Six Columns under Chen and Su Concentrate in Interior Lines to Pin Down the Enemy[1]

(August 7, 1947)

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

Your telegram of the morning of the 6th received. (1) You should remain immobile for at least one week to assist Chen Tang and Ye Tao[3] in resting and reorganizing, and to await the arrival of Chen and Su. (2) Chen and Su should concentrate six columns in the Yuncheng-Juancheng[4] area to construct fortifications and hold fast, control the Yellow River crossing points, and not fear an attack by Qiu and Ou[5]. If by any chance they cannot hold, they should withdraw north of the Yellow River and shift to attacking the Tai’an area; then Qiu and Ou will not dare to move south, and Sun Zhen and Liu Ruming[6] will also not dare to move south in full strength. (3) All six columns under Chen and Su must operate from interior lines, that is, pin down the enemy from the direction opposite to yours; this is the most effective form of pinning down. You should not hope for them to move out to the Longhai line to provide direct cover. (4) Once you move out, the overall situation will change. The enemy will then be unable to concentrate first on striking Chen and Su. (5) So long as the six columns under Chen

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Liu Bocheng, Commander, and Deng Xiaoping, Political Commissar, of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.
[2] Chen and Su refer to Chen Yi and Su Yu, then respectively Commander and Political Commissar, and Deputy Commander, of the East China Field Army.
[3] 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.
[4] Yuncheng-Juancheng refers to Yuncheng and Juancheng in Shandong.
[5] Qiu refers to Qiu Qingquan, then Commander of the Reorganized 5th Division (former 5th Army) of the Kuomintang Army. Ou refers to Ou Zhen, then Commander of the 3rd Army Corps, Xuzhou Command, Army General Headquarters of the Kuomintang Army.
[6] Sun Zhen, then Director of the Zhengzhou Command, Army General Headquarters of the Kuomintang Army. Liu Ruming, then Commander of the 4th Pacification Zone of the Kuomintang Army.

and Su concentrate in interior lines, there is a solution for everything; if they disperse and advance southward, the overall situation will be disadvantageous. (6) Where are Ye Tao now? Have fortifications been built and blockades established on the west bank of the canal? Are there no shortages of boats on the Yellow River? Is crossing convenient? Is Jiaxiang still in our hands? Report immediately.

Military Commission

7th