Originally, it was the 156th Division (Chinese: 第156师), which was created in November 1948 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948,[1] basing on the 6th Independent Division, PLA Northeastern Field Army.
The 156th Division was a Korean-Chinese unit, composing of both Chinese and Korean soldiers and formed part of 43rd Corps.
The unit was initially equipped with vehicles transferred to North Korea from the Soviet Union shortly after April 1950.
In April 1950, the People's Republic of China returned 12,000 more veterans of the PVA to Korea where they formed the 7th Division (redesignated the 12th about July 2, 1950).
During this fight it suffered such heavy losses it merged with the NK 766th Infantry Regiment to regain its strength.