163rd Motorized Infantry Division (2nd Formation) (People's Republic of China)
| 144th Division (1948–60) 144th Army Division (1960-70) 163rd Army Division (1970-85) 163rd Infantry Division (1985-2017) 163rd Combined Arms Brigade (2017-) | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1948.11 - |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Branch | People's Liberation Army |
| Type | Brigade |
| Role | Infantry |
| Part of | 74th Group Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Chaozhou, Guangdong |
| Engagements | Chinese Civil War, Sino-Vietnam War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Zhang Yang[1][2] |
The 144th Division (Chinese: 第144师) was created in November 1948 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948,[3] basing on the 33rd Division, 11th Column of the PLA Dongbei Field Army. Its origin can be traced to the 3rd Independent Division of Jichareliao Military Region, formed in October 1947.
The division is part of 48th Corps. Under the flag of the 144th division, it took part in several major battles during the Chinese Civil War, including the Liaoshen Campaign, Pingjin Campaign, and Xianggan Campaign.
The division was composed of the 430th, 431st, and 432nd regiments.
From August 1949 to November 1950, the division merged with Reijin Military Sub-district.
In November 1950, the division moved to northern Guangdong. The division exchanged its 430th Regiment with the 424th Regiment ("1st Red Army Regiment") from the disbanding 142nd Division. The 424th Regiment was redesignated as the 430th shortly after the transfer.
In April 1952, the division was transferred to 21st Army Group's direct control. In November, the 21st Army Group was reduced and reorganized as the 55th Corps, while the 144th maintained its designation.
In November 1952, Artillery Regiment, 144th Division was activated. In 1953, the regiment was redesignated as the 543rd Artillery Regiment.
In April 1960 the division was redesignated as the 144th Army Division (Chinese: 陆军第144师). The division was then composed of:
- 430th Regiment
- 431st Regiment
- 432nd Regiment
- 543rd Artillery Regiment
In January 1970, the division was redesignated as the 163rd Army Division (Chinese: 陆军第163师). The division was then composed of:
- 487th Regiment
- 488th Regiment
- 489th Regiment
- Artillery Regiment
From February to March 1979, the division participated in the Sino-Vietnam War as a part of the 55th Army Corps. The division was actively engaged in the Battle of Dong Dang and the Battle of Lang Son. The division claimed that it inflicted 5,800 casualties on the confronting PAVN units and Vietnam militia forces.[4]
In October 1985, the division was reorganized into the 163rd Infantry Division (Chinese: 步兵第163师) and transferred to the 42nd Army's control following 55th Army Corps' disbandment. Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 55th Army Corps attached to the division as the Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment, 163rd Infantry Division. The division was maintained as a southern motorized infantry division from 1985 to 1998. By then the division was composed of:
- 487th Infantry Regiment
- 488th Infantry Regiment
- 489th Infantry Regiment
- Artillery Regiment
- Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
In 1997, the division participated in the formation of the Hong Kong Infantry Brigade.
In October 1998 the division was reorganized: the 489th Infantry Regiment merged with the 28th Tank Regiment, 7th Tank Division and reconstituted as the Armored Regiment, 163rd Infantry Division.
From 1998 to 2013, the division was composed of:
- 487th Infantry Regiment - "1st Red Army Regiment"
- 488th Infantry Regiment
- Armored Regiment
- Artillery Regiment
- Anti-Aircraft Artillery Regiment
In April 2017 the division was reconstituted as the 163rd Heavy Combined Arms Brigade (Chinese: 重型合成第163旅)[5]. The remaining half of the division reorganized into the 145th Medium Combined Arms Brigade (Chinese: 中型合成第145旅).
The 163rd Combined Arms Brigade now serves as a maneuvering unit of the PLA 74th Group Army. The 145th Combined Arms Brigade now serves as a maneuvering unit of the PLA 73rd Group Army.
References[edit]
- 中国人民解放军各步兵师沿革，http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_a3f74a990101cp1q.html
- 第74集团军的历史沿革, http://hzgfjy.com/?news_5/126.html
- ↑ 周曉輝：盤點張陽關係網 廣州軍區腐敗驚人, 大紀元, https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/17/12/5/n9928464.htm
- ↑ 中国军方高层人事变更一览, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/simp/chinese_news/2012/11/121101_china_military_personnel_change
- ↑ 《中央军委关于统一全军组织及部队番号的规定》, http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_7254c7350100xb56.html
- ↑ “消灭163，活捉边贵祥” ——香河籍55军163师边贵祥师长小传, 腾讯网, https://new.qq.com/omn/20190613/20190613A028PK00.html
- ↑ 第74集团军的历史沿革, 惠州国防教育网, http://www.hzgfjy.com/?news_5/126.html
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| Northern Theater Command |
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| Central Theater Command |
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