To Chen Geng and Others[1]

(October 19, 1945)

Chen Geng, and inform Liu, Deng, Nie, Xiao:

(1) Hu’s diehard 16th Army has smoothly passed through the Zhengding–Taiyuan Railway and reached Shijiazhuang. Hu has ordered this army to actively prepare to advance toward Beiping. The 32nd Division of the 3rd Army billeted in Huo County seat on the evening of the 11th and continued its northward advance the next day; it is estimated to have already reached Yuci. The 7th Division billeted at Zhaoqu south of Linfen on the 12th; subsequent movements of this division are unclear. Its army headquarters billeted at Zhaocheng on the 14th; it is estimated to have already reached Yuci. On the 16th, Hu ordered the 167th Division of the 1st Army to concentrate at Houma and await orders, showing signs of continuing its northward advance. Prior to the 16th, this division was along the Wenxi–Anyi–Yuxiang line.

(2) The Taiyue Column should covertly assemble in the area east of the Hongtong–Lingshi–Jiexiu sector, actively prepare the battlefield, and resolutely annihilate the 7th Division or the 167th Division. If these divisions do not move north, then occupy the Linfen–Jiexiu sector of the Tongpu Railway, mobilize the masses, and create a battlefield.

(3) The local regiments and militia of the military sub-districts north and south of the Zhengding–Taiyuan Railway shall continue sabotage operations against the Zhengding–Taiyuan Railway. The main force of Zhao Erlu’s unit shall immediately shift to the Beiping–Hankou Railway, concentrate forces to attack and occupy several stations and county seats in the Shijiazhuang–Baoding sector, control a section of the railway, and destroy the diehard troops one by one.

Central Military Commission

October 19

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee concerning the Beiping–Hankou Campaign, addressed to Chen Geng and to be relayed to Liu Bocheng, Deng Xiaoping, Nie Rongzhen, and Xiao Ke.