Chapter 5 Chapter 4 Where to hit first
After the winter offensive from 1947 to 1948, the Northeast Field Army had no small battles to fight, and could only choose to fight at three points in Changchun, Shenyang, and Jinzhou.At this time, Lin Biao's opponent Wei Lihuang was a general with senior qualifications than Chen Cheng.
At this time, Wei Lihuang's total force was 44 regiments, 14 armies, 44 divisions, plus local miscellaneous troops, totaling 550,000 people.He adopted the policy of "concentrating troops, focusing on defense, ensuring Shenyang, Jinzhou, and Changchun, and opening up the Beining line at any time", and concentrated heavy troops in the three areas of Chang, Shen, and Jin. Zheng Dongguo, commander in chief and commander of the First Corps, led 100,000 troops to garrison; Shenyang and its satellite cities, Benxi, Fushun, Tieling, and Xinmin, had 300,000 troops under the direct command of Wei Lihuang; Jinzhou and Jinxi, 150,000 troops, It was led by Fan Hanjie, deputy commander-in-chief of the Northeast "Suppression General", director of the Jinzhou Command Post, and commander of the Jire-Liaoning Border Region.
These three pieces are hard bones, which one should we start with?Lin Biao repeatedly compared and pondered in the Shuangcheng command post.
At this time, the Northeast Field Army had grown to 12 infantry columns, 36 divisions, 15 independent divisions, 3 cavalry divisions, 1 artillery column, 1 railway column, and 1 tank regiment, with a total of 700,000 people.With the addition of 330,000 local troops, the total strength reached 1.03 million.
Mao Zedong judged the situation and promptly put forward the strategic concept of completely annihilating the Northeast Kuomintang Army.Where to hit first?Mao Zedong disagreed with Lin Biao, the commander-in-chief of the front line.Should we go to Changchun first or go south to the Beining line and Jinzhou first?Mao Zedong and Lin Biao had different opinions and disputes, and they fought for several months.
1. Order of battle of the Northeast Field Army
(September 1948)
Commander: Lin Biao
Political Commissar: Luo Ronghuan
Chief of Staff: Liu Yalou
Director of Political Department: Tan Zheng
Minister of Logistics and Political Commissar: Zhong Chibing
Commander of the First Corps: Xiao Jinguang, Deputy Commander: Chen Bojun; Political Commissar: Xiao Hua; Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department: Tang Tianji; Chief of Staff: Xie Fang
Commander of the First Independent Division: Yang Shuyuan; Political Commissar: Cai Bingchen
Independent Second Division Commander: Zuo Ye, Deputy Division Commander: Shi Jianzhang; Political Commissar: Jiao Ruoyu; Political Department Director: Liu Youguang
Commander of the Third Independent Division: Li Jincai; Political Commissar: Lan Tinghui; Chief of Staff: Li Peizhi; Director of the Political Department: Wang Ping
Commander of the Fourth Independent Division: Wang Ziren and Liu Ziyi; Political Commissar: Fang Hushan; Chief of Staff: Lu Zheyong; Director of the Political Department: Hong Lin
Commander of the Fifth Independent Division: Wang Jiashan, Deputy Commander: Tang Shilin; Political Commissar: Xie Fusheng
Independent Sixth Division Commander: Deng Keming, Deputy Division Commander: Jin Yu Ma Yifei; Political Commissar: Zhong Renfang, Deputy Political Commissar: Zhu Shifeng; Chief of Staff: Liu Su; Director of the Political Department Jiang Xuebin
Commander of the Seventh Independent Division: Luo Huasheng, Deputy Commander: Cheng Qiwen and Yu Xunguang; Political Commissar: Qiu Ziming; Chief of Staff: Liu Ketian; Director of the Political Department: Tong Haosheng
Independent Eighth Division Commander: Wang Minggui, Deputy Division Commander: Cai Jiu; Political Commissar: Zou Yan; Political Department Director: Gui Shengfang
Commander of the Ninth Independent Division: Liao Zhongfu, Deputy Commander: Luo Wenhua; Political Commissar: Zhong Min, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Tan Wenbang; Chief of Staff: Ran Ze
Commander of the Tenth Independent Division: Zhao Donghuan, Deputy Commander: Deng Zhongren; Political Commissar: Cui Guohui, Deputy Political Commissar: Cai Ming; Chief of Staff: Wang Yufeng; Director of the Political Department: Jiang Tengjiao
Commander of the 11th Independent Division: Wang Xiaoming, Deputy Commander: Li Deshan; Political Commissar: Song Jinghua; Chief of Staff: Kang Qiansheng; Director of the Political Department: Wang Haiqing
Commander of the Second Corps: Cheng Zihua (concurrently), Deputy Commander: Peng Mingzhi; Political Commissar: Huang Kecheng (concurrently); Chief of Staff: Huang Zhiyong; Director of the Political Department: Liu Daosheng
Commander of the Fourth Independent Division: Li Daozhi; Political Commissar: Wang Xiaosheng; Chief of Staff: Mo Yiming; Director of the Political Department: Hou Quanzhi
Commander of the Fifth Independent Division: Zhao Wen; Political Commissar: Yuan Naidong
Commander of the Sixth Independent Division: Han Meicun, Deputy Commander: Zhou Zhifei; Political Commissar: Zhong Hui; Director of the Political Department: Zou Riqing
Commander of the Seventh Independent Division: Chen Zongkun; Political Commissar: Xie Ming; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Yang Li; Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Zeng Fanyou
Commander of the Eighth Independent Division: Zhu Jun; Political Commissar: Chen Zhibin
Commander and Political Commissar of the Artillery Command: Zhu Rui, Deputy Commander: Qiu Chuangcheng and Jia Taosujin; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Kuang Yumin
Commander of the First Column: Li Tianyou, Deputy Commander: Cao Lihuai; Political Commissar and Director: Liang Biye; Chief of Staff: Yang Shangru; Director of the Political Department: Wu Dai
First Division Commander: Jiang Yonghui, Deputy Division Commander: Yang Dayi; Political Commissar: Huang Yukun; Political Department Director: Li Jitai
Second Division Commander: He Dongsheng, Deputy Division Commander: Tang Qingshan; Political Commissar: Wang Shujun; Chief of Staff: Li Zhongxin; Director of the Political Department: Li Xin
Commander of the Third Division: Liu Xianquan, Deputy Commander: Cao Canzhang; Political Commissar: Fang Guonan; Director of the Political Department: Li Wei
Commander of the Second Column: Liu Zhen, Deputy Commander: Wu Xinquan; Political Commissar: Wu Faxian; Chief of Staff: Wang Liangtai; Director of the Political Department: Li Xuesan, Deputy Director of the Political Department: He Dazeng
Commander of the Fourth Division: Hu Jicheng, Deputy Commander: Zheng Benyan; Political Commissar: Li Shian; Chief of Staff: Lan Qiao; Director of the Political Department: Shen Tiebing
Commander of the Fifth Division: Wu Guozhang; Political Commissar: Shi Ying; Chief of Staff: Wang Yang; Director of the Political Department: Chao Fuxiang
Commander of the Sixth Division: Zhang Zhengcheng, Deputy Commander: Zhao Yongfu; Political Commissar: Li Shaoyuan; Director of the Political Department: Wu Shu
Commander of the Third Column: Han Xianchu, Deputy Commander: Zeng Guohua Shake; Political Commissar: Luo Shunchu, Deputy Political Commissar: Liu Xiyuan; Chief of Staff: He Zhenya; Director of the Political Department: Zhuo Xiong
Commander of the Seventh Division: Deng Yue; Political Commissar: Li Boqiu; Chief of Staff: Xun Zaisong; Director of the Political Department: Liu Zhenhua
Commander of the Eighth Division: Ning Xianwen, Deputy Commander: Yang Shuyuan; Political Commissar: Liu Guangtao; Chief of Staff: Ye Yinting; Director of the Political Department: Zhang Yuhua
