The Xu-Tan Corps Should Attack Jinan to Disperse the Enemy[1]

(July 14, 1948)

To Su, Chen, Tang, and Zhang, with copies to Xu and Tan[2], the Central Plains Bureau, and the East China Bureau:

It is said that the rainy season lasts two months. During this period, apart from striving for rest and consolidation, is there still the possibility and necessity for you, as well as Xu-Tan and Wei-Ji[3], to conduct operations? It is estimated that the enemy will likely exploit your fatigue and concentrate forces to press against you, making it impossible for you to rest and consolidate in peace. It seems necessary to take effective action to disperse the enemy. Only by destroying several enemy units when they are dispersed can you carry out a major rest and consolidation (the same applies to Xu-Tan and Wei-Ji). For such actions to disperse the enemy, it appears that Xu-Tan attacking Jinan would be the most effective. It is proposed to order Xu-Tan, after capturing Yanzhou and Jining[4], to rest for two weeks and then attack Jinan, forcing the two enemy corps under Qiu and Huang[5] to split their forces and move north for reinforcement (the enemy will have no choice but to move north for reinforcement). At that time, you should seek out an enemy unit to attack, so that the enemy is both forced to disperse and unable to coordinate from head to tail, which will be advantageous for our piecemeal destruction of the enemy and the subsequent major rest and consolidation. When Xu-Tan attacks Jinan, they can first occupy the airfield and complete the preparations for attacking

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Su Yu, Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar of the East China Field Army; Chen Shiju, Chief of Staff; Tang Liang, Director of the Political Department; and Zhang Zhen, Deputy Chief of Staff.

[2] Xu and Tan refer to Xu Shiyou and Tan Zhenlin, then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Shandong Corps of the East China Field Army.

[3] Wei and Ji refer to Wei Guoqing and Ji Luo (Ji Pengfei), then respectively Commander and Deputy Political Commissar of the Subei Corps of the East China Field Army.

[4] Yan-Ji refers to Yanzhou and Jining in Shandong.

[5] Qiu and Huang refer to Qiu Qingquan and Huang Baitao, then respectively Commander of the Reorganized Fifth Army and Commander of the Seventh Corps of the Kuomintang Army.

the city within two to three weeks (including recovering from fatigue, replenishing troops, training, reconnaissance, and deployment, etc.). Then, depending on the situation of the enemy’s reinforcements, decide whether to strike the reinforcements first or attack the city first. If there is no assurance in either attacking the city or striking the reinforcements, then withdraw the troops for rest and consolidation. Once Qiu and Huang have detached a portion of their forces to reinforce Jinan, they will be unable to press against you, and you will then have the freedom either to conduct operations or to rest and consolidate. At present, it is inadvisable for Xu-Tan to concentrate their operations with you. If Xu-Tan were to join the southwestern Shandong area, it would force Qiu and Huang to concentrate, making it difficult to find opportunities for annihilation. Please consider the above and reply by telegram.

Military Commission
Han Yin