Huai Hai (Suchow) 1 November 1948-10 January 1949

Abstract

Abstract The Chinese Communist Parry (CCP) was formally established in 1921 as the Chinese government was recovering from Japanese domination during World War I. In the midl 920s, the CCP cooperated with the ruling Kuomintang, or Nationalist Parry, but in 1927 started a civil war that raged until 1937. In that year, the Japanese invaded out of Manchuria and drove deep into China down the coast toward Hong Kong. This external threat convinced Communist leader Mao Tse-rung to conclude a wary alliance with Nationalist leader Chiang Kai-shek. Mao’s forces operated in the northern part of China, whereas Chiang’s armies, aided by the Americans, fought in the southern and western parts. Mao’s forces, never well equipped, did their best to harass and pin down Japanese troops while Chiang held the south and cooperated with U.S. and British activities in Burma.