Han Xianchu

Han Xianchu (韩先楚, POJ: Han Sian-chho) (1913-1986) was a general of the Chinese Communist Party. Han participated in many military campaigns and battles such as Battle of Pingxingguan, Liaoshen Campaign, Pingjin Campaign, Hainan Campaign, and the Korean War. In 1955 he became Shang Jiang (上将), the highest rank in the People's Liberation Army, and more commonly known as the "Country Establishing General" (开国上将).

Early life

Han was born in a poor farming village in Huang'an County (黄安), modern day Hong'an County (红安), Hubei province in February, 1913. He stopped schooling because he wasn't able to pay tuition, and since, held jobs to support his family. Han's background and poor childhood gave him a revolutionary mindset, which would propel him to join the Chinese Communist Party.

Early Involvements with the Chinese Communist Party

Joining the party

Following Kuomingtang's purge of Communists in April 1927, peasant revolts broke out throughout China in the Ten Year's Civil War. Han joined his local Peasant's Committee and participated in the Huangma Uprising (黄麻起义). The following year, he joined the "Grand Union of Anti-Imperialism" (反帝大同盟) and in the year after, he joined a Communist youth group. In 1930, Han joined Communist guerrillas in Xiaogan area and officially joined the Chinese Communist Party in October of the same year.

Soaring through the ranks

In 1931, Han led a squad and operated guerrilla warfare in Hubei. Han showed bravery and perseverance in numerous fights defending the local Communist powers, and proved to be an ardent supporter of the revolution. Han was assigned to the Red Army 25th Army, 75th Division, 225th Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 5th Company as a platoon commander in 1933. In November 1934, the Red 25th Army began a strategic retreat, known as the Long March to avoid annihilation by the Kuomingtang. Han performed outstandingly against the pursuers and by the time his regiment arrived in Shaanxi, the destination of the Long March, Han was already promoted to commanding a battalion in the 15th Corps (rename of the 25th Army). Soon after arriving in Shaanxi, Han led his battalion in the Laoshan Campaign (劳山战役). His forces ambushed Nationalist forces and won. After the campaign in October 1935, Han was promoted to Colonel of the 78th Division, 223rd Regiment for efforts in the campaign.

East and West March

In February, 1936, Han was transferred to the newly established Red 75th Division, 224th Regiment as Colonel, and participated in Mao Zedong's "East March" (东征). The purpose is to establish a Communist position in Shanxi (山西). In April, Han became Deputy Division Dommander of the 75th Division and one month later, the Division Commander. Soon after returning to Shanbei, Shaanxi, Han joined the "West March" (西征). Han's forces attacked and occupied Dingbian County (定边县) (disobeying Peng Dehuai, who ordered Han to march around Dingbian City), and Yanchi County (盐池县), destroying the Nationalist's 2 cavalry battalions and 1 security regiment. Over 700 horses and a large quantity of supplies were gained for the Communist war effort.

Shanchengbao Campaign (山城堡战役)

Not only did Chiang Kai-shek refuse the Communist's plea to unite against the Japanese, he sent the Nationalist 1st, 3rd, 37th, Northeast 67th Armies, including a cavalry Army to destroy the new Communist base in Shaanxi. In the campaign, Han's 15th Corps was assigned to lure the Nationalist's 87th Division to Shanchengbao area. The Nationalist 87th Division took the bait, and was attacked from 3 sides by Red 15th Corps and several other corps on November 21. The battle continued until noon the next day when the Communists successfully destroyed over 1 brigade. Other Nationalist forces were in retreat as well. Shaanxi was successfully defended, and became the heartland of future Communist activities. The Nationalist's failures also promoted the 'Second United Front' against Japan. After the campaign in early 1937, Han went to the military academy in Yan'an to learn strategies against the Japanese Imperial Army.

Second Sino-Japanese War

Following the full scale war between the two countries, and according to terms of the 'Second United Front', the 15th Corps was renamed to the National Revolutionary Army's 8th Route Army, 115th Division, 344th Brigade. Han was assigned the 344th Brigade's 688th Regiment's Deputy Colonel.

Battle of Pingxingguan

In September 1937, Japanese 5th Division, under the command of Itagaki Seishiro, was advancing through Pingxingguan (平型关). Lin Biao's 115th Division, including Han, laid an ambush and defeated the Japanese. The battle resulted in a minor, morale-boosting victory in which the Communists were able to capture a cache of weapons and annihilate a Japanese brigade. After the battle, Han remained stationed at Pingxingguan to halt further Japanese advances.

Hainan Campaign

Korean War

Han was the Commander of 40th Army under 15th Army Group. After Hainan Campaign at May 1950, 40th Army was assigned as one of four strategic armies deployed at Henan Province. Soon after the Korean War broke off, 40th Army was sent to Korea as one of the four armies firstly entering Korea. Han was promoted as the Vice Commander of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army. On October 25, 1950, 40th Army fired the first shot of Sino-US military conflict in Korea. China claimed it was the first day of its involvement in Korean War. 40th Army participated 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Phase Offensives. It was fighting at the West Front. Han was in charge of the compaignes at the West Front by heading a small commanding headquarter. For most of the time, his commanding headquarter consisted of only three people and always on the road. Under his command, 116th Division of the 40th Army was the first to capture Seoul on January 6, 1951.

Post-war

See also

*List of officers of the People's Liberation Army
*Ranks of the People's Liberation Army
*Chinese Civil War

References

* [http://cpc.people.com.cn/GB/68742/69118/69662/4861904.html 胆大包天韩先楚]
* [http://mil.fjii.fj.vnet.cn/2002-07-28/lajldsm_521.htm 开国上将韩先楚]
* [http://www.cnhubei.com/200503/ca745804.htm 将军本色韩先楚]
* [http://202.84.17.11/world/htm/20000928/146511.htm 志愿军战将榜韩先楚上将]
* [http://www.hb.xinhuanet.com/people/2004-03/25/content_1848552.htm 军事家，上将韩先楚]
* [http://www.ndcnc.gov.cn/datalib/2004/Celeb/DL/DL-1990 生平文件韩先楚]