Commander of the Ninth Division: Zheng Dalin, Deputy Commander: Zhang Haitang; Political Commissar: Li Gai; Chief of Staff: Zhu Shunming; Director of the Political Department: Zheng Weizhi
Fourth Column Commander: Wu Kehua, Deputy Commander: Hu Qicai; Political Commissar: Mo Wenhua, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Ouyang Wen; Chief of Staff: Li Fuze
Commander of the Tenth Division: Cai Zhengguo; Political Commissar: Li Bingling; Chief of Staff: Zhang Jiexun; Director of the Political Department: He Ying
Commander of the 11th Division: Tian Weiyang, Deputy Commander: Liu Shanfu; Political Commissar: Wu Baoshan; Chief of Staff: Guo Jialuo; Director of the Political Department: Li Yi
Commander of the Twelfth Division: Jiang Xieyuan, Deputy Commander: Lu Yanqiu; Political Commissar: Pan Shoucai; Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Zhang Xiuchuan; Chief of Staff: Li Hongmao
Fifth Column Commander: Wan Yi, Deputy Commander: Wu Ruilin; Political Commissar: Liu Xingyuan, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Tang Kai; Chief of Staff: Luo Wen; Deputy Director of the Political Department: Guo Chengzhu
Commander of the 13th Division: Xu Guofu, Deputy Commander: Zhai Yidong; Political Commissar: Li Hui; Chief of Staff: Su Kezhi; Director of the Political Department: Hu Yin
Commander of the Fourteenth Division: Peng Longfei; Political Commissar: Ding Guoyu; Chief of Staff: Ru Fuyi; Director of the Political Department: Zhao Bingzi
Commander of the 15th Division: Wang Zhenxiang; Political Commissar: He Shanyuan; Director of the Political Department: Che Xuezao
Commander of the Sixth Column: Huang Yongsheng, Deputy Commander: Yang Guofu and Li Zuopeng; Political Commissar: Lai Chuanzhu, Deputy Political Commissar: Liu Qiren; Chief of Staff: Huang Yiping; Director of the Political Department: Deng Fei
Sixteenth Division Commander: Li Zuopeng (concurrently), Deputy Division Commander: Wang Dongbao; Political Commissar: Zhang Chiming; Deputy Division Commander and Chief of Staff: Feng Jinghua; Director of the Political Department: Liu Jinping
Commander of the Seventeenth Division: Long Shujin, Deputy Commander: Li Peigong; Political Commissar: Xu Binzhou; Chief of Staff: Chen Yizhai; Director of the Political Department: Yang Wei
Commander of the Eighteenth Division: Yan Jiesan, Deputy Commander: Huang Ronghai; Political Commissar: Yuan Keke; Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Sun Zheng; Chief of Staff: Zhou Mingguo
Commander of the Seventh Column: Deng Hua, Deputy Commander: Zeng Kelin; Political Commissar: Wu Fushan, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Tan Furen; Chief of Staff: Gao Tigan, Deputy Chief of Staff: Zhang Songtao
Commander of the 19th Division: Xu Shaohua, Deputy Commander: Huang Zhongcheng; Political Commissar: Deng Dongzhe; Chief of Staff: Shao Zhen; Director of the Political Department: Yao Guomin
Commander of the 20th Division: Liu Yongyuan, Deputy Commander: Zhong Mingfeng; Political Commissar: Luo Yourong; Chief of Staff: Zhang Huaili; Director of the Political Department: Yao Zhongkang
Commander of the 21st Division: Li Huamin, Deputy Commander: Wang Chunxuan; Political Commissar: Zhu Minqin; Chief of Staff: Yang Ji
Eighth Column Commander: Duan Suquan, Deputy Commander: Zhang Tianyun; Political Commissar: Qiu Huizuo; Chief of Staff: Huang Huxian; Director of the Political Department: Duan Dezhang, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Lin Zhongzhao
Commander of the 22nd Division: Wu Lie, Deputy Commander: Zheng Shoucai; Political Commissar: Xie Ming; Chief of Staff: Han Yangshan; Director of the Political Department: Zhong Chi
Commander of the 23rd Division: Zhong Mingbiao; Political Commissar: Xie Jiaxiang, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Ren Rong; Chief of Staff: Sun Xiaoshui
Commander of the 24th Division: Ding Sheng, Deputy Commander: Wu Ruishan; Political Commissar: Wei Zuzhen; Chief of Staff: Liu Jiangting; Director of the Political Department: Ren Sizhong
Commander of the Ninth Column: Zhan Caifang; Political Commissar: Li Zhongquan; Chief of Staff: Yuan Yuan; Director of the Political Department: Wang Yiqun; Deputy Director of the Political Department: Lei Yongtong
Commander of the 25th Division: Zeng Yongya; Political Commissar: Xu Guanghua; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Wu Hua; Director of the Political Department: Jiang Honghai
Commander of the 26th Division: Xiao Quanfu; Political Commissar: Li Zhensheng; Chief of Staff: Wu Wenhua; Director of the Political Department: Zhou Huabiao
Commander of the 27th Division: Ren Changhui, Deputy Commander: Zhu Riliang; Political Commissar: Wang Wen; Chief of Staff: Dai Tianxiang; Director of the Political Department: Yang Yazhong
Commander of the Tenth Column: Liang Xingchu, Deputy Commander: Fang Qiang; Political Commissar: Zhou Chiping; Chief of Staff: Huang Weihua; Director of the Political Department: Kong Shiquan
Commander of the 28th Division: He Qingji, Deputy Commander: Yan Deming; Political Commissar: Yan Fusheng; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Liu Ziyun; Director of the Political Department: Li Datong
Commander of the 29th Division: Liu Zhuanlian, Deputy Commander: Jiang Kecheng; Political Commissar: Chen Fahong; Director of the Political Department: Peng Qingyun
Commander of the 30th Division: Ye Jianmin; Political Commissar: Zhang Baichun; Chief of Staff: Zhao Liping; Director of the Political Department: Zhao Ping
Commander of the Eleventh Column: He Jinnian, Deputy Commander: Zhou Renjie; Political Commissar: Chen Renqi; Chief of Staff: Shu Xing; Director of the Political Department: Yang Chunfu, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Li Bo
Commander of the 31st Division: Ou Zhifu; Political Commissar: Xie Tongzhong; Chief of Staff: Song Ying; Director of the Political Department: Li Zhi
Commander of the 32nd Division: Li Guanghui, Deputy Commander: Zeng Wei; Political Commissar: Liu Luchang; Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Wu Zhengang
Commander of the 33rd Division: Zhou Renjie (concurrently), Deputy Commander: He Tingyi; Political Commissar: Zhong Wenfa; Chief of Staff: Xia Xinmin; Director of the Political Department: Wu Biao
Commander of the Twelfth Column: Zhong Wei, Deputy Commander: Xiong Botao; Political Commissar: Yuan Shengping; Chief of Staff: Wang Kang; Director of the Political Department: Chen Zhifang, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Zhou Bin
Commander of the 34th Division: Wen Yucheng; Political Commissar: Tan Youlin; Director of the Political Department: Gao Xiangui
Commander of the 35th Division: Wang Kuixian, Deputy Commander: Li Guanghan; Political Commissar: Li Zaishan; Director of the Political Department: Qi Weichuan
Commander of the 36th Division: Shen Qixian, Deputy Commander: Zheng Guiqing; Political Commissar: Wang Jianzhong; Chief of Staff: Xi Shumin; Director of the Political Department: Shen Dongping
Artillery Column Commander: Su Jin (concurrently); Political Commissar: Qiu Chuangcheng (concurrently), Deputy Political Commissar: Liu Dengying; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Kuang Yumin (concurrently), Deputy Chief of Staff: Zhang Zhiyi; Director of the Political Department: Wu Tao
Director of Railway Column: Huang Yifeng; First Deputy Director and Chief of Staff: Li Shouxuan; Second Deputy Director and Director of the Political Department: He Wei; Third Deputy Director and Chief Engineer: Wu Kejiu
In September 1948, after the Northeast Field Army formed a separate leading organization, it had two corps, 12 infantry columns, 1 artillery column, and 1 railway column under its jurisdiction, with a total strength of 700,000.
