Deployment for Attacking Shimen and Striking the Reinforcements[1]

(October 23, 1947)

Nie, Xiao, Liu, Huang, Luo, and inform Zhu, Liu, Yang, Yang[2]:

Your telegram of 1200 hours on the 22nd[3] noted. The victory in the great battle of annihilation at Qingfengdian[4] is of tremendous significance for the further transformation of the combat style in your area. At present, if the enemy to the north moves south, then annihilate a part of them; if the enemy to the north halts, then our army should rest in the present location for about ten days, reorganize the troop formations, recover from

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Nie Rongzhen, commander of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, Xiao Ke, deputy commander, and Liu Lantao, Huang Jing, and Luo Ruiqing, deputy political commissars.
[2] Zhu and Liu refer to Zhu De and Liu Shaoqi. Yang and Yang refer to Yang Dezhi and Yang Chengwu, who were then respectively commander and second political commissar of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army.
[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Nie Rongzhen, Xiao Ke, Liu Lantao, Huang Jing, and Luo Ruiqing to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee at 1200 hours on October 22, 1947. The telegram stated: On the morning of the 22nd, the enemy's 3rd Army, 7th Division, and the 66th Regiment of the 22nd Division of the 16th Army (a total of 4 regiments plus one army headquarters and one division headquarters) were completely annihilated between Wangdu and Dingxian. At present, Shimen has only 3 regular army units and a part of puppet troops. The Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region intends to exploit the victory to seize Shimen.
[4] On October 11, 1947, the main force of the 3rd Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army disrupted the railway section from Xushui to Gucheng, while the main force of the 2nd Column surrounded Xushui and launched an attack. To relieve the siege of Xushui, Chiang Kai-shek urgently redeployed forces totaling 5 divisions from Baxian and Zhuozhou areas, moving south along Gucheng and Rongcheng for reinforcement. The Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army used a part of its forces to besiege Xushui, while its main force engaged the reinforcing enemy fiercely in the area northeast of Xushui. On the 15th, the enemy's 3rd Army from Shijiazhuang moved north for reinforcement. The Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Field Army immediately moved its main force covertly southward, and on the 19th surrounded this enemy force in the Qingfengdian area. After 54 hours of fierce battle, by the 22nd, the enemy's 3rd Army headquarters, 7th Division, and 66th Regiment were completely annihilated. Luo Lirong, commander of the enemy's 3rd Army, Yang Guangyu, deputy commander, and Li Yongzhang, commander of the 7th Division, were captured. One enemy aircraft was shot down and another damaged.

Deployment for Attacking Shimen and Striking the Reinforcements

fatigue, reconnoiter Shimen[1], and complete all preparations for striking Shimen. Then, concentrate not only the main force of nine brigades but also several local brigades, and carry out the attack on Shimen with the posture of attacking Shimen and striking the reinforcements, placing the emphasis on striking the reinforcements.

Military Commission

1230 hours, 23rd

1947, Mao Zedong's former residence, the Gao Family Courtyard, at Shenquanbao, Jia County.

[1] Shimen, i.e., Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province.

Autumn 1947, Mao Zedong at Shenquanbao, Jia County, northern Shaanxi.