The offensive started on December 15, 1947, when communist 2nd column suddenly surrounded Faku (法库), while at the same time, the communist 4th column approached Shenyang.
On December 18, 1947, the 22nd division of the nationalist Newly Organized 6th Army was sent out from Tieling to reinforce Faku (法库), but was ambushed by the communist 2nd and 7th columns on the way, losing an entire regiment, after which the nationalist reinforcement retreated back to Tieling.