1946年1月,國(guo)民黨政府向(xiang)東北(bei)(bei)大量增兵(bing),至3月下旬,其正規軍(jun)已進入東北(bei)(bei)6個軍(jun),加上地方保安部隊(dui),總兵(bing)力共31萬(wan)余人,1企圖在蘇(su)聯(lian)軍(jun)隊(dui)全(quan)部撤(che)離后獨占(zhan)東北(bei)(bei)。4月初,國(guo)民黨東北(bei)(bei)行營主任熊(xiong)式輝、東北(bei)(bei)保安司令(ling)長官杜聿(yu)明置3月27日國(guo)共雙方關于(yu)東北(bei)(bei)停(ting)戰(zhan)的協議于(yu)不顧,集中11個師的兵(bing)力,從(cong)沈陽地區(qu)分南(nan)北(bei)(bei)兩個方向(xiang)同時向(xiang)東北(bei)(bei)民主聯(lian)軍(jun)發(fa)起進攻,企圖首先奪占(zhan)本(ben)溪(xi)、鞍山、四平(ping)街(今四平(ping)市(shi))等戰(zhan)略(lve)要點,繼而進占(zhan)長春、哈(ha)爾濱(bin),以達占(zhan)領全(quan)東北(bei)(bei)之目(mu)的。
為阻(zu)止國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)長(chang)(chang)驅(qu)直(zhi)入(ru),配合國(guo)(guo)共(gong)兩(liang)黨談判,促進東北和(he)(he)全國(guo)(guo)和(he)(he)平民(min)主(zhu)的實(shi)現,中(zhong)共(gong)中(zhong)央決定力爭(zheng)控(kong)制(zhi)北滿地(di)區和(he)(he)長(chang)(chang)春(chun)、哈爾濱兩(liang)市及中(zhong)長(chang)(chang)鐵路滿洲(zhou)里(li)至綏芬(fen)河段,要求東北民(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)集中(zhong)主(zhu)力,堅決扼守(shou)四平街地(di)區。
據此,東北民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)總司(si)令林彪(biao)、政(zheng)治委員彭真決心(xin)以(yi),部兵力在(zai)南(nan)滿(man)保衛本溪,牽制進攻南(nan)滿(man)的國(guo)民黨軍(jun);以(yi)一部兵力收復被(bei)匪偽武裝占據的長春、哈爾濱(bin)、齊齊哈爾等地(di);集中主(zhu)力于四平街(jie)地(di)區阻(zu)止國(guo)民黨軍(jun)北進。
1946年4月4日,國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)新編第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)進(jin)(jin)(jin)占昌圖,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(欠第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)88師(shi))攻(gong)占法(fa)庫,爾后繼(ji)續向四(si)平街(jie)方(fang)向推進(jin)(jin)(jin)。東北(bei)(bei)民(min)主(zhu)_聯軍(jun)以第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi),第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(轄4個(ge)(ge)旅另3個(ge)(ge)團(tuan)(tuan))和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱隊等部(bu)在(zai)昌圖以北(bei)(bei)、四(si)平街(jie)以南地區實施(shi)運動防御,阻(zu)敵(di)進(jin)(jin)(jin)攻(gong),并力(li)求殲其一(yi)(yi)部(bu)。8日晚,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi)和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱隊、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)主(zhu)力(li)向進(jin)(jin)(jin)至(zhi)四(si)平衡(heng)西南興(xing)隆泉地區的國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)新編第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)38師(shi)發起(qi)反擊;第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7旅向進(jin)(jin)(jin)至(zhi)朝陽堡(bao)的第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)50師(shi)1個(ge)(ge)團(tuan)(tuan)發起(qi)反擊。至(zhi)9日,共(gong)殲國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)1000余(yu)人。15日黃昏(hun),當國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)87師(shi)孤軍(jun)冒(mao)進(jin)(jin)(jin)至(zhi)金(jin)山堡(bao)、秦(qin)家窩棚(peng)一(yi)(yi)帶時,東北(bei)(bei)民(min)主(zhu)聯軍(jun)集中(zhong)14個(ge)(ge)團(tuan)(tuan)的兵(bing)力(li),將其逐(zhu)步(bu)壓縮于大洼以南金(jin)山堡(bao)等10余(yu)個(ge)(ge)村(cun)落內(nei),激戰至(zhi)16日晨,殲其4000余(yu)人。在(zai)此期間,擔負(fu)阻(zu)援的第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)10旅第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)28團(tuan)(tuan)、獨立旅第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3團(tuan)(tuan)等部(bu),于金(jin)山堡(bao)以南擊潰國(guo)(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)援軍(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)91師(shi)一(yi)(yi)部(bu)。
