PENG & YANG
Peng Dehuai (1898-1974) and Yang Dezhi (1911-94) both joined the Chinese Communist Party in 1928. Both were from poor backgrounds but rose through Mao Zedong’s communist ranks to participate in the Long March, Chinese Civil War and Sino-Japanese War. When the People’s Republic of China was established in 1949, Yang was already a subordinate of Peng and both were high-ranking officers in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
When China entered the Korean War, Peng was appointed the commander of the PLA while Yang led 19th Army Group. Peng planned the Chinese Spring Offensive of 1951, with Yang being designated to lead 63rd Corps in the attack against the UN along the Imjin River. The heavy casualties during the battle and elsewhere persuaded Peng that the PLA had to become better equipped and organised if it was to properly adapt to modern warfare.
The PLA suffered perhaps one million casualties under Peng’s leadership before he signed the armistice that ended the Korean War. He became China’s Minister of Defence while Yang succeeded him as commander of the PLA during 1954-55. Peng’s Korean experiences led to him trying to reform the PLA on the Soviet model during his time in government. He eventually began to criticise Mao’s leadership, which resulted in him being sentenced to life imprisonment in 1970.
American and South Korean troops were even further away on the brigade’s right flank.
The widely dispersed UN force was about to be confronted by the colossal Chinese ‘Spring Offensive’ on 22 April. This huge attack involved some 300,000 Chinese troops advancing along a 64km front in an attempt to regain control of the Imjin and retake Seoul. For 29th Brigade, this meant the terrifying prospect of defending their positions against approximately 27,000 men of the Chinese 63rd Corps.
On the ground, the Glosters of A Company were unaware that the Chinese had been meticulously preparing for the coming battle. “It was just open country with paddy fields,” says Mills. “We took over an American OP and
