Deployment for Coordinated Operations by Liu-Deng, Chen-Su, and Other Units[1]

(August 6, 1947)

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

Your telegram of the 5th has been received. The enemy’s current plan is to launch an offensive toward our Yuncheng-Juye[5] area, with Qiu and Ou[3] committing ten to twelve brigades along the canal line, and four brigades of the Guangxi clique as the main force, coordinated with Luo Guangwen[4] and others, advancing along the Longhai line. It will take at least two weeks to complete the deployment. Therefore, from the 6th onward, you still have at least ten days to allow you and Chen-Tang, Ye-Tao[6] to rest, reorganize, and replenish. Hence: (1) You should still strive to move out after the 13th, or at the earliest after the 10th; do not be too hasty. At this time, the Guangxi clique has just arrived at Lanfeng[7], and Qiu and Ou are east of the canal. For the time being, your southward advance will only need to deal with the enemy on the Longhai line. (2) Chen and Su, leading the five columns at Yuncheng plus the 6th Column, currently have the main task of pinning down Qiu and Ou from the flank, and later from the reverse

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Liu Bocheng, Commander, and Deng Xiaoping, Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.

[2] Chen, Su, and Tan refer to Chen Yi, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin, who at the time were respectively Commander and Political Commissar, Deputy Commander, and Deputy Political Commissar of the East China Field Army.

[3] Qiu refers to Qiu Qingquan, then Commander of the Reorganized 5th Division (formerly the 5th Army) of the Kuomintang Army. Ou refers to Ou Zhen, then Commander of the 3rd Army Corps of the Xuzhou Command, Army General Headquarters, Kuomintang Army.

[4] Luo Guangwen, then Commander of the Reorganized 10th Division of the Kuomintang Army.

[5] Yuncheng-Juye refers to Yuncheng and Juye in Shandong.

[6] Chen-Tang refers to Chen Shiju and Tang Liang, then respectively Chief of Staff and Director of the Political Department of the East China Field Army. Ye-Tao refers to Ye Fei and Tao Yong, then respectively Commander of the 1st Column and Commander of the 4th Column of the East China Field Army.

[7] Lanfeng, a former county name, merged with Kaocheng County in 1954 to form Lankao County, Henan.

side (Qiu and Ou may advance southward in the future) to pin down Qiu and Ou. If Qiu and Ou move southward from the Longhai line, Chen and Su should follow closely behind them. In short, Chen and Su pinning down the enemy from the reverse side is most effective. Tan and Xu[1] with the three columns should pin down the enemy in central Shandong in the coastal area. (3) Before your southward advance, do not attempt to fight another battle. After the southward advance, north of the Sha River, it is also advisable to avoid fighting major battles.

Military Commission

Noon, 6th

[1] Tan refers to Tan Zhenlin. Xu refers to Xu Shiyou, then Commander of the 9th Column of the East China Field Army.