Take Datong Through Protracted Fighting[1]

(August 20, 1946)

Zhang, Luo, Yang, and inform Nie, He[2]:

(1) The operations at Datong have made successive progress, which is most gratifying. It is hoped that morale will be encouraged to take it through protracted fighting. (2) After all outlying strongholds outside the city have been completely captured, rest for several days, recover from fatigue, reorganize the formation and momentum, and then attack the city.

Military Commission

20th

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Zhang Zongxun, commander of the Datong Frontline Command, Political Commissar Luo Ruiqing, and Deputy Commander Yang Chengwu.

[2] Nie refers to Nie Rongzhen, then commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region. He refers to He Long, then commander of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Military Region.