When the enemy disperses and an opportunity can be exploited, destroy them one by one[1]

(September 20, 1946)

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

After we abandon Huaiyin, the main forces of all units shall withdraw to areas at a relatively far distance from the enemy for rest and reorganization, using one part of the troops to resist the enemy. Wait until the 1st and 6th Divisions[3] have arrived, and when the enemy disperses and an opportunity can be exploited, destroy them one by one. Based on the experience in Central Jiangsu, the enemy’s dispersed occupation of our areas is advantageous for us to destroy the enemy one by one, and the people can also gain tempering through the war; only the military industry must be relocated to safe locations.

Military Commission
Shenhao

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Chen Yi, Commander and Political Commissar of the Shandong Field Army, and Su Yu, Commander, and Tan Zhenlin, Political Commissar of the Central China Field Army. On September 19, 1946, the Kuomintang’s Reorganized 74th Division seized the opportunity—when the main force of the Shandong Field Army was located in the Yugou and Lai’an areas and the main force of the Central China Field Army was moving north from the Hai’an area and had not yet reached Huaiyin—to occupy Huaiyin.

[2] Zhang and Deng refer to Zhang Dingcheng and Deng Zihui, who were respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Central China Military Region at the time.

[3] Refers to the 1st Division and the 6th Division of the Central China Field Army.