Immediately Organize the Westward Advance Corps for Operations toward Suiyuan[1]

(July 23, 1948)

Nie and Bo, relay to Yang Chengwu, and inform Yang, Luo, Geng[2] and Lin, Luo, Liu[3]:

(1) The operations of Yang Chengwu’s unit in the present area should conclude before the 25th. The main force of the entire army is to withdraw to the mountainous region west of the Ping-Bao Line[4] for concealed rest and reorganization, with one part approaching the Ping-Bao Line for rest and reorganization. (2) Yang Chengwu is to immediately begin organizing the Westward Advance Corps, tasked with undertaking operations toward Suiyuan. This corps is to be composed of the entire 1st Column, two brigades of the 2nd Column, and two brigades of the 6th Column, totaling seven brigades from three columns. Yang Chengwu is to serve as commander and concurrently political commissar of the Westward Corps. The period from the 26th to August 9th, totaling fifteen days, is designated for rest and reorganization. On August 10th, begin the westward advance, taking the route south of Datong, and ensure arrival in the vicinity of Guisui[5] around August 25th, seizing Guisui when opportune. Thereafter, when opportune, attack the Baotou, Wuyuan, and Linhe areas, occupy the entire grain-producing region of western Suiyuan, or maneuver east of Guisui to attract Fu Zuoyi[6] to send at least one army westward for reinforcement, thereby benefiting operations on the eastern front. (3) Yang, Luo, and Geng’s unit

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Commander of the North China Military Region Nie Rongzhen and Political Commissar Bo Yibo, to be relayed to Yang Chengwu, Second Political Commissar of the Second Corps of the North China Military Region.

[2] Yang, Luo, Geng refers to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who at the time respectively served as Commander, First Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Second Corps of the North China Military Region.

[3] Lin, Luo, Liu refers to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou, who at the time respectively served as Commander and concurrently Political Commissar, Deputy Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Northeast Field Army.

[4] Ping-Bao Line refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) to Baoding, a section of the present-day Beijing-Guangzhou Line.

[5] Guisui, former city name, present-day Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

[6] Fu Zuoyi, then served as Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang Army’s North China “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.

Immediately Organize the Westward Advance Corps for Operations toward Suiyuan

is to conclude operations in the present area by the end of this month, then proceed with rest and reorganization until August 15th, and prepare to directly accept operational tasks from Lin, Luo, and Liu around August 20th. (4) From the hour of Wu-Xiao onward, Yang Chengwu’s Corps is to be placed directly under the command of the Military Commission. Its rear-area supply is to be undertaken by the North China Military Region, with assistance from the Jin-Sui Military Region, using northwestern Shanxi as the rear area. Preparations must be made for prolonged operations throughout the entire territory of Suiyuan. The North China Bureau should immediately organize a group of local work cadres to accompany the army in its westward advance. (5) One brigade of the 6th Column and the entire 7th Column are to remain for operations in the area west and south of the Ping-Bao Line, under the command of the North China Military Region.

Military Commission
23rd, 2:00 hours