Operational Deployment for the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army in the Second Half of the Year[1]

(July 3, 1947)

Zhu, Liu, Nie, and forward to Yang, Luo[2], also inform Lin, Luo[3]:

Yang and Luo’s Yidian telegram[4] received. There is still one month before the rainy season. The main force should immediately move to the area east of Gaoyang and Xiongxian for several days of rest, as proposed in Yang and Luo’s telegram, and strive to conduct a campaign north of the Yongding River (between Beiping and Tianjin) before Wuhuo or Wuyou. After this campaign, return to the area east of Shimen[5] for a month of rest and consolidation (August), then carry out the Shimen campaign (September). After attacking Shimen, rest and consolidate for a period, then move to the area between the Beiping-Suiyuan and Beiping-Hankou railways to engage the enemy on these two lines. The timing will be approximately after mid-October. Prepare to spend three to four months sufficiently weakening the enemy on these two lines, and then

[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 Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region.

[2] Yang and Luo refer to Yang Dezhi and Luo Ruiqing, who were then respectively Commander and First Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army.

[3] Lin and Luo refer to Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan, who were then respectively Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar, and Deputy Political Commissar of the Northeast Democratic United Army.

[4] Refers to the telegram of June 30, 1947, from Yang Dezhi and Luo Ruiqing to Zhu De, Nie Rongzhen, and Liu Shaoqi. The telegram stated: It may be difficult to fight well against the enemy near Baoding, so we are shifting. It is suggested that local corps operate between Beiping and Baoding, while the main force moves south. After half a month of training and consolidation, taking advantage of the rainy season in various areas, we will attack Shijiazhuang. The method is first to employ means of weakening the enemy, achieving the destruction of enemy reinforcements moving from north to south. If reinforcements do not come, then resolutely attack Shijiazhuang. If the main force seeks battle between Beiping and Baoding, the main force of the field army should rest east of Gaoyang and Xiongxian. As the troops have been moving and fighting for nearly three months, it is advisable to undergo a period of replenishment and consolidation before fighting again.

[5] Shimen, present-day Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province.

coordinate with our Northeast forces to seize the Beiping-Suiyuan Railway. Our Northeast forces currently need over a month of rest and consolidation. Thereafter, half of their strength can advance on the Beiping-Liaoning Railway[1] and into Rehe[2] and eastern Hebei. By next spring, they can advance on the Beiping-Suiyuan Railway, with the objective of occupying the entire Beiping-Suiyuan Railway and opening up communications between North China and the Northeast. You should make deployments in accordance with this orientation (please inform us exactly how much time remains before the rainy season).

Military Commission

Wujiang

[1] Beiping-Liaoning Railway refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) via Tianjin to Shenyang, now a section of the Beijing-Harbin line.

[2] Rehe, former province name, encompassing areas of present-day northeastern Hebei Province, southwestern Liaoning Province, and southeastern Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Abolished in 1955.