Measures to Counter the Northward Advance of Hu Lian’s and Zhang Zhen’s Forces[1]

(July 8, 1948)

To Liu, Chen, and Deng, and for information to Su:

All your telegrams have been noted. (1) At 0400 hours on July 7, Bai Chongxi ordered Hu Lian[2] to proceed north according to the original plan, and Zhang Zhen[3] to also advance north by forced marches after defeating our forces. We assume you have already learned of this. (2) Su’s forces began their withdrawal last night. Whether Hu Lian and Zhang Zhen will continue their northward advance will become clear within a few days. If Hu and Zhang continue their northward advance in an attempt to concentrate all their forces to first smash Su’s forces, you should lead your entire army north to assist Su’s forces. If Hu and Zhang halt their northward advance, you may also halt your northward advance, but the formal plan for rest and consolidation can only be decided after Chiang Kai-shek’s overall dispositions become clear. (3) Assuming that Hu and Zhang continue their northward advance and you therefore also have to move north, it would seem appropriate for you to position yourselves between the two forces of Hu and Zhang, cutting them off from each other. If you consider it appropriate to position your entire army behind the flank of Hu’s and Zhang’s combined forces, in a direction opposite to Su’s forces, that method may also be adopted. In all cases, the principle is to enable Su’s forces to gain a breathing spell and assume the initiative. This period will probably require about fifteen days.

The Military Commission

8 July, 1500-1700 hours

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Commander Liu Bocheng, First Deputy Commander Chen Yi, and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping of the Central Plains Field Army.
[2] Hu Lian was then Commander of the Reorganized 18th Army of the Kuomintang forces.
[3] Zhang Zhen was then Commander of the 5th Pacification Zone of the Kuomintang forces.