Prepare Forces to Develop Toward the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Region[1]

(November 2, 1944)

Rao, Zhang, Lai:

The U.S. forces may land in Hangzhou Bay,[2] yet our work in that area is still very weak. In order to coordinate with the U.S. landing and prepare for the seizure of large cities such as Hangzhou, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nanjing, in addition to Su Yu[3] leading two regiments southward, please consider the following steps:

(1) Establish the Jiangsu-Zhejiang Military Region, with Su Yu as commander and Tan Zhenlin[4] as political commissar, exercising unified command over southern Jiangsu and all of Zhejiang. When necessary in the future, set up a central sub-bureau to lead it.

(2) In addition to immediately dispatching two regiments, prepare to transfer five to six more regiments southward from the First, Third, Second, and Fourth Divisions.

(3) Transfer a large number of cadres from the military headquarters and various localities, give them two to three weeks of training, and send them in succession to Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

(4) Make concrete arrangements for work in the major cities.

(5) Make concrete arrangements for the various districts of Jiangsu and Zhejiang (the East Zhejiang District, the East Shanghai District, the Hangzhou-Jiaxing Districts, the West Zhejiang District, the South Zhejiang

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Liu Shaoqi to Rao Shushi, acting political commissar and director of the Political Department of the New Fourth Army; Zhang Yunyi, deputy army commander; and Lai Chuanzhu, chief of staff.

[2] In the summer of 1944, in order to resist the Japanese forces, the U.S. military prepared to land near Hangzhou Bay in China and requested coordination by the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. However, this U.S. plan was not realized before Japan's surrender.

[3] Su Yu, then commander and concurrently political commissar of the First Division of the New Fourth Army.

[4] Tan Zhenlin, then political commissar of the Second Division of the New Fourth Army.

District, and the various districts of southern Jiangsu).

Regarding the above items, which are feasible and which are not, which are urgent and which can be delayed, please provide your opinions.

Mao Liu

Wudong