Strive to Annihilate Four or Five Brigades of Dong Zhao’s Forces Within Three to Four Months[1]

(January 30, 1947)

Teng, Bo, and Wang; Chen and Xie; Wang and Sun[2]; and inform He and Li, and Wang and Peng[3]:

(1) Hu Zongnan[4] has ordered Dong Zhao[5] to concentrate 20,000 men at Linfen in preparation for mobile operations. It is estimated that an offensive may be launched east of Linfen, and Dong’s units are currently moving toward Linfen. (2) After concluding the campaign against Yan[6], the 4th Column and the 24th Brigade should move to the area east of Pingjie[7] to replenish with new recruits, rest and regroup for one month, and prepare to strike at Dong Zhao’s main force. Strive to annihilate four or five brigades of Dong Zhao’s forces within three to four months and prepare for subsequent operations toward the Central Plains. (3) The 12th Brigade and the newly formed brigade under the command of Wang and Sun should immediately accept the unified command of Chen and Xie for operations against Dong Zhao. (4) Where is the 12th Brigade now? That brigade should not be transferred elsewhere.

The Military Commission

Zi 30

[1] This was a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Teng Daiyuan, First Deputy Commander of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Military Region; Bo Yibo, First Deputy Political Commissar; and Wang Hongkun, Second Deputy Commander, among others.

[2] Chen and Xie: Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi, then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the 4th Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army. Wang and Sun: Wang Xinting and Sun Dingguo, then respectively Commander and Deputy Commander of the Taiyue Military District.

[3] He and Li: He Long and Li Jingquan, then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Military Region. Wang and Peng: Wang Zhen and Peng Shaohui, then respectively Commander and Deputy Commander of the 2nd Column of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Field Army.

[4] Hu Zongnan, then Commander of the Kuomintang’s 1st War Zone.

[5] Dong Zhao, then Commander of the Kuomintang’s Reorganized 1st Army.

[6] Yan: Yan Xishan, then Commander of the Kuomintang’s 2nd War Zone.

[7] Pingjie: Pingyao and Jiexiu in Shanxi Province.