1946年4月17日(ri)(ri)(ri),國民(min)(min)(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)新編(bian)第(di)1軍(jun)(jun)和第(di)71軍(jun)(jun)主(zhu)力(li)逼近(jin)四(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)(jie)以東(dong)、以南地(di)區,東(dong)北(bei)民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)部(bu)隊即轉入四(si)(si)平(ping)市郊(jiao)實施防(fang)御作戰(zhan)(zhan)。自18日(ri)(ri)(ri)起,新編(bian)第(di)1軍(jun)(jun)以新編(bian)第(di)30師(shi)在飛(fei)機、坦(tan)克的支援下,向四(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)(jie)南郊(jiao)海方屯、泊羅林(lin)子(zi)、鴨湖泡等地(di)發起連續進攻(gong),遭東(dong)北(bei)民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)第(di)7縱(zong)隊第(di)56團(tuan)和保(bao)(bao)安(an)第(di)1團(tuan)的頑強抗(kang)擊。21日(ri)(ri)(ri),新編(bian)第(di)38師(shi)迂回四(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)(jie)西北(bei)郊(jiao),進攻(gong)三道(dao)林(lin)子(zi)北(bei)山(shan),于22日(ri)(ri)(ri)一度(du)攻(gong).占(zhan)保(bao)(bao)安(an)第(di)1團(tuan)部(bu)分(fen)警(jing)戒陣(zhen)地(di)。東(dong)北(bei)民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)組織保(bao)(bao)安(an)第(di)1旅、第(di)7縱(zong)隊、第(di)3師(shi)和第(di)7師(shi)等部(bu)采(cai)取晝守夜襲的戰(zhan)(zhan)法(fa)頑強抗(kang)擊,對(dui)一些主(zhu)要陣(zhen)地(di)進行反復爭奪(duo)。國民(min)(min)(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)攻(gong)擊受(shou)挫,停滯(zhi)不前。東(dong)北(bei)民(min)(min)(min)主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)為保(bao)(bao)障四(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)(jie)翼側安(an)全,逐步向四(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)(jie)東(dong)西兩(liang)側延伸(shen)防(fang)線,在東(dong)起火石(shi)嶺、西到八面(mian)城百(bai)里戰(zhan)(zhan)線上部(bu)署了6個師(shi)(旅)的兵力(li)。27日(ri)(ri)(ri)后戰(zhan)(zhan)局呈對(dui)峙狀(zhuang)態。
1946年4月(yue)(yue)底(di),國(guo)民(min)(min)黨(dang)政(zheng)府主席蔣介石拒絕關于東(dong)北(bei)停戰(zhan)的(de)談判,令東(dong)北(bei)國(guo)民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)迅速(su)攻(gong)(gong)占(zhan)四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)繼(ji)續向(xiang)(xiang)北(bei)推(tui)進(jin)(jin),并(bing)將第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)52軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)195師(shi)、新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)和(he)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)88師(shi)由(you)南(nan)(nan)滿北(bei)調(diao)增援四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)。至(zhi)此‘,國(guo)民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)進(jin)(jin)攻(gong)(gong)四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)的(de)兵力已(yi)增加(jia)到(dao)(dao)10個(ge)師(shi)。東(dong)北(bei)民(min)(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)總部為抗(kang)擊國(guo)民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)新的(de)進(jin)(jin)攻(gong)(gong),于5月(yue)(yue)上旬(xun)令第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3縱隊主力和(he)保安第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3旅由(you)南(nan)(nan)滿北(bei)上,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)359旅由(you)哈爾(er)濱(bin)南(nan)(nan)下,使參加(jia)保衛四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)作戰(zhan)的(de)兵力增加(jia)到(dao)(dao)14個(ge)師(shi)(旅)。