On the Issue of Operations After the Ping-Han Campaign[1]

Telegram to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping

(November 11, 1945)

Liu and Deng:

Chiang Kai-shek has summoned the commanders, deputy commanders, and commanders-in-chief of the various war zones to fly to Chongqing for a meeting on the 8th. The content is reportedly that suppressing the Communists is the top priority. Therefore, the anti-Communist war is becoming even more serious, and the Ping-Han line will certainly see continued offensives. However, due to our great victory in the Handan Campaign, further northward advances will require time to prepare, possibly a month. We should use this time to press ahead with reorganizing two new main-force columns to replace the Yang Dezhi and Chen Geng columns. Under the condition that it does not hinder the reorganization and training of the troops and does not hinder the rapid concentration of forces when dealing with the second major offensive on the Ping-Han line, do our utmost to eliminate reactionary strongholds within the base areas, such as Qinxian and Fushan county towns in the Taihang area; Yuncheng, Juye, Jinxiang, and Liaocheng in the Hebei-Shandong-Henan area; Yongnian, Feixiang, and Wucheng in southern Hebei; as well as expanding the liberated areas in the southern section of the Tongpu Railway and strengthening control over Zhaocheng, etc. Please make an overall calculation. The objective is to create a larger and better battlefield to facilitate future operations.

Military Commission

November 11

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission on November 11, 1945, to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping on the issue of operations after the Ping-Han Campaign.