Li Tianxia's 83rd corps, Hu Lien's 11th independent enhanced division, Qiu Qingquan's 5th corps to save Zhang Lingfu from the communist encirclement. But Li Tianxia only sent a token force to help his beleaguered colleague because of jealousy, Huang Baitao did try his best but his relief efforts were beaten back despite being supported by tanks and air cover, Qiu Qingquan and Hu Lien were too far away from the actual battlefield to be much of help. The situation did not look good on the intelligence front either, when high-ranking communist moles in KMT department of defense, such as and Liu Fei leaked vital military plans to the communist commanders. The difficult terrain in the mountainous areas also made Zhang unable to use his heavy weaponry; on the morning of May 16, 1947, Chiang issued another order on the pain of death to his commanders to save Zhang Lingfu and the 74th division, but none of the nationalist generals could make it in time. Zhang was killed in action in his cave hideout around 3:00 p.m. that same afternoon, although some sources cited that he committed suicide. Aftermath Chiang Kai-shek lost one of his most able generals in the Menglianggu Campaign and his elite 74th independent enhanced division was wiped out from nationalist order of battle. Although the unit was rebuilt later on, but it never regained the former strength of the old 74th independent enhanced division, and was again destroyed in the Huaihai Campaign next year. Because of this disastrous defeat, Chiang responded by relieving Gu Zhutong as commander-in-chief of the army, Tang Enbo lost his position as commander of the first army, Li Tianxia was court-martialled and would not be holding any command position for the next two years, while Huang Baitao received a serious reprimand but was allowed to stay on as commander of the 25th corps. Chiang Kai-shek personally arranged a state funeral for Zhang after recovering his remains from the Communist forces, and renamed the Mengyin County of Shandong province in his honor, and a naval destroyer was also named in his honor. See also Battle of Huaiyin–Huai'an Menglianggu Campaign References http://www.generals.dk/general_/China.html Ministry of National Defense R.O.C "Zhang Lingfu's widow applies for medal to be reissued; Ministry of Defence: Pay for it" (張靈甫遺孀申請補發勳章 國防部：花錢買) http://www.nownews.com/2009/11/09/11490-2530524.htm "In request for reissuing a medal, a martyred lieutenant general needs to pay? Lee Ching-hua: 'This makes us an international