1946年1月(yue),國民(min)黨政(zheng)府向東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)大量增兵(bing),至3月(yue)下旬,其(qi)正規軍(jun)(jun)已(yi)進(jin)入東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)6個軍(jun)(jun),加上(shang)地方(fang)(fang)保安部(bu)隊,總兵(bing)力共31萬余(yu)人,1企圖(tu)在蘇(su)聯軍(jun)(jun)隊全部(bu)撤(che)離后獨占(zhan)東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)。4月(yue)初,國民(min)黨東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)行營(ying)主任熊式輝、東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)保安司(si)令長官杜聿明置3月(yue)27日國共雙方(fang)(fang)關于(yu)東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)停戰的(de)協議(yi)于(yu)不顧,集中11個師的(de)兵(bing)力,從(cong)沈陽地區(qu)分南北(bei)兩(liang)個方(fang)(fang)向同時向東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)民(min)主聯軍(jun)(jun)發(fa)起(qi)進(jin)攻,企圖(tu)首(shou)先(xian)奪占(zhan)本溪、鞍山(shan)、四平街(今四平市)等戰略要點,繼(ji)而進(jin)占(zhan)長春(chun)、哈(ha)爾濱(bin),以(yi)達占(zhan)領全東(dong)(dong)(dong)北(bei)之目的(de)。
為阻止國民黨軍(jun)長(chang)(chang)驅(qu)直入,配合國共兩(liang)黨談判,促進東北(bei)(bei)和(he)全國和(he)平民主(zhu)的實(shi)現,中共中央決定力(li)爭控(kong)制(zhi)北(bei)(bei)滿地區和(he)長(chang)(chang)春(chun)、哈爾濱兩(liang)市及中長(chang)(chang)鐵(tie)路滿洲(zhou)里至綏芬河(he)段,要(yao)求東北(bei)(bei)民主(zhu)聯(lian)軍(jun)集中主(zhu)力(li),堅決扼守四平街地區。
據此(ci),東(dong)北民(min)主聯軍總(zong)司令林彪、政治委員彭(peng)真決心(xin)以,部兵力(li)(li)在南滿(man)保衛本(ben)溪,牽制進(jin)攻南滿(man)的(de)國民(min)黨(dang)軍;以一(yi)部兵力(li)(li)收復被匪偽武裝占據的(de)長春、哈爾(er)濱、齊(qi)(qi)齊(qi)(qi)哈爾(er)等地(di);集中主力(li)(li)于(yu)四平街地(di)區阻(zu)止國民(min)黨(dang)軍北進(jin)。
1946年4月4日(ri)(ri),國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)進占昌圖,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(欠第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)88師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi))攻占法庫,爾后(hou)繼續(xu)向四平街方向推(tui)進。東北民(min)主_聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi),第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)(轄(xia)4個旅(lv)另3個團(tuan))和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊等(deng)部(bu)在昌圖以(yi)北、四平街以(yi)南地(di)(di)區實(shi)施運(yun)動防御,阻(zu)敵進攻,并(bing)力(li)求殲其一(yi)部(bu)。8日(ri)(ri)晚,第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)1、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)2師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)和第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7縱(zong)隊、第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)主力(li)向進至四平衡西南興隆(long)泉(quan)地(di)(di)區的(de)國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)38師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)發起反(fan)擊;第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)7旅(lv)向進至朝陽堡(bao)的(de)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)50師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)1個團(tuan)發起反(fan)擊。至9日(ri)(ri),共(gong)殲國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)1000余(yu)人。