保定陸軍軍官學校
Wu Qiwei attended the Wuchang Army School in his early years, and then the Baoding Military Academy. During the Northern Expedition, he served successively as the Chief of Staff of the 36th Regiment, the 34th Regiment, the 12th Division and the 30th Regiment of the 4th Army of the National Revolutionary Army. During the Second Sino–Japanese War, he led the 4th Army to participate in the Battle of Songhu. He was then promoted to command the 9th Army in the Battle of Wanjialing.