Control the Dangshan–Huangkou Sector to Threaten Xuzhou[1]

(July 16, 1948)

Su, Chen, and Zhang; Xu and Tan[2]:

All telegrams received. Xu and Tan have already annihilated the 84th Division; the enemy at Ji–Wen[3] has fled south; Qiu’s Army Corps[4] may halt its eastward advance. Xu and Tan should rest in place for one or two days, then, regardless of fatigue and attrition, promptly move north to besiege Jinan and strive to capture it within about ten days. Su, Chen, and Zhang, leading the 4th and 8th Columns, will attack and seize the Dangshan–Huangkou line toward evening and prepare to annihilate Huang’s Army Corps[5] — this plan is very good. So long as Huang’s Army Corps is annihilated, Qiu’s Army Corps will not dare risk reinforcing Jinan, which will ensure the success of Xu and Tan’s assault on Jinan. Thereafter you may be able to destroy Qiu’s Army Corps piecemeal, possibly re-enter Kaifeng, and capture Heze. The war situation may develop rapidly; make mental preparations for this. After you capture the Dangshan–Huangkou sector, you should, as far as possible, hold that sector for several days to threaten Xuzhou and draw Huang’s Army Corps to its relief, thereby facilitating its destruction. Deliberate and decide as you see fit.

Central Military Commission

Wei[6]

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central 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; and Zhang Zhen, deputy chief of staff.

[2] Xu and Tan refer to Xu Shiyou and Tan Zhenlin, who were then respectively commander and political commissar of the Shandong Army Corps of the East China Field Army.

[3] Ji–Wen refers to Jining and Wenshang in Shandong.

[4] Qiu’s Army Corps refers to the Kuomintang army’s Reorganized 5th Army, commanded by Qiu Qingquan.

[5] Huang’s Army Corps refers to the Kuomintang 7th Army Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Huang Baitao.

[6] Wei: the day stem for “wei” in the traditional Chinese calendrical system.