國(guo)民(min)(min)黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)調(diao)整部署后,于5月(yue)(yue)15日分3路(lu)向(xiang)(xiang)四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)發起全面進(jin)(jin)攻(gong)(gong)。左(zuo)路(lu)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)2個(ge)師(shi)沿八面城以(yi)北(bei)推(tui)進(jin)(jin),從(cong)西(xi)面迂(yu)回四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie);中路(lu)新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)3個(ge)師(shi)由(you)南(nan)(nan)向(xiang)(xiang)北(bei)對四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)實施(shi)正(zheng)面攻(gong)(gong)擊;右路(lu)新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)等(deng)4個(ge)師(shi)沿開原(yuan)至(zhi)西(xi)豐、開原(yuan)至(zhi)葉赫站兩(liang)條(tiao)公(gong)路(lu)并(bing)肩推(tui)進(jin)(jin),從(cong)東(dong)面迂(yu)回四(si)(si)(si)平街(jie)(jie)。
第(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)主力進(jin)至(zhi)四平街西北歡子(zi)(zi)洞、海清窩棚一線受阻,其第(di)(di)(di)91師(shi)(shi)(shi)以整營、整團兵力進(jin)行集團沖鋒10余次,均遭東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)1師(shi)(shi)(shi)第(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)2目(mu)的(de)(de)頑強(qiang)抗擊,停滯不前,新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)左翼(yi)第(di)(di)(di)38師(shi)(shi)(shi)在三道林子(zi)(zi)地區遭東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)7旅第(di)(di)(di)20團的(de)(de)阻擊,右(you)翼(yi)第(di)(di)(di)50師(shi)(shi)(shi)經兩天激戰于(yu)17日攻占第(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊(dui)第(di)(di)(di)19旅扼守(shou)的(de)(de)331.5高地;新編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)在飛機、坦(tan)克支援(yuan)下,于(yu)16日攻占葉赫站,17日攻占火石嶺子(zi)(zi)、平崗等地,并(bing)向(xiang)(xiang)四平街東(dong)(dong)北赫爾蘇急進(jin)。擔任總預備隊(dui)的(de)(de)國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)195師(shi)(shi)(shi)投入戰斗(dou)后,于(yu)18日也攻占哈福(fu)電。至(zhi)此(ci),國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)對東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)扼守(shou)四平街的(de)(de)咽喉陣地塔子(zi)(zi)山構成三面包圍之勢。東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)遂令第(di)(di)(di)10旅緊急向(xiang)(xiang)塔子(zi)(zi)山增援(yuan)。
18日(ri)(ri)上午(wu),新(xin)編第6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)和新(xin)編第1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)開始圍攻(gong)塔子(zi)山(shan)。東北民主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第7旅第19團雖竭(jie)力抗擊,終因寡(gua)不敵(di)眾、傷亡(wang)過多(duo),于下午(wu)奉(feng)命(ming)撤(che)離陣地。新(xin)編第6軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)占領塔子(zi)山(shan)后,繼續迂(yu)回四平東北,企圖封閉東北民主聯退(tui)路。東北民主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)總部鑒(jian)于戰(zhan)場形勢不利,人員傷亡(wang)較多(duo),為(wei)擺脫被動,保存實力,即令各部隊于18日(ri)(ri)夜(ye)撤(che)出戰(zhan)斗(dou)。19日(ri)(ri)國民黨(dang)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)進(jin)占四平街。
東北(bei)民主(zhu)聯軍(jun)作戰月(yue)余,傷亡8000余人(ren),殲敵6868人(ren)(據(ju)國軍(jun)四平長(chang)吉會戰戰斗詳報:“此戰含追(zhui)擊作戰陣亡官兵(bing)1363人(ren),負傷2496人(ren),失蹤(zong)606人(ren)。”),遲滯了國民黨軍(jun)的北(bei)進行動(dong),對鞏(gong)固北(bei)滿根據(ju)地起了重要(yao)作用。