Whether the Troops Should Move West Must Be Decided According to the Situation[1]

(July 12, 1947)

Chen, Su, and Tan:

Each column under your command should seek opportunities to attack and destroy Huang Baitao’s forces[2]. After the engagement at Donglidian[3], whether you should move west must be decided according to the situation: (1) If the enemy sends a portion of its forces to reinforce the west and there is indeed an opportunity to strike and destroy the enemy through a pincer movement, then you may move to a position favorable for such a pincer movement (not to join forces with Chen Tang and the others) and carry out a pincer attack on this enemy force together with Chen Tang and the others; this would naturally be advantageous. (2) If the enemy maintains the present situation, then moving west to join forces with Chen Tang would result in no battle to fight, and moreover, the enemy would shift its entire force westward, forcing you into a position with your back to the water. (3) If the enemy sends the greater part or the whole of its forces to reinforce the west, then moving west would also make it difficult to fight. In sum, only in the first situation can moving west be considered; in the second and third situations, moving west must not be carried out. It would be most advantageous to remain positioned in the east to draw in the enemy and seek opportunities to destroy several enemy units. After the victory at Donglidian, we hope you will again seek opportunities to destroy enemy forces. Chen Tang and Ye Tao should boldly and freely attack and destroy the various enemy forces along the Jinpu Railway—the more, the better.

Central Military Commission

1500 hours, the 12th

[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.

[2] Huang Baitao’s forces refer to the Reorganized 25th Division of the Kuomintang Army, with Huang Baitao as the division commander.

[3] On the evening of July 10, 1947, the 2nd, 6th, 7th, and 9th Columns of the East China Field Army prepared to attack and destroy the enemy’s Reorganized 25th Division at Donglidian. The operation was not carried out because Ou Zhen’s Corps advanced and occupied Yishui, drawing close to the Reorganized 25th Division.