Annihilate All Enemy Forces on the Entire Line from Tai’an to Lincheng as the First Objective[1]

(July 3, 1947)

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

According to the Yezhan Dongwei telegram, Tai’an is held by remnants of the 73rd Army; Dawenkou and Qufu by remnants of the 72nd Division; and Sishui, Ningyang, Wenshang, Yanzhou, Jining, Zouxian, and Tengxian[3] are held by miscellaneous units under Yang Gancai, Wu Huawen, Geng Jixun,[4] and others. Your five columns advancing west and south should take the capture of the entire line from Tai’an to Lincheng[5] and the total annihilation of the enemy on that line as the first objective; after victory, then capture the areas west of that line. Swift action may achieve this aim and link up with Liu and Deng.

Central Military Commission
Jiangxi

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China to Chen Yi, commander and political commissar of the East China Field Army; Su Yu, deputy commander; and Tan Zhenlin, deputy political commissar.
[2] Liu and Deng refer to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who were then commander and political commissar, respectively, of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.
[3] Yanzhou, Jining, Zouxian, and Tengxian refer to Yanzhou, Jining, Zou County, and Teng County in Shandong Province.
[4] Yang Gancai was then commander of the Reorganized 20th Division of the Kuomintang Army. Wu Huawen was then commander of the Reorganized 84th Division of the Kuomintang Army. Geng Jixun was then commander of the Security Brigade of the 9th Special District, Jiangsu Province, under the Kuomintang.
[5] Lincheng is the present-day Xuecheng in Zaozhuang, Shandong Province.