Adopting the Operational Principle of
Half Annihilating and Half Routing
While on the Move
(August 29, 1947, 12:00 P.M.)
To Rao [Shushi] and Li [Yu] (to be transmitted to [Tan] Zhenlin), and Chen [Yi]
and Su [Yu]:1
We have received the telegram of the 28th at 10:00 A.M. from Rao [Shushi] and
Li [Yu], [informing us that] the East China Bureau and the Ninth Column have been
forced to stay in Jiaodong, and [Tan] Zhenlin is leading the Second and the Seventh
columns in Zhucheng. This situation is actually better than having Rao, Li, and Xu
[Shiyou]2 lead the Ninth Column to Zhucheng or having Zhenlin lead the Second
and Seventh columns to Jiaodong. This way Jiaodong has the Ninth Column, the
Thirteenth Column, and a vast number of local units, which can gradually form a
powerful fighting force operating on the interior lines to defend Jiaodong directly,
and an operational principle may be adopted of half annihilation and half routing
while on the move. (That is to say, planning battle operations in which one or two
enemy brigades are confronted, with the goal of annihilating one part and routing
the other part, focusing on winning as many small battles as possible.) Zhenlin in
Zhucheng should follow Rao and Li’s instructions completely, rest and reorganize
his forces, await opportunities, coordinate the interior lines directly with the exterior
lines in Jiaodong, and not move southward to Linyi or Longhai for the time being.
In engaging in battle, emphasize fighting small-scale battles of annihilation with the
goal of wiping out one enemy regiment or one brigade each time and not fighting
battles in which victory is not assured.
The Military Commission


Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 4, pp. 218–19, where it is
reproduced from Mao’s handwritten manuscript preserved in the Central Archives.


1.  Mao Zedong drafted this telegram on behalf of the Central Military Commission.
Rao Shushi and Li Yu were political commissar and deputy political commissar, respectively, of the East China Military Region. Tan Zhenlin was deputy political commissar of
the East China Field Army and political commissar of the Eastern Corps. Chen Yi was
commander and political commissar of the East China Field Army, and Su Yu was deputy
commander of the East China Field Army.


2.  Xu Shiyou was commander of the Eastern Corps of the East China Field Army as
well as commander of its Ninth Column.


DOI:  10.4324/9781315719436-28