Dong Zhao
Surname | Dong |
Given Name | Zhao |
Born | 12 Jul 1901 |
Died | 30 Sep 1977 |
Country | China |
Category | Military-Ground |
Gender | Male |
Contributor: C. Peter Chen
ww2dbaseDong Zhao was born in Shaanxi Province, China. In 1924, he was enrolled in the Whampoa Military Academy, Guangzhou Province, China. Later in the same year, he joined the Nationalist Party. During the 1920s and the 1930s, he played a dual role as a military officer as well as a party functionary. In Feb 1931, he served as a party liaison with the 48th Division. In Apr 1932, he was named the chief of staff of the 28th Division at the rank of major general. In 1936, he took command of the 28th Division, in which role he saw combat with communist forces. In 1937, he established his divisional headquarters in the city of Xi'an, where he was placed in charge of the overall defense of the city. He first saw major action during WW2 in Apr 1938 where he, still at the helm of the 28th Division, defended against Japanese attempts to cross the Yellow River, and then marched toward Jiangsu Province, engaging Japanese troops aiming to capturing Xuzhou. After the fall of Xuzhou, he led the 28th Division in retreat, reaching Hankou in Aug 1938. In the same month, he was named the commanding officer of the 16th Corps, while still holding personal command of the 28th Division, in defense of the city of Wuhan. In Nov 1938, he was transferred back to his home province of Shaanxi; in this role he oversaw the campaign against Japanese westward assaults in 1940 and 1941. In Jun 1942, he was named the deputy commanding officer of the 34th Army. Between late 1942 and 1944, he played a minor role in the war as he was relegated due to political reasons. In Aug 1943, he was named the Deputy Commander of the Border Region of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Suiyuan under General Deng Baoshan. In Oct 1944, he studied at the Army War College, completing his course in Jan 1945. Later that month, Dong was named the commanding officer of the 38th Army. In Mar, he moved his headquarters to Luonan, Shaanxi, where he coordinated defenses against what would become the final Japanese series of offensives in that province. In Jun 1945, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. After the war, his 38th Army was reorganized as the 1st Corps, and he retained command. During the Chinese Civil War, he was repeatedly defeated by communist forces, thus in Apr 1948 he was assigned to the rear and was placed in charge of conscription, training, and logistics. In Jul 1948, he was named the Chairman of the Shaanxi Province. In May 1949, he evacuated his provincial government from Xi'an to Hanzhong as communist forces neared. Although he intended on a final stand at Hanzhong, he failed to rally his subordinates, many of whom began to flee without orders. Seeing the impossibility of holding Hanzhong, he began planning the evacuation of his own family to Taiwan. On 5 Dec, he fled for Chongqing, where he would leave for Taiwan four days later. He passed away in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China in 1977.
ww2dbaseSource: Baidu Baike
Last Major Revision: May 2012
Dong Zhao Timeline
12 Jul 1901 | Dong Zhao was born in the village of Dongtaoyuan, Chang'an County, Shaanxi Province, China. |
11 Jan 1936 | Dong Zhao was named the commanding officer of the 28th Division. |
12 Nov 1936 | Dong Zhao was awarded the Order of Resplendent Banner 4th Class. |
27 Nov 1937 | Dong Zhao was named the commander of anti-air defenses of the city of Xi'an, China. |
1 Jun 1938 | Dong Zhao was named the deputy commander of anti-air defenses of Shaanxi Province. |
5 Aug 1938 | Dong Zhao was named the commanding officer of the 16th Corps. |
21 Mar 1939 | Dong Zhao was relieved of his position and the commander of the 28th Division so he could focus on his corps-level command. |
25 Jun 1942 | Dong Zhao was named the deputy commanding officer of the 34th Army. |
9 Aug 1943 | Dong Zhao was named the Deputy Commander of the Border Region of Shanxi, Shaanxi, and Suiyuan under General Deng Baoshan. |
9 Jan 1945 | Dong Zhao completed his studies at the Army War College and was named the commanding officer of the 38th Army. |
28 Jun 1945 | Dong Zhao was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. |
10 Oct 1945 | Dong Zhao was awarded the Order of Loyalty and Diligence. |
5 May 1946 | Dong Zhao was awarded the Order of Victory of Resistance against Aggression. |
14 Mar 1947 | Dong Zhao was awarded the Order of Resplendent Banner 3rd Class. |
28 May 1947 | Dong Zhao was awarded the Order of Precious Tripod 4th Class. |
1 Aug 1948 | Dong Zhao was relieved of his duty as the commander of the 1st Corps. |
5 Dec 1949 | Dong Zhao departed Hanzhong, Shaanxi Province, China. |
8 Dec 1949 | Dong Zhao retired from the Chinese Army at Chongqing, China. |
9 Dec 1949 | Dong Zhao, his wife, and his three children departed Chongqing, China for Taiwan. |
30 Sep 1977 | Dong Zhao passed away in Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. |
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James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy, 23 Feb 1945