A historical review of the five columns of the Eighth Route Army and their commanders
In the smoke of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Eighth Route Army, as the main anti-Japanese armed force under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, not only dealt a heavy blow to the Japanese army strategically, but also made many adjustments and expansions in its organizational structure. In addition to the well-known three main divisions, the Eighth Route Army also formed five columns one after another according to the development of the war situation, and these columns played a pivotal role in the War of Resistance Against Japan. This article will delve into the historical background, combat experience, and influence of the five columns of the Eighth Route Army and their commanders.
1. The formation of the first column of the Eighth Route Army and the leadership of Commander Xu Xiangqian
The formation of the first column of the Eighth Route Army is an important part of the Eighth Route Army's strategic deployment in Shandong. In order to unify the command of the Eighth Route Army and local armed forces in Shandong and more effectively fight against the Japanese invaders, in 1939, Xu Xiangqian and Zhu Rui were ordered by the Party Central Committee to lead some cadres to arrive in Shandong, meet with the Shandong Column Headquarters, and formally establish the First Column of the Eighth Route Army on August 1 of the same year. Xu Xiangqian served as commander, and Zhu Rui served as political commissar.
Xu Xiangqian, a battle-hardened military strategist, led the First Column of the Eighth Route Army in an arduous anti-Japanese struggle in Shandong with his outstanding military talent and firm revolutionary conviction. He was good at using guerrilla tactics and attacking the enemy flexibly and maneuverably, causing the Japanese army to suffer repeated setbacks in the Shandong area. At the same time, he also paid attention to strengthening the political work of the troops and enhancing the political consciousness and fighting will of the commanders and fighters, so that the first column of the Eighth Route Army became an anti-Japanese armed force with strong combat effectiveness.
Under the leadership of Xu Xiangqian, the First Column of the Eighth Route Army not only effectively attacked the Japanese army, but also actively expanded the base area and developed the anti-Japanese armed forces. They participated in many important battles, such as the anti-"sweeping" operation and the Battle of the Hundred Regiments, and made important contributions to the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan. However, due to various reasons, the first column of the Eighth Route Army faced various difficulties shortly after its establishment, and was finally revoked in May 1940, and its subordinate units were placed under the command of the Shandong Column.
2. The formation of the second column of the Eighth Route Army and the contribution of Commander Zuo Quan
The formation of the second column of the Eighth Route Army is an important strategic deployment of the Eighth Route Army in the Hebei, Shandong, and Henan base areas. In order to strengthen the anti-Japanese struggle in the Hebei, Shandong, and Henan regions, in February 1940, according to the decision of the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, the 344th Brigade of the 115th Division, the Shanxi-Henan Border Detachment, the Independent Guerrilla Detachment, the Third Column of the Decisive Death, and the Fourth Regiment of the Hebei People's Army were combined into the Second Column of the Eighth Route Army. General Zuo Quan concurrently served as commander, and Huang Kecheng served as political commissar.
Zuo Quan, a military strategist who returned from studying in the Soviet Union, led the Second Column of the Eighth Route Army to carry out a heroic anti-Japanese struggle in the Hebei, Shandong, and Henan regions with his profound military qualities and rich combat experience. He paid attention to bringing into play the overall combat capability of his troops and was good at using tactical means to strike at the enemy. At the same time, he also paid attention to strengthening the political work of the troops and enhancing the political consciousness and fighting will of the commanders and fighters. Under the leadership of Zuo Quan, the Second Column of the Eighth Route Army continued to grow and became an important pillar of the Hebei-Shandong-Henan base area.
In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the Second Column of the Eighth Route Army participated in many important battles, such as the anti-"sweeping" operation in the Hebei-Shandong-Henan border region and the winter offensive. With their tenacious will to fight and excellent tactical use, they dealt a major blow to the Japanese army. However, with the development of the war situation, the second column of the Eighth Route Army also faced many reorganizations and adjustments. Under the leadership of generals such as Yang Dezhi and Su Zhenhua, the Second Column of the Eighth Route Army continued to wage fierce struggles against the enemy and made important contributions to the defense of the Hebei-Shandong-Henan base areas. Finally, in June 1942, the number of the second column of the Eighth Route Army was cancelled, and the subordinate units were assigned to the Hebei-Shandong-Henan Military Region.
3. The formation of the third, fourth, and fifth columns of the Eighth Route Army and the leadership of the commanders
In addition to the first and second columns, the Eighth Route Army also formed the third, fourth, and fifth columns. These columns played an important role in different regions and contributed to the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
The Third Column of the Eighth Route Army was formed by the combination of the Jizhong People's Self-Defense Army led by Lu Zhengcao and the Hebei Guerrilla Army, with Lu Zhengcao as the commander. The column waged an arduous anti-Japanese struggle in the central Hebei region, actively expanded its base areas, and developed anti-Japanese armed forces. With their flexible tactics and tenacious will to fight, they inflicted a major blow on the Japanese army. Under the leadership of Lu Zhengcao, the Third Column of the Eighth Route Army became an important force in the anti-Japanese struggle in the central Hebei region.
The Fourth Column of the Eighth Route Army was formed by the Song Shilun Detachment of the 120th Division and the Deng Hua Detachment, with Song Shilun as the commander. Under the command of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, the column carried out a number of important battles, such as the ambush at Yanmen Pass and the great victory at Pingxingguan. With their excellent tactical use and firm will to fight, they inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese army. Under the leadership of Song Shilun, the Fourth Column of the Eighth Route Army became an important pillar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region.
Regarding the specific situation and commander information of the Fifth Column of the Eighth Route Army, due to the limitations of historical data, it is not possible to give a detailed introduction at present. However, it is certain that the Fifth Column of the Eighth Route Army also played an important role in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and made important contributions to the defense of the motherland and resistance to foreign enemies. Their heroic deeds will forever be remembered in the history of the Chinese nation.
Fourth, the historical significance and influence of the five columns of the Eighth Route Army
The formation of the five major columns of the Eighth Route Army and the leadership of their commanders not only strengthened the combat strength of the Eighth Route Army, but also enhanced the strategic mobility and tactical flexibility of the Eighth Route Army. These columns played an important role in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and made important contributions to the defense of the motherland and resistance to foreign enemies. At the same time, the five columns of the Eighth Route Army