Operational Disposition for the Chen-Xie Group After Rest and Reorganization[1]

(October 20, 1947)

Chen, Xie, Han:

Your telegram of the 9th on the 17th received. (1) The rest and reorganization period for the 4th and 9th Columns may be extended to the end of this month, with operations to commence on the 1st of next month. (2) Three brigades of our Chen-Su[2] 8th Column are operating south of the Zhengzhou-Kaifeng line[3] and east of the Zhengzhou-Xuchang line[4]; two brigades of the main force of the 6th Column are operating east of the Xuchang-Queshan line, north of the Huai River, and south of the Sha River. (3) Two brigades of the enemy’s 5th Division’s main force are at Luohe dealing with our 8th Column; two brigades of the enemy’s 10th Division and one cavalry brigade are in the Xuchang area dealing with our 6th Column. All are on garrison duty and dare not attack. (4) After your rest and reorganization is complete, the operational disposition shall be: A. It is proposed that one brigade disrupt the Beiping-Hankou Railway.[5] Since enemy strength north of Xuchang is relatively large, it should directly maneuver to disrupt the section between Xuchang and Wushengguan and south of Wushengguan, drawing the 10th Division southward, then shift to disrupt north of Xuchang. This brigade should fully prepare railway demolition equipment and study demolition methods. For one to two months, this brigade shall specialize exclusively in infiltrating gaps and disrupting railways, undertaking no other tasks, and must be led by flexible and resourceful cadres. B. One brigade shall be positioned in Xin’an, Yiyang,

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and 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] Chen-Su refers to Chen Yi and Su Yu, then respectively serving as Commander and Political Commissar, and Deputy Commander of the East China Field Army.
[3] The Zhengzhou-Kaifeng line refers to the railway from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng, a section of the Longhai Railway.
[4] The Zhengzhou-Xuchang line refers to the railway from Zhengzhou to Xuchang, now a section of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway.
[5] The Beiping-Hankou Railway refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) to Hankou, now the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway.

Yichuan, and Songxian,[1] to suppress bandits, distribute property, distribute land, establish contact with Lushi, and monitor the enemy at Luoyang. C. The main force of five brigades shall, in the first step, move out simultaneously in several directions, seizing opportunities to capture the counties north of the line south of the Longhai Railway, west of the Beiping-Hankou Railway, and north of the Fangcheng-Nanzhao-Wuyang line, annihilating militia, baojia, bandits, and small enemy units, mobilizing the masses, and distributing the grain and property of landlords. In the second step, depending on the situation, concentrate forces to annihilate the enemy that may advance toward us from Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Luohe, and Xuchang,[2] but avoid the main force of the 5th Division if encountered, and destroy units of the 3rd Division, 10th Division, etc., one by one. If the enemy at Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Luohe, and Xuchang assumes a defensive posture, then extend the duration of the first-step operational plan. Whether the above plan is appropriate, convene a Front Committee meeting for study and report by telegram. (5) The 12th Brigade and the 17th Division shall also rest and reorganize until the end of the month. At the beginning of next month, aside from leaving one part in Lushi and east of the Xi’an-Jingziguan Highway[3] to suppress bandits, distribute grain, property, and land, the main force shall advance westward at the beginning of next month, in several steps capturing seven or eight counties in southern Shaanxi, annihilating militia, baojia, bandits, and small enemy units, and establishing base areas. Southern Shaanxi is relatively poor, but establishing base areas there has strategic significance. The commanders and fighters must be persuaded to possess the resolve for arduous struggle.

Military Commission
20th, 12:00 hours

[1] Xin’an, Yiyang, Yichuan, and Songxian refer to Xin’an, Yiyang, Yichuan, and Song County in Henan Province.
[2] Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Luohe, and Xuchang refer to Luoyang, Zhengzhou, Luohe, and Xuchang in Henan Province.
[3] The Xi’an-Jingziguan Highway refers to the highway from Xi’an in Shaanxi to Jingziguan in Henan.