Concentrate the Maximum Forces on the Main Direction to Annihilate the Enemy[1]

(August 8, 1946)

Su, and inform Chen, Song, Zhang, Deng, Tan[2]:

(1) Su’s telegram of the 7th chen hour[3] noted. The favorable opportunity to annihilate the enemy has arrived; this is very good and most gratifying. (2) If conditions are favorable for successively annihilating two enemy brigades, then two enemy brigades may be annihilated in succession; otherwise, first annihilate one of their brigades, rest for a few days, and then seek an opportunity to annihilate their other brigade. (3) If there are any reserve units or containing units that can be redeployed, it is hoped that Zhang, Deng, and Tan will do their utmost to meet Su’s requirements and concentrate the maximum forces on the main direction. (4) Speedily mobilize new recruits and send them to the front, and continue to organize and train several replacement regiments. (5) In accordance with Chen’s telegram, publicly explain to the people that the enemy’s advance is nothing to fear, that temporarily lost territory can be recovered in the future, and call upon the militia to engage in self-defense and aid the New Fourth Army in annihilating the enemy.

Military Commission

Wei qi shen

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Su Yu, commander of the Central China Field Army.
[2] Chen and Song refer to Chen Yi and Song Shilun, who were then respectively commander and political commissar, and chief of staff of the Shandong Field Army. Zhang, Deng, and Tan refer to Zhang Dingcheng, Deng Zihui, and Tan Zhenlin, who were then respectively commander, political commissar, and deputy political commissar of the Central China Military Region.
[3] Refers to Su Yu’s telegram of the chen hour, August 7, 1946, to Chen Yi and the CPC Central Committee. The telegram stated: Because the Central China forces are too dispersed, the forces on the containing direction exceed those on the assault direction. It is hoped that the 5th Brigade from Huainan can be transferred to join the operations in Central Jiangsu, where the war situation is likely to see new developments very soon.