15日(ri)(ri)黃昏,當國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)87師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)孤軍(jun)(jun)(jun)冒進至金(jin)山(shan)堡(bao)、秦家(jia)窩棚(peng)一(yi)帶時,東北民(min)主聯(lian)軍(jun)(jun)(jun)集(ji)中14個團(tuan)的(de)兵力(li),將其逐步壓縮于(yu)大洼(wa)以(yi)南金(jin)山(shan)堡(bao)等(deng)10余(yu)個村(cun)落內,激(ji)戰至16日(ri)(ri)晨,殲其4000余(yu)人。在此期間,擔負(fu)阻(zu)援的(de)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)10旅(lv)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)28團(tuan)、獨立旅(lv)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)3團(tuan)等(deng)部(bu),于(yu)金(jin)山(shan)堡(bao)以(yi)南擊潰國(guo)民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)援軍(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)(di)91師(shi)(shi)(shi)(shi)一(yi)部(bu)。
1946年4月17日,國民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)和(he)第(di)(di)(di)71軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)主力逼近(jin)四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)以(yi)東(dong)(dong)、以(yi)南地區(qu),東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)部隊即轉入(ru)四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)市郊實(shi)施防御作(zuo)戰(zhan)。自18日起,新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)1軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)以(yi)新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)30師(shi)在飛機、坦克的(de)(de)支援下,向四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)南郊海(hai)方屯(tun)、泊羅(luo)林子(zi)、鴨湖(hu)泡(pao)等地發起連(lian)續進(jin)攻(gong),遭東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)第(di)(di)(di)7縱隊第(di)(di)(di)56團和(he)保(bao)(bao)安(an)(an)第(di)(di)(di)1團的(de)(de)頑強抗擊。21日,新(xin)編(bian)第(di)(di)(di)38師(shi)迂回(hui)四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)西(xi)北郊,進(jin)攻(gong)三道林子(zi)北山,于22日一度攻(gong).占保(bao)(bao)安(an)(an)第(di)(di)(di)1團部分警戒陣地。東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)組織保(bao)(bao)安(an)(an)第(di)(di)(di)1旅、第(di)(di)(di)7縱隊、第(di)(di)(di)3師(shi)和(he)第(di)(di)(di)7師(shi)等部采取晝守夜(ye)襲的(de)(de)戰(zhan)法頑強抗擊,對(dui)一些主要陣地進(jin)行(xing)反(fan)復爭奪(duo)。國民(min)黨軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)攻(gong)擊受(shou)挫(cuo),停滯不(bu)前(qian)。東(dong)(dong)北民(min)主聯軍(jun)(jun)(jun)(jun)為(wei)保(bao)(bao)障四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)翼側(ce)安(an)(an)全(quan),逐步向四(si)(si)(si)平(ping)街(jie)東(dong)(dong)西(xi)兩(liang)側(ce)延伸防線,在東(dong)(dong)起火石嶺(ling)、西(xi)到(dao)八面(mian)城百里戰(zhan)線上部署了6個師(shi)(旅)的(de)(de)兵(bing)力。27日后(hou)戰(zhan)局呈(cheng)對(dui)峙狀態。
