The three cities of Hongtong, Zhaocheng, and Huoxian must be captured within the shortest possible time[1]

(August 10, 1946)

Chen, Yang:

(1) The 27th Brigade (Xu Wenyao) under the recalcitrant 30th Army is crossing the river toward Anyi[2]. After this brigade arrives, Dong Zhao[3] will have a total of five brigades plus the remnants of Liu Zhaoming’s[4] forces, and may move north to take over defense positions up to the area north of Linfen. (2) Our army must, within the shortest possible period, capture one by one the three cities of Hongtong, Zhaocheng, and Huoxian[5] (and seize Linfen if possible), swiftly create a battlefield between the forces of Yan and Hu, draw Hu’s forces northward, and destroy them one by one. (3) We hope you can complete the task of capturing the three cities of Hongtong, Zhaocheng, and Huoxian within this month. What is your opinion? On what date will operations begin? What are the prospects of success? What are the dispositions?

Military Commission

August 10

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Chen Geng, commander of the 4th Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, and Yang Qiqing, its deputy political commissar.

[2] Anyi, name of an old county. In 1958, it was merged with Xieyu County and parts of Linyi County and Yongji County to form Yuncheng County, Shanxi Province.

[3] Dong Zhao, then Commander-in-Chief of the 38th Group Army of the Kuomintang forces.

[4] Liu Zhaoming, then Deputy Commander of the 57th Army of the Kuomintang forces.

[5] Hong Zhao refers to Hongtong and Zhaocheng, both names of old counties. In 1954, the two counties were merged into Hongzhao County, Shanxi Province, which was renamed Hongtong County, Shanxi Province, in 1958. Huo refers to Huoxian County, Shanxi Province.