In 1979, China faced a severe test – a self-defense counterattack against Vietnam. This war is not only a maintenance of national dignity, but also a guarantee of domestic stability and international peace, however, when this war is about to start, Deng Gong made an unexpected decision - to change the commander-in-chief of operations on the Western Front.
This decision shocked the whole country at the time, and people speculated about the reason. So, why did Deng Gong ignore the taboo of the soldiers and resolutely change generals in battle?
On December 31, 1978, Deng Gong convened an operational meeting of all the generals to discuss the selection of the commander-in-chief of the eastern and western fronts. At the meeting, the eastern front battlefield in Guangxi was unanimously agreed by everyone, and Xu Shiyou, commander of the Guangzhou Military Region, was a good candidate. However, the western front battlefield in Yunnan was divided.
According to conventional thinking, Lieutenant General Wang Bicheng, commander of the Kunming Military Region, should be the best candidate to take charge of operations on the Western Front. However, after careful consideration, Chairman Deng Gong decided to make an unusual decision: to transfer Wang Bicheng and Yang Dezhi and let Yang Dezhi sit on the Western Front to command the operation.
This decision was undoubtedly a big surprise. Since ancient times, changing generals before the battle has always been a taboo for soldiers. Such a practice will not only disrupt the army's chain of command, but may also have a negative impact on the morale of the military. So, why did Deng Gong take the risk of making such a decision?
Deng Gong was a leader with outstanding strategic vision, and he was well aware of the importance and urgency of a self-defense counterattack against Vietnam for China.
He understood that this war was not only a military contest, but also a political struggle. In order to succeed in this complex struggle, he needed a general with a high degree of political consciousness and extensive war experience to command the operation on the Western Front. Among the many generals, General Yang Duc Chi stood out for his outstanding military prowess, rich war experience, and in-depth knowledge of the situation in Vietnam.
As early as during the Long March, Yang Dezhi made a name for himself in the Red Army with his outstanding military talents. In the Battle of Zhiluo Town, the Red First Regiment under his command showed extraordinary courage and combat effectiveness, and won high praise. The success of this battle not only demonstrated Yang Dezhi's outstanding tactical command ability, but also allowed him to establish his prestige in the Red Army and lay a solid foundation for the subsequent War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the Korean War.
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Yang continued to exert his military talents, leading his troops to inflict heavy losses on the Japanese army in many battles, the most famous of which was the battle of the Baiyuan Division. In this battle, Yang Dezhi skillfully used terrain and tactics to successfully defeat the Japanese Baiyuan Division, making great contributions to the victory of China's War of Resistance against Japan.
When the Korean War broke out, Yang Dezhi was once again ordered to lead the Chinese People's Volunteer Army to fight in Korea. In the famous Battle of Shangganling and the Battle of Jinseong, he led his troops to a major victory by virtue of his outstanding command ability and firm determination, and made important contributions to the victory of the Korean War.
In addition to his outstanding military exploits, Yang Dezhi's in-depth knowledge of Vietnam became a key factor for Deng Gong when considering the commander of the Western Front.
In 1976, in the context of friendly relations between China and Vietnam, Yang Dezhi worked at the Chinese Embassy in Vietnam, where he had an in-depth understanding of Vietnam's topography, tactics and political environment. He is not only familiar with the customs and customs of Vietnam, but also has a better grasp of the psychology of the Vietnamese people and foresees possible strategic changes. This in-depth understanding of the enemy's situation enabled him to be more accurate in formulating combat strategies and better guide our troops in operations on the Western Front.
Wang Bicheng's military talent is also very outstanding, and he has shown extraordinary command ability in many battles with his extraordinary wisdom and courage. However, fate has not been fair to him, and his physical condition has always been an obstacle to his talents.
Wang Bicheng has suffered from cerebral thrombosis for many years, and the disease has caused irreversible damage to his body. He often felt dizzy and sometimes even unconscious. In addition, the physical condition of the pre-war exertion worsened. His body was exhausted and his spirit was languishing.
Deng Gong was deeply worried, he understood that Wang Bicheng's physical condition had a huge impact on his combat effectiveness and command ability, and if this problem was not resolved, it would not only affect the battle situation on the front line, but also may have a far-reaching impact on the trend of the entire war. Therefore, he decided to present the idea of substitution at the meeting.
This decision of Deng Gong further highlighted his thoughtful military acumen and accurate judgment of the situation in Vietnam. In his eyes, war is a severe test, and victory depends not only on the number and equipment of the army, but also on the wise command and overall grasp of the leader.
First of all, Deng Gong's reuse of Yang Dezhi shows that he attaches great importance to experience and achievements. The Long March, the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and the Korean War all left behind Yang Dezhi's outstanding command performance. At a critical moment in the battle with the Vietnamese army, choosing an experienced and decisive commander was clearly a necessary step to ensure victory. And the trust in Yang Dezhi also conveyed a kind of confidence in the army and boosted the morale of the officers and soldiers.
Second, Deng Gong's decision-making reflects his profound grasp of the overall battle situation. Before the outbreak of the war, Deng Gong had a clear understanding of the situation in Vietnam and foresaw possible challenges and difficulties. Through the change of generals, he has assigned more competent commanders in key theaters, improved the overall command efficiency, and effectively coped with the changeable situation that the war may face.
Most importantly, Deng Gong's decision to change generals was of strategic significance at both the political and military levels. Politically, this decision shows the firm leadership of the CCP and its high concern for the CCP, and conveys to the international community the resolute determination of the squadron to fully defend territorial sovereignty. Militarily, the wise maneuvers made in advance made the command level more in line with actual needs and laid a solid foundation for victory in the war.
Deng Gong's decision was an efficient and decisive performance of leadership, reflecting his excellent understanding of military strategy and political wisdom. This temporary change of generals in the counterattack against Vietnam finally became a successful example in the history of China's affairs.