The Northwest Field Army Should Cooperate with Chen-Xie to Accomplish an Important Mission[1]

(September 16, 1947)

To Peng, and inform He and Xi:

Your telegram of Shan-Wei received. (1) The coming month is a crucial juncture; hope you will encourage all officers and soldiers of the entire army to fight bravely and cooperate with Chen-Xie to accomplish the important mission. (2) Regardless of whether there is combat today, and regardless of whether the operations succeed or not, order Wang Zhen[2] to lead two brigades to immediately advance south of Yan’an, occupy the line of Greater and Lesser Laoshan and Ganquan, and block the enemy’s southward retreat step by step. This column should be positioned frontally on this line, not on the flank. (3) The main force of six brigades shall rest at the present location for three days, four days, or at most five days, during which the operational policy shall be explained, and around the 22nd, they shall advance rapidly southward. The entire army (six brigades) shall press directly toward Yichuan and seize the city as opportunities allow; then advance southward as opportunities allow to capture the cities of Hancheng, Heyang, Chengcheng, Pucheng, Baishui, Pingmin, Chaoyi, and Dali. Strive to accomplish the above tasks within fifteen to twenty days. (4) To gain time, do not attack Qingjian or Yanchuan, nor attack Yanchang. (5) Winter uniforms for the new recruits shall be sent forward subsequently.

Central Military Commission

16th, 12:00 hours

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Peng Dehuai, commander and political commissar of the Northwest Field Army.

[2] Wang Zhen, then commander and political commissar of the Second Column of the Northwest Field Army.