Pan Dehuay Statesman and military leader of the PRC, Vice Premier of the State Council of the PRC and Minister of Defense of the PRC (1954-1959), Marshal of the PRC (1955). Date of Birth: 24.10.1898 Country: China

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Nationalist and Communist Involvement
3. Mao Zedong's Ally
4. Korean War and Defense Minister
5. Critic of Mao's Policies
6. The Great Leap Forward and Political Purge
7. Cultural Revolution and Imprisonment
8. Death and Rehabilitation

Early Life and Military Career

Peng Dehuai was born on October 24, 1898, in Hunan Province, China. Growing up in a poor family, he was forced to quit school at the age of eight due to poverty. At the age of 10, he resorted to begging for survival. In 1916, he enlisted in the Hunan-Guangxi army.

Nationalist and Communist Involvement

In 1922, Peng Dehuai attended officer training courses and returned to the Nationalist army. During the 1925-1927 Chinese Revolution, he became influenced by Marxist literature. In 1928, he joined the Communist Party of China (CPC) and led the Pingjiang Uprising, which freed political prisoners and arrested local reactionaries.

Mao Zedong's Ally

Peng Dehuai became deputy commander of the 8th Route Army during the Sino-Japanese War and played a crucial role in the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) victories. He was also the acting Secretary of the North China Bureau of the CPC.

Korean War and Defense Minister

In 1950, Peng Dehuai was appointed commander of the Chinese People's Volunteers in the Korean War. He played a significant role in the war effort and achieved victories against UN forces. Upon returning to China, he was appointed Minister of Defense and Deputy Premier of the State Council in 1954.

Critic of Mao's Policies

Peng Dehuai became increasingly critical of Mao Zedong's leadership. At the 8th CPC National Congress in 1956, he denounced the cult of personality surrounding Mao and advocated for the removal of Mao's "thought" from the party's charter.

The Great Leap Forward and Political Purge

Peng Dehuai opposed Mao's "Great Leap Forward" policies in 1958, believing they would lead to economic disaster. At the Lushan Plenum of the CPC, he openly criticized Mao's leadership, resulting in his being purged from all his positions. He was placed under house arrest and subjected to harsh treatment.

Cultural Revolution and Imprisonment

During the Cultural Revolution, Peng Dehuai was arrested and imprisoned by the Red Guards. He was subjected to torture and public humiliation for several years. Despite his declining health, he refused to recant his criticisms of Mao.

Death and Rehabilitation

Peng Dehuai died in prison from cancer on November 29, 1974. His ashes were secretly buried outside Beijing. In 1978, he was posthumously rehabilitated by the CPC.