Central Military Commission Directive on Preparations for Annihilating Hu Zongnan’s Eastward-Advancing Forces[1]

(July 14, 1948)

To Liu, Chen, and Deng, with information copies to Su, Chen, and Zhang; Xu and Tan; and the East China Bureau:

(1) It has been confirmed that Hu Zongnan has detached two divisions (designations to be verified) under the command of Pei Changhui, which are to proceed via Luoyang toward Zhengzhou. You must intensify preparations and annihilate the enemy when they advance eastward from Lingbao to an appropriate point.

(2) Due to the enemy’s defeats in the Central Plains, in addition to the two divisions drawn from Hu’s forces, there are also reports of the Eighth Army being withdrawn from the Northeast. If true, it is estimated that they will land at Lianyungang and join the Xuzhou sector to fill the gaps left after the annihilation of units such as the 75th Division and 66th Division.

(3) Yanzhou has been captured, and the defending enemy forces have been completely annihilated. Xu and Tan are preparing to annihilate the reinforcing enemy 84th Division. If this battle is victorious, it is proposed to order Xu and Tan to attack Jinan. If Jinan can be captured in August or September, then Xu and Tan’s entire force (the 7th, 9th, and 13th Columns, the Bohai Column, and the Shandong Column) can move south in October to coordinate with Su, Chen, Wei, and Ji in fighting several major battles, striving to capture Xuzhou in the winter or spring.

(4) After annihilating three divisions of Yan Xishan’s forces during its northward advance, Xiangqian’s unit is now encircling and annihilating four divisions and three general columns of Yan’s forces in the Taigu area. They can be completely eliminated within the next few days, and preparations are being made to subsequently annihilate the two divisions retreating from Pingjie, Fenyang, and Xiaoyi toward Qingyuan. If these enemy forces can be eliminated, Yan’s forces will be left with only five divisions and some special units besieged in the four points of Yuci, Taiyuan, Yangqu, and Xinxian, creating the possibility of capturing Taiyuan and other areas ahead of schedule.

Central Military Commission
Han (July 14)

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Liu Bocheng, commander of the Central Plains Field Army; Chen Yi, first deputy commander; and Deng Xiaoping, political commissar.