20 years ago, in order to write the book "Mao Zedong and Yang Chengwu", the author listened to General Yang Chengwu's memories of his 48 years of experience under Mao Zedong's command. During the Sino-Indian border self-defense counterattack, Yang Chengwu served as deputy chief of staff and was in charge of the operations. He talked in detail about Mao Zedong's analysis of the Sino-Indian border issue and his decision to fight back on his own defense. Afterwards, the author went to the Archives of the Central Military Commission (now the Archives of the People's Liberation Army) to review and copy relevant materials, and gained some understanding of the historical grievances and boundary issues between China and India.
Yang Chengwu recalled his combat experience in his later years
■Historical grievances between China and India■
China-India border line Although the people of China and India have never been officially delineated, the people of China and India have a history of harmony and friendship for more than 2,000 years. According to the scope of the administrative jurisdiction of both sides, a traditional customary boundary line has long been formed, with a total length of about 2,000 kilometers, divided into the eastern, middle and western sections.
Yang Chengwu said: "The Chinese government has repeatedly explained to the Indian government that our country does not recognize the 'McMahon Line'. However, in order to ensure the friendship between China and India and maintain border harmony, our army has never crossed this line to facilitate the rational solution of the border issue through negotiations. Due to our friendly attitude, the Sino-Indian border has been basically in peace for a long time."
The so-called "McMahon Line" refers to the so-called "China-India Eastern Section Border Line" unilaterally created by British imperialism to invade China Tibet. It was demarcated by the British government representative McMahon, who participated in the so-called " Shimla Conference ", and the representative of the local government in Tibet, and the representative of the Chinese central government behind the back of the Chinese government representative through private transactions. The line starts from the Bhutan border west and extends eastward. In the eastern China-India border area, the area that has always belonged to China and has an area of 90,000 square kilometers is classified as India, which was ruled by Britain at that time. All Chinese governments have issued statements, solemnly pointing out that the "McMahon Line" is illegal and invalid and will not be recognized. In fact, in the decades since then, the Tibetan local governments in China still exercised administrative jurisdiction over the so-called "McMahon Line" and north of the traditional customs border line. It was not until the end of World War II that Britain sent troops across the traditional customs border line.
Our country gave in to Indian Prime Minister Nehru, indicating that our country's strategic focus is in the East and we will never be willing to be enemies with India. Why does he still have to fight with us? Mao Zedong thought about this issue for a long time. Mao Zedong had heard the opinions of Zhou Enlai and other central leaders, and had also asked Yang Chengwu about his views. Before the central government discussed the operational deployment, he asked Yang Chengwu to call the comrades of the General Staff Operations Department and listened to their views.
Some people said: "Indian Prime Minister Nehru saw that we encountered natural disasters and man-made disasters and economic difficulties, and tried to take the opportunity to realize his expansion ambitions."
Mao Zedong listened quietly without expressing his opinion.
Some people say, "The United States and the Soviet Union are all slandering us. Nehru thought that fighting us could get military assistance from two aspects."
Mao Zedong just said, "Nehru knows that he can't compete with us in military terms."
Some people say, "My border defense force has always avoided bloody conflicts with the Indian army. He may think that we can be weak and bullied, and that we can succeed when we hit us."
Mao Zedong shook his head and denied this statement.
"He thought we wouldn't beat him!" Some people analyzed, "Although India's upper class has many conflicts, and there are those who oppose fighting against China, and the struggle is very fierce, Nehru took a treasure and determined that China did not dare to beat him."
Mao Zedong smiled and nodded and said, "I'm afraid that this is the case. However, if he has to fight, he will lose first, and the responsibility and consequences of the war will have to be borne by him."
Yang Chengwu said: Chairman Mao has a deep and far-reaching consideration of maintaining and developing the traditional friendly relations between the peoples of China and India. When Nehru visited in October 1954, Mao Zedong said to him openly: "Sometimes there are differences between friends, sometimes quarrels, and even quarrels red, but this kind of quarrel is different from the quarrels with Dulles."
Just when the Indian authorities' military adventure situation was irreversible, Mao Zedong still said earnestly to Yang Chengwu and the personnel involved in the self-defense counterattack on the Sino-Indian border: "my country has started diplomatic exchanges with India for more than 10 centuries. Have the two countries fought a war? First, in the third year of Zhenguan (629 AD), Xuanzang went to India to seek scriptures. Later, in 641 AD, the Tang Dynasty and the Kanauti Dynasty in India established friendly and friendly relations. In 647 AD, Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty sent a delegation to Kanaoji to meet the king of India. At this time, the original king died a year ago and the throne was usurped by a man named Aronasun. While accepting a large number of precious gifts he sent, he conspired to kill all the mission personnel. The leader of the delegation immediately managed to take a member to Nepal , recruited a team, fought back to Kanaodi, captured Aronatus, and took him to Tangdu Chang'an . Emperor Taizong of Tang adopted a leniency policy to Aronatun, allowing him to live in Chang'an . On both sides of the tomb after Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty, there were stone statues of more than 160 heroes and nobles as burials, including stone statues of Aronatun. "
Mao Zedong's speech was fascinating, and Yang Chengwu and others listened with relish, almost completely floating out of the tense border conflict, as if back to more than 1,300 years ago.