2. Order of battle in the Northeast Military Region
(September 1948)
Commander and Political Commissar: Lin Biao
First Deputy Political Commissar: Luo Ronghuan, Deputy Political Commissar: Chen Yun and Li Fuchun
First Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar: Gao Gang; Deputy Commander: Lu Zhengcao, Zhou Baozhong and Xiao Jinguang
Chief of Staff: Liu Yalou Wu Xiuquan
Director of the Political Department: Tan Zheng, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Zhou Huan
Headquarters First Division Chief: Su Jing, First Deputy Division Chief: Shi Jingping, Second Deputy Division Chief: Ding Ganru
Director of the Second Bureau: Cao Xiangren, Deputy Director: Qian Jiang
Director of the Third Division: Zhang Rui, Deputy Director: Cheng Mingsheng; Political Commissar: Zhu Xuzhi
Director of the Fourth Office: He Jingzhi
The second director: Hu Yunsheng
Director of the fifth department: Su Jing (concurrently), first deputy director: Zhao Weigang, second deputy director: Liu Chengmo
Director of Confidentiality Department: Huang Youfeng, Deputy Director: Mo Chunhe
Director of the Organization Department of the Political Department: Yu Zaili, Deputy Director: Du Ping
Director of Propaganda Department: Xiao Xiangrong, Deputy Director: Chen Yading
Minister of Security: Qian Yimin, Vice Minister: Tong Lei and Xie Fusheng
Director of Liaison Department: Zhou Huan (concurrently), Vice Minister: Wang Yanggong
Director of the Secretariat: Li Lin
Minister of Logistics Department: Li Fuchun, Vice Minister: He Cheng
Secretary-General: Zhu Lizhi
Director of Political Department: Zhou Huan (concurrently), Deputy Director: Chen Lin
Minister of Military Industry: He Changgong, Vice Minister: Jiang Zemin, Han Zhenji, Wang Fengyuan
Minister of Military Supplies: Yang Zhicheng, Vice Minister: Zhang Yongli and Wei Tinghuai
Director of the Managerial Department: Chen Lin (concurrently), Deputy Director: Zhang Jimin
Minister of Health and Political Commissar: He Cheng (concurrently), Vice Minister: Dai Jimin
Director of the Political Department: Dai Wenbin, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Zhou Yuehua
Political Commissar of the Ordnance Department: Zhang Ruide, Vice Minister: Liu Dai
President of Military and Political University: Lin Biao (concurrently), Vice President: Ni Zhiliang, Deputy Political Commissar: Wu Yizhi, Deputy Dean of Education: Zeng Guohua
Principal of Aviation School: Liu Yalou (concurrently), Vice Principal: Chang Qiankun; Political Commissar: Wu Yizhi (concurrently), Deputy Political Commissar: Wang Bi; Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department: Jiang Shaoqing
Principal of Engineering School: Tang Zheming, Vice Principal: Li Yinnan and Chen Zhengfeng; Political Commissar: Li Xueyan; Director of the Political Department: Wang Yanshi
Principal of Artillery School: Jia Tao (concurrently); Deputy Director of Education: Liao Zhengwu; Director of the Political Department: Lu Qing
Commander of Jicha Reliao Military Region: Cheng Zihua, Deputy Commander: Li Yunchang; Political Commissar: Huang Kecheng, Deputy Political Commissar: Huang Huoqing; Chief of Staff: Huang Zhiyong, Deputy Chief of Staff: Wang Zhitao; Director of the Political Department: Liu Daosheng, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Liu Suichun
Rehe Military Region (Jicha Reliao Military Region concurrently)
Commander of Redong (18th) Division: Zhou Jiamei; Political Commissar: Wang Guoquan
Rezhong (19th) divisional commander: Liu Xinglong; political commissar: Qiang Xiaochu, deputy political commissar: Cao Deguang; chief of staff: Tian Changjiang
Commander of Rebei (20th) Division: Luo Yun, Deputy Commander: Qiu Renhua
Commander of the Reliao (21st) Division: Ouyang Jiaxiang, Deputy Commander: Xu Naibin; Political Commissar: Ma Dai, Deputy Political Commissar: Sun Wencai and Li Dongye; Director of the Political Department: Wang Mingzheng
Commander of Eastern Jidong Military Region: Pan Feng, Deputy Commander: Tan Guohan; Political Commissar: Wu De, Deputy Political Commissar: Li Chuli; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Peng Shousheng, Deputy Chief of Staff: Yang Wenmo; Director of the Political Department: He Lanjie
Commander of the 12th Division: Zhang Shuxiang, Deputy Commander: Yang Silu
Commander of the Thirteenth Division: Li Xuerui, Deputy Commander: Liu Shouren; Political Commissar: Wang Shiyu; Chief of Staff: Jiang Hongzhao
Commander of the Fourteenth Division: Cao Zhifu, Deputy Commander: Zhang Gengsheng
Political Commissar of the Fifteenth Division: Hu Jizong, Deputy Commander: Chen Yunzhong, Deputy Political Commissar: Cao Wenzhai
Commander of the Jirecha Military Region: Zhan Danan; Political Commissar: Niu Shucai; Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department: Su Zhisheng; Chief of Staff: Liu Kai and Li Can
Rexi District Commander: Zhong Huikun; Political Commissar: Han Chunde, Deputy Political Commissar: Wang Pingshui
Political Commissar of Hebei-Chahar Division: Ge Chen; Deputy Commander: Tang Jiali; Deputy Political Commissar: Yan Ziqing; Director of the Political Department: Zhu Li
Political Commissar of Chabei Division: Liang Zhenzhong, Deputy Commander: Wu Xianwen, Deputy Political Commissar: Zhang Jian and Su Keqin
Cavalry Division Commander: He Nengbin, Deputy Division Commander: Bu Yunlong; Political Commissar: Lin Maoyuan; Political Department Director: Liu Ke
Commander and Political Commissar of the Inner Mongolia Military Region: Yunze (Ulanhu), Deputy Commander: Wang Zaitian Naqin Shuangheer; Chief of Staff: Jihe; Director of the Political Department: Fang Zhida, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Ren Tingmao
Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division: Wang Haishan; Political Commissar: Hu Zhaoheng, Deputy Political Commissar: Wang Dan; Chief of Staff: Eboletu; Director of the Political Department: Deleger
Commander of the Second Cavalry Division: Baiyin Brugge; Political Commissar: Hu Bingquan, Deputy Political Commissar: Dugurzabu; Chief of Staff: Dansen Ningbu; Director of the Political Department: Batu
Commander of the 10th Cavalry Division: Kong Fei, Deputy Commander: Amin Buhe; Deputy Political Commissar: Uli Jinaren, Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department: Liu Chang
