The Overall Intention Is to Draw the War into the Kuomintang Areas[1]

(August 11, 1947)

Chen, Su, and Rao:

(1) Your telegram of the forenoon of the 6th has been received. Your views are entirely correct, and we fully agree. Although the several battles in July resulted in relatively heavy attrition, they did not impede the strategic tasks. The overall situation at present is favorable. (2) Since Shushi is on the eastern front, the East China Bureau should also be on the eastern front. Zihui[2] may proceed to Bohai and carry out tasks in the name of secretary of the working committee. (3) With Liu and Deng[3] moving south, the overall situation will inevitably undergo changes, and the bulk of the enemy forces in southwestern Shandong will certainly move south. Chen and Su should lead the 6th Column and the field army headquarters to advance to Liaocheng, await an opportunity to join forces with Song and Wang,[4] possibly open up the situation in southwestern Shandong, and facilitate direct coordination with Chen-Tang and Ye-Tao.[5] (4) The overall intention is to draw the war into the Kuomintang areas so that our interior lines may gain a breathing spell, which will be beneficial for protracted warfare.

Central Committee

Weizhen

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Chen Yi, Commander and Political Commissar of the East China Field Army; Su Yu, Deputy Commander; and Rao Shushi, Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Political Commissar of the East China Military Region.

[2] Zihui refers to Deng Zihui, then Deputy Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

[3] Liu and Deng refer to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.

[4] Song and Wang refer to Song Shilun and Wang Bingzhang, then respectively Commander of the 10th Column of the East China Field Army and Commander of the 11th Column of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army.

[5] 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.