The Chinese People's Liberation Army since 1949: Ground Forces

by Benjamin Lai, Adam Hook (Illustrator)

Overview

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) is the largest army in the world. China is predicted to be on the brink of overtaking the USA as the world's largest economy, and China's military capabilities and global ambitions are the single greatest long-term pre-occupation of Western governments. The PLA has progressed steadily – if slowly – since its creation in 1949, from a mass army of unsophisticated infantry limited to 'human wave' tactics into a highly sophisticated force with wide capabilities. The most recent reforms (1989 to the present day) have been made possible by massive economic liberalization, and have seen not only the modernization of all the armed forces but the beginnings of global outreach, even including Chinese participation in UN peace-keeping missions to Africa, the Middle East, and Haiti. Featuring rare photographs and specially commissioned color artwork, this study explores the developing structure, organization, equipment, appearance, and character of the Chinese People's Liberation Army from its creation until today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781782003205
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	11/20/2012
Series:	Elite , #194
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
File size:	10 MB

About the Author

Benjamin Lai was born in Hong Kong, educated in the UK, and went on to serve as an officer in the British Territorial Army in the 1980s and 1990s. Fluent in both Chinese and English, he currently works as a development and business consultant in China.

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on the Aztecs, the Greeks, several 19th-century American subjects, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.
Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and the history of fortification. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

Table of Contents

Introduction 4

Origins of the PLA

Chronology & Key Events 6

Foundation of the People's Republic, 1949

The 1950s: the Korean War, 1950-53 - final clashes with the Nationalists - Burma - Tibet - the French Indochina War, 1950-54

The 1960s: the Vietnam War, 1965-72 - the Indian border clash, 1962 - onset of the Cultural Revolution, 1967 - Sino-Soviet border skirmishes, 1969

The 1970s: the Sino-Vietnamese War, 1979

The 1980s: renewed Sino-Vietnamese hostilities, 1980 & 1984-91 - consequences of the Tiananmen Square incident, 1989

The 1990s to date: first PLA deployments with UN forces - takeover of Hong Kong and Macau - the 2008 natural disasters

The Pla Today 18

Quasi-military roles

Organization: chain of command

Regular units

Reserve units

People's Armed Police

Militia

General Headquarters departments

Senior-level military academies

Military Regions and local commands

Current Tactical Organization 28

Unit identification

Organization, squad to battalion

Organization, regiment and above

Readiness classifications

Some Key Combat Arms 38

Army Aviation

Armor

Special Forces: PLA groups - PAP "Snow Leopard" Commando Unit

Airborne force

Strategic strike force: Second Artillery Corps

Personnel 49

Recruitment and training

The NCOs

The officers

PLA academies

Uniformed civilian personnel

Uniforms & Combat Equipment 52

Service dress: PLA - PAP

Combat dress and equipment

Select Bibliography 63

Index 64

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Photos, extended captions, color plates and informative illustrations season this engaging effort.  The uniform and insignia details will certainly delight heraldry enthusiasts.  And charts, bibliography and index complete contents."
—David L. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com (January 2013)

Editorial Reviews

Photos, extended captions, color plates and informative illustrations season this engaging effort. The uniform and insignia details will certainly delight heraldry enthusiasts. And charts, bibliography and index complete contents.” —David L. Veres, www.cybermodeler.com (January 2013)

“Any military library strong in either Chinese history or world military forces will find this a fine addition.” —The Midwest Book Review (February 2013)

“[The book] makes for a very interesting look into the PLA today and is a book that I found to offer insights that I had not considered. It is a book I enjoyed reading and am sure you will as well.” —Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (March 2013)

From the Publisher