Lanzhou Campaign

Lanzhou Campaign () was a series battle fought between the nationalists and the communists for the control of the largest city in northwestern China during the Chinese Civil War in the post World War II era, and resulted in the communist victory.

Prelude

After the defeat of Fufeng-Meixian Campaign (扶郿战役) in July, 1949, the nationalists under the command of Hu Zongnan were forced to withdraw to the south of Qinling. As Hu Zongnan’s force withdrew to western China, the Ma clique’s force became the major nationalist force responsible for the defense of the northwestern China. Lanzhou, the largest city in northwestern China was critical to the security of the entire northwestern China and on the northwestern China joint defense conference held in Guangzhou, the nationalist defenders planned to defeat the enemy at the gate of the city of Lanzhou with the help from their comrades-in-arms from southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu and Ningxia.

Order of battle

Defenders: nationalist order of battle:

• Shaanxi-Gansu Corps
• The 82nd Army
• The 129th Army
• The 8th Cavalry Division
• The 14th Cavalry Division
• 1 Security Brigade
• The 81st Army
• The 91st Army
• The 120th Army
• The Cavalry......
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