Agree to the Opinion of Dispatching Troops via Three Routes by Chen, Xie, and Han[1]

(September 20, 1947)

Chen, Xie, and Han:

Because we are unclear about the specific circumstances regarding your current enemy situation, terrain, roads, food supplies, and so on, and for the sake of prudence, we sent a telegram at 1700 hours today (the 20th)[2] altering the opinion expressed in the telegram of 1200 hours on the 16th, asking you to concentrate your forces toward Shang[zhou], Luo[nan], and Lantian. However, after careful study, the opinion in your telegram of 2000 hours on the 19th regarding dispatching troops via three routes also has its reasons. Therefore, you may proceed according to your opinion: have Liu’s Brigade[3] advance toward Shangzhou; have Chen’s Brigade[4] pass through Zhuyangzhen and Lulingguan to advance toward Luonan, seizing opportunities to occupy Shang[zhou] and Luo[nan], rendezvousing at Lantian, threatening Xi’an, and covering the flank of the main force; the three brigades of Zhou, Li, and Zha[5] and the 17th Division shall first advance to the Lulingguan and Xunjiansi areas south of Dayukou, and depending on the situation, if conditions are favorable, then advance to the three counties of Huayin, Huaxian, and Weinan, seizing opportunities to attack and capture one or two cities. If necessary, Chen’s Brigade may be

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Chen Geng, Secretary of the Front Committee of the Chen-Xie Group of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army; Xie Fuzhi, Deputy Secretary; and Han Jun, Standing Committee member.

[2] This refers to the telegram sent by the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Chen Geng, Xie Fuzhi, and Han Jun at 1700 hours on September 20, 1947. The telegram stated: Based on the current enemy situation, you should not divide your forces to first attack the cities of Tongguan, Huayin, Huaxian, etc. Instead, you should concentrate your forces to first take Shang[zhou] and Luo[nan], advance to threaten Lantian, achieve a breakthrough in the center, and seize opportunities to annihilate the enemy along the line from Lantian to Dahua Mountain, where field battles may be sought.

[3] Liu’s Brigade refers to the 12th Brigade of the 4th Column of the Chen-Xie Group of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, with Brigade Commander Liu Jinxuan.

[4] Chen’s Brigade refers to the 13th Brigade of the 4th Column of the Chen-Xie Group of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, with Brigade Commander Chen Kang.

[5] The three brigades of Zhou, Li, and Zha refer to the 10th Brigade and 11th Brigade of the 4th Column, and the 22nd Brigade of the 8th Column of the Chen-Xie Group of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army, with Brigade Commanders Zhou Xihan, Li Chengfang, and Zha Yusheng, respectively.

drawn closer to the main force for operations, ordering only Liu’s Brigade to advance toward Lantian. If the situation is unsuitable for such action, then you may follow the policy stated in our telegram of 1700 hours on the 20th: position one brigade in the Lulingguan and Xunjiansi areas to feint against the enemy at Hua[yin] and Tong[guan],[1] while the rest advance to the vicinity of Lantian, seizing opportunities for combat. In summary, you are to make decisions on the spot based on the specific circumstances of the enemy situation, terrain, roads, food supplies, and other factors; our opinion is for reference only. Although the enemy has nine brigades, they belong to different systems, most have weak combat effectiveness, and the people of Shaanxi have a very high anti-Hu[2] sentiment—all of which are favorable to us.

Military Commission

1900 hours, the 20th

[1] Hua-Tong refers to Huayin and Tongguan in Shaanxi.

[2] Hu refers to Hu Zongnan, then Director of the Xi’an Pacification Office of the Kuomintang Army.