188th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (People's Republic of China)
| 188th Division (1949–53) 188th Infantry Division (1953–60) 188th Army Division (1960–85) 188th Infantry Division (1985-2003) 188th Mechanized Infantry Brigade (2003-) |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1949.1 - |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Branch | People's Liberation Army, People's Volunteer Army |
| Type | Brigade |
| Role | Mechanized Infantry |
| Part of | 27th Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Taiyuan, Shanxi |
| Nickname(s) | "Rogue 8th Brigade"(Chinese: 野八旅) |
| Engagements | Chinese Civil War, Korean War, Vietnam War |
The 188th Division (Chinese: 第188师) was created in January 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 8th Brigade, 3rd Column of the Jinchaji Military Region. Its history can be traced to the Hebei Guerrilla Army, formed in December 1937.
The division was part of 63rd Corps. Under the flag of 188th division it took part in several major battles in the Chinese Civil War.
In February 1951 the division entered Korea with the Corps HQ as a part of People's Volunteer Army. During its deployment in Korea it took part in the Fifth Phase Offensive and the Battle of Cheorwon, during which the division suffered heavy casualties but halted the UN offensive.
In January 1953 393rd Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment was formed and attached to the division.
In October 1953 the division returned from Korea and stationed at Handan, Hebei, becoming 188th Infantry Division(Chinese: 步兵第188师) of the National Defense Force.
In 1960 the division was renamed as 188th Army Division(Chinese: 陆军第188师). By then the division was composed of:
In 1962 the division was designated as a "Northern" unit, Catalogue A in War-time Structure, making it a "big" division of 12457 personnel. the division was shortly moved to Fujian province for an emergency alert deployment.
In May 1966 the division moved to Huolu, Hebei after 189th Army Division's transfer to Beijing.
In December 1966, following the outbreak of the Cultural Revolution, the division moved to Beijing and stationed in Xicheng district for security mission. In December the division returned to its barracks.
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