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People's Liberation Army
Order of Battle

by Xinhui

Jinan Military Region (3/3)

26 Group Army (54685) WeiFang/Shandong

New Unit number is 71146

Category B; took part in Korea War and Sino-Vietnam war, defended Laoshan area from 1984 to 85.

Commander: Feng Yujun; Political commissar: Wang Jinxiang

The 26 Group Army (GA) started as a member of the 8th column, East China Field Army in Shandong area. In, December 1938, the 4th branch (Zhi Dui) of theShandong column was created around the Julai Mountainarea from communist guerrilla force operated there. The 4th branch was renamed as 4th brigade in 1941, and operated in Shandong’s Lu Zhong area.

The unit was enlarged in August 1945 to become the 4th division, Lu Zhong Military Region (MR) and incorporated Luzhong 2nd reserve brigade and 3rd brigade as its members. The unit was rename once again in November 1945 as the 9th division.

During the Chinese Civil War that followed, 9th division, a new 4th division, and the reserve brigade of Lu Zhong combined into the 8th column with Wang Jianan as its commander and Xiang Ming as the political commissar. The 9th, 4th, and the reserve brigade were reformed as 22nd, 23rd, and the 24th divisions. The 8th column operated mainly in centralChina area and took part in large battles such asLunan, Laiwu, Meng Liangliang, Sha Tuji, Luo Yang, andthe epic battle of HuiahaiDuring those battles, the 8th column established itself was one of the elite formations of the East China Field Army.

In January 1949, the East China Field Army was renamed as 3rd Field Army, and the 8th column was renamed as PLA 26th Army, 8th Army Group, 3rd Field Army. Its three divisions were renamed as 76th, 77th and 78thdivisions. It took part in the battle of Yangtze crossing in the following April, and ended up in the Suzhou region by the war’s end.

The 26th Army entered Korea in November 1950 as a member of the 9th Army group and took part in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th Battles. During the 4th Battle of March 1951, it was attacked by US 187th Airborne Regiment and its helicopter borne infantry. This marked the first time a Chinese force engaged with a helicopter borne enemy force, considered a milestone for the PLA.The 26th returned to China in June 1952 and was stationed in the Shandong area for garrison duty.

In 1960, its 76th division moved to Fujian and joined the 29th Army as its 86th division, while it took over the 33rd Division from PVA central command as its replacement.The 33rd was later renamed as 76th division.

- 8 Armored Division at Weifang

At lease one battalion of Type 98 MBT “Strategypage May 15, 2001”

Including the honored “White Tiger Company”, “Attack Tiger Company” “Urban Fighting Sharp Knife Company”.

Little change has taken place in this unit since the late 1980s. All 3 armored regiments are equipped with Type-79 MBT and Type-63 APC. Little is known about the artillery regiment and the AAA regiment.

- 138 (2) Motorized Infantry Division (54691) Leiyang

new unit number is 71217

Part of 4th Field Army 45th Army Group during the Civil War
Received new unit designation in 1948.11 as 133 Infantry Division.

Joined 46th FA in 1952, renamed 138 ID in 1969.Reassigned to 26th GA in 1985, when 46th FA disbanded.

Was uncorrected stated 137 Motorized Infantry division in V4.x or earlier of this orbat.

- 77 Motorized Brigade Haiyang/Shangdong

New unit number is 71762

230th regt, and 231st regt. 229th regt disbanded

Part of 3rd Field Army 26th Army Group during the Civil War.

Received new unit designation in 1949.2. Was division, reform into brigade in 1998.

- 199 Motorized Infantry Division (54871) Zibo/Shandong

New unit number is 71450

Part of Central China Field Army, 67th Army Group during the Civil War.

Received new unit designation in 1949.2

It is a Red Army Division.

Was a member of 67th Group Army, when it deactivated in 1999. Transferred to 26th GA as 1999 Motorized Infantry Brigade in 1999.

Designated as the main fighting force of the 26 GA.

- 8 Artillery Division Weifang

48th regt

Received new unit designation in 1948.11 as 155 Infantry Division. Reformed as 8th artillery division in 1950.

Identified as unknown arty bgd in v. 1.0.

- 54 Air Defense Brigade (54762) Jimuo/Shandong

New unit number 71939

Was listed as Jinan MR level Formation, Thanks AndrewKC for the correction.
HQ-7 SAM PLAdaily 2-27-2002.

- 136 Motorized Infantry Division

to reserve

Received new unit designation in 1948.11, joined 26th GA in 1985. Reassigned to Hunan as reserve.

- Unidentified Engineering Brigade

- Unidentified Communications Regiment

- Unidentified Transportation Regiment

- Unidentified River-Crossing Regiment

Commander Wang GuangFang “PLADaily 5-23-01” -- Andrew KC

- Unidentified NBC Battalion

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