Commander of the 11th Cavalry Division: Uli Ginaqier, Deputy Commander: Wu Siqi; Political Commissar: Guan Baozabu, Deputy Political Commissar: Miligbatel; Chief of Staff: Yang Senzabu
Commander of the 16th Cavalry Division: Li Xiushan, Deputy Commander: Han Feng; Political Commissar: Liu Jingping; Chief of Staff: Yunlin; Director of the Political Department: Chen Chihong
Commander of the Songjiang Military Region: Chen Guang; Political Commissar: Zhang Ce, Deputy Political Commissar: Li Dezhong; Chief of Staff: Zhu Zixiu; Director of the Political Department: Huang Wen, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Ji Tiezhong
Commander of the Hejiang Military Region: Yang Meisheng, Deputy Commander: Li Jingpu; Political Commissar: Zhang Qilong; Director of the Political Department: Li Xin
Commander of the Longjiang Military Region: Ye Changgeng, Deputy Commander: Guan Jinghuan; Political Commissar: Wang Heshou; Chief of Staff: Li Yingwu; Deputy Director of the Political Department: Huang Huiliang
Commander of the Heihe Division: Wang Jun; Political Commissar: Lin Yixin; Director of the Political Department: Zhao Chengfeng
Commander of the Nenjiang Military Region: Zhu Dixin, Deputy Commander: Zhao Chengjin and Pan Shuodan;
Political Commissar: Liu Xiwu; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Feng Zhixiang; Director of the Political Department: Sun Zhiyong
Commander of the Liaoning Military Region: Chen Qihan, Deputy Commander: Bian Zhangwu; Political Commissar: Zhang Xiushan, Deputy Political Commissar: Lin Yishan; Chief of Staff: Jin Zhenzhong; Director of the Political Department: Tan Kaiyun, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Li Dongye
Division 1 Commander: Ye Sheng, Deputy Commander: Liu Jinshan; Political Commissar: Yang Chunmao; Chief of Staff: Ye Xin; Director of the Political Department: Li Yinglin
Commander of the Fifth Division: Zhai Yidong and Li Zhongzhi, Deputy Commander: Yang Chun; Political Commissar: Jiao Ruoyu; Chief of Staff: Jiang Shu
Commander of the Liaobei Military Region: Nie Heting, First Deputy Commander: Zhao Jie, Second Deputy Commander: Gao Peng; Political Commissar: Tao Zhu, Deputy Political Commissar and Director: Peng Jiaqing; Chief of Staff: Huang Sipei; Deputy Director of the Political Department: Qiu Xiantong
Political Commissar of Division 1: Liu Ruisen; Deputy Commander: Lai Jinchi; Deputy Political Commissar: Feng Zhixiang
Commander of Division Three: Cai Silie; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Li Shilian
Political commissar of the five districts: Liu Laifu; deputy political commissar and director: Xu Ming
Minister of Zhaomeng Military Department: Yan Qiang, Vice Minister: Dong Qingyun
Commander of the Andong Military Region: Cheng Shicai; Political Commissar: Jiang Hua; Chief of Staff: Hou Shikui; Director of the Political Department: Zhao Zhenghong
Commander of the Jilin Military Region: Zhou Baozhong; Political Commissar: Chen Zhengren; Chief of Staff: Lei Zhen, Deputy Chief of Staff: Qiu Huikui; Director of the Political Department: Liu Huinong, Deputy Director of the Political Department: Xie Fumin
Commander of Yanbian Division: Liu Jianping; Political Commissar: Kong Yuan; Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff: Yu Nengsheng; Director of the Political Department: Ma Jingru
On September 7, 1948, Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, Liu Yalou, and Tan Zheng sent a telegram to Chairman Mao Zedong, proposing that the General Command, the Political Department, the Logistics Department, and the Field Army Division, Political Department, and Rear Office be separated, each with its own responsibility.Zhou Enlai approved on behalf of the Central Military Commission.After the separation of the military region and the field army, the military region has jurisdiction over 1 secondary military region (i.e. Jichareliao Military Region), 12 tertiary military regions, and 4 military schools.The total strength of the various departments under the military region is more than 330,000.
3. Order of battle of the Northeast Kuomintang Army
(September to November 1948)
Northeast "Suppression General" Command
Commander in Chief: Wei Lihuang
Deputy Commander-in-Chief: Du Yuming (October) Zheng Dongguo Fan Hanjie Liang Huasheng Sun Du Wan Fulin Zhang Zuoxiang Ma Zhanshan Chen Tie
Chief of Staff: Zhao Jiaxiang
Deputy Chief of Staff: Song Ziying, Hao Jiajun, Jiang Hanqing, Yuan Kezheng, Peng Jieru
Director of Jinzhou Command Post: Fan Hanjie (concurrently), Deputy Director: He Kui; Chief of Staff: Tang Yunshan, Li Ruhe
Commander of the Sixth Corps: Lu Junquan, Deputy Commander: Yang Hongguang; Chief of Staff: Dong Hansan
Ninety Army Commander: Sheng Jiaxing, Deputy Commander: Long Zehui; Chief of Staff: Yin Kaiben
Temporary 18th Division Commander: Jingyang, Deputy Division Commander: Xu Yijun Bao Ruguang
Temporary 20th Division Commander: Wang Shigao, Deputy Commander: Han Runzhen Zhao Jinggao
Temporary Commander of the 22nd Division: Li Changxiong, Deputy Commander: Su Jintai, Zhao Siqi, and Qu Zhuo
Commander of the 184th Division: Yang Chaolun, Deputy Commander: Shu Bingquan
Commander of the New Fifth Army: Liu Yunhan, Deputy Commander: Fan Yushu; Chief of Staff: Pei Zhirong
Commander of the 26th Division: Zhang Yuequn, Deputy Commander: He Zhuo
Temporary 50th Division Commander: Luo Xianzhi
Temporary 60th Division Commander: Chen Yinghua, Deputy Division Commander Chen Kun
Commander of the New Eighth Army: Shen Xiangkui; Chief of Staff: Li Wenzhao
Temporary 54th Division Commander: Huang Jianyong, Deputy Commander: Zhang Xunzai Yun Maokui
Temporary fifty-fifth division commander: An Shouren, deputy division commander: Liang Bingfang
Eighty-eighth Division Commander: Huang Wenhui
Que Hanqian, Commander of the 54th Army, Chief of Staff: Yang Zhongfan
Eighth division commander: Zhou Wentao, deputy division commander: Shi Youren
Temporary 57th Division Commander: Zhu Maozhen Liao Chufan
Commander of the 198th Division: Zhang Chun
Commander of the First Corps: Zheng Dongguo (concurrently), Deputy Commander: Zeng Zesheng and Peng Jieru; Deputy Chief of Staff Yang Youmei
Commander of the New Seventh Army: Li Hong, Deputy Commander: Shi Shuo; Chief of Staff: Long Guojun
Commander of the New 38th Division: Chen Mingren, Deputy Commander: Peng Keli
Temporary fifty-sixth division commander: Zhang Bingyan
Temporary 61st Division commander: Deng Shifu, deputy division commander: Ning Wei
