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PLA 4th Army

The predecessor of the 4th Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army was the 4th column of the Northwest Field Army. In May 1942, the Central Military Commission decided to compile the Jinci Joint Defense Army by the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, the New Army of the Northwestern Shanxi, and the Retaining Corps. Long appointed commander, political commissar Guan, the military leaders in northern Shaanxi sub-region and the Guard Brigade.

On September 21, 1947, in the county of Xian County, Shaanxi Province (now Xunyi County), the 1st Brigade, the 3rd Brigade, and the 6th Division of the Cavalry were formed by the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia-Jinhua Joint Defense Army, and they were formed into the 4th column, belonging to the Northwest Field Army. Established. Wang Shitai was the commander, Zhang Zhongliang was the political commissar, and it was the deputy commander and chief of staff. Li Zonggui was the director of the political department and had more than 11,000 people. After the column was established, it attacked the Huanglong Mountain Area with the 2nd column and capture Baishui, Hancheng, Duyang and Yichuan, and seize a large amount of ammunition and materials. In November, goes to cross when Hill County side River area, was ordered to attack the West turned forward, recover Ning Liang, Abe and other places.

In December, it transferred to the Huaziping and Houjiahe areas of Ansai County to carry out a new-style army movement as the main content. In February 1948, it participated in the Battle of Yichuan and cooperated with the main force of the field army to help the Kuomintang army of Yichuan to reorganize the 29th Army and capture more than 2,000 prisoners. In mid-April to mid-May, participated in the Battle of the West House Longdong, first in supporting the wind to Thanh town frontline fight against Western aid Baoji Kuomintang army Pei Changhui corps, after the original town east of the county rural collusion sixth column town to teach brigade to break through, later responsible for screening any Northwest Field eastward shift of the main tasks. In late May, the 4th column was transferred to the Tuqiaoyuan area of Jixian County for training. August to November, first After participating in the Cheng, Yubei and winter campaigns, the Kuomintang army had more than 4,500 people.

In January 1949, the 4th Brigade of the Guard was placed in the 4th column. On February 1, according to the Central Military Commission's order to unify the preparation of the entire army and the number of troops, the 4th column was renamed the 4th Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and was attached to the first field army. Wang Shitai served as the military commander, Zhang Zhongliang served as political commissar, Sun Chaoqun served as deputy commander, Zhu Huizhao served as deputy political commissar and director of the political department, Zhang Wenzhou served as chief of staff, and Wang Guorui served as director of logistics.

The 1st Brigade of the 1st Brigade and the 6th Division of the Cavalry were merged into the 10th Division, Gao Jinchun was appointed as the division commander, and Zuo Ai was appointed as the political commissar; the 3rd Brigade was renamed the 11th Division, Guo Bingkun was appointed as the division commander, Gao Wei was appointed as the political commissar; 4 Brigade and Cavalry 6th Division (lack of 1 regiment) merged to form the 12th Division, Guo Baoshan was appointed as the division commander, and Li Zonggui was appointed as political commissar.

The army had about 19,000 people. From late February to mid-March, it participated in the spring campaign and annihilated more than 2,700 people from the 20th and 248th divisions of the Kuomintang Army. In mid-May, in the northeast of Fengxiang Yao Ravine area, in conjunction with the first army to wipe out the KMT and the 57th Army 30th Division, captured more than 4,200 people. In mid-June, it was incorporated into the 2nd Corps, fighting against the Kuomintang army against Xi'an in the areas of Guantou, Yijing, Linping and Fuyang. In mid-July, it participated in the Battle of Fumei and served as the task of cutting off the Kuomintang army's retreat, and protected the main force of the field army to gather together with the 3rd Nationalist Army. Then, multiple wins westward, capturing Caijiapo, Qishan, Baoji and other cities and towns. Starting from late in Baoji, Lanzhou quite to enter. On August 25th, Xiao Xiao participated in the general attack of the Lanzhou Campaign. After repeated attacks, it occupied Shenjialing and Dogwa Mountain. On the 26th, Xiaoxiao attacked the west gate of Lanzhou City, and a total of more than 10,000 Kuomintang troops were captured.

It played a major role in the victory of the Lanzhou campaign. At the beginning of September, it entered the Hexi Corridor (the 12th Division stayed in Lanzhou, and was responsible for the garrison). It entered Wuwei on the 19th. In October, it was ordered to transfer to Linyi and Linxia areas to carry out the task of squatting, and dispatched troops to participate in the construction of the Tian (Water) Lan (State) Railway.

In September 1952, the 4th Army was revoked by the Central Military Commission. The Anti-aircraft artillery school; the 10th Division 9 City Department was reorganized as the 10th Division of the Artillery Division, and its troops were incorporated into the 11th Division; the 12th Division was adapted for the railway public security forces. In the Liberation War, the 4th Army fought in the vast areas of Shaanxi and Gansu, and participated in 28 major battles. Ding Xingfa, Zhang Baoying, Ma Yisheng, Wu Deren, Tian Zhande and other heroic model figures emerged.