O. BASES IN KWANGTUNG PROVINCE There are two Communist base areas in Kwangtung province one being located in the Canton delta region and the other on Hainan Island. Little is known about economic developments under the Communists in either of these base areas. The East River base in the Canton delta is located in a rich rice-producing area. Rice farming and vegetable production supplemented by local handicrafts undoubtedly provide the basis of economic life in the area. The area of consolidated Communist control in Hainan Island seems to be in the rice-producing lowlands of northeastern Hainan, and rice production undoubtedly forms the basis of economic life. P. CONCLUSION The Communists control a large area and considerable population behind the Japanese lines in North and Central China. Economically their activities have been important because they have interfered with Japanese lines of communication and because they have kept cotton, food, other commercial crops and manpower out of Japanese hands. By so doing the Communists have prevented the Japanese from gaining the maximum advantage out of North and Central China. The areas effectively controlled by the Communists, however, constitute the poorest agricultural and industrial areas behind the Japanese lines. The Communists have endeavored, rather successfully, to revitalize the spirit of the peasantry, to increase agricultural production, and to develop handicraft industries to meet civilian and military needs. As a result of their efforts most of the resistance bases may be said to be practically self-sufficient in terms of their relatively simple requirements. Despite these developments, the Communist areas are economically very weak and undeveloped. Railroads are nonexistent, roads and motor transport are practically nonexistent, communication facilities-radio, telegraph, telephoneare hopelessly inadequate, and modern industry simply does not exist. Facilities for the production of weapons and munitions are small and primitive and unable adequately to meet the needs of extensive guerrilla warfare. Economically and geographically speaking, the Communist area is excellently suited to guerrilla warfare, and the relations between the peasantry and the Communist forces are good. However, the area lacks the economic strength and facilities to equip or maintain modern fighting forces capable of meeting the Japanese in open combat, and its present economic strength is not sufficient to enable existing Communist forces to maintain the pressure upon the Japanese which they could maintain if they were better equipped and supplied. 7. CHINESE COMMUNIST ARMY A. STRENGTH AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST FORCES (1) General The forces of the Chinese Communists may be classified into three general categories: the Field Forces, the Local Forces (Guerrilla Army) and the People's Militia. The Field Forces are often moved about from one area to another as the military situation demands, and they generally wear uniform. The Local Forces, or Guerrilla Army, usually confine their operations to particular areas, and wear plain clothes. Other than this, there is little difference under the present organization of the Communist forces between the Field Forces and the Local Forces. These two forces make up the so-called regular troops of the Communist Army. Equipment and training of the former is usually slightly better than that of the latter, but both receive their orders through regular channels of command and both are supplied by regular supply organs. It is believed that both of these forces comprise the two large units of the Chinese Communists, the 18th Group Army, and the New 4th Army. The People's Militia is composed of men and women throughout Communist-controlled areas, selected on the basis of courage, physical condition, endurance, and initiative. Unlike the two groups of regular forces above, they engage regularly in production, and perform their military duties as the occasion demands. Fuller discussion of these three groups is contained in section 6 of this report. The average age of general officers is approximately 40 years; of field officers, approximately 37 years; and of company officers, approximately 30 years. In general education the average of both field and company officers is about that of a middle school graduate. (The Chinese middle school corresponds to the Western High School.) Almost all officers come from the ranks, but of these about 70 percent have received training in the Communist "Anti-Japanese Military Academy" in Suiteh, Shensi. The average age of enlisted men is approximately 28 years. Taking into consideration their general education before entering the Army and the education they received in the Army, their average level of education is approximately that of a student in lower middle school. (The Chinese lower middle school corresponds to the Western Junior High School.) Their average length of service is about eight years. (2) Overall Strengths In