Commander of the 60th Army: Zeng Zesheng (concurrently), Chief of Staff: Xu Shumin
Temporary 21st Division Commander: Long Yao, Deputy Commander: Ren Xiaozong
Temporary fifty-two division commander: Li Song, deputy division commander: Ouyang Wu
182 Division Commander: Bai Zhaoxue, Deputy Division Commander: Li Zuo
Commander of the Eighth Corps: Zhou Fucheng; Chief of Staff: Jiang Xibin, Deputy Chief of Staff: Zhao Yunqi
Commander of the 53rd Army: Zhou Fucheng (concurrently), Deputy Commander: Zhao Zhenfan; Chief of Staff: Guo Yeru
Temporary 30th Division Commander: Zhang Rubin, Deputy Commander: Wang Guanying
Commander of the 116th Division: Liu Deyu, Deputy Commander: Mao Zhiquan
130 Division Commander: Wang Lihuan, Deputy Division Commander: Xia Shi
Commander of the Sixth Army: Luo Youlun, Deputy Commander: Dai Pu; Chief of Staff: Huang Dingxing
Commander of the 195th Division: Luo Xinqiu
207th Division Commander: Dai Pu (concurrently), Deputy Division Commander: Zhao Xia
Commander of the Ninth Corps: Liao Yaoxiang; Chief of Staff: Yang Kun
Commander of the New Army: Long Tianwu, Deputy Commander: Yang Kun (concurrently); Chief of Staff: Li Dinglu
Commander of the Fourteenth Division: Xu Ying, Deputy Commander: Dong Juemin
Commander of the 54th Division: Song Bangwei
Temporary fifty-ninth division commander: Liang Tiebao, deputy division commander: Li Ping
Commander of the New Sixth Army: Li Tao, Deputy Commander: Liu Jianzhang; Chief of Staff: Huang Youxu
Commander of the New 22nd Division: Luo Ying, Deputy Commander: Zhou Pu
Temporary 62nd Division Commander: Liu Zigao
Commander of the 169th Division: Zhang Yuxian
Commander of the New First Army: Pan Yukun, Deputy Commander: Wen Xiaoshan; Chief of Staff: Chen Shijie (on behalf of)
New 30th Division Commander: Wen Xiaoshan (concurrently), Deputy Division Commander: Tan Daoshan
Commander of the 50th Division: Yang Wen, Deputy Commander: Luo Xichou, Chen Shijie and Chen Jian
Temporary 53rd Division commander: Xu Gengyang, deputy division commander: Xie Shuhui and Xu Jizhang
Forty-ninth Army Commander: Zheng Tingji, Deputy Commander: Chen Heng; Chief of Staff: Zhou Shengxia
Commander of the 79th Division: He Jiyuan, Deputy Commander: Zhao Mingyi and Chen Xingqiao
105th Division Commander: Zou Yuzhen, Deputy Division Commander: Yuan Guannan
Commander of the 52nd Army: Liu Yuzhang, Deputy Commander: Ping Erming; Chief of Staff: Liao Chuanshu
Second division commander: Ping Erming, Yin Xianjia, Guo Yonghe, deputy division commander: Luo Yongnian
Commander of the 25th Division: Li Yuncheng
Commander of the 71st Army: Xiang Fengwu, Deputy Commander: Xiong Xinmin; Chief of Staff: Wang Niannian
Commander of the 87th Division: Huang Yan, Deputy Commander: Wang Zhuochao
Commander of the 91st Division: Dai Hairong, Deputy Commander: Ma Hefeng
Commander of the Seventeenth Corps: Hou Jingru, Deputy Commander: Liu Chunling; Chief of Staff: Zhang Boquan
Commander of the 62nd Army: Lin Weichou, Deputy Commander: Zhang Chen; Chief of Staff: Xie Yi
67th Division Commander: Li Xuezheng
151st Division Commander: Chen Zhi, Deputy Commander: Tao Xiangfu
Commander of the 157th Division: He Baosong
Ninety-two Army
Commander of the 21st Division: Li Diqiu, Deputy Commander: Wu Guanjun
Thirty-ninth Army Commander: Wang Boxun, Deputy Commander: Cheng Peng; Chief of Staff: Zhang Ji
Commander of the 103rd Division: Zeng Yuansan, Deputy Commander: Chen Yikuang
Commander of the 149th Division: Zhang Jiabao, Deputy Commander: Liu Tiren
Independent 95th Division Commander: Zhu Zhiyi, Deputy Division Commander: Guo Dong
Commander of the Northeast New Cavalry Command: Xu Liang, Deputy Commander: Wang Zhaokun; Chief of Staff: Guan Bangjie
Northeast "Suppression General" direct-administered troops:
Commander of the First Military Region of the Air Force: Zhang Tingmeng
Commander of the First Fleet of the Navy: Liang Xusui
Director of the Second Bureau of Traffic Police: Feng Shengfa
Commander of the Sixth Supply Zone: Liu Yaohan
Commander of the Military Transport Command: Huang Keming of Niuyue Village
Commander of Qinhu Port Command: He Shili
Commander-in-Chief of the Appeasement Zone of the Five Provinces of Songbei: Ma Zhanshan (concurrently)
Commander of Shenyang Defense Command: Liang Huasheng (concurrently)
The Northeast Kuomintang Army was reorganized by Wei Lihuang. By September 1948 (before the Liaoshen Campaign), there were a total of 14 armies, 44 divisions (brigades), 14 special corps, and local troops, with a total strength of more than 550,000. . In October 1948, the 62nd Army, 39th Army, 92nd Army (actually only one division) and the independent 95th Division were transferred to Huludao, under the command of the 17th Corps.At this time, the Northeast Kuomintang Army consisted of 17 armies, 51 divisions (brigades), and more than 600,000 people.
Before the decisive battle between Liao and Shenyang, on May 27, 1948, Mao Zedong came to Xibaipo Village, Pingshan County, Hebei Province.
Xibaipo is a small mountain village. The Hutuo River flows in front of the village. Along the west side of the river is the Taihang Mountains, and down the river is the North China Plain.During the Anti-Japanese War, Xibaipo was once known as the "Anti-Japanese Model Village".
In March 1947, when Liu Shaoqi and Zhu De were about to leave northern Shaanxi and cross the Yellow River eastward according to the decision of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee, Mao Zedong said to them: "Go to the hometown of the white-haired girl!" Liu Shaoqi asked Nie Rongzhen after arriving in the Jinchaji border area : "Where is the hometown of the white-haired girl?" Nie Rongzhen said: "This legend comes from Pingshan, which is a rich place. It is located at the junction of the Taihang Mountains and the North China Plain. This has been our base since the beginning of the Anti-Japanese War. The mass base is good. However, Pingshan has a large area, with Shijiazhuang in the east and Shanxi in the west, and it is appropriate to be in the middle or to the east.”
In May, Zhu De sent his secretary Pan Kaiwen and chief guard Qi Wangchen to survey the villages along the Hutuo River from Pingshan County, and they unanimously took a fancy to Xibaipo Village.Here is surrounded by mountains and rivers, at the junction of mountains and plains, can enter and exit, can attack and defend.They reported to Liu Shaoqi and Zhu De.