1946年4月(yue)底,國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨政府主(zhu)席蔣介石拒絕(jue)關于(yu)(yu)東(dong)北(bei)(bei)停戰的談判,令東(dong)北(bei)(bei)國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨軍迅速(su)攻(gong)(gong)占四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)繼續向(xiang)北(bei)(bei)推(tui)進,并將第(di)(di)52軍第(di)(di)195師(shi)、新編(bian)第(di)(di)6軍和第(di)(di)71軍第(di)(di)88師(shi)由(you)南滿北(bei)(bei)調增(zeng)援四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)。至(zhi)(zhi)此(ci)‘,國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨軍進攻(gong)(gong)四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)的兵力(li)已(yi)增(zeng)加到10個(ge)師(shi)。東(dong)北(bei)(bei)民主(zhu)聯軍總部為抗擊(ji)國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨軍新的進攻(gong)(gong),于(yu)(yu)5月(yue)上旬令第(di)(di)3縱隊主(zhu)力(li)和保安(an)第(di)(di)3旅(lv)(lv)由(you)南滿北(bei)(bei)上,第(di)(di)359旅(lv)(lv)由(you)哈爾(er)濱南下,使參加保衛四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)作戰的兵力(li)增(zeng)加到14個(ge)師(shi)(旅(lv)(lv))。國(guo)(guo)(guo)民黨軍調整(zheng)部署后,于(yu)(yu)5月(yue)15日分3路(lu)向(xiang)四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)發起全面進攻(gong)(gong)。左路(lu)第(di)(di)71軍2個(ge)師(shi)沿(yan)八面城以北(bei)(bei)推(tui)進,從西面迂(yu)回四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie);中(zhong)路(lu)新編(bian)第(di)(di)1軍3個(ge)師(shi)由(you)南向(xiang)北(bei)(bei)對四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)實施正(zheng)面攻(gong)(gong)擊(ji);右路(lu)新編(bian)第(di)(di)6軍等4個(ge)師(shi)沿(yan)開原至(zhi)(zhi)西豐、開原至(zhi)(zhi)葉赫站兩條公路(lu)并肩推(tui)進,從東(dong)面迂(yu)回四平(ping)(ping)街(jie)(jie)。
第(di)71軍主(zhu)(zhu)力進(jin)至四(si)平街(jie)西北(bei)歡(huan)子(zi)洞、海清(qing)窩棚一線受阻,其第(di)91師(shi)以(yi)整營、整團兵力進(jin)行集團沖鋒(feng)10余次,均遭東北(bei)民(min)主(zhu)(zhu)聯軍第(di)1師(shi)第(di)1、第(di)2目的(de)頑強抗擊(ji),停(ting)滯不前,新(xin)編第(di)1軍左翼第(di)38師(shi)在三道林子(zi)地(di)區遭東北(bei)民(min)主(zhu)(zhu)聯軍第(di)7旅(lv)第(di)20團的(de)阻擊(ji),右翼第(di)50師(shi)經兩(liang)天激戰(zhan)(zhan)于17日(ri)攻占(zhan)第(di)7縱隊(dui)(dui)第(di)19旅(lv)扼守的(de)331.5高地(di);新(xin)編第(di)6軍在飛機、坦克支援(yuan)下,于16日(ri)攻占(zhan)葉(xie)赫站,17日(ri)攻占(zhan)火石嶺子(zi)、平崗(gang)等地(di),并向四(si)平街(jie)東北(bei)赫爾蘇(su)急(ji)(ji)進(jin)。擔(dan)任總預備隊(dui)(dui)的(de)國民(min)黨軍第(di)195師(shi)投入戰(zhan)(zhan)斗后,于18日(ri)也攻占(zhan)哈福電(dian)。至此(ci),國民(min)黨軍對東北(bei)民(min)主(zhu)(zhu)聯軍扼守四(si)平街(jie)的(de)咽喉陣(zhen)地(di)塔子(zi)山構成(cheng)三面(mian)包圍(wei)之(zhi)勢。東北(bei)民(min)主(zhu)(zhu)聯軍遂令第(di)10旅(lv)緊急(ji)(ji)向塔子(zi)山增援(yuan)。
18日上午,新(xin)編(bian)第6軍(jun)和新(xin)編(bian)第1軍(jun)開始(shi)圍攻塔子山(shan)。東(dong)(dong)北(bei)(bei)民主聯軍(jun)第7旅第19團(tuan)雖竭力抗擊,終因(yin)寡不敵眾、傷(shang)亡(wang)過多(duo),于下午奉命撤離陣地。新(xin)編(bian)第6軍(jun)占領塔子山(shan)后(hou),繼續(xu)迂回(hui)四平東(dong)(dong)北(bei)(bei),企(qi)圖封閉(bi)東(dong)(dong)北(bei)(bei)民主聯退路。東(dong)(dong)北(bei)(bei)民主聯軍(jun)總(zong)部鑒于戰場(chang)形勢不利,人(ren)員傷(shang)亡(wang)較多(duo),為擺脫(tuo)被動,保(bao)存(cun)實力,即令各(ge)部隊于18日夜撤出戰斗。19日國民黨軍(jun)進占四平街。
東北(bei)民主聯(lian)軍作戰(zhan)月(yue)余,傷亡(wang)(wang)8000余人(ren),殲敵6868人(ren)(據(ju)國軍四平長吉會戰(zhan)戰(zhan)斗詳報:“此戰(zhan)含追擊作戰(zhan)陣亡(wang)(wang)官兵(bing)1363人(ren),負傷2496人(ren),失蹤(zong)606人(ren)。”),遲滯了(le)國民黨(dang)軍的北(bei)進行(xing)動,對鞏固北(bei)滿根(gen)據(ju)地起了(le)重(zhong)要作用(yong)。