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Abstract
This article analyses the impact of the Korean War on the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), particularly the period of positional warfare from 1951 to 1953. In the war of movement between October 1950 and June 1951, the PLA relied on its civil war era weapons and experience, including the doctrine of ‘battle of annihilation’. Operations in early 1951 suggested that the civil war legacies of the PLA no longer applied to the realities of combat in Korea. Based on both Soviet aid and domestic mobilisation, the PLA managed to build the material foundation for positional warfare and rapidly improved its logistics. Operationally, on the defensive, the PLA developed combined operations integrating infantry, artillery, and armoured forces. The PLA learned the lessons of the Korean War and strengthened its ties with the Soviet armed forces in order to modernise itself. The Korean War thus transformed the PLA from Civil War victor to Cold War guard.
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Professor Yu Tiejun at Peking University for sharing his collection of primary sources, and the participants of 2013 PKU-KCL conference on ‘History, Strategy, and East Asia Security’ for their insightful comments on the draft of this paper.
Notes
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2 Mark Clark, From the Danube to the Yalu (London: Harrap Citation1954), 96.
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4 For example, Shen Zhihua, Mao Zedong, Sidalin yu Chaoxian Zhanzheng [Mao Zedong, Stalin, and the Korean War] (Guangzhou: Guangdong Renmin Chubanshe Citation2003).
5 Shuguang Zhang, Mao’s Military Romanticism: China and the Korean War, 1950–1953 (Lawrence: UP of Kansas Citation1995). Latest American studies include: Allan Millett, The War for Korea, 1950–1951: They Came from the North (Lawrence: UP of Kansas Citation2010).
6 PLA official history of the Korean War is Junshi Kexueyuan Junshi Lishi Yanjiusuo, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzhengshi [A History of War of Resistance to America and Assistance to Korea] (Beijing: Junshi Kexue Chubanshe Citation2000 and 2013), originally published in 2000, with slight revisions in the 2013 edition.
7 Li Chen, ‘From Burma Road to 38th Parallel: Chinese Forces’ Adaptation in War, 1942–1953’, PhD Dissertation, Univ. of Cambridge, Oct. 2012, chapter 4.
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11 Hong Xuezhi, Hong Xuezhi Huiyilu [Memoirs of Hong Xuezhi] (Beijing: Jiefangjun Chubanshe Citation2002), 490.
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15 ‘Shidalin Guanyu Da Yingmeijun Zhanshu Wenti zhi Mao Zedong Dian’ [Stalin’s Telegraph to Mao Zedong on tactics of fighting British and American forces], 29 May 1951; Shen (ed.), Chaoxian Zhanzheng: E’guo Dang’an’guan de Jiemi Wenjian, Vol. II, 774.
16 ‘Kelasuofusiji Zhuanfa Peng Dehuai Guanyu Fangyu deng Wenti de Dianbao zhi Shidalin Dian’ [Peng Dehuai’s Telegrams on Defence and Other Issues Forward by Korasovskii to Stalin], 4 June, 1951; Shen (ed.), Chaoxian Zhanzheng: E’guo Dang’an’guan de Jiemi Wenjian, Vol. II, 777–8.
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18 ‘Keqie’erjin Guanyu Zhongguo Jundui Qingkuang gei Sujun Zongcan Zuozhan Buzhang de Baogao’ [Kochergin’s Report to Operational Director, Soviet General Staff on Situation of the Chinese Army], 16 June 1951; Shen (ed.), Chaoxian Zhanzheng: E’guo Dang’an’guan de Jiemi Wenjian, Vol. II, 814-15.
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20 Xiaoming Zhang, ‘China and the Air War in Korea, 1950–1953’, Journal of Military History 62/2 (April 1998), 335–70.
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22 Wang Yazhi, Peng Dehuai Junshi Canmou de Huiyi: 1950 Niandai Zhongsu Junshiguanxi Jianzheng [Memoirs of a Staff Officer of Peng Dehuai: Witness of the Sino-Soviet Military Relations in the 1950s] (Shanghai: Fudan Daxue Chubanshe 2009), 33.