In June, Liu Shaoqi and Zhu De led the Central Working Committee to enter Xibaipo Village. On July 12, Liu Shaoqi, Zhu De, Dong Biwu, Peng Zhen, Kang Sheng, and Chen Boda formally established a working committee (known as the Work School to the outside world, and the principal was Hu Fu, that is, Liu Shaoqi).
Prior to this, on April 23, Zhou Enlai and Ren Bishi led 65 comrades from the central government from Chengnanzhuang to Xibaipo. On May 27, Mao Zedong came here again.After the meeting of the five secretaries, the Front Committee of the Central Committee, the Back Committee of the Central Committee and the Central Working Committee were abolished on their own.For the sake of secrecy, it is called "Labour University", and the central leaders still use the previous pseudonym.
At this time, Mao Zedong had a grand strategy in his chest and was in high spirits. He was paying attention to the development and changes of the national battlefield wholeheartedly. He decided to start a decisive battle with Chiang Kai-shek, and put the first decisive battle in the Northeast.
From September 8th to 13th, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a Politburo meeting in the canteen of Xibaipo.Seven members of the Politburo and 14 members and alternate members of the Central Committee attended the meeting.This was a central meeting with the largest number of participants since the end of the Anti-Japanese War.The meeting examined the work in the past period and stipulated the work tasks in the future period.At this central meeting, Chairman Mao Zedong issued a great call to "fundamentally overthrow the reactionary Kuomintang rule" and "seize the national power" based on the achievements of the past two years of combat and the overall military and political situation.To this end, the meeting proposed the grand goal of building a 5 million People's Liberation Army and wiping out 500 enemy brigades and a total of 7.5 million enemy troops in about five years (starting from July 1946). The task of the enemy's 100 brigades.
He believes that due to this major change in the military situation, it is estimated that in another year or so, the reactionary Kuomintang government may be fundamentally overthrown.
At this time, contrary to Mao Zedong's mood, Chiang Kai-shek was sitting in the stone city, full of worries and sighs.One day, leaning on a cane and wearing that bomb-proof cloak, he came to the river, bowed his head in thought.This time the situation became more tense, and 12 important strongholds, including Luoyang, Siping, and Zhoucun, were lost in one day. Strong city with permanent fortifications; Shuyang, Lianshui, and Funing are the central strongholds of communication; Zhangdian and Zhoucun are the outer defense lines of Jinan's big cities; Yongcheng is an important stronghold on the periphery of Xuzhou; Laiwu, Xintai, Mengyin It is the flank of the main traffic line of Jinpu Road and Jiaoji Road; Ganquan, Yinxian, Zhongbu, Yijun and other places between Yan'an and Xi'an are all important in terms of traffic connections, and they are all lost.
Looking at the Yangtze River, Chiang Kai-shek sighed, and under the escort of the guards, he went to the Central Training Corps to "speak".As soon as he arrived at the meeting place, before the chairman delivered a speech, he said with a trembling voice, "We have meetings every year and every month. I don't know what is the use of our meetings! The military defeat in the front, and the administrative corruption in various places, continue to make trouble." , It’s hard to say whether we can still hold meetings here next year.”
The officials in the audience were taken aback.I saw that Chiang Kai-shek's eyes were red with anger, and he was still cursing vigorously: "If you don't change, I will be a prisoner in a short time, and you will also be war criminals. We will all die without a place to die! Why are you so corrupt? You are lawless! Why don’t you look at the enemy? What they decide to do, they do it with all their heart and soul, and what about you?” Chiang Kai-shek beat a drum with his right fist on the table Knocking: "When our party members are ordered to do a job, they just let it be and don't even do anything. They only know how to use power for personal gain!" go home.
Chiang Kai-shek returned to the bedroom, feeling cold all over and feeling even more depressed.He stood up slowly, looked out of the window, and felt that the future battlefield situation would be: North China will become today's Northeast and Northwest, Central China will become today's North China, and South China will become today's Central Plains, just like the waves of the Yangtze River, the waves behind push the waves ahead , a new battlefield unfolds, while another old battlefield disappears.Today's Northeast battlefield is sinking islands one by one; today's central China battlefield is divided into slices by planes, and then shrinks from slices to points to form islands. This scene is about to move southward one after another, and it is difficult to hold on to "divided operations" , develop to the end, how will it be?The more I think about it, the more frowning I feel, and the more I lose confidence in my future.
Faced with such a turbulent battle situation and a tired body, Chiang Kai-shek thought about changing the environment on Mount Lu, but felt that it was appropriate to leave the capital at this time and place?And whether Lushan is safe or not is also a problem. The more I think about it, the more annoying and angry I become.Song Meiling did not take this seriously. She said: "This problem is easy to solve, so don't be discouraged. The President of the United States still fishes and hunts when the situation is tense. Why can't you? This will give people a stable impression. As for whether Lushan is safe, I don't know." It is very reliable. The Yangtze River flooded, and it was uncomfortable to go up the mountain, and it is hard to say whether it will affect the traffic. It is better to go to Moganshan to relax." Chiang Kai-shek agreed, so he took his wife and son to Hangzhou.Along the way, Chiang Kai-shek was silent and reticent. He suddenly felt that he was much older recently.It's exactly: looking up, there is a cloud of miasma, and looking forward to the future, it is unimaginable.Facing the current defeat, how could he not make him burn with anxiety!
Mao Zedong, who lives in Xibaipo, proposed when and where to fight the decisive battle in the Northeast as early as February 7, 1948 in a telegram to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, Liu Yalou, Zhu De, and Liu Shaoqi.Mao Zedong said in the telegram: "For the strategic interests of our army, it is beneficial to seal off Jiang's army and annihilate them in the Northeast." ("Mao Zedong Military Collection" Volume 4, p. 391)
Judging from Mao Zedong's formulation in the telegram, the concept of "closing Jiang's army in the northeast and annihilating them one by one" was only an idea at that time.At the time when Mao Zedong sent this telegram, our army’s winter offensive in the Northeast was underway, and the battle to capture Liaoyang, Anshan, Benxi, and Yingkou had just begun. Wei Lihuang, the newly appointed commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang Northeast "Suppression General", has just taken office.
Where is the situation in the Northeast heading?Has the enemy's situation in the Northeast changed?Starting from the national war situation, Mao Zedong presupposed two possibilities for the future movements of the Kuomintang army in the Northeast, and based on this, he proposed two directions for our army to fight in the Northeast.Mao Zedong's idea of "closing Jiang's army and annihilating them in the Northeast" is the inevitable conclusion of strategic thinking and analysis based on these "two possibilities" and "two directions".
The first possibility for the future movements of the Northeast Kuomintang troops is to withdraw from the Northeast.Mao Zedong clearly pointed out in the telegram: "Chiang Kai-shek once considered withdrawing all Northeast troops to North China, but later decided not to withdraw." ("Mao Zedong Military Collection" Volume 4, p. 391) There are many reasons why Chiang Kai-shek decided not to withdraw .From Chiang Kai-shek's own point of view, he still held the delusion of controlling the Northeast. On the one hand, he considered political interests, and on the other hand, he was not reconciled to the failure of the Northeast.From the perspective of Chiang Kai-shek's generals, they are afraid of taking responsibility for losing the Northeast.From the perspective of the national war situation, the People's Liberation Army did not deal a heavy blow to the Kuomintang army, or the People's Liberation Army did not hit the Kuomintang army to the extent that it forced Chiang Kai-shek to withdraw his troops from the Northeast.When Mao Zedong analyzed Chiang Kai-shek's decision not to withdraw from the Northeast, it was mainly based on military considerations. Therefore, Mao Zedong said: "This is mainly because our army on the southern line has not yet crossed the Yangtze River and our army on the northern line has not dealt a greater blow to Jiang's army. The reason." ("Mao Zedong Military Collection" Volume 4, p. 391)
It is precisely from military considerations that Mao Zedong pointed out after further analysis that if our army in Northeast China wins a few more battles in the future, if our army from Shanxi, Chahar and Hebei led by Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Yang Chengwu leaves Pingsui and East Hebei, If the Suyu Corps of the East China Field Army crosses the south of the Yangtze River and establishes new liberated areas in Fujian, Zhejiang, and Jiangxi provinces, then the national military situation will definitely develop in a direction favorable to the People's Liberation Army.
