Zhu Liu, Liu Deng, Chen Su, Lin Luo, He Xi, Rao Li Tan, Chen Xie, Nie Xiao, Yang Luo, Ye Yang, Jing Quan, Xu Teng Bo [1]:  (1) From Xiahe in Jingbian County, via Shiwan, Suide, Mizhi, Jia County, and the vicinity of Tongqinzhai, we moved yesterday to the Liangjia Cha area—part of the old Soviet base area—120 li southeast of Yulin and 80 li directly north of Zhenchuan Fort, where we have rejoined the main force. Everyone is safe.

(2) Liu Kan [2], commanding seven brigades, advanced yesterday to the line between Zhenchuan Fort and Jia County, while three other brigades deployed around Suide. Our forces, concentrating eight brigades, began at dawn today to annihilate the 36th Division between Zhenchuan Fort and Wulongpu. By dusk the battle was concluded; with only a small detachment escaping, the division’s main body was wiped out [3]. Following this engagement, the strategic situation will be transformed, favoring Chen and Xie’s southward advance.

(3) All of Liu and Deng’s troops had by the Wei-Hao day [4] completely crossed the Sha River and captured several county seats, including Xiangcheng, now pressing toward the Dabie Mountains. Meanwhile, the four corps under Chen Tang and Ye Tao [5] are currently positioned in the Chengwu–Shanxian region of southwestern Shandong, holding the enemy from within to support Liu and Deng’s operation. Chen and Su have led the Sixth Corps and the Artillery Corps to the Liaocheng area, where they will link up with Song Shiliun’s Tenth Corps and Li Xiannian’s unit; after a brief rest, they will move into southwestern Shandong. Xu Shiyou and Tan Zhenlin [6], commanding four corps, are now recuperating in Jiaodong, preparing to destroy the enemy in central Shandong. As for our Chen–Xie Group—comprising four brigades of the Fourth Corps, three brigades of Qin Jiwei’s Ninth Corps, and Kong Congzhou’s 38th Army—it is scheduled to cross the river on the Wei-Ma day [7] to launch an offensive against Tongguan and Luoyang [8], as well as western Henan. Thanks to these operations and the recent victory in northern Shaanxi, which have already placed and will continue to place the enemy forces along the southern front in a defensive posture, our overall strategic position has been greatly improved. Our forces in Northeast China require just over a month more of rest and reinforcement before launching a major offensive. Similarly, the Jin-Cha-Ji forces are also preparing to go on the offensive.

(4) Over the next few months, our entire Party and army should make concerted efforts to overcome all difficulties and bring about a fundamental transformation of the military situation. The four months corresponding to the Shen, You, Xu, and Hai branches [9] will be critical in shifting the balance of power between our forces and the enemy. I earnestly urge all comrades to unite and work together to secure victory.

(5) Please transmit the above points to your respective units so that everyone is fully informed.  Printed in the Central Committee edition based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes:  [1] Zhu Liu refers to Zhu De and Liu Shaoqi. Liu Deng refers to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who at the time served as commander and political commissar, respectively, of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army. Chen Su refers to Chen Yi and Su Yu, who held the posts of commander and political commissar, and deputy commander, respectively, of the East China Field Army. Lin Luo refers to Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan, serving as commander-in-chief and political commissar, and deputy political commissar, respectively, of the Northeast Democratic United Army. He Xi refers to He Long and Xi Zhongxun, who were commander and political commissar, respectively, of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia-Jin-Sui Joint Defense Force. Rao Li Tan refers to Rao Shushi, Li Yu, and Tan Zhenlin, who served as political commissar, deputy political commissar, and deputy political commissar of the East China Field Army, respectively. Chen Xie refers to Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi, who were secretary and deputy secretary, respectively, of the Chen–Xie Group of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army. Nie Xiao refers to Nie Rongzhen and Xiao Ke, who were commander and political commissar, and deputy commander, respectively, of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region. Yang Luo refers to Yang Dezhi and Luo Ruiqing, who served as commander and first political commissar, respectively, of the Jin-Cha-Ji Field Army. Ye refers to Ye Jianying, who was then secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Rear Committee. Yang refers to Yang Shangkun, born in 1907 in Tongnan, Sichuan, who at the time held the post of deputy secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Rear Committee. Jing Quan refers to Li Jingquan, who was political commissar of the Jin-Sui Military Region. Xu Teng Bo refers to Xu Xiangqian, Teng Daiyuan, and Bo Yibo, who served as first deputy commander, second deputy commander, and first deputy political commissar, respectively, of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Military Region.

[2] Liu Kan was then commander of the Nationalist Army’s Reorganized 29th Army.

[3] At dawn on August 20, 1947, the Northwest Field Army launched the Battle of Shajiadian, destroying the headquarters and two brigades of the Reorganized 36th Division, one of Hu Zongnan’s main striking forces, thereby eliminating over 6,000 enemy troops. This battle marked the Northwest Field Army’s transition into a strategic counteroffensive.

[4] Wei-Hao corresponds to August 19.  [5] Chen Tang refers to Chen Shiju and Tang Liang, who served as chief of staff and director of the Political Department, respectively, of the East China Field Army. Ye Tao refers to Ye Fei and Tao Yong, who were commander of the First Corps and commander of the Fourth Corps, respectively, of the East China Field Army.

[6] Song Shiliun was then commander of the Tenth Corps of the East China Field Army.

[7] Li Xiannian was at the time deputy commander of the Jin-Hebei-Luyu Field Army.

[8] Xu Shiyou was commander of the Eastern Column of the East China Field Army as well as commander of the Ninth Corps. Tan Zhenlin served as deputy political commissar of the East China Field Army and political commissar of the Eastern Column.

[9] Qin Jiwei was then commander of the Ninth Corps of the Chen–Xie Group.

[10] Kong Congzhou was commander of the 38th Army of the Northwest Democratic United Army.

[11] Wei-Ma corresponds to August 21.  [12] Tongguan and Luoyang refer to Tongguan in Shaanxi and Luoyang in Henan.

[13] Shen, You, Xu, and Hai correspond to September, October, November, and December, respectively.