196th Division (People's Republic of China)
| 196th Division (1949–52) 196th Infantry Division (1952–60) 196th Army Division (1960–85) 196th Infantry Division (1985–98) 196th Motorized Infantry Brigade (1998-) |
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|---|---|
| Active | 1949.2 - Present |
| Country | People's Republic of China |
| Branch | People's Liberation Army, People's Volunteer Army |
| Type | Brigade |
| Role | Motorized Infantry |
| Part of | 65th Army |
| Garrison/HQ | Yangcun, Tianjin |
| Engagements | Chinese Civil War, Korean War, Sino-Vietnamese War |
The 196th Motorized Infantry Brigade is a military formation of the People's Liberation Army of the People's Republic of China. It is one of the "showcase" units of the PLA ground force.
The 196th Division (Chinese: 第196师) was created in February 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 1st brigade, 1st Column of the Huabei Military Region. Its history can be traced to the 1st Independent Brigade of Jinchaji Military Region, formed in August 1946.
The division was a part of 66th Corps. Under the flag of 196th division it took part in several major battles during the Chinese Civil War.
In October 1950 the division entered Korea along with the Corps and became a part of the People's Volunteer Army (Chinese People's Volunteers (CPV) or Chinese Communist Forces (CCF)) during the Korean War with a standard strength of approximately 10,000 men. The division was then consisting of the 586th, 587th, and 588th Regiments.
In March 1951 the division pulled out from Korea and stationed in Yangcun, Tianjin. The division was the first unit converted to Regular Force in March 1951, the first unit converted to Soviet Equipment Unit in June 1952, and the first unit converted to Chinese equipment in PLA ground force.
In 1952 the division renamed as 196th Infantry Division (Chinese: 步兵第196师).
576th Artillery Regiment was activated in March 1951 and attached to the division. 4th Independent Tank Regiment of Armored Troops was attached to the division and renamed as Tank Regiment, 196th Division. In July 1953 the regiment was renamed as 401st Tank Self-Propelled Artillery Regiment.
From 1956 the division became a Showcase unit and was opened to foreign media. The division was then composed of:
In 1960 the division renamed as 196th Army Division (Chinese: 陆军第196师).
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