The Central China Field Army Should Prepare to Launch Operations on the Bengbu–Pukou Line[1]

(June 26, 1946)

To the Central China Bureau, with notice to Chen and Shu[2]:

(1) Upon the expiration of the eight-day period[3], the Kuomintang will immediately launch a large-scale offensive against us. (2) In order to smash the Kuomintang’s offensive, it is decisively ordered that the main force of Liu and Deng[4] shall move out to eastern Henan along the Longhai Railway, and the main force of Chen and Shu shall move out to the area between Xuzhou and Bengbu[5], so as to maneuver the enemy and annihilate them. (3) Your region should use a portion of its forces in Central Jiangsu to pin down and contain the enemy along the Nantong–Yangzhou[6] line. Su and Tan[7] shall lead the main force (no fewer than fifteen regiments) to be positioned in the Third Subdistrict, coordinate with Chen and Shu, seize the railway line between Bengbu and Pukou[8] in one stroke, thoroughly destroy the railway, annihilate the enemy in that area, recover the lost territories of the Third and Fourth Subdistricts[9], and prepare to fight a major battle to annihilate the enemy advancing northward from Pukou. (4) Exert full efforts to instigate the uprising of Sun Liangcheng.[1] (5) Complete all preparations for the attack before Wuhai[10] and await the order to attack. (6) In all matters, you shall follow the command of Chen and Shu. (7) In order to cope with protracted, continuous warfare, you should prepare to mobilize and appropriately employ all your reserve forces, making long-term plans in every respect.

The Central Committee

Jiyouhai[11]

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[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and addressed to the Central China Sub-bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[2] Chen and Shu refer to Chen Yi and Shu Tong, who were then respectively serving as Commander of the New Fourth Army and concurrently Commander of the Shandong Military Region, and Director of the Political Department.
[3] Based on a proposal by U.S. Presidential Special Envoy George C. Marshall, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, after consultations, each issued statements on June 6, 1946, declaring a 15-day truce in the Northeast beginning at 12:00 on June 7 for negotiations. On June 21, Chiang Kai-shek announced the extension of the Northeast truce until June 30.
[4] Liu and Deng refer to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who were then respectively serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Military Region.
[5] Xu and Beng refer to Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province and Bengbu in Anhui Province.
[6] Tong and Yang refer to Nantong and Yangzhou in Jiangsu Province.
[7] Su and Tan refer to Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin, who were then respectively serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Central China Field Army.
[8] Beng and Pu refer to Bengbu in Anhui Province and Pukou in Jiangsu Province.
[9] This refers to the two military subdistricts of the Huainan Military Region, located east and west of the Tianjin–Pukou Railway.
[10] Wuhai refers to the period from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on June 30.
[11] Jiyouhai refers to the period from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on June 26.
[1] Sun Liangcheng was then serving as Commander of the Provisional 5th Column of the Kuomintang Army.