Against a Concentrated Enemy Force, Contain One Column While Striking Another[1]

(November 1, 1946)

Nie, Liu, Xiao, Luo:

Do not fear enemy concentration. As long as the distance between two enemy columns is ten to fifteen li, we can use part of our forces to contain one column while boldly employing our main force to strike the other. The enemy’s reinforcement capability is very poor.

Military Commission

Xudong

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and addressed to Nie Rongzhen, commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region; Liu Lantao, deputy political commissar; Xiao Ke, deputy commander; and Luo Ruiqing, deputy political commissar.