Open the Path to Join Forces with Liu-Deng Through Lightning-Fast Action[1]

(July 2, 1947)

Chen, Su, Tan, and inform Liu, Deng[2]:

Your telegram of the 30th[3] noted. The disposition is very good. However, Laiwu is very close to the enemy’s main force. It seems advisable for the troops under Chen Shiju[4] to bypass Laiwu and strike directly at Tai’an and the line to its north and south. After succeeding, recover Feicheng, Dong’e, Pingyin, Ningyang, Wenshang, and Jining, and establish direct contact with Liu-Deng. Thereafter, you should also prepare to move out into western Shandong, coordinate with Liu-Deng to strike the Longhai Railway, advance to the Huai River, and open up a new situation. It is assessed that within seven or ten days the Chiang side will certainly alter its disposition, sending part of its main force back to Yan-Si[5] to prevent our army from joining forces with Liu-Deng. Therefore, our army must, within seven or ten days, seize by lightning-fast action the area north and south of Tai’an and the regions to its west and southwest, opening the path to join forces with Liu-Deng. If the action is too slow, there will not be enough time. If attacking Tai’an takes too long, it may also be left unattacked, and when striking at Tai’an, a portion of the force should first be used to seize the counties west and southwest of Tai’an. The above, please consider and act accordingly.

Central Military Commission

Noon, Winter, 12:00 hours

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--- Notes

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Chen Yi, Commander and Political Commissar of the East China Field Army; Su Yu, Deputy Commander; and Tan Zhenlin, Deputy Political Commissar. On June 30, 1947, the main force of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, comprising four columns totaling approximately 130,000 men, forcibly crossed the Yellow River to conduct operations in southwestern Shandong. To coordinate with this action and ultimately smash the Kuomintang army’s offensive against Shandong, the East China Field Army, though not fully prepared, decided, in accordance with the instructions of the Central Military Commission, to immediately dispatch two columns to strike the enemy’s flank and rear.


[2] Liu and Deng refer to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who were then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.


[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Chen Yi, Su Yu, and others to the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee on June 30, 1947. The telegram stated: 1. Ye Fei and Tao Yong will lead the First and Fourth Columns across the Linyi-Mengyin Highway to advance toward southern Shandong. 2. Chen Shiju and Tang Liang will lead the Third, Eighth, and Tenth Columns to advance toward Tai’an and Dawenkou in western Shandong. 3. The frontal forces—the Second, Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Columns, along with the Special Forces Column—will assemble on both sides of the Yishui-Yuezhuang highway, each using a small force to maintain contact with the enemy advancing eastward, while the main force awaits the opportunity to strike.


[4] Chen Shiju was then Chief of Staff of the East China Field Army.


[5] Yan-Si refers to Yanzhou and Sishui in Shandong.