October 1944 it was reliably reported that the total strength of the regular Communist forces was 475,000. Of these, 318,000 are reported as under the 18th Group Army Command, 149,000 under the New 4th Army, and 8,000 in South China. Recent reports indicate that these forces may have been increased to as many as 910,000 troops. There is a marked difference between the actual strength of Communist forces and that authorized by the Central Government. Officially, only three Communist divisions and a so-called "Garrison Force" are recognized with a total authorized strength of about 50,000 officers and men. Expansion has been effected by increasing the number of regiments in each division, and by creating new regiments in the various military regions. The New 4th Army was officially disbanded in 1941 and is now unrecognized by the Central Government; nevertheless, its strength is steadily increasing. (3) 18th Group Army Strength and Distribution General Chu Te has official status under the National Military Council of the Central Government as Commanding General of the 18th Group Army. The Deputy Commanding General is P'eng Te-huai. General Yeh Chien-ying is Chief of Staff. The 18th Group Army operates in general north of the Lung Hai railroad and East of Sian, Shenai. The six military Regions under the 18th Group Army follow: (a) Shensi-Kansu-Ninghsia Military Region.-This region contains a relatively large concentration of troops, reported as 50,000 in the Field Forces. These are all first-line troops held in this home base area to guard against possible Kuomintang or Japanese attack. (b) Shansi-Suiyuan Military Region.-In this region there are 26,000 in the Field Forces, 5,000 in the Local Forces, making a total of 31,000 regulars. There are 50,000 Militiamen in the area. The area is relatively small, and has a sparse population. The 120th Division of the 18th Group Army is in this Region, commanded by General Ho Lung. (c) Shansi-Hopeh-Chahar Military Region.-This region contains 35,000 in the Field Forces, 29,000 in the Local Forces, making a total of 64,000 regular troops. There are 630,000 in the Militia. The forces of this area are large, but are probably relatively weak in the extensive plain regions (Central and East Hopeh) and in the mountainous and sparsely populated North (along the North of the Great Wall). This is a well-known area because it was the first established behind Japanese lines and has been more often visited by foreigners. (d) Shantung Military Region.-This region contains 42,000 in the Field Forces, 28,000 in the Local Forces, making a total of 70,000 regulars. 500,000 Militiamen are reported in the Region. The 115th Division is stationed in the Region, with General Ch'en Kuang as its commander. The Communist Forces have expanded rapidly in Shantung in the past few years, and are well organized in the whole area. (e) Shansi-Hopeh-Honan Military Region. In this region there are 50,000 in the Field Forces, 25,000 in the Local Forces, making a total of 75,000 regulars. 320,000 Militiamen are reported. This area includes South Shensi and the T'ai-hang Mountains, where the Communists have apparently become well entrenched. The 129th Division is stationed in this Region, Commanded by Liu Po Ch'eng. (f) Hopeh-Shantung-Honan Military Region.-This area contains 17,000 in the Field Forces, 11,000 in the Local Forces, making a total of 28,000 regulars. There are 80,000 Militiamen in the Region. (4) New 4th Army Strength and Distribution The New 4th Army is also under General Chu Te's command. General Yeh Ting is still carried on the roll by the Communists as Commanding General of the New 4th Army, but since his arrest by the Chungking Government dur ing the New Fourth Army Incident in 1941, command is exercised by General Ch'en I, whose title is "Acting Army Commander." The Army operates South of the Lung-Hai Railroad, with headquarters in the Hung-tze Lake area. No break-down for Local Forces in the New 4th Army is available but the total has been reported at 31,000. In regions where no figure is given for the Militia, information is not available. The eight Military Regions under New 4th Army Command follow: (a) Central Kiangsu Military Region. This region contains 19,000 in the Field Forces and 130,000 in the Militia. It is the area of the 1st Division, and is bounded on the South by the Yangtze River from Ch'ung-Ming Island (North of Shanghai) West to the Grand Canal, on the West by the Grand Canal to Huai-an, and on the North by the She-yang River. (b) South Huai Military Region.--This region contains the 2nd Division of the New 4th Army, with 21,000 in the Field Forces. (See North Huai Military Region below for boundaries.) (c) North Kiangsu Military Region.-The 3rd Division is stationed in this Region, with 23,000 in the Field Forces. 85,000 Militiamen are reported. The Region is bounded on the North by a line running generally west from Lienyünkang (Lao-yao) to the Grand Canal, on the West by the Grand Canal as far south as Huai-an, and on the South by the She-yang River east to the coast. (d) North Huai Military Region.