Deployment for Wiping Out a Part of the Guangxi Clique and Feng Zhi’an’s Troops and Other Forces[1]

(November 3, 1946)

To Su Yu and inform Chen Yi[2]:

Your telegram of the 2nd[3] has been received. (1) If you are indeed confident, it would be better to wipe out a part of the recalcitrant troops of the Guangxi clique. It is advisable to complete the task within ten days so that the troops can rest and consolidate earlier and prepare for new operations. (2) It is of great importance for Chen Yi to lead seventeen regiments to take the initiative in attacking and annihilating Feng Zhi’an’s[4] troops and the 26th Division. We hope you will make careful arrangements to ensure a great victory. After this battle, the 8th Division or the 1st Column may go south to keep watch on the enemy at Suqian, and our East China Field Army, with the full strength of the 2nd and 7th Columns, can concentrate on striking at the enemy attacking from Huaiyin and Huai’an.[5]

The Military Commission

Issued at the hour of Hai of the day of Jiang of the month of Xu

[1] This was a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and addressed to Su Yu, commander of the Central China Field Army. On the same day, Mao Zedong also drafted a telegram for the Military Commission addressed to Chen Yi and Chen Shiju, instructing them to concentrate seventeen regiments to wipe out Feng Zhi’an’s troops and the 26th Division and to strive for a great victory.
[2] Chen Yi, then commander and political commissar of the Shandong Field Army.
[3] This refers to Su Yu’s telegram of November 2, 1946, to Chen Yi, Zhang Yunyi, and Li Yu, with a copy to the CPC Central Committee. The telegram stated: After the Lianshui-South Campaign, it is estimated that the enemy will become more cautious and will not dare to advance rashly. Therefore, we plan to seize the opportunity to deal a heavy blow to the recalcitrant troops of the Guangxi clique. We have ordered the 2nd Column and the 7th Division to make all preparations for attacking the Reorganized 69th Division and the recalcitrant troops of the Guangxi clique. If we can crush the recalcitrant troops of the Guangxi clique, we shall completely gain the initiative.
[4] Feng Zhi’an, then commander of the 3rd Pacification Zone of the Kuomintang army and concurrently commander of the Reorganized 33rd Army.
[5] Huaiyin and Huai’an in Jiangsu Province.