Liu Bocheng

Liu Bocheng (December 4, 1892 – October 7, 1986), courtesy name Bocheng, original name Liu Mingzhao, from Zhaojiachang, Ka County, Sichuan Province. His early years included entering private school at age 5, receiving modern education at 12, and at 15, due to his father’s death and family hardships, dropping out to farm. During high school, he resolutely joined the revolution, participated in the Xinhai Revolution, and motivated by the ideal of a hero wielding a sword to save the people. Subsequently, in 1912, he was admitted to the military cadet school of the Chongqing Military Government, where he studied military courses and read military classics such as Sunzi (“The Art of War”) and Wuzi (“The Art of Warfare”). He excelled academically and was acclaimed as the “Angel of the Army.”

After graduating at the end of 1912, Liu Bocheng served successively as quartermaster, platoon leader, and company commander in the Sichuan Army’s 5th Division. In 1913, he participated in the campaign against Yuan Shikai in Sichuan. After the failure, in 1914, he joined the Chinese Revolutionary Party led by Sun Yat-sen. By late 1915, he led over 400 troops to form the Sichuan Eastern Provisional Army’s 4th Detachment, achieving notable military successes. In 1916, during an attack on Fengdu County, he was wounded in the right eye, resulting in disability. During recovery, he endured hardships to prevent brain nerve damage and earned the reputation of “Military God.” In 1917, he participated in the Protectorate War, serving as chief of staff of the Sichuan Army’s 5th Division and commanding the Guard Regiment. In 1923, he joined the campaign in Chengdu against the Beiyang warlord Wu Peifu, serving as commander of the Eastern Expeditionary Force, winning several key battles.

From 1924 onwards, Liu Bocheng, together with Wu Yuchang and Yang An Gong, studied social conditions, strengthening his communist beliefs. In 1926, through recommendations, he joined the Chinese Communist Party and became the military commissioner of the Chongqing Municipal Party Committee. In November of that year, he planned and participated in the uprisings in Luzhou and Shunqing, mobilizing troops to assist the Northern Expedition and playing a strategic role in preventing Sichuan troops from threatening Wuhan. In the same year, he was appointed as the “Commander General of Various Routes of the National Revolutionary Army of Sichuan.”

In 1927, Liu Bocheng was appointed commander of the 15th Army, a temporary formation of the Nationalist Government in Wuhan — the first time a CCP member held such a position. Soon after, he co-led the Nanchang Uprising with Zhou Enlai, He Long, and Zhu De. Later, he studied military at the Soviet Union, attending the Moscow Senior Infantry School and Frunze Military Academy. During his studies, he overcame Russian language barriers and gained mastery of Soviet military theory. After returning to China, Liu served successively as chief of staff and member of the Central Military Commission, leading military training and drafting military textbooks.

From 1932, Liu served as president and political commissar of the Central Military Political School and as chief of staff of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army. During the Long March, he supported Mao Zedong’s correct line, commanding several critical battles, successfully crossing the Jinsha River, planning the crossing of the Dadu River, repelling enemy forces, and gradually gaining prominence. During the Anti-Japanese War, he commanded the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, leading multiple battles, establishing the Shandong-Hebei-Russian anti-Japanese base area, and promoting self-sufficiency, land rent reductions, and interest reductions. In 1945, he participated in multiple campaigns, effectively cooperating with Chongqing negotiations and supporting strategic deployment.

During the Chinese Civil War, Liu Bocheng was commander of the Second Field Army, leading battles to wipe out hundreds of thousands of enemies, steadily achieving the strategic goal of national liberation. In 1948, he led the Huaihai Campaign, annihilating hundreds of thousands of enemy troops, accelerating nationwide liberation. After the founding of the People’s Republic, Liu participated in commanding the crossing of the Yangtze River and was responsible for liberating East and Southwest China. In 1949, he was appointed chairman of the Southwest Military and Political Committee and led anti-bandit campaigns and frontier development.

In the 1950s, Liu was appointed president of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Military Academy, focusing on military education, improving officer training systems, and laying a foundation for national defense. From 1954, he served as vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, participating in the Sino-Indian border self-defense counterattack, and offering many strategic suggestions. He made significant contributions in military theory, command tactics, and talent cultivation, and was awarded numerous honors, including the First Class August 1st Medal of the People’s Republic of China.

In his family life, Liu Bocheng was married to Cheng Yizhi, with children including Liu Taixing, Liu Meng, and Liu Taisi. In 1978, his arthritis worsened, causing him to gradually withdraw from politics. He passed away in Beijing in 1986. His life achievements have been depicted and commemorated in various films and television dramas, and he remains an important figure in Chinese military and revolutionary history.