-The two Huai Military Regions (North and South) cover an area bounded generally by a line running from Süchow, N. Kiangsu, east to the Grand Canal, then south along the Grand Canal to the Yangtze, along it to Nanking, from Nanking southwest to Ho-fei, northwest generally along the Huai-Nan Railroad to near Tien-chia-an, thence northeast to Pengpu (Pang-fou) and north along the Tsinpu Railroad back to Süchow. The Huai River is the dividing line between the two regions, with Hung-tze Lake generally in the center. The 4th Division is stationed in the area, with 18,000 troops in the Field Forces reported. (e) Hupeh-Honan-Anhwei Military Region.-This Region contains the 5th Division with 22,000 in the Field Forces. Although this division is almost completely surrounded by the Japanese forces, the Ta-pieh Mountains (on the junction of Hupeh-Honan-Anhwei borders) on the East and the Ta-hung (Tung-pei) Mountains (about 120 miles NW of Hankow) on the west provide terrain favorable for the Communist troops. Parts of these mountain areas are old (pre 1934) Red districts and the people therein are experienced in guerrilla warfare. The Region extends north of Hankow on both sides of the Ping-Han Railway to the vicinity of Hsin-yang, Honan, and south of Hankow along the Canton-Hankow Railway to Yochow, (Yüeh-yang) in Huan. On the east the Region extends to the vicinity of Huang-mei in eastern Hupeh, and on the west to Shasi and Ichang. (f) South Kiangsu Military Region.-The 6th Division is stationed in this Region with 6,000 in the Field Forces. 25,000 Militiamen are reported. The Region is bounded on the north and west by the Yangtze River and on the south by a line running generally from Wu-hu east to the coast. In the center of the Region is T'ai Lake (between Nanking and Shanghai). The Region contains some of the largest cities in China. (g) Central Anhwei Military Region.-The 7th Division, with 5.000 in the Field Forces, occupies this area, which is along both banks of the Yangtze from Nanking westward to Su-sung. In the northern and widest part of the Region, part of the 2nd Division is operating in the area between the Tsin-Pu and HwaiNan Railroads. 25,000 Militiamen are reported in the area. (h) East Chekiang Military Region.-The forces operating in this area, about 4,000 in the Field Forces, are known as the "East Chekiang Column." They were originally the 344th Brigade of the 115th Division, 18th Group Army, which were sent to Chekiang in the fall of 1942. 10,000 Militiamen are reported. The Region extends generally on both sides of the Hangchow-Ningpo Railroad to Ningpo, and south as far as Feng-hua. (5) East River Military Region In this area there are 3,000 in the Field Forces. Very little is known of the troops in this area and on Hainan Island. Communist Headquarters in Yenan appears to maintain very slight contact with them. (6) Hainan Island Military Region This Region contains 5,000 in the Field Forces. (1) General B. ORGANIZATION OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST FORCES The organization of the Chinese Communist Army is closely linked with the political organization of the Communist Party and the political organization of the territory controlled by the Chinese Communists. (See p. 2335.) The organization and admin stration of the People's Militia is based on the civil organization of the Mi'it ry Regions, Military Districts, and Military Subdistricts. Every un t h adquarters of company size and larger has a political section which is headed by a commissar. The commissar usually has received military training and in the higher units often serves as deputy commander. (2) The High Command Supreme command of the Chinese Communist Army is vested in the Communist Military Council (Military Affairs Commission). This body consists of a Chairnan, who in this case is the Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (Mao Tse-tung); a vice-Chairman, who is the Commander in Chief of the Communist Army (Gen. Chu Teh); a second vice-Chairman; a Chief of Staff; the Chiefs of departments of the General Staff; the Inspector General; and two deputies of the Inspector General. (3) Territorial Organization (a) General.-The territory controlled by the Chinese Communist Army consists of a large area in North China under the jurisdiction of the 18th Group Army, a somewhat smaller area in Central China under the New Fourth Army, and two very small areas in South China and Hainan. (b) Area controlled by the 18th Group Army.-The area controlled by the 18tb Group Army is divided into six regions, as follows: 1. The Shensi-Kansu-Ningsia Military Region This region west of the Yellow River is the Main Communist Base, in which Yenan is located. 2. The Shansi-Suiyuan Military Region This region is divided into the Ta-ch'ing Mountain Military District (in Suiyuan) and the Chin-hsi-pei (northwest Shansi) Military District. 