In the later stage of the Liberation War, after the three major battles of Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin, the main military forces of the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang were basically destroyed. However, would the US government, which supported Chiang Kai shek and anti communism, accept failure? Is it possible for the United States to send troops?

The Central Military Commission, led by Mao Zedong, closely monitored possible military intervention by the United States. What decision did Mao Zedong, who had always despised the enemy strategically and valued the enemy tactically, make?

Strategically despising the enemy, tactically valuing the enemy

As early as 1946, Mao Zedong made the famous statement that 'all reactionary forces are paper tigers'. At that time, American journalists raised the question of how the Communist Party should respond if the United States interferes in China's internal affairs with atomic bombs. Mao Zedong replied in this way: 'The atomic bomb is a paper tiger used by the reactionary forces in the United States to scare people. It looks scary, but in fact it is not.'. The CPC's attitude towards the threat of the US atomic bomb is also an awe inspiring gesture towards possible US military intervention, which is also the implementation of Mao Zedong's thought of "strategic contempt for the enemy".

In terms of tactics, the Central Military Commission led by Mao Zedong was also fully prepared. At the Politburo meeting in January 1949, Mao Zedong pointed out: "Don't think that the United States will not send troops, but prepare for the United States to send troops and fight against them." In a document sent to senior commanders of the entire army, he pointed out: "We have always included the possibility of the United States directly sending troops to occupy several coastal cities in China and fighting against us in our combat plan... to avoid being at a loss in the event of an incident. In response to the changes in the situation, Mao Zedong made two major strategic deployments and adjustments, which put enormous military pressure on the United States' attempts to intervene.

The first strategic deployment: In early 1949, Mao Zedong instructed the Second Field Army and the Third Field Army to work together to manage the southeast and prepare for strategic defense against the US military at any time; Within two years, Erno will stay in East China as a strategic reserve team to deal with US armed intervention at any time; Siye travels south from Tianjin to the area between Longhai Road and the Yangtze River, and responds promptly in case of any emergencies in East China. In addition, in order to prevent the US military from taking advantage of the main force of our various armies heading south and landing in the empty Pingjin area of North China along our northern coast, the Military Commission deployed the 20th Corps of the North China Field Army in the area from Qinhuangdao to Tanggu.

The Second Strategic Deployment: In May 1949, the United States, Britain, France, and 12 other countries discussed a unified policy towards China. The United States increased its warships in Qingdao and Britain also increased its troops in Hong Kong. Based on these changes, Mao Zedong made military deployments again: on the one hand, he quickly eliminated the residual forces of the Kuomintang, eliminated internal and external coordination risks, and at the same time, he sought economic self-sufficiency to prevent the US military from blockading the sea. On the other hand, sufficient troops were deployed in North and East China, and the Second Field Army, which was tasked with advancing into the Southwest, was ordered to temporarily refrain from advancing westward until the liberation of Shanghai, Qingdao, and the southeastern coast. They remained stationed north of the Zhejiang Jiangxi line and remained on standby. The command states: "The main task of the Second Field is to prepare to assist the Third Field in dealing with possible US military intervention. This preparation is necessary. With this preparation, the US's interference ambitions can be stopped, making the US fearful and afraid to send troops to intervene.

Be prepared for the future, although the possibility of the United States sending troops is small, the suddenness of war cannot be foreseen. During the Crossing of the Yangtze River Campaign, Mao Zedong suddenly received a telegram about this warship.

Warships in the Mist

In April 1949, as the People's Liberation Army's one million strong army was about to cross the Yangtze River, around 9 am on the 20th, the fog on the surface of the Yangtze River had not completely dissipated when the observation post of the Sanjiang Camp of the Eighth Army Corps suddenly discovered some abnormal situations. A warship appeared faintly in the mist, heading towards Nanjing from the direction of Shanghai.

How could an unknown warship suddenly appear? Our military has long issued a notice that foreign ships are not allowed to enter the waters for crossing the Yangtze River after April 20th. Which country's warship is this? Unfortunately, it entered the Yangtze River at this time! Is it a US warship? Is it to transport US troops to Nanjing or to prevent our army from crossing the river? Did the US government really take a gamble and send troops?

The observation post immediately reported the discovery to the regiment command post, and saw the warship running at full speed upstream of the river, getting closer and closer to the People's Liberation Army's position. Through the morning mist, the artillery at the observation post could clearly see that the warship was flying the British flag, and it was the Royal Navy's fast escort ship, the Amethyst. How should the Chinese People's Liberation Army deal with the sudden appearance of British warships? Will the British Empire fleet, which has become accustomed to showing off its power in China, once again trample on China's sovereignty?

The frontline commanders of the People's Liberation Army have decided to fire warning shots at the "Amethyst" to force it to evacuate. But the ship ignored it and continued to advance, and even fired at the People's Liberation Army position. Our army immediately retaliated, and within 5 minutes of firing, the "Amethyst" that had entered the theater of war was pierced through the hull, losing control and running aground. On the afternoon of the 20th to the 21st, the People's Liberation Army artillery repelled the British Navy's Far East Fleet destroyer "Companion", heavy cruiser "London", and escort ship "Black Swan" that had rushed to reinforce.

After receiving a telegram about this matter, Mao Zedong gave the following instruction: "These foreign ships, as long as they enter the defense zone without authorization and obstruct our crossing of the river for combat, can be shelled!" Even Chiang Kai shek couldn't help but exclaim, "The background of rebellion is truly fearless.

The bombardment of British ships by the Chinese People's Liberation Army shocked the world. Mao Zedong also wrote a solemn statement in person: "The Yangtze River is China's inland river. What right do you British people have to drive ships in? No such right! China's territorial sovereignty, the Chinese people must defend."

Whether it is the United States or Britain, as long as it tramples on China's sovereignty, the Chinese people will not hesitate to fight back. In fact, as early as 1946, the United States recognized the heavy cost of intervening in China's civil war. The US military once attempted to enter our defense zone, but our army immediately fired back, killing or injuring more than ten American soldiers. In mid August 1949, with the liberation of cities such as Ningbo, Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Zhangzhou, the US military's landing bases along the coast had been removed, and the possibility of direct military intervention was basically eliminated.

The people's army under the leadership of the CPC has proved the famous assertion that "all reactionaries are paper tigers" with fire and blood; Smashed all possible attempts by the United States and even imperialism to intervene in China's internal affairs; Declared the bankruptcy of imperialism's "gunboat policy" towards China for over a hundred years; It shows the determination and courage of the Chinese people to defend national sovereignty as a rock!

Today, on our journey of building our dreams, the United States, relying on its strong power, will continue to interfere and obstruct in various ways. However, every Chinese child will inherit and carry forward the fine traditions of patriotism and revolutionary heroism, and use loyalty to build a steel and iron Great Wall to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity!