1946年1月(yue),國民(min)黨(dang)政府向東北(bei)大量增兵,至3月(yue)下旬,其(qi)正規軍已(yi)進入東北(bei)6個軍,加上地方(fang)保安部(bu)隊(dui),總兵力共31萬(wan)余(yu)人,1企圖(tu)在蘇(su)聯(lian)軍隊(dui)全(quan)部(bu)撤離后獨占(zhan)東北(bei)。4月(yue)初,國民(min)黨(dang)東北(bei)行營主(zhu)任熊式(shi)輝(hui)、東北(bei)保安司令長官杜聿明(ming)置3月(yue)27日國共雙(shuang)方(fang)關于(yu)東北(bei)停戰的協議(yi)于(yu)不顧(gu),集(ji)中11個師的兵力,從(cong)沈陽地區分南北(bei)兩(liang)個方(fang)向同時向東北(bei)民(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍發起(qi)進攻,企圖(tu)首先奪占(zhan)本溪、鞍(an)山、四平街(今四平市)等戰略要點,繼(ji)而進占(zhan)長春、哈(ha)爾濱,以達(da)占(zhan)領(ling)全(quan)東北(bei)之目的。
為阻止(zhi)國民黨軍長(chang)驅直(zhi)入,配合國共(gong)兩(liang)黨談判(pan),促進東(dong)(dong)北和(he)全國和(he)平民主的實現,中(zhong)共(gong)中(zhong)央(yang)決定力爭控制北滿(man)地區和(he)長(chang)春、哈爾濱(bin)兩(liang)市及中(zhong)長(chang)鐵(tie)路滿(man)洲里至綏芬(fen)河段,要求(qiu)東(dong)(dong)北民主聯軍集中(zhong)主力,堅決扼守四平街地區。
據(ju)此(ci),東(dong)北民主(zhu)(zhu)聯(lian)軍總司(si)令(ling)林(lin)彪、政治委員彭(peng)真(zhen)決心以,部(bu)兵(bing)力在南滿保衛本(ben)溪,牽(qian)制進攻(gong)南滿的(de)國民黨軍;以一部(bu)兵(bing)力收復(fu)被匪偽武裝(zhuang)占據(ju)的(de)長春、哈爾(er)濱、齊(qi)齊(qi)哈爾(er)等地(di);集中主(zhu)(zhu)力于四平街地(di)區阻止國民黨軍北進。
1946年4月4日(ri),國民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)新(xin)編第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)進占昌圖,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(欠第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)88師(shi)(shi)(shi))攻占法庫,爾后繼續向(xiang)(xiang)四平街(jie)方(fang)向(xiang)(xiang)推進。東北(bei)民(min)(min)主(zhu)_聯(lian)軍(jun)以(yi)(yi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi)(shi)(shi),第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)(轄4個旅另3個團)和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊等部在(zai)昌圖以(yi)(yi)北(bei)、四平街(jie)以(yi)(yi)南地(di)區實施(shi)運動(dong)防御,阻(zu)敵進攻,并力求殲(jian)(jian)其(qi)一部。8日(ri)晚,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi)(shi)(shi)和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)主(zhu)力向(xiang)(xiang)進至(zhi)(zhi)四平衡西(xi)南興隆泉地(di)區的國民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)新(xin)編第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)38師(shi)(shi)(shi)發(fa)(fa)起反(fan)擊(ji);第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7旅向(xiang)(xiang)進至(zhi)(zhi)朝陽(yang)堡(bao)的第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)50師(shi)(shi)(shi)1個團發(fa)(fa)起反(fan)擊(ji)。至(zhi)(zhi)9日(ri),共(gong)殲(jian)(jian)國民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)1000余人。15日(ri)黃(huang)昏,當國民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)87師(shi)(shi)(shi)孤軍(jun)冒進至(zhi)(zhi)金山堡(bao)、秦家窩棚一帶時(shi),東北(bei)民(min)(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)集中(zhong)14個團的兵力,將其(qi)逐步壓縮于(yu)大洼以(yi)(yi)南金山堡(bao)等10余個村落內,激戰至(zhi)(zhi)16日(ri)晨,殲(jian)(jian)其(qi)4000余人。在(zai)此(ci)期間,擔負阻(zu)援的第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)10旅第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)28團、獨立旅第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3團等部,于(yu)金山堡(bao)以(yi)(yi)南擊(ji)潰(kui)國民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)援軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)91師(shi)(shi)(shi)一部。
1946年4月17日,國(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)和第(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)主(zhu)力逼(bi)近四(si)平街(jie)以東、以南地(di)區,東北(bei)民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)部(bu)(bu)隊(dui)即轉(zhuan)入(ru)四(si)平市郊(jiao)實施防御作(zuo)戰。自18日起(qi),新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)以新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)30師在飛機、坦克(ke)的(de)(de)支援下,向(xiang)四(si)平街(jie)南郊(jiao)海(hai)方屯、泊(bo)羅林子、鴨湖(hu)泡等地(di)發起(qi)連續(xu)進(jin)(jin)攻,遭(zao)東北(bei)民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊(dui)第(di)(di)(di)56團(tuan)和保安第(di)(di)(di)1團(tuan)的(de)(de)頑強抗擊。21日,新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)38師迂回四(si)平街(jie)西(xi)北(bei)郊(jiao),進(jin)(jin)攻三道林子北(bei)山,于22日一(yi)度(du)攻.占(zhan)保安第(di)(di)(di)1團(tuan)部(bu)(bu)分警戒陣(zhen)(zhen)地(di)。東北(bei)民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)組織(zhi)保安第(di)(di)(di)1旅、第(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊(dui)、第(di)(di)(di)3師和第(di)(di)(di)7師等部(bu)(bu)采取晝守夜襲的(de)(de)戰法頑強抗擊,對一(yi)些(xie)主(zhu)要陣(zhen)(zhen)地(di)進(jin)(jin)行反復(fu)爭(zheng)奪。國(guo)(guo)民黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)攻擊受挫,停滯不前。東北(bei)民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)為(wei)保障(zhang)四(si)平街(jie)翼側安全,逐步(bu)向(xiang)四(si)平街(jie)東西(xi)兩側延(yan)伸防線,在東起(qi)火石嶺、西(xi)到八(ba)面城百里戰線上部(bu)(bu)署了(le)6個師(旅)的(de)(de)兵力。27日后戰局呈對峙狀態。
1946年(nian)4月底,國民(min)黨(dang)政府主(zhu)席蔣介石拒絕關于(yu)東北(bei)(bei)(bei)停戰的談判(pan),令(ling)東北(bei)(bei)(bei)國民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)迅速攻占四平(ping)街(jie)繼續向北(bei)(bei)(bei)推進(jin),并將第(di)52軍(jun)(jun)第(di)195師、新編第(di)6軍(jun)(jun)和第(di)71軍(jun)(jun)第(di)88師由(you)南(nan)滿(man)北(bei)(bei)(bei)調(diao)增援(yuan)四平(ping)街(jie)。至(zhi)(zhi)此‘,國民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)進(jin)攻四平(ping)街(jie)的兵力已增加(jia)到10個(ge)師。東北(bei)(bei)(bei)民(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)(jun)總(zong)部(bu)為抗擊國民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)新的進(jin)攻,于(yu)5月上(shang)旬(xun)令(ling)第(di)3縱隊主(zhu)力和保(bao)(bao)安第(di)3旅由(you)南(nan)滿(man)北(bei)(bei)(bei)上(shang),第(di)359旅由(you)哈爾(er)濱南(nan)下,使(shi)參加(jia)保(bao)(bao)衛四平(ping)街(jie)作(zuo)戰的兵力增加(jia)到14個(ge)師(旅)。國民(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)調(diao)整部(bu)署后(hou),于(yu)5月15日(ri)分3路(lu)(lu)向四平(ping)街(jie)發起全(quan)面(mian)(mian)進(jin)攻。左路(lu)(lu)第(di)71軍(jun)(jun)2個(ge)師沿(yan)八面(mian)(mian)城以北(bei)(bei)(bei)推進(jin),從西(xi)(xi)面(mian)(mian)迂回四平(ping)街(jie);中(zhong)路(lu)(lu)新編第(di)1軍(jun)(jun)3個(ge)師由(you)南(nan)向北(bei)(bei)(bei)對四平(ping)街(jie)實施正面(mian)(mian)攻擊;右路(lu)(lu)新編第(di)6軍(jun)(jun)等4個(ge)師沿(yan)開原至(zhi)(zhi)西(xi)(xi)豐(feng)、開原至(zhi)(zhi)葉(xie)赫站兩條公路(lu)(lu)并肩推進(jin),從東面(mian)(mian)迂回四平(ping)街(jie)。
第(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)主(zhu)力(li)進(jin)(jin)至四平(ping)街西北歡子(zi)(zi)(zi)洞(dong)、海清窩棚(peng)一線受(shou)阻,其(qi)第(di)(di)(di)91師以整營(ying)、整團兵力(li)進(jin)(jin)行(xing)集團沖鋒(feng)10余次,均(jun)遭東(dong)(dong)北民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)1師第(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)2目(mu)的(de)頑強抗擊(ji),停滯(zhi)不前(qian),新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)左(zuo)翼第(di)(di)(di)38師在三道(dao)林子(zi)(zi)(zi)地(di)區(qu)遭東(dong)(dong)北民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)7旅(lv)第(di)(di)(di)20團的(de)阻擊(ji),右翼第(di)(di)(di)50師經(jing)兩天(tian)激戰于(yu)17日(ri)攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)第(di)(di)(di)7縱隊(dui)第(di)(di)(di)19旅(lv)扼守的(de)331.5高地(di);新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)6軍(jun)在飛機、坦克支援下,于(yu)16日(ri)攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)葉赫(he)站,17日(ri)攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)火石嶺子(zi)(zi)(zi)、平(ping)崗等(deng)地(di),并向四平(ping)街東(dong)(dong)北赫(he)爾蘇急(ji)進(jin)(jin)。擔任總預備隊(dui)的(de)國(guo)民(min)(min)(min)黨軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)195師投入(ru)戰斗后,于(yu)18日(ri)也攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)(zhan)(zhan)哈(ha)福電。至此,國(guo)民(min)(min)(min)黨軍(jun)對東(dong)(dong)北民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)扼守四平(ping)街的(de)咽喉陣地(di)塔子(zi)(zi)(zi)山構(gou)成(cheng)三面包圍(wei)之(zhi)勢。東(dong)(dong)北民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)遂令第(di)(di)(di)10旅(lv)緊(jin)急(ji)向塔子(zi)(zi)(zi)山增援。
18日(ri)上午,新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)6軍(jun)和新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)1軍(jun)開始圍攻塔(ta)子山(shan)。東北(bei)(bei)民(min)(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)第(di)(di)7旅第(di)(di)19團雖(sui)竭(jie)力抗擊,終因(yin)寡(gua)不敵眾、傷(shang)亡過多,于下午奉命撤離陣地。新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)6軍(jun)占(zhan)(zhan)領塔(ta)子山(shan)后,繼續(xu)迂回(hui)四平東北(bei)(bei),企圖封閉東北(bei)(bei)民(min)(min)主聯(lian)退路(lu)。東北(bei)(bei)民(min)(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)總部鑒于戰(zhan)場形勢不利,人員傷(shang)亡較多,為擺脫被動,保存實力,即(ji)令各部隊于18日(ri)夜撤出戰(zhan)斗。19日(ri)國民(min)(min)黨軍(jun)進(jin)占(zhan)(zhan)四平街。
東北(bei)民主聯軍作(zuo)戰(zhan)月余,傷亡8000余人(ren)(ren),殲敵6868人(ren)(ren)(據國(guo)軍四(si)平長吉會(hui)戰(zhan)戰(zhan)斗詳報:“此戰(zhan)含追擊(ji)作(zuo)戰(zhan)陣亡官兵1363人(ren)(ren),負傷2496人(ren)(ren),失蹤606人(ren)(ren)。”),遲滯了國(guo)民黨軍的北(bei)進行動(dong),對(dui)鞏固北(bei)滿(man)根據地(di)起了重(zhong)要作(zuo)用。