23 Zheng Shihua, ‘Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng zhong de Dimian Paobing’ [Field Artillery in the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea], in Shenyang Junqu Baike Bianshenshi (ed.), Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Lunwen ji [Papers on the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea] (Shenyang: Liaoning Renminchubanshe 1988), 298.
24 Wang Yazhi, Peng Dehuai Junshi Canmou de Huiyi: 1950 Niandai Zhongsu Junshiguanxi Jianzheng, 31, 34.
25 Ibid., 44.
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28 ‘Guanyu Fanjizhan Suoxu Danyao Diaobo de Tongzhi’ [Notice on Transfer of Ammunition Required by Counter-offensive], 30 June 1953; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Junxielei [Logistic Lessons of the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea, Document Selection: Armament Subjects], 400–1.
29 ‘Zi Chuguo zhi Tingzhan Sannian lai Guogui Danyao Zonghe Tongjibiao’ [A Comprehensive Statistic on Ammunition Transported by Rail During Three Years between Intervention and Armistice], Sept. 1953; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Junxielei [Logistic Lessons of the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea, Document Selection: Armament Subjects], 403–13.
30 Hong Xuezhi, Hong Xuezhi Huiyilu, 515.
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32 ‘Dongxian Houqin Gongzuo de Jiantao yu Yijian’ [Review and Suggestions of Logistic Works on Eastern Front], 22 Dec. 1950; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Zonghelei [Logistic Lessons of the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea, Document Selection: General Subjects] (Beijing: Jindun Chubanshe 1986), Vol. I, 171–2, 178–9.
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34 ‘Shisige Zizhongtuan Jieshou Gongzuo Zongjie’ [Summarising the Works of Receiving the 14 Transportation Regiments], 29 Sept. 1951; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Qiche Renchu Yunshu yu Guanlilei, 145–6.
35 Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Houqin Zhanli Xuanbian [Logistic Lessons of the War of Resisting America and Aiding Korea, Selected Logistical Operation Case Studies] (Beijing: Jindun Chubanshe Citation1986), 1–11.
36 Ibid., 110–26.
37 Ibid., 160–1.
38 Ibid., 276–7.
39 ‘Jiugeyue Houqin Gongzuo Qingkuang he Jinhou Gongzuo Yijian’ [Situation of Nine Months Logistical Works and Suggestions for Future Works], 26 May 1952; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Zonghelei (Beijing: Jindun Chubanshe 1986), Vol. II, 53–128.
40 ‘Ruchao Yilai Houqin Gongzuo Zongjie’ [Summary of Logistics Works since Entering Korea], Logistic Department, 40th Army, 15 Sept. 1952; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Jun Yixia Houqinlei, Vol. I, 166.
41 ‘Ruchao Yilai Houqin Gongzuo Zongjie’ [Summary of Logistics Works since Entering Korea], Logistic Department, 42nd Army, 30 Aug. 1952; Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie Bianji Weiyuanhui, Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Houqin Jingyan Zongjie, Ziliao Xuanbian: Jun Yixia Houqinlei, Vol. I, 190.
42 ‘Bageyue lai Houqin Gongzuo Zongjie yu Jinhou de Renwu’ [Review of Eight Months Logistic Works and Future Tasks], 2 March 1953; Hong Xuezhi, Hong Xuezhi Houqin Wenxuan [Selected Logistic Works of Hong Xuezhi] (Beijing: Jindun Chubanshe 2001), 82–3.
43 Martin van Creveld, The Changing Face of War: Combat from The Marne to Iraq (New York: Ballantine Books 2008), 46–7.
44 Clark, From the Danube to the Yalu, 97.
45 ‘Qianyan Ban Yituo Kengdao Zuozhan de Jige Wenti’ [Issues on Tunnel Based Combat of Front Squad], 1 Aug. 1952; Zheng Weishan, Zheng Weishan Zuozhan Biji [Operation Notes of Zheng Weishan] (Beijing: Jiefangjun Chubanshe 2006), 286.