At this time, "the possibility of Jiang's army retreating from the northeast will suddenly increase" ("Mao Zedong Military Anthology", Vol. 4, p. 391).毛泽东估计全国战局的改观为时不远，因此估计国民党从东北撤兵的时间可能在夏季，或更早一些。据此，毛泽东希望东北我军“准备应付上述可能的新形势”，“准备对付敌军由东北向华北撤退之形势”。 （《毛泽东军事文集》第4卷，第391页）
东北国民党军队今后动向的第二种可能，是固守东北。毛泽东明确指出，“当然蒋军死钉在东北不撤退的可能性也有”。这种可能中内含着两层意思：一是国民党军队暂时能与我军抗衡，能够固守东北；二是东北我军强大得使东北国民党军无法撤离东北，能封闭国民党军在东北加以各个歼灭。
毛泽东在分析此种可能时，表现出了充分的自信，即排除了国民党军能够固守东北的可能性，而将东北我军能否强大得使东北国民党军无法撤出东北这个问题提到东北我军的面前。
依据东北国民党军队今后动向的两种可能，毛泽东提出了东北我军今后作战的两个方向。一是打抚顺、铁岭、法库之敌；一是打阜新、义县、锦西、兴城、绥中、山海关、昌黎、滦州等地之敌。”（《毛泽东军事文集》第4卷，第391页）打抚顺、铁岭、法库之敌，是截断沈阳与长春的联系，孤立长春之敌，为消灭长春之敌创造条件。而打阜新、义县、锦西、兴城、绥中、山海关、昌黎、滦州等地之敌，是孤立锦州之敌，为歼灭锦州之敌，关闭东北大门创造条件。
毛泽东关于“封闭蒋军在东北加以各个歼灭”的构想，尽管在当时是一种设想，但是这种设想是建立在对全国战局和东北战场进行深层次分析的基础之上的。从全国战局来看，战局正向有利于人民解放军的方向发展，蒋介石的各个战略集团正处在被人民解放军的分割之中，如果不封闭东北大门，而让东北国民党的几十万军队撤入关内华北、华东地区，就会使国民党的军队相对集中，使这些地区国民党军队所占的优势进一步扩大，这无疑会增大这两个地区人民解放军作战的难度，从而延缓人民解放战争的历史进程；如果关闭东北大门，不仅分割蒋介石战略集团的目的达到了，而且也缓解了华北、华东地区人民解放军作战的困难。
从东北战局来看，东北人民解放军有足够的力量关闭东北大门，将国民党东北军队予以各个歼灭。尽管东北我军的力量并没有占绝对优势，或许战场情况还有新的变化，但毛泽东的这一构想，体现了作为战略家的战略眼光，从毛泽东在电报中的分析来看，也体现了他战略上藐视敌人，战术上重视敌人的军事原则。
哈尔滨往南火车第一个停车站，是一个叫双城的小镇。
东北人民解放军总司令部就设在双城的一个青堂瓦舍、古色古香的大宅院里。东西两个跨院，西院为参谋长，东院住林彪。
林彪面对墙上地图，视线从长春移到锦州，再从锦州移到长春。然后背起手，在室内踱步沉思。每次大战之前，林彪都要在地图前长久地踱步沉思。
作为军事指挥员，他要把每一个细节都想清楚。
长春距北满根据地较近。先打长春便于集中兵力，便于解放区支援，如果敌人增援或突围，在漫长的300公里范围内，也便于在运动中消灭敌人。打下长春之后，解除了后顾之忧，更便于集中兵力向南作战。
但是，早在冬季攻势尚在进行的时候，毛泽东就指出“要预见敌人撤出东北的可能性。对我军战略利益来说，是以封闭国民党军在东北加以各个歼灭为有利”。为此，要考虑南线作战，首先控制北宁路锦州、山海关段，以及山海关、滦县段。此方案，即关闭了东北大门，切断了东北敌人与关内的联系，在战略上又是中间突破，使两翼的卫立煌和傅作义均相互孤立。
毛泽东作为战略家，总是从全局高度观察问题，站得高，看得远。此时他已不满足于东北，他想到华北，想到全中国。他的思路沿着连接东北、华北的北宁线铁路大动脉运动。
锦州，是东北国民党军的咽喉要地，是其与华北联系的战略要冲。
可林彪对到敌人要害打坚固设防的大城市有顾虑，如果久攻不下，敌人援兵上来，再像1947年攻四平一样，定将影响战局。如果打长春，可拖住沈阳的敌人。
四平攻坚失利的阴影，像噩梦一样缠绕着林彪。
林彪在东北打的较大的败仗，一是二下江南攻德惠不下，二是夏季攻势中的西平攻坚战。
锦州有重兵把守，且工事坚固，会不会成为另一个四平？
林彪认为锦州城防工整坚固，又有15万重兵把守，如果像夏季攻打四平那样，久攻不下，敌人援兵上来将造成被动。四平撤退之所以安然无恙，是因为部队基本上是轻装。要打15万人设防的锦州，必须有大规模的重武器和六七十万人的后勤供应，这样庞大的供给需要大量汽车和油料，如果油料耗空或遭空袭，大批机械化装备将要丢给敌人，部队就难以安全撤离战场，而陷于危险境地。
林彪不愿冒险攻锦州，他认为长春之敌最弱，又离解放军后勤基地最近，长春与沈阳相距五六百公里，沈阳之敌出援困难，且远水难救近火。于是，林彪在反复考虑之后，决定打长春。那时林彪在东北已经树起了“军事权威”的形象，他确定的军事方案，一般是没有人提出异议的。虽然东北局对下一步军事行动进行了反复讨论，但是最终定下的还是林彪的方案。
4月18日，毛泽东收到林彪等东北野战军领导人署名的报告，可以说它主要反映了林彪对下一步作战考虑的结果。报告中说，东北野战军集结9个纵队，采取攻城打援手段，进行长春战役，第一步实行围城，如能吸引沈阳敌人北上增援，则主力南下，在四平附近野战中歼灭敌人；如敌不增援，即对长春发动全面总攻，计划在十天半月左右的时间内全部结束战斗。
为防止锦州范汉杰兵团与沈阳敌人会合，再向北增援，林彪建议，晋察冀以4个纵队或3个纵队兵力，开到承德以东或山海关以北地区歼灭和牵制敌人，使范汉杰兵团不能北上，直接与东北部队会合打仗。关于向南作战问题，如我军向锦州、唐山之线或冀东或平绥前进时，在敌目前采取放弃次要据点，集中兵力固守大城市的方针下，则必到处扑空，或遇到四五个师兵力守备的城市。且大军进到那些小地区，衣服弹药军费皆无法解决。同时，东北战士入关，经长途跋涉，士气必降，逃跑必发生。在我主力南下情况下，长春之敌必能乘虚撤至沈阳，打通锦沈线。故目前只有打长春的办法为好。报告说：以上是我们对作战的根本意见。其他意见亦曾深入考虑，均认为不甚适宜。