" Some historical books call this history the Sino-Indian War. "Mao Zedong's words brought everyone back to reality, and he continued, "Is that a war also considered a war? Later, the one who really fought India was the army of Genghis Khan , "coming like falling from the sky, leaving like passing lightning." During their expeditions, they fought to India in order to pursue the prince of a great country and once faced the city of Delhi. If we want to calculate this old account, we will only spread half of it because they are divided into Inner Mongolia and Outer Mongolia. Lu Xun explained this thoroughly. At that time, China and many countries had the same situation, and they were all conquered by the Mongols. "
Yang Chengwu said with emotion: "Chairman Mao explained the grievances and grievances in the history of China and India in just a few words. "
Chinese border guards are pursuing the enemy
■Invasion and self-defense counterattack■
Yang Chengwu pointed out: "The Indian government has always supported the activities of Tibetan reactionaries to split China, and has refused to change the privileges of British imperialism in Tibet that they inherited, and has refused to give up the aggression legacy of British imperialism. Since 1951, the Indian army has taken advantage of the Chinese people's opportunity to resist U.S. aggression and aid Korea to cross the traditional customary border between China and India, expand the scope of invasion, establish strongholds of aggression, and continuously encroach on Chinese territory. The Chinese government has repeatedly proposed to resolve border issues through negotiations, but they were rejected by the Indian government.
"After quelling the armed rebellion of upper reactionaries in Tibet in March 1959, the Indian army not only surpassed the so-called 'McMahon Line', but also surpassed the border line marked on the map currently published in India, and occupied Langjiu , 李大子子子 (李大子), Tamadun and other places. The Indian army also provoked our border guards north of the 'McMahon Line', which could not help but aroused great indignation from our people."
On the day of the armed rebellion in Tibet, Nehru wrote a letter to Zhou Enlai, proposing a large territorial request to China. It is not only required that the approximately 90,000 square kilometers of land it illegally occupied and approximately 2,000 square kilometers of territory in the middle section be transferred to it, but also required that the approximately 33,000 square kilometers of territory in the western section be transferred to India, with a total of 125,000 square kilometers, an area equivalent to one Fujian Province.
Yang Chengwu said: "In the spirit of Sino-Indian friendship, the Chinese government submitted a "Written Talk" to the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Pan Zili. However, Nehru believed that our country was weak and bullied, which made the border dispute and border situation increasingly tense. In July, facing the Indian army's encroachment and attack, the Chinese border troops in the western section of the Sino-Indian border proposed to the General Staff: carry out a counterattack in the Galwan Valley, and knock down several strongholds built by the Indian army behind the Chinese border guard card to ensure the smooth and safe supply behind the border guard card."
Yang Chengwu presided over the General Staff's combat meeting and reported the combat plan to Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong. Mao Zedong immediately instructed: "Stop implementing this plan."Requested the border defense force: "Never give in to the Indian invasion and strive to avoid bleeding. "There are tooths intertwined, and we live together for a long time. "After receiving the instructions, Yang Chengwu said with emotion at the General Staff Operations Conference: "Chairman Mao is too broad-minded. Our government is really tolerant of India and has given up again and again! "
On April 25, 1959, the Indian army invaded the Langjiu area north of the "McMahon Line" and opened fire on the border troops stationed in Tamadun on the 28th, but our army ignored it. The Indian army then retreated to the south of the "McMahon Line".
In October and November 1962, the Indian army crossed the actual control lines of the eastern and western sections of the Sino-Indian border and brazenly launched a large-scale attack on our border troops. The Tibet and Xinjiang border troops were forced to carry out self-defense counterattacks, expelling the invading Indian troops, and safeguarding our territory and sovereignty.
While the Indian government was advancing, it set off an anti-China climax. Imperialism also took the opportunity to fan the flames and try its best to provoke China-India relations continue to put pressure on China, attempting to force our country to accept the illegal border line inherited by the Indian government from British imperialism.
In order to distinguish right from wrong and responsibility, Zhou Enlai wrote to Nehru on September 8 on behalf of the Chinese government to systematically explain the true situation of the Sino-India border. The Chinese government has taken consistent positions and propositions to maintain China-India friendship and fairly and reasonably resolve the Sino-India border issue. However, the Indian government and the military are still determined to act alone and continue to expand the armed conflict on the border.
