Operational Plan for Annihilating the Enemy Attacking Jining[1]

(September 10, 1946)

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

(1) Your telegram of the 9th at 19:00 hours[3] received. The enemy’s attack on Jining is precisely a fine opportunity to annihilate Fu[4]’s forces. (2) Swiftly order Yang Dezhi[5]’s four regiments to move to the area southwest of Jining for use as the final decisive force. (3) Strictly order the Jining garrison to hold fast for one week. Our main forces must, within three to seven days, thoroughly annihilate the enemy that has infiltrated the vicinity of Jining. (4) The best method for annihilating the enemy is to thrust our main forces into the enemy’s rear and strike from west to east, concentrating absolutely superior forces (e.g., four to one) to first finish off one division, then after success finish off another division, and finally completely finish off the entire enemy force. Act according to the actual situation. (5) After the enemy near Jining is thoroughly annihilated, follow up the victory to recover Zhuozishan[6], and seize Sandaoying, Qixiaying, and Taolin[7] as opportunities allow.

[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 Headquarters, and Luo Ruiqing, its political commissar.

[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.

[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Zhang Zongxun and Luo Ruiqing to Nie Rongzhen, He Long, and the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee at 19:00 hours on September 9, 1946. The telegram stated: The enemy began advancing toward Jining on the 7th; it is estimated they may commence their attack tomorrow morning. We plan to concentrate 12 to 14 regiments in the area southwest of Jining to strike the enemy’s flank and rear when they attack Jining, aiming to annihilate one to one and a half enemy divisions.

[4] Fu refers to Fu Zuoyi, then commander of the 12th War Zone of the Kuomintang.

[5] Yang Dezhi, then commander of the 1st Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army.

[6] Zhuozishan, a town name, now the county seat of Zhuozi County, Inner Mongolia.

[7] Taolin, an old county name, abolished in 1954, with its jurisdiction incorporated into the Chahar Right Rear Banner and Chahar Right Middle Banner of Inner Mongolia. The original county seat, Taolin Town, is the seat of the Chahar Right Middle Banner government.

Operational Plan for Annihilating the Enemy Attacking Jining

The Military Commission

10th day, 20:00 hours