The Autumn Offensive of 1947 in Northeast China () was a series of battles initiated by the communists against the nationalists during the Chinese Civil War after World War II. Prelude After the defeats of the Summer Offensive of 1947 in Northeast China, Chiang Kai-shek removed Xiong Shihui, the political leader, and Du Yuming, the military commander, of the northeast China and replaced them with Chief of the General Staff Chen Cheng. With the arrival of the 49th Army from China proper, the total nationalist strength in northeast China numbered half a million, numbering forty-five divisions belonging to ten armies, which in turn, belonged to four corps. Chen Cheng deployed his troops in major cities such as Changchun, Siping, Shenyang, Jinzhou and along the railways linking these cities, and planned to attack the communists when more troops arrived from China proper. In northeast China, meanwhile, the communists had twenty-seven Divisions that belonged to nine columns, and twelve independent divisions (including two cavalry divisions), and local garrisons. This totaled 510,000 troops, slightly more than its nationalist opponent. The communists mainly occupied regions in western Liaoning, and regions along the railways from Changchun to Greater Stone Bridge (Dashiqiao), and from Shenyang to Jilin. The communists planned to launch an offensive in late September by first attacking the southern front of the nationalists where the defense was the weakest, and then annihilate large amount of the nationalist force by ambushing the nationalist reinforcement from north. However, on September 6, 1947, to secure the railway communication line, three nationalist Divisions begun their push toward Jianchang from Xingcheng, Suizhong and Jinxi, and the communists consequently adjusted their schedule accordingly by launching the offensive early on September 14, 1947. Nationalist order of battle The Newly Organized 1st Army The Newly Organized 6th Army The 3rd Cavalry Army The 49th Army The 52nd Army The 53rd Army The 60th Army The 71st Army The 207th Division of the Youth Army Six divisions from China proper in the latter stage of the offensive Communist order of battle To achieve their objective, the communists established three commands: The 1st frontline command headed by commander Xiao Jinguang and political commissar Xiao Hua, which was assigned to attack nationalist troops in the region between Liaoyang and Greater Stone Bridge (Dashiqiao, and the region between Tieling and Changtu. This command included: The 3rd Column The 4th Column Three independent divisions The 2nd