Organize Forces Immediately to Destroy the Enemy’s 26th Division[1]

(October 28, 1946)

To Chen, with information to Su and Tan:[2]

The eastward advance of the 26th Division presents an excellent opportunity to destroy the enemy. Organize the 1st Column, the 8th Division, and other units to annihilate this enemy force. The recent victory at Lianshui[3] has already dealt a devastating blow to the 74th Division. Now it is necessary to deliver a similar blow to the 26th Division, so that Xue Yue’s[4] prestige may be brought down.

Central Military Commission
Jianhai[5]

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**Notes**

[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. From October 27 to 30, 1946, the 1st Column and 10th Division of the Shandong Field Army launched the Fushankou counteroffensive east of Yixian County in southern Shandong (present-day Yicheng, Zaozhuang, Shandong), striking at the eastward-invading enemy forces, including the Reorganized 26th Division of the Kuomintang army.

[2] Su and Tan refer to Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin, who were then serving as Commander and Political Commissar of the Central China Field Army, respectively.

[3] This refers to the First Lianshui Defense Campaign, fought by the main forces of the Central China Field Army in the northern part of Jiangsu Province from October 19 to November 1, 1946. The battle resulted in the destruction of over 8,000 enemy troops, including elements of the Kuomintang’s Reorganized 74th Division.

[4] Xue Yue was then serving as Director of the Kuomintang’s Xuzhou Pacification Headquarters.

[5] Jianhai is the coded date for October 28, 1946.