2万名伤员的计划，将原来的1个总医院和7个分医院编为10个分医院。其中第3、第4、第5兵团各配给2个分院，归兵团后勤部指挥，负责收治本兵团的轻伤员；野战军后勤部直接掌握4个分院，负责收治各兵团分院转来的重伤员。华东军区和第三野战军后勤部按照预计收治10万名伤员的计划，设立了12个野战医院，其中野战军后勤部所属的8个野战医院负责收治东集团的伤员；华东军区后勤部所属的4个医院负责收治中集团的伤员。 在总前委、中原局、华东局的统一部署下，在地方各级党政部门和支前机构的领导下，中原、华东解放区的广大人民群众，开展了规模巨大的支前工作。各地政府除动员了大批船只外，还集中了大量的粮食、柴草和各种副食品；编组了大量的车船运输队和随军担架队、挑运队；参加修复铁路、公路、桥梁等工程，并在军队的统一部署下，协助军队进行大规模的疏河、开坝等工程保障工作。据第三野战军不完全统计，全战役共动员民工223 8万人，有山东、苏北的21个民工团随军服务，随军担架3万余副，随军手推车2 12万余辆，随军挑子3 95万余副，民船2 5万余只。山东妇女赶做的布鞋达200万双。完全实现了“要人有人，要船给船，要粮给粮”，“部队进到哪里，人民支援到哪里”的口号。充足的物资储备和强大的运输力，不仅满足了百万大军渡江作战的需要，而且也为渡江后接管南京、上海等大城市作好了物质准备。 国民党军在组织长江防线时，以正规军约7个师和部分保安团队，分别据守安庆、枞阳、裕溪口、浦镇、浦口、仪征、三江营、口岸等江北沿岸30处要点，组成江北岸防御警戒阵地，企图控制江北内河出口，阻止人民解放军船只入江，破坏解放军渡江准备，并保障其海军巡弋长江的安全，为进一步巩固江南防御阵地争取时间。人民解放军为配合和平谈判，并控制渡口，开展渡江准备工作；封锁江面，限制国民党海军活动，开辟渡江攻击道路，保证部队顺利渡江，决定先以一部兵力拔除国民党军江北据点。 3月14日，第三野战军发出关于肃清江北国民党军桥头堡作战的指示，决定：第7兵团攻歼枞阳至刘家渡的守军；第9兵团攻歼刘家渡至裕溪口段守军；第8兵团攻歼浦口地区守军；第10兵团并指挥苏北军区部队攻歼八圩港、龙稍港、口岸、三江营地段守军。指示要求各兵团在进行上述作战时，一般应使用渡江作战的第二梯队，以保持第一梯队在渡江作战时的突击力。对各据点守军应根据不同情况区别对待，对位于解放军主渡地点的国民党军，应采取断其退路，速战速决的手段，坚决将其全歼；对兵力较大，又非解放军主渡地点，对渡江准备工作妨碍不大的据点，则可采取分割围困逐次各个歼灭的方法歼灭之，如不好打，则可改为以小部兵力监视、围困，待主力渡江时再加以歼灭。 遵照野战军的指示，各兵团从3月下旬开始，发起肃清江北国民党军桥头堡的作战。29日，第7兵团第22军首先以5个营的兵力向枞阳镇守军发起攻击，当日下午肃清外围据点，接着攻击守军核心阵地，激战至30日黄昏，全歼守军第55军第29师5个连，计毙伤130余人，俘虏759人，并迫使桐城保安第2团7个连投诚。第24军奉命攻歼安徽无为县土桥镇、刘家渡守军，该地位于第24军渡江地段的两翼，均紧靠长江，有内河出口，并建有小型码头，是解放军的重要起渡场所。土桥镇驻有国民党军第55军第74师1个半营约700人，刘家渡驻有第88军第149师1个加强连。3月31日，第24军第72师第215、第216团各一部采取迂回包围，首先断其退路，尔后实施全面攻击的战术，向土桥镇发起攻击。守军在海军“安东”、“英豪”舰炮火的支援下，拼死抵抗。攻击部队经激烈战斗，至4月2日黄昏，攻占土桥镇，全歼守军，并击伤其海军“英豪”舰。与此同时，第71师一部于4月1日攻克刘家渡，歼守军1个连。至此，第7兵团渡江地段内北岸已无国民党军。4月12日，第24军又趁守军换防之际，以奇袭手段攻占太阳洲，歼守军第88军第149师2个营大部。 第9兵团第25军第75师一部于4月8日晚向无为县雍家镇地区发起攻击，守军第20军第134师1个营于9日拂晓逃跑，攻击部队发起追击，俘其120余人，占领雍家镇、中路码头等地。接着，又于10日攻克二坝、杨家坝据点，歼守军1个连。4月8日晚，第27军以2个营的兵力向无为县马头口发起攻击，经1小时战斗，全歼守军第88军第149师1个连。与此同时，第30军第90、第89师各2个团，于7日和8日分别向位于裕溪口、西梁山的守军第20军第134师2个团发起攻击。经4昼夜战斗，攻占上述两地外围阵地。随后，为迷惑国民党军，使其无法判明解放军的主渡点，第30军奉令于11日停止攻击。 第8兵团第26军第78师一部在苏北军区警备第7旅的配合下，于4月7日晚向仪征守军发起攻击，经8小时激战，攻占该城，歼守军第4军第59师一部。8日夜，第20军第60师1个团，在6倍于守军炮兵火力支援下，向京杭大运河入江口要地三江营发起进攻，于9日晨攻占该地，歼守军第51军第41师1个营，并击沉炮艇1艘、击伤2艘。与此同时，第20军侦察营、警卫营、第60师1个团攻取了扬中县西部的新老洲，歼守军江苏保安第4团1个营。由于新老洲位于长江之中，对掩护江面航道和南岸阵地均有重要作用。因此，国民党军于13日趁解放军第20军与第26军交接防务之际，以第54军第198师在3艘军舰、4架飞机的支援配合下，向新老洲反扑。由于解放军对这一情况估计不足，准备不周，加之交接部署尚未完成，在匆促应战后撤出新老洲。16日，第26军以1个团的兵力，再次向新老洲发起攻击，经2个多小时的战斗，攻克新老洲，歼守军1个保安团。4月17日中午，第20军2个团在警备第6旅的配合下，向永安洲发起攻击，战至18日拂晓，攻占该洲，歼守军第51军第41师1个团，俘900余人。 至此，国民党军在长江以北的主要据点已大部被肃清，尚存的安庆、裕溪口、浦口、浦镇等据点，对人民解放军渡江已构不成大的威胁，经中央军委批准，决定不再攻占上述各据点。 人民解放军经过2个多月的艰苦努力，至4月中旬，渡江作战的各项准备工作已全部就绪，只待中央军委一声令下，即可渡江南进。 1949年4月20日，国民党政府最后拒绝在国共双方和谈代表团拟就的《国内和平协定(最后修正案)》上签字。人民解放军第二、第三野战军和第四野战军一部，以及华东、中原军区部队，在总前委的统一指挥下，发起渡江战役。渡江战役，依据总前委的预定部署及战役实施过程，大体分为三个阶段：第一阶段，突破国民党军的江防，占领南京；第二阶段，在安徽郎溪、广德地区合围歼灭南逃的国民党军，占领杭州及浙赣铁路；第三阶段，攻占上海，解放南昌、武汉等地。