3. The Shansi-Hopeh-Chabar Military Region This region is sub-divided into four Military Districts, and 13 Military Subdistricts. The Four Military Districts are the following: Hopei-Jehol-Liaoning, (area east of Peiping and Tientsin) Ping-Pei (area north of Peiping), Central Hopei (area SW of Tientsin), and North Yüeh, (area W and SW of Peiping. 4. The Hopeh-Shantung-Honan Military Region This region is sub-divided into two Military Districts and 13 Military SubDistricts. The two Military Districts are the following: South Hopie, and HopeiShantung-Honan. 5. The Shansi-Hopeh-Honan Military Region This region is sub-divided into two Military Districts and 13 Military SubDistricts. The two Military Districts are the following: in the east, T'ai-heng and in the west, T'ai-yueh (Sw Shansi, excluding Gen. Yen Hsi-shan's area in SE Shansi). 6. The Shantung Military Region This Region is sub-divided into four Military Districts and 17 Military Subdistricts. The four Military Districts are the following: Po Hai (gulf) in the northwest, Chiao-tung in the Northeast, (Shantung Promontory), Central Shantung, and Pin Hai in the southeast (coastal region S of Tsingtao). (c) Area Controlled by the New Fourth Army.-The area which is controlled by the New Fourth Army is divided into eight Military Regions. Further subdivision of this area into Military Districts and Military Sub-districts is not known. The eight Military Regions are the following: 1. North Kiangsu Military Region. 7. East Chekiang Military Region. 8. Hupeh-Honan-Anhwei Military Region. (d) South China.-In South China there are two small Military Regions under command of the 18th Group Army. They are: East River Military Region (Canton Area), Ch'iung-yai Military Region (interior of Hainan Island). (4) Organization of the Army (a) Field Forces. 1. General The Field Forces and Local Forces of the regular Army are organized into the two main units of the Communist Forces, the 18th Group Army, and the New 4th Army. The former has 3 oversized divisions in its formal organization, plus jurisdiction over the other minor units. The latter has 7 divisions and the "East Chekiang Column" under its command. 2. Divisions The three divisions of the 18th Group Army as originally authorized by the Central Government consisted of three brigades of two regiments each. The strength was about 14,000 officers and men per division. The exact extent to which these divisions have expanded in numbers of regiments and troops is not known. A recent report states that the divisions of both the 18th Group Army and New Fourth Army are now each organized into three brigades of three regiments. The strength of the New Fourth Army divisions appear to vary greatly and is believed to approximate the strength listed for the field forces in each of the military regions in which the divisions operate. 3. Brigades A recent report states that there are three regiments to a brigade. The highly decentralized nature of operations would appear to make the brigade an important link in the chain of Command. It probably exercises a relatively high degree of independence in both command and administrative functions. 4. Regiments The tactical units of the Chinese Communist Army are organized into three types of regiments: type A, type B, and type C. a. Type A regiments The 59 type A regiments are organized as follows: a headquarters company, three rifle battalions, and a political section. The headquarters company comprises an administrative section, a signal platoon, an artillery or mortar platoon, a supply platoon, a medical platoon, and a service company. The regiment has a strength of 1763 officers and men and the following equipment: 693 rifles, 124 carbines, 82 pistols, 81 light machine guns, 6 heavy machine guns, 482 mm mortars, 27 light mortars and 33 horses. b. Type B regiments There are 105 type B regiments. Type B regiments are similar to type A regiments, but they have only two rifle battalions, and they have no artillery or mortar platoon in the headquarters company. The strength of the type B. regiment is 1,163 officers and enlisted men. Its equipment consists of 468 rifles, 24 carbines, 76 pistols, 36 light machineguns, 6 heavy machine-guns, 18 light mortars, and 13 horses. c. Type C regiments There are 133 type C rifle regiments. These regiments are designed to operate in flat terrain where unobserved movement of large bodies of men is difficult. Type C regiments comprise the following: a headquarters company, a political section, and from four to five rifle companies. The headquarters company consist of an administrative section, and supply, signal, medical, and service platoons. The strength of a type C regiment is 866 officers and enlisted men. Its equipment consists of 425 rifles, 20 carbines, 62 pistols, 15 light machine-guns, 2 heavy machine guns, 5 light mortars, and 9 horses. 2. Battalions The rifle battalion consists of a headquarters, a political section, a headquarters and service company, a machine-gun platoon, and three rifle companies. |