Lanzhou Campaign was a series battle fought between the nationalists and the communists for the control of the largest city in northwestern China during the Chinese Civil War in the post World War II era, and resulted in the communist victory. Prelude After the defeat of Fufeng-Meixian Campaign () in July, 1949, the nationalists under the command of Hu Zongnan were forced to withdraw to the south of Qinling. As Hu Zongnan's force withdrew to western China, the Ma clique's force became the major nationalist force responsible for the defense of the northwestern China. Lanzhou, the largest city in northwestern China was critical to the security of the entire northwestern China and on the northwestern China joint defense conference held in Guangzhou, the nationalist defenders planned to defeat the enemy at the gate of the city of Lanzhou with the help from their comrades-in-arms from southern Shaanxi, southern Gansu and Ningxia. Order of battle Defenders: nationalist order of battle: Shaanxi-Gansu Corps The 82nd Army The 129th Army The 8th Cavalry Division The 14th Cavalry Division 1 Security Brigade The 81st Army The 91st Army The 120th Army The Cavalry Army Attackers: communist order of battle: I Corps II Corps XIX Corps Strategies The nationalist strategy was to station the 82nd Army and the 129th Army of the Shaanxi-Gansu Corps, 2 cavalry divisions, and a security brigade totaling 50,000 in Lanzhou to defend the city itself. The nationalist 81st Army under the command of Ma Hongkui and the nationalist 91st Army and 120th Army totaling 30,000 troops would guard the left flank of Lanzhou by defending Jingtai (), Jingyuang () and Dalachi () regions. The nationalist Cavalry Army totaling 20,000 would be stationed at Lintao and Taishi () regions to guard the right flank of Lanzhou. The main defense of the city would be the Southern Mountain () line outside the city and the overall defense of the city was commanded by Ma Bufang's only son, Ma Jiyuan (), the commander-in-chief of the nationalist Shaanxi-Gansu Corps The Communist troops were given instructions on behavior in the heavily Muslim populated province of Gansu, to prevent accidental insults or other incidents. The communist strategy became clear on August 4, 1949, when the communist commander-in-chief of the 1st Field Army Peng Dehuai issued the order to take Lanzhou and Xining by concentrating majority of its force. The plan was to have the communist 7th