The Indian Ministry of Defense also announced the establishment of the 4th Army of the new Legion and appointed Lieutenant General Kaur, Director of the Staff Bureau of the Army Command, as commander. The Indian Minister of Defense declared: "We must shoot the last person with China and the last gun." "Then he flew to the city of Tespur near the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border to conduct military deployment. Subsequently, the Indian army increased its troops in the eastern section. A few days later, the 7th Brigade of the Indian Army launched a large-scale attack north of the "McMahon Line". Regardless of the repeated protests and warnings of the Chinese government, it further expanded the situation and openly ordered a large-scale attack with 10 brigades in the eastern and western sections of the Sino-Indian border.
Under the severe situation of being difficult to restrain and tolerate, our border defense forces wrote to the General Staff and the Military Commission , strongly demanding a self-defense counterattack. Yang Chengwu reported the situation to Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong again and again. Mao Zedong said: "Don't be busy, notify the troops to retreat. "Mao Zedong said again, "Tell them to retreat again and not fight back for the time being," and told Yang Chengwu, "I should notify the troops that when the first shot of the self-defense counterattack should be fired, and I must wait for the order of the Military Commission." He also said, "I have to take care of this matter."
When Yang Chengwu reported to Mao Zedong about the advancement of the border defense forces, Mao Zedong instructed: "The first shot must be ordered by the Supreme Command." "And he also said: "After firing the first shot, you are mainly responsible for how to fight the war." "Then, when listening to the General Staff's report on combat deployment, Mao Zedong said: "With this deployment, we will take the initiative and have a requirement for everything in advance. "And again emphasized: "The first shot must be ordered by the Supreme Command. As for how to fight the war, how many guns are fired, and how many cannons are fired, I don't care, anyway, I'll win. "
In order to achieve Mao Zedong's instructions to "seek victory in the first battle", Yang Chengwu commanded the General Staff, General Staff, Tibet and Xinjiang Military Region to make sufficient pre-war preparations. In order to strengthen the organization and command of self-defense counterattack operations, according to the instructions of the General Staff, the border defense forces of the Tibet Military Region were composed of Zhang Guohua, deputy commanders Deng Shaodong, Zhao Wenjin and deputy political commissar Lu Yishan, etc., the eastern section command of the Sino-Indian border; Tan Guansan, political commissar of the Tibet Military Region, Chen Mingyi, deputy commander Chen Huayu, and chief of staff Wang Kang, etc. In charge of the basic command post of Lhasa; the Xinjiang border defense forces established the command headquarters of the western section of the Sino-Indian border, chaired by He Jiachan, commander of the Southern Xinjiang Military Region. After invading the Indian army crossed the Langjiu River and occupied the Kejielang area, in the eastern section of the Sino-Indian border, our border defense forces successively formed the "East Section Eastern Command" and were commanded by Ding Sheng, the commander of the 54th Army of the Chengdu Military Region, and Wei Tongtai.
At that time, in the eastern and western sections of the Sino-Indian border, the Indian army had 1 military headquarters, 1 division headquarters, 4 brigade headquarters, and 21 infantry battalions, with a total of about 22,000 people.According to the instructions of Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and Lao Shuai, the General Staff formulated a self-defense counterattack plan on the Sino-Indian border.
On October 20, Indian troops crossed the Kejielang River to launch a large-scale armed attack on the Chinese border defense forces. Three or five minutes later, the news reached the General Staff, and Yang Chengwu immediately reported to Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong. At the order of Mao Zedong, Yang Chengwu issued the "Combat Plan for the Astronomical Point and the West Doggou Battle" and the "Combat Order on Annihilation of the Indian Army invading the Kejielang area". The Chinese border defense forces launched a self-defense counterattack on the Sino-Indian border in the east and west sections at the same time. The Tibetan border defense forces in the eastern section of
focused their superior forces against the attack of the 7th Indian Brigade along the right bank of the Kejielang River, and adopted tactics of attacking the two wings, detouring side and rear, splitting and sieging each defeat, and defeating them. They eliminated their invading strongholds, wiped out the 7th Indian Brigade, and captured Brigade Commander Brigadier. The Xinjiang border defense forces in the western section counterattacked the Indian army that invaded the Galwan River Valley and Hongshantou area, and wiped out the invading Indian army. The battle situation was reported to Zhou Enlai and Mao Zedong by Yang Chengwu.
