Order Chen Xilian’s and Chen Geng’s Units to Attack Zhengzhou with Full Force[1]

(October 13, 1948)

Liu, Chen, Deng, Deng, Li, and inform Rao, Su, Tan[2]:

Your telegram of the Wei hour on the 12th[3] received. (1) Bai[4] has ordered Huang Wei and Zhang Gan[5] to advance from the Queshan-Suiping line toward the Tanghe-Sheqi[6] line. This will give you the necessary time for operations in the northern and southern sectors. Order Chen Xilian and Chen Geng[7] to lead the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 9th Columns in attacking Zhengzhou with full force according to the time you have set, and
deploy forces to block and strike enemy reinforcements. Once Zhengzhou is captured, you will gain the initiative in the north, which can compel the Sun Yuanliang Group[1] to turn back to Kaifeng, or remain on the Kaifeng-Xuzhou line without being able to advance further east.

(2) It is permissible for the 6th Column to remain temporarily in Tongbai to coordinate with Wang Hongkun[2]. As long as Wang Hongkun fights a relatively major victorious battle, the Zhang Gan Group will inevitably turn its attention southward, and the Huang Wei Group will then move northward to deal with the two Chens[3]. Thereafter, you will have opportunities to destroy Huang Wei piecemeal.

Central Military Commission

14:00 hours, 13th

[1] Sun Yuanliang Group refers to the Kuomintang Army’s 16th Corps, with Corps Commander Sun Yuanliang.

[2] Wang Hongkun, then commander of the Tongbai Military Sub-district.

[3] The two Chens refer to Chen Xilian and Chen Geng.

--- Notes

[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; Deng Xiaoping, political commissar; Deng Zihui, deputy political commissar; and Li Da, chief of staff.

[2] Rao refers to Rao Shushi, then political commissar of the East China Military Region. Su and Tan refer to Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin, then acting commander and acting political commissar, and deputy political commissar, respectively, of the East China Field Army.

[3] Refers to the telegram sent at the Wei hour on October 12, 1948, by Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, Deng Xiaoping, Deng Zihui, and Li Da to the Central Military Commission. The telegram stated: The enemy Sun Yuanliang Group’s 69th Division was already shipped east from Zhengzhou on the 11th. “As ordered, we have decided to have Chen Xilian lead the 1st, 3rd, and 9th Columns to attack and annihilate the enemy in Zhengzhou, with combat scheduled to begin on the 18th. Chen Xie will lead the 4th Column to Xiangcheng on the 18th and continue to move closer to the forces attacking Zhengzhou, strengthening the reserve forces for the attack on Zhengzhou and preparing to strike enemy reinforcements. Additionally, troops from southern Shaanxi will remain in the Fangcheng-Sheqizhen area, feigning a main force to attract and paralyze the Huang Wei and Zhang Gan Groups.” “The 6th Column is currently positioned at Huyangzhen between Tanghe and Zaoyang, striving to replenish cotton-padded uniforms, temporarily delaying its northward redeployment, and seizing opportunities to strike and annihilate a portion of the 20th Division attempting to invade Zaoyang, in order to secure the rear of the Hongkun Group and allow it to operate freely against Wu Shaozhou’s forces.”

[4] Bai refers to Bai Chongxi, then commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang Army’s Central China “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.

[5] Huang Wei and Zhang Gan, then commanders of the Kuomintang Army’s 12th Corps and 3rd Corps, respectively.

[6] Sheqi, an old town name, now the seat of Sheqi County, Henan Province, known as Sheqizhen.

[7] Chen Xilian and Chen Geng, then commanders of the 3rd Column and 4th Column, respectively, of the Central Plains Field Army.