Liu Yujian
Encyclopedia
Liu Yuzhang nicknamed the bald general, was a well-known Chinese nationalist general. He was one of the very few KMT commanders who could defeat both the Imperial Japanese Army
and PLA
in the Second Sino-Japanese War
and Chinese Civil War
.
, Hu Lian
, and Zhang Lingfu
. After graduation, he participated in the Northern Expedition and Central Plains War
and was promoted to the commander of the 5th Regiment, the 2nd Division when the Sino-Japan War began.
, in which he suffered a minor wound. After the war against Japan broke out in 1937, he distinguished himself in the Battle of Taierzhuang, Battle of Wuhan. In 1939, he was promoted to the brigade commander and also the garrison commander of Changsha and fought against the Japanese Army in the First Battle of Changsha. In 1941, his commander Guan Linzheng
promoted him to the post of the commander of the 2nd Division, the 52nd Corps, while the corps stationed in Yunan. In 1945, he led the 2nd Division to Vietnam
to accept the surrender of Japanese Army there. When the Chinese communist forces invaded Manchuria, Liu's 52nd Corps were sent to Manchuria
to fight with the communist forces under his former classmate, Lin Biao.
. In March 1946, the Red Army withdrew from Shenyang and the KMT took over the city. Soon afterward, the PLA
started large offensive operations against Shenyang. Liu was commander of KMT troops, and CPC's commander was Lin Biao
, Liu's former classmate who had now become his enemy. Both men were fighting for the control of the city. Liu defeated Lin Biao's troops and won the battle, recovering Shenyang successfully at last, and after this victory Liu was promoted to Lieutenant General
. This battle was one of the early engagements in Manchuria where KMT had initial success.
broke out in September 1948, Liu's 52nd Corps was part of the 9th army. The 9th army was tasked personally by Chiang Kai Shek to relieve the city of Jinzhou
, and both 9th army commander General Liao Yaoxiang
and Liu knew that the city was a lost cause, so they suggested to President Chiang Kai Shek if the relief effort was not successful that the 9th army should withdraw to Yinkou via sea. Chiang and nationalist overall commander in Manchuria, General Wei Lihuang agreed their proposal. But the 9th army failed both objectives and on 26 October, the Communist Manchurian Field Army captured General Liao and took 100,000 nationalist soldiers as their prisoners.
won the Liaoshen Campaign
, KMT still had 50,000 troops near Yingkou port when CPC
began the final siege
of the city. Liu's 52nd Army
fought in rear guard actions to help those 50,000 men retreat to friendly territories such as Shanghai
by sea,
On 31 October 1948 Liu boarded the last KMT naval ship to leave port when communist rocket and mortar fires fell on the beach. At this point he became extremely emotional and cried because he knew that KMT had lost the whole of Manchuria
forever.
as commander of Kinmen defense area and was sent to United States to study by Chiang Kai Shek. He was one the few Chinese generals graduated from an American military academy beside General Sun Li-jen
. He was appointed as garrison commander of Taiwan and head of nationalist security police. Liu retired from the army in 1970 and died in 1981.
s about Liu Yuzhang and his units:
Imperial Japanese Army
-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...
and PLA
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
in the Second Sino-Japanese War
Second Sino-Japanese War
The Second Sino-Japanese War was a military conflict fought primarily between the Republic of China and the Empire of Japan. From 1937 to 1941, China fought Japan with some economic help from Germany , the Soviet Union and the United States...
and Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
.
Whampoa Military Academy
Liu enrolled in the fourth cadet class in 1925. Some of his well-known classmates included Lin BiaoLin Biao
Lin Biao was a major Chinese Communist military leader who was pivotal in the communist victory in the Chinese Civil War, especially in Northeastern China...
, Hu Lian
Hu Lian
Hu Lian was a Chinese Nationalist general, he participated the Northern Expedition, anti-communist Encirclement Campaigns, Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War.- Whampoa Military Academy :...
, and Zhang Lingfu
Zhang Lingfu
Zhang Lingfu was a high-ranking general of the National Revolutionary Army. He successfully fought against the Chinese Communist army and the Imperial Japanese Army...
. After graduation, he participated in the Northern Expedition and Central Plains War
Central Plains War
Central Plains War was a civil war within the factionalised Kuomintang that broke out in 1930. It was fought between the forces of Chiang Kai-shek and the coalition of three military commanders who had previously allied with Chiang: Yan Xishan, Feng Yuxiang, and Li Zongren...
and was promoted to the commander of the 5th Regiment, the 2nd Division when the Sino-Japan War began.
Second Sino-Japanese War
In fact, Liu had already experienced fighting with Imperial Japanese Army in 1933, during the Defense of the Great WallDefense of the Great Wall
The Defense of the Great Wall was a campaign between the armies of Republic of China and Empire of Japan, which took place before the Second Sino-Japanese War officially commenced in 1937...
, in which he suffered a minor wound. After the war against Japan broke out in 1937, he distinguished himself in the Battle of Taierzhuang, Battle of Wuhan. In 1939, he was promoted to the brigade commander and also the garrison commander of Changsha and fought against the Japanese Army in the First Battle of Changsha. In 1941, his commander Guan Linzheng
Guan Linzheng
Guan Linzheng （1905-1980）was a highly successful Chinese general in the Kuomintang who fought against both the Chinese communists and the Imperial Japanese Army, and was a recipient of Order of Blue Sky and White Sun, the highest honor for a Chinese nationalist commander.-Early life and career:Guan...
promoted him to the post of the commander of the 2nd Division, the 52nd Corps, while the corps stationed in Yunan. In 1945, he led the 2nd Division to Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
to accept the surrender of Japanese Army there. When the Chinese communist forces invaded Manchuria, Liu's 52nd Corps were sent to Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
to fight with the communist forces under his former classmate, Lin Biao.
