Lin Biao Biography and Timeline

Manchuria Campaign

Lin Biao organises Communist forces in Manchuria after Japanese defeat and Soviet withdrawal

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1945-1949

Second Battle of Siping

Lin Biao defends Siping against Nationalist attacks in a major Manchurian battle

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1945-1949

Capture of Harbin

Communist forces consolidate control of Harbin after the Soviet withdrawal from Manchuria

Role range: 1945-1949

Communist Withdrawal from Siping

Lin Biao withdraws Communist forces from Siping after heavy fighting

Role range: 1926-1949 – 1945-1949

Secretary of State for Defence

Appointed Minister of Defence

Role range: 1959-1971

Declaration of War

Says the Vietnamese will defeat the US. Advocates a "peoples war" for rural areas to take over the cities

Role range: 1960-1975

Sixteen Points

Lin Biao supports the Sixteen Points decision that legitimises mass rebellion

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Red Guard Rally

Lin Biao appears with Mao at the first great Red Guard rally in Tiananmen Square

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Destroy Four Olds

Lin Biao praises Mao's line and attacks old culture, customs and habits

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Little Red Book

Lin Biao promotes Quotations from Chairman Mao as a central symbol of loyalty

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Mao Cult

Lin Biao helps elevate Mao's quotations and personality cult during the early Cultural Revolution

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Vice Chairman

Appointed Vice Chairman of the Communist Party

Role range: 1960-1975

PLA Role

Lin Biao's army gains authority as factional struggles paralyse civilian administration

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Invasion of China

Issues Directive no One for preparations against an attack by the Soviet Union

Role range: 1959-1971

Ninth Party Congress

Lin Biao is confirmed as Mao's successor at the Ninth Party Congress

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Constitution of China

In the Politburo introduces a motion to retain the office of President

Battle of Chenbao Island

The West denounces China as the greater danger to peace. A skirmish between Russia & China in the Ussuri River

Role range: 1959-1971

Lushan Conference

Lin Biao's faction clashes with Mao's allies over state chairmanship and succession issues

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Exile of Lin Biao

Crosses the Chines border on his way to Russia to set up an opposition to Mao

Role range: 1960-1975

Lin Biao Incident

Lin Biao flees after alleged coup plotting against Mao

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971

Coup

After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile

Role range: 1960-1975

Death of Lin Biao

Dies on board a plane in Outer Mongolia as it skids on uneven ground. After trying to overthrow Maos Government, Lin Biao dies in an airplane crash in Mongolia on his way to exile

Role range: 1960-1975

Death of Lin Biao

Lin Biao dies in a plane crash in Mongolia during his attempted flight from China

Role range: 1966-1976 – 1958-1971