Within One Week, Do Not Allow the Enemy’s 18th Army to Cross the Sui-Xian Line[1]

(July 6, 1948)

Liu, Chen, Deng, and inform Su, Chen, Tang[2]:

Both the Wei-Shen telegram[3] and the Yu 6:00 hours telegram[4] have been noted. (1) You have already cut off and are attacking and annihilating parts of the 28th Division and the 10th Division, and one brigade of Chen-Xie[5] is pursuing and striking the 18th Army toward Zhoukou. This is very good and gratifying.

(2) It is hoped that after you have finished off the enemy forces already cut off and under attack, you will then proceed to cut off and annihilate another part of the enemy. If you

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Liu Bocheng, Commander of the Central Plains Field Army, Chen Yi, First Deputy Commander, and Deng Xiaoping, Political Commissar.

[2] Su, Chen, Tang refers to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, and Tang Liang, who at the time were respectively Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar, Chief of Staff, and Director of the Political Department of the East China Field Army.

[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, and the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee at the Shen hour on July 5, 1948. The telegram stated: “1. Since yesterday morning, the 18th Army has been attacking our Kuang Bin’s unit and occupied Zhoukou at 13:00 today. At present, Kuang Bin’s three small regiments are deploying defenses and blocking along the Zhoukou-Huaihe line, striving to prevent the enemy from advancing beyond Huaiyang tomorrow. One brigade of Chen-Xie is currently pursuing and striking toward Zhoukou. 2. Two brigades of Chen-Xie today attacked toward the line of Shangshui-Donghongqiao, have already seized a part of the 28th Division of Wu Shaozhou’s Corps, and, in coordination with one brigade of the 1st Column, have cut off Wu’s Corps. Fighting is underway.”

[4] Refers to the telegram sent by Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, Tang Liang, and the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee at 6:00 hours on July 6, 1948. The telegram stated: Yesterday afternoon, our 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Columns all engaged the enemy west of the Shangshui-Shangcai line. At present, one regiment of the 28th Division and the 85th Brigade of the 10th Division of Wu Shaozhou’s Corps have been cut off. We plan to select one point to attack and annihilate them tonight.

[5] Chen-Xie refers to Chen Geng and Xie Fuzhi, who at the time were respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the 4th Column of the Central Plains Field Army.

Within One Week, Do Not Allow the Enemy’s 18th Army to Cross the Sui-Xian Line

can annihilate two enemy brigades within a few days, it may be possible to pull back the 18th Army. (3) The one brigade of Chen-Xie pursuing and striking the 18th Army should closely follow the 18th Army all the way to Huaiyang, Taikang, and areas north thereof. If this enemy turns back to relieve Wu,[1] then block and strike it. (4) It is hoped that Su, Chen, Tang will dispatch a part of their forces to the Huaiyang area to coordinate with Kuang Bin’s[2] four small regiments in blocking the 18th Army. If no regular troops can be sent, then dispatch local troops to ensure that within about one week this enemy does not cross the Sui-Xian line.[3]

Military Commission

Yu-Shen

[1] Wu refers to Wu Shaozhou, who at the time was Commander of the Reorganized 85th Division of the Kuomintang Army, commanding the corps composed of the Reorganized 85th Division, the 28th Division, and the 10th Division.

[2] Kuang Bin, at the time Commander of the 8th Military Sub-district of the Henan-Anhui-Jiangsu Military District.

[3] Sui-Xian refers to Sui County and Qi County in Henan Province.