Recovery of Shenyang
In September 1945, the Soviet Red Army of USSR occupied ShenyangShenyang
Shenyang , or Mukden , is the capital and largest city of Liaoning Province in Northeast China. Currently holding sub-provincial administrative status, the city was once known as Shengjing or Fengtianfu...
. In March 1946, the Red Army withdrew from Shenyang and the KMT took over the city. Soon afterward, the PLA
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
started large offensive operations against Shenyang. Liu was commander of KMT troops, and CPC's commander was Lin Biao
Lin Biao
Lin Biao was a major Chinese Communist military leader who was pivotal in the communist victory in the Chinese Civil War, especially in Northeastern China...
, Liu's former classmate who had now become his enemy. Both men were fighting for the control of the city. Liu defeated Lin Biao's troops and won the battle, recovering Shenyang successfully at last, and after this victory Liu was promoted to Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
. This battle was one of the early engagements in Manchuria where KMT had initial success.
Refusal to obey Chiang's order
When the Liaoshen CampaignLiaoshen Campaign
Liaoshen Campaign , literally the abbreviation of Liaoning-Shenyang Campaign, was part of the three major campaigns launched by the People's Liberation Army during the late stage of the Chinese Civil War. This engagement is known in the Nationalist government as the Battle of Liaoshi...
broke out in September 1948, Liu's 52nd Corps was part of the 9th army. The 9th army was tasked personally by Chiang Kai Shek to relieve the city of Jinzhou
Jinzhou
Jinzhou , is a prefecture-level city of Liaoning province, China. It is a geographically strategic city located in the "Liaoxi Corridor" , which connects land transportation between North China and Northeast China. Jinzhou is China's northernmost seaport and the coastal economic center of West...
, and both 9th army commander General Liao Yaoxiang
Liao Yaoxiang
Liao Yiaoxiang was a high-ranking nationalist commander who successful fought against both the Imperial Japanese Army and Chinese Communist forces. He was one of the few nationalist commanders who graduated from a western military academy besides General Sun Liren...
and Liu knew that the city was a lost cause, so they suggested to President Chiang Kai Shek if the relief effort was not successful that the 9th army should withdraw to Yinkou via sea. Chiang and nationalist overall commander in Manchuria, General Wei Lihuang agreed their proposal. But the 9th army failed both objectives and on 26 October, the Communist Manchurian Field Army captured General Liao and took 100,000 nationalist soldiers as their prisoners.
Yingkou retreat
When CPCCommunist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
won the Liaoshen Campaign
Liaoshen Campaign
Liaoshen Campaign , literally the abbreviation of Liaoning-Shenyang Campaign, was part of the three major campaigns launched by the People's Liberation Army during the late stage of the Chinese Civil War. This engagement is known in the Nationalist government as the Battle of Liaoshi...
, KMT still had 50,000 troops near Yingkou port when CPC
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
began the final siege
Siege
A siege is a military blockade of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by attrition or assault. The term derives from sedere, Latin for "to sit". Generally speaking, siege warfare is a form of constant, low intensity conflict characterized by one party holding a strong, static...
of the city. Liu's 52nd Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
fought in rear guard actions to help those 50,000 men retreat to friendly territories such as Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
by sea,
On 31 October 1948 Liu boarded the last KMT naval ship to leave port when communist rocket and mortar fires fell on the beach. At this point he became extremely emotional and cried because he knew that KMT had lost the whole of Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
forever.
Trained in Command and General Staff College
Liu succeed his classmate Hu LianHu Lian
Hu Lian was a Chinese Nationalist general, he participated the Northern Expedition, anti-communist Encirclement Campaigns, Second Sino-Japanese War and Chinese Civil War.- Whampoa Military Academy :...
as commander of Kinmen defense area and was sent to United States to study by Chiang Kai Shek. He was one the few Chinese generals graduated from an American military academy beside General Sun Li-jen
Sun Li-jen
Sun Li-jen was a Kuomintang General, best known for his leadership in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the Chinese Civil War. His achievements earned him the laudatory nickname "Rommel of the East". His New 1st Army was reputed as the "1st [Best] Army under heaven" and credited with defeating...
. He was appointed as garrison commander of Taiwan and head of nationalist security police. Liu retired from the army in 1970 and died in 1981.
Popular culture
In Taiwan, there are two war filmWar film
War films are a film genre concerned with warfare, usually about naval, air or land battles, sometimes focusing instead on prisoners of war, covert operations, military training or other related subjects. At times war films focus on daily military or civilian life in wartime without depicting battles...
s about Liu Yuzhang and his units:
- 7 Man Army7 Man Army7 Man Army is a 1976 Hong Kong film by director Chang Cheh. The film stars Ti Lung, David Chiang, Alexander Fu, and Chen Kuan-Tai.- Plot :...
- Da Mo Tian Lin(大摩天嶺):the background of this film was Liaoshen CampaignLiaoshen CampaignLiaoshen Campaign , literally the abbreviation of Liaoning-Shenyang Campaign, was part of the three major campaigns launched by the People's Liberation Army during the late stage of the Chinese Civil War. This engagement is known in the Nationalist government as the Battle of Liaoshi...
and Liu‘s troop had defeated Lin Biao in the hill of Da Mo Tian Lin.