林彪实际上是说毛泽东的意见不适宜。他要把华北的部队也拉到他的指挥之下。否定毛泽东的意见，在林彪已不只一次。
毛泽东没有像蒋介石那样听见部下有反对意见就发火，骂娘。
毛泽东把燃着的一支烟在手中捻碎，对周恩来道：“又是一个将在外君命有所不受，我看他胆子太小，二月就叫他南下北宁线，两个多月了，还是这个态度，要不然我去东北算了。”
周恩来看了一会儿电报，道：“主席，我看只能原则同意他们的计划，再次申明南下北宁线的重要性。”
毛泽东道：“也只好如此了。”
在战役指挥上，毛泽东尊重战场指挥员的意见，因为他们对战场有实际感受。如果自己正确的意见一时不被下级接受，毛泽东总是耐心说服与等待。
毛泽东同意打长春，同时指出，“你们自己，特别在干部中，只应当说在目前情况下先打长春比较有利，不应当强调南下作战之困难，以免你们自己及干部在精神上处于被动地位。”
毛泽东实际上是批评林彪的畏难情绪。
5月下旬，林彪以两个纵队从东、西、南三面向长春攻击，歼敌6000余人，攻占郊区大房身机场。但由于守军设防坚固，解放军战斗组织不够周密，自己也伤亡2000多人，没有实现预期目的。这时，才感到长春守敌的战斗力和防御工事比原来估计的要强，不是一个猛攻可以打下的。于是向中央军委报告说：经反复考虑并经东北局常委开会议论，又照顾各纵、师首长对攻长春的信心并不甚高，我们建议改变硬攻长春的决心，改为对长春以一部兵力久困长
毛泽东亲笔起草给予林刘罗的指示电围，待敌撤退时在途中追歼该敌，而以我主力转至北宁线，承德古北口之线一带作战的方针。
林彪是军事家，对作战想得很细，心细如发。毛泽东是战略家，他考虑全局的需要，往往不过分拘泥于细节。
毛泽东凭着战略家的预感，认为只有南下北宁线，切断东北国民党军与华北的联系，全歼东北守军，才是上策。
毛泽东和蒋介石不约而同，都感到锦州的重要。
6月5日，东北野战军领导人提出三个方案：第一，正式攻长春；第二，以少数兵团围困长春，主力到北宁线和热河冀东一带作战；第三，对长春以2至4个月较长时间围困，然后打援，最后攻城。他们认为，执行第一个方案，目前还无把握，执行第二方案，将会遇到敌人集中不好打和粮食补给不足的困难。而第三方案除了多费去几个月时间外，没有其他坏处，能有把握地歼灭敌人和拿下长春，所以目前以采取第三方案为好。
毛泽东复电基本上同意第三个方案，同时又一次力图把林彪的注意力引到南下作战上。他提醒东北野战军，在攻长春的3至4个月的时间里，必须同时完成下一步在承德、张家口、大同区域作战，或在冀东、锦州区域作战所必需的粮食、弹药、被服、新兵等项补给的道路运输准备工作。
林彪将作战方向指向长春，与毛泽东的构想相悖，但毛泽东还是批准了林彪攻打长春的计划。毛泽东为什么批准一个与自己的要求相悖的作战计划？
首先，在战争年代，毛泽东一直很尊重前线指挥员的意见，充分发扬军事民主。不仅如此，毛泽东还经常教育我军各级指挥员要充分尊重下级指挥员的意见，甚至尊重战士的意见，充分发扬军事民主。这是我军战斗力不断提高的生生不息的源泉。自从林彪到东北战场指挥作战以来，毛泽东就一直很尊重林彪的意见，即使林彪不贯彻他的作战意图，毛泽东也未予计较。
其次，东北国民党军队撤离东北的态势尚不明显。蒋介石，特别是卫立煌有固守锦州、沈阳、长春三大城市以待时局发展的侥幸心理，或许攻打长春还不足以促使蒋介石痛下撤离东北的决心，卫立煌还可能从沈阳增援长春，东北我军可望围城打援。
第三，毛泽东的构想是一种战略决战的构想。尽管东北战场战略决战的时机已经来临，但全国性的战略决战的时机并不成熟，我军还处在战略进攻中。就是说，此时的毛泽东在筹划着战略决战，但并没有将战略决战作为当前的主要任务，还在等待战局的进一步发展和我军指挥员对战略决战认识的进一步提高。或者说毛泽东只是希望战局朝着有利于战略决战的方向发展。因此，当林彪等东北局领导人觉得先打长春比较先打他处有利，并且可望攻克长春时，毛泽东就同意先打长春。
1948年4月22日，毛泽东致电林彪等，明确表态：“同意你们先打长春的意见。”（《毛泽东军事文集》第4卷，第455页）还根据林彪等的建议，毛泽东派杨得志、罗瑞卿、杨成武率晋察冀我军“以3个纵队出至承德、北平之线以东地区，或者可能出至承德以东地区，起配合作战之作用。”并于同日向晋察冀野战军布置了配合东北作战的任务。
但是，毛泽东在明确同意先打长春的同时，也对林彪等东北局领导强调南下作战的困难表示了明显的不满，并且委婉地提出了批评。毛泽东关注战略决战的心情跃然纸上。
1948年7月20日，林彪、罗荣桓、刘亚楼等将东北局常委新讨论后的作战方针报告了中央军委，认为长春守敌10万以上，工事坚固，粮食可依靠空运接济，我军攻长春和打援不能兼顾，因此主张“仍以南下作战为好，不宜勉强和被动的攻长春”。并提议：“到8月中旬，我军即以最大主力开始南下作战，首先以第十一、第九、第四纵队用牵袭手段包围和歼灭义县、锦西、兴城、绥中、山海关五城主攻，然后迅速向承德前进，即进行夺取承德和打援的战斗。”
1948年7月22日，毛泽东致电林、罗、刘并告东北局，指出：
“向南作战具有各种有利条件，我军愈向敌人后方前进，愈能使敌方孤悬在我侧后之据点，被迫减弱或撤退。这个真理已被整个南线作战所证明，亦为你们的作战所证明。”“应向全军指战员首先是干部，充分说明这些条件，以鼓励和坚定他们向南进取的意志和坚定他们的决心。但在同时，必须说明将要遇到和必然会遇到的各种困难情况，诸如粮食困难，人民的欢迎不一定有如同现处地方的人民那样热烈，某些敌人的顽强抵抗和某些时候作战的不顺手等等，使他们在这方面先有精神准备，并研究克服各项困难的方法。”
南下作战方针是确定了，但是部队何时行动，林彪尚在瞻前顾后。最令他担心的是在南下作战时，受到沈阳卫立煌集团和北平傅作义集团的两面夹击。为此，林、罗、刘向中央军委建议：
在我们南下尚未暴露之前，请设法派兵围攻大同，将傅作义部队分散到大同方面，以便我军能各个击灭敌人。
之后又进一步建议：应调动和分散傅作义，但不宜由东北野战军先行调动傅军向北向东，而应是杨成武部先我行动，调动傅部一两个军西去，以利于东北野战军能在承德、张家口、保定