At Present It Is Advisable to Strike Dispersed and Relatively Weak Enemy Forces[1]

(June 17, 1947)

Peng and Xi:

Your two telegrams of the 16th at 13:00 and the 17th at 11:00[2] have been received. (1) The capture of Huan County is most gratifying. (2) Dong’s army[3] set out from Gaoqiao on the 16th, and Liu’s army[4] on the 17th; it appears they are preparing to reach Qingyang and Heshui[5] in five to six days’ march. If you rest and regroup in Huan County for three to five days and then move to the Donghuachi area to strike a part of these two armies, there may not be enough time, and at present it is advisable to strike dispersed and relatively weak enemy forces, not concentrated and powerful enemy forces. For the time being, it is advisable to avoid engaging the field armies of Dong and Liu as well as the Qinghai Ma[6] 82nd Division, and to concentrate solely on striking dispersed enemy forces in various directions. (3) Under the condition that Dong and Liu reach Qingyang and Heshui, our army’s next move may be chosen between striking the Ningxia Ma[7] 18th Division to recover Dingbian and Yanchi[8], or striking the enemy garrison forces between Yan’an and Luochuan to cut off the enemy’s rear route. If you deem it feasible to strike the 18th Division, then strike the 18th Division first, and then strike the Yan’an-Luochuan line. Striking the enemy forces on the Yan’an-Luochuan line would be most advantageous. As to what should ultimately be done, please telegraph your views. At the same time, await a complete assessment of the situation regarding Dong and Liu before making a decision.

Military Commission
17th, 23:00

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[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Peng Dehuai, commander and political commissar of the Northwest Field Corps, and Xi Zhongxun, deputy political commissar.
[2] Refers to the telegrams sent by Peng Dehuai and Xi Zhongxun to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee on June 16, 1947, at 13:00 and June 17, 1947, at 11:00, concerning the operational dispositions after the capture of Huan County.
[3] Dong’s army refers to the Kuomintang Reorganized 1st Army, commanded by Dong Zhao.
[4] Liu’s army refers to the Kuomintang Reorganized 29th Army, commanded by Liu Kan.
[5] Qinghe refers to Qingyang and Heshui in Gansu.
[6] Qinghai Ma refers to Ma Bufang of Qinghai, then serving as deputy director of the Northwestern Headquarters of the Nationalist Government.
[7] Ningxia Ma refers to Ma Hongkui of Ningxia, then serving as deputy director of the Northwestern Headquarters of the Nationalist Government.
[8] Dingyan refers to Dingbian in Shaanxi and Yanchi in Ningxia.