46 ‘Mao Zedong Guanyu Qing Sulian Paiqian Junshi Guwen Zhi Shidalin Dian’ (Mao Zedong’s Telegram to Stalin on Dispatching Soviet Military Advisers), 8 Sept. 1951; Shen (ed.), Chaoxian Zhanzheng: E’guo Dang’an’guan de Jiemi Wenjian, Vol. III, 1019.
47 ‘Shidalin Guanyu Paiqian Junshi Guwen he Tigong Zhuangbei Wenti zhi Mao Zedong Dian’ (Stalin’s Telegram to Mao on Dispatching Military Advisers and Providing Equipment), 26 Sept. 1951; Shen (ed.), Chaoxian Zhanzheng: E’guo Dang’an’guan de Jiemi Wenjian, Vol. III, 1045.
48 Chen Geng, Chen Geng Riji, Xu [Diaries of Chen Geng, Continued] (Beijing: Jiefangjun Chubanshe Citation1984), 79–91.
49 Li Yuanming, Fengyu Chunqiu, 110–13.
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51 Clark, From the Danube to the Yalu, 100.
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53 Zhongguo Renmin Zhiyuanjun Paobing Zhihuisuo (ed.), Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Paobing Zuozhan Jingyan Zongjie Chugao, 29, 46–9.
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55 ‘Guanyu Jiji Fangyu de Ruogan Zhanshu Wenti’; Deng Hua, Lun Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng de Zuozhan Zhidao, 83.
56 Zhongguo Renmin Zhiyuanjun Paobing Zhihuisuo (ed.), Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng Paobing Zuozhan Jingyan Zongjie Chugao, 53.
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61 ‘Tankepao de Shiyong’ [Use of Tank Guns], 5 Oct. 1952; Zheng Weishan, Zheng Weishan Zuozhan Biji, 319–20.
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63 ‘Guanyu Jiji Fangyu de Ruogan Zhanshu Wenti’; Deng Hua, Lun Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng de Zuozhan Zhidao, 78.
64 ‘Chaoxian Zuozhan Jingyan Zongjie’ [Lessons of Operations in Korea], 38th Army Headquarters, 15 April 1954, 314.
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67 Hong Xuezhi, Hong Xuezhi Huiyilu, 655–8.
68 Zhonggong Jiangsu Sheng Dangshi Gongzuo Bangongshi (ed.), Su Yu Ninapu, 335.
69 ‘Guanyu Junzhong, Bingzhong, ji Zuozhan, Junxun deng Danwei Zhongyao Wenti de Baogao’ [Report on Important Problems in Services, Branches, Operational, and Training Units], 13 Aug. 1952; Su Yu, Su Yu Wenxuan, Vol. 3, 105–6.
70 Chen Geng, Chen Geng Riji, Xu, 85.
71 Chen Ruiting, Zouguo Bainian [Passing 100 Years] (Beijing: Zhonggongdangshi Chubanshe Citation2007), 224–7.
72 ‘Guanyu Chaoxian Zhanju yu Zhiyuanjun yijiuwusannian de Fangzhen Renwu’ [On the Korean War Situation, Guidance and Missions of Volunteers’ Army in 1953], 4 Dec. 1952; Deng Hua, Lun Kangmei Yuanchao Zhanzheng de Zuozhan Zhidao, 109.
73 Zhang Zhen, Zhang Zhen Junshi Wenxuan [Selected Military Works of Zhang Zhen] (Beijing: Jiefangjun Chubanshe Citation2005), 556.
74 Kong Congzhou, Kong Congzhou Huiyilu [Memoirs of Kong Congzhou] (Beijing: Jiefangjun Chubanshe Citation2006), 446–7.
75 Wang Yazhi, Peng Dehuai Junshi Canmou de Huiyi: 1950 Niandai Zhongsu Junshiguanxi Jianzheng, 32–3, 45.
76 Ibid., 128.
77 Ibid., 101–66.
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Li Chen
LI Chen is a lecturer at School of International Studies, Renmin University of China. He received his PhD from Cambridge University in 2013. His research interests include modern military and strategic history, and contemporary military strategy.