The Operational Direction of the Main Forces of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Region[1]

(June 19, 1947)

To Zhu, Liu, Nie, and forward to Yang, Luo, Yang[2]:

(1) We have successively received Nie’s telegram of the 15th at 16:00 hours[3] and Yang and Luo’s telegram of the 15th at 10:00 hours[4]. The successful completion of the Qingxian-Cangxian Campaign[5] is most gratifying. (2) As stated in Nie’s telegram, has the attack on Jinghai and Duliu by the 3rd Column and the main force of the 8th Sub-district been carried out, and what are the results? (3) For the next move, it seems advantageous to strike with full force (the main force

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[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi, and Nie Rongzhen, Commander and concurrently Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region.
[2] Yang, Luo, Yang refers to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Yang Chengwu, who at the time served respectively as Commander, First Political Commissar, and Second Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army.
[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Nie Rongzhen at 16:00 hours on June 15, 1947, to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, Xiao Ke, Huang Jing, Zhao Erlu, and Liu Shaoqi. The telegram stated: Although the Qingxian-Cangxian Campaign has been victorious, the strategic task of pinning down the enemy forces directly opposite us and preventing them from reinforcing the Northeast has not yet been fully accomplished. In order to compel the enemy forces moving to reinforce the Northeast to turn back to Tianjin and the main force of the 16th Army to reinforce the Tianjin-Pukou Railway, it is proposed that the entire 3rd Column and the main force of the 8th Sub-district seize the opportunity to attack and capture Jinghai County Town and Duliu Town, thereby threatening Tianjin. After achieving this objective, the entire Field Army will then shift to mobile operations along the section from Beihe to Caohe between Beiping and Baoding, in order to continue seizing and annihilating the enemy.
[4] Refers to the telegram sent by Yang Dezhi and Luo Ruiqing at 10:00 hours on June 15, 1947, to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee. The telegram stated: The Qingxian-Cangxian Campaign has been successfully completed. In order to continue coordinating with the operations in the Northeast, our opinion is that after the troops rest for three to five days, they should continue to strike along the Beiping-Tianjin sector.
[5] The Qingxian-Cangxian Campaign refers to the operations launched by the main force of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army in the central Hebei region from June 12 to 15, 1947. In this campaign, the three county towns of Qingxian, Cangxian, and Yongqing were captured, and over 70 kilometers of railway along the section from Jiedi and north of the Jian River to Dongguantun were brought under control, thereby coordinating with the operations on the Northeast battlefield.

The Operational Direction of the Main Forces of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Region

The three columns must not be dispersed, and should be supplemented by local troops) along the Beiping-Tianjin sector[1], cutting off the Yangcun-Huangcun section, and striving to annihilate the reinforcing enemy north of the Daqing River, which would be advantageous; if the reinforcing enemy proves difficult to strike, then shift to strike along the Beiping-Baoding sector[2]. In this way, we can maneuver back and forth along both the Beiping-Tianjin and Beiping-Baoding lines, seeking out and annihilating the enemy’s regular forces. What is your opinion? Awaiting your reply.

The Military Commission
15:00 hours, the 19th

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[1] The Beiping-Tianjin sector refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) to Tianjin, now a section of the Beijing-Shanghai line.
[2] The Beiping-Baoding sector refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) to Baoding, now a section of the Beijing-Guangzhou line.