53rd Division (1st Formation)(People's Republic of China)

53rd Division (1949–53) 53rd Infantry Division (1953–57)
Active	1949.2 - 1957.4
Country	People's Republic of China
Branch	People's Liberation Army
Type	Division
Role	Infantry
Part of	18th Corps
Engagements	Chinese Civil War, Liberation of Tibet

The 53rd Division(Chinese: 第53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,^[1] basing on the Independent Brigade of Yuwansu Military District, formed in December 1946.

The division was a part of 18th Corps. Under the flag of 53rd division it took part in the Chinese civil war. In 1950 the division entered Tibet with the Corps and took part in the Battle of Chamdo.^[2]

As of 1950 the division was composed of:

• 157th Regiment;
• 158th Regiment;
• 159th Regiment.

Since then the division was station in Tibet.

In Early 1950's 308th Artillery Regiment was activated and attached to the division.

On February 13 1952 its 158th Regiment was detached and was absorbed by 156th Regiment, 52nd Division. On May 11 156th Regiment returned to the division following 52nd Division's disbandment.

In 1953 the division was renamed as 53rd Infantry Division(Chinese: 步兵第53师).

On April 17th, 1957 the division was disbanded. As of disbandment the division was composed of:

• 156th Regiment;
• 157th Regiment;
• 159th Regiment;
• 308th Artillery Regiment.

References

• 中国人民解放军各步兵师沿革，http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_a3f74a990101cp1q.html

1. 《中央军委关于统一全军组织及部队番号的规定》, http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_7254c7350100xb56.html
2. 大陆的最后一战：和平解放西藏前的昌都战役, http://history.huanqiu.com/china/2015-08/7194539_3.html