The 81st Division was a military formation of the People's Liberation Army during and after the Chinese civil war and a part of People's Volunteer Army (Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) or Chinese Communist Forces (CCF)) during the Korean War. They were a component of the 27th Army. The 81st Division () was created in February 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948, basing on the 27th Division, 9th Column of Huadong Field Army. Its history could be traced to 3rd Security Brigade of Shandong Military Region, formed on September 3, 1946. On November 28, 1950, the 80th Division hit the dispersed U.S. units of Task Force Faith with waves of infantry. Despite the presence of tracked antiaircraft weapons, the sub-zero cold and the constant Chinese attacks began to take their toll. The fighting was often hand to hand and convinced the (initial) U.S. Task Force commander, Colonel MacLean, to order a pullback to form a more consolidated defense. However, during the withdrawal operations his troops came under renewed enemy attack, and in the confusion MacLean was captured by the Chinese. The Task Force Faith page also states that the 81st Division participated in the attack and that though they were possibly reinforced, comprised 15,000+ troops. In November 1950, Artillery Regiment, 81st Division was activated in Antung, Liaoning. In October 1952, the division returned to China. Artillery Regiment, 81st Infantry Division detached and transferred to 24th Corps. In February 1953, Tank Regiment, 81st Infantry Division was activated. On August 17 the regiment was renamed as 286th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment. In April 1953, Artillery Regiment, 81st Infantry Division was reactivated in Shanghai. On August 17, the regiment was renamed as 361st Artillery Regiment. From April 1954, the division was stationed in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu. In April 1960, the division was renamed as the 81st Army Division (). From June 1962, the maintained as southern army division, category B. By then the division was composed of: 241st Infantry Regiment; 242nd Infantry Regiment; 243rd Infantry Regiment; 361st Artillery Regiment; 286th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment. In August 1967, 286th Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment detached from the division to form 10th Tank Division. In August 1969, the division moved to Handan, Hebei. From then the division maintained as northern army division, category A. In August 1971, the division was