Concentrate Superior Forces to Divide and Annihilate the Enemy[1]

(July 28, 1946)

Liu, Deng; Chen, Song; Zhang, Deng[2]:

The Jiang army, having undergone reorganization, has generally strengthened its combat effectiveness. When our army engages it in battle, we must adopt the policy of concentrating superior forces to divide and annihilate it, with a ratio of three to one or four to one. Otherwise, it will not be easy to resolve the battle, and haste will not achieve the goal. When there is no favorable opportunity to strike, it is better to wait a few days for an opportunity.

The Military Commission

28th

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Commander Liu Bocheng and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, and others.

[2] Chen and Song refer to Chen Yi and Song Shilun, who at the time served respectively as Commander and Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Shandong Field Army. Zhang and Deng refer to Zhang Dingcheng and Deng Zihui, who at the time served respectively as Commander and Political Commissar of the Central China Military Region.