Yang Chengwu recalled: In the case of the initial victory of the self-defense counterattack, according to Mao Zedong's strategic intentions, the Chinese government proposed three peace suggestions to the Indian government to "stop conflict, reopen negotiations, and peacefully resolve the border issue." At the same time, the Central Military Commission instructed the Chinese border defense forces to temporarily stop self-defense counterattack operations, and even stop the normal patrol of the border defense forces. Then, Premier Zhou Enlai wrote to Nehru, hoping that he would respond positively to the "three suggestions". However, Nehru ignored his deaf ears and stubbornly insisted on the path of military adventure. While looking for foreign military aid, he increased the front-line combat troops to more than 30,000. Subsequently, the Indian army continued to carry out artillery bombardment in Xishankou and Walan in the eastern section; six strongholds were built on the west side of Reqionggou in the western section, threatening the in-depth security of the Chinese border defense army. On November 14 and 16, the Indian army once again launched a full-line attack on the Chinese border defense forces.
Immediately, according to the combat orders of Mao Zedong and the Central Military Commission, the China-India Border Front Command ordered the start of the second phase of self-defense counterattack. On the morning of November 18, the border defense forces annihilated most of the Indian army that invaded the Xishankou area with lightning speed, and then continued to counterattack south. On the morning of that day, the Indian army in the Western Section launched an attack in the Spangguer Lake area, and the Chinese border defense forces immediately launched a self-defense counterattack.
From November 21, the Chinese border defense forces approached the traditional customary border between China and India, removed the strongholds set up by the Indian army on the side of China's actual control line, wiped out one of its brigades, severely damaged six of its brigades, seized a large number of weapons and equipment, captured a group of Indian officers and soldiers, and crushed the Indian army's re-invasion.
■The goodwill of the winner■
Yang Chengwu said that just as the battle was successfully developed, Chairman Mao made a new order from the overall strategic situation: "Brake!" Mao Zedong said to Yang Chengwu: "Tell the political commissar to ensure the brakes!" Yang Chengwu immediately sent a telegram to the front line command and called Tan Guansan to ensure that the troops immediately stopped fighting against self-defense. After
, "Chairman Mao decided to withdraw the self-defense counterattack forces, wipe the seized weapons and equipment, and return them to the Indian government." This is a rare move in the history of our army and even world wars. In order to implement Mao Zedong's orders well, Yang Chengwu and the General Staff Operations Department repeatedly persuaded the front-line commanders.
On the same day, the Chinese government issued a statement announcing that Chinese border defense forces will implement a full-scale active ceasefire and voluntarily retreat. Therefore, after the Battle of Galwanhe and Hongshankou, the Battle of Pangongluo and Reqingou, the Battle of KJilang, the Battle of Xishankou, the Battle of Bondila and the Battle of Walanong, the Battle of Xishankou, the Battle of Bondila and the Battle of Walanong, the border troops were actively ceased on the entire China-India border at 0:00 on November 22, and the withdrawal of troops on the entire line began on December 1.
In December, our country's border defense forces handed over artillery 6192 doors, 3,322 guns, 26,100 shells, more than 2.153 million bullets, 611 transport aircraft, 62 tanks, 127 cars, 612 road construction machinery, and a large number of other military supplies to India, and released 3,213 prisoners of war below Brigadier General Daville.
Our country's border defense forces will not kill, scold, insult or confiscate any captured Indian troops. They will give preferential treatment in life, and the injured will be treated. They will also organize them to visit some famous cities in China. By late May 1963, the Chinese government released all the captured Indian troops back to China. The sincerity and friendly actions of the Chinese government have won praise from peace-loving countries and people in the world.
Yang Chengwu said: "Chairman Mao instructed to release prisoners and return weapons and equipment. Premier Zhou attached great importance to these two tasks and carried out very detailed management. He asked the border defense forces and foreign affairs departments to make careful arrangements, cooperate closely, and do a good job. He also specifically explained that when handing over captured personnel and equipment, Indian personnel could be allowed to take the green flag to take the lead."
Why not fight the white flag but the green flag? Yang Chengwu explained: "This is what Premier Zhou considers from the overall strategic and long-term interests. Usually, fighting the white flag means surrender, and fighting the green flag means peace. India invaded China, was defeated by us, and it lost. We still hope that the people of China and India will get along well with each other, and let the Indian army fight the green flag reflect our kindness and beauty of turning swords into jade and silk. It set a precedent for the army of victorious countries to take the initiative to cease fire, retreat, and actively return all the seized weapons and equipment. It has shown national prestige and military prestige, which is a stunning innovation to turn swords into jade and silk."
All the good intentions of Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, although he failed to influence Nehru, finally made a wise choice and did not launch a new armed attack on China and announced: accept the ceasefire statement proposed by the Chinese government and support the disengagement of the armed forces between China and India. In this way, the Sino-Indian border area has become calm for a long time. ■
Article source: Smart legal publicity platform
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