Lin Biao Biography

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

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

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

Lin Biao withdraws Communist forces from Siping after heavy fighting

Appointed Minister of Defence

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

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

Appointed Vice Chairman of the Communist Party

Lin Biao supports the Sixteen Points decision that legitimises mass rebellion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lin Biao flees after alleged coup plotting against Mao

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

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

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