Postpone the Attack on Zhengzhou and Step Up Preparations for the Huaihai Campaign[1]

(October 14, 1948)

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

Your telegram of Yuan You[3] noted. According to intelligence from Shanghai and Nanjing, the Ministry of National Defense has ordered Liu Zhi[4], stating that the Communist forces attacking Jinan have suffered extraordinarily heavy losses and are currently regrouping and replenishing, and that an immediate counteroffensive should be launched while they are not yet firmly established. It is also reported by a certain section chief of the Ministry of National Defense that in order to safeguard the coordination between Xuzhou and Zhengzhou[5], western Shandong will absolutely not be abandoned, and that in addition to the existing forces of Qiu Qingquan and Liu Ruming[6],

[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, First Deputy Commander Chen Yi, and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping.

[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 by Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping to the Central Military Commission at the You hour (5–7 p.m.) on October 13, 1948. The telegram stated: We originally planned to begin the attack on Zhengzhou on the night of the 18th, aiming to annihilate the defending enemy and draw Sun Yuanliang’s Corps westward for reinforcement, in coordination with the East China Field Army’s Huaihai operations. However, Sun’s Corps has now only been moved to the vicinity of Minquan, and Du Yuming’s Corps is massed around Shangqiu. Three or four days after we launch the attack on Zhengzhou, Sun’s Corps could arrive to reinforce, and Du’s Corps might also follow. In that case, we would be unable to capture the city, powerless to strike the reinforcements, and would inevitably be forced to withdraw from battle. Moreover, Du’s Corps could promptly return eastward, offering little assistance to the East China Field Army. Therefore, we are considering postponing the attack on Zhengzhou until five days before the commencement of the Huaihai operations, and at the same time suggest that the East China Field Army ensure it begins operations on the 25th or 26th, while we delay by two days and launch the attack on Zhengzhou on the 20th.

[4] Liu Zhi, then commander-in-chief of the Kuomintang’s Xuzhou “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.

[5] Xu Zheng refers to Xuzhou in Jiangsu Province and Zhengzhou in Henan Province.

[6] Qiu Qingquan, then commander of the Kuomintang’s 2nd Corps. Liu Ruming, then commander of the Kuomintang’s 4th Pacification Zone.

two additional reorganized divisions, designations unknown, are being added. To defend Xuzhou and the Xuzhou-Pukou section, they are adopting a tactic of defending by attacking, with the feint attack directed at western Shandong. The Communist forces, in order to consolidate Jinan, maintain Yanzhou and Jining[1], and cover regrouping and replenishment, are also adopting a strategy of defending by attacking. The feint attack is directed at Tancheng, Donghai, and northern Jiangsu, and so forth. According to Liu, Chen, and Deng’s Yuan You telegram, Sun’s Corps[2] has been moved to the vicinity of Minquan. According to Su, Tan, Chen, and Zhang’s[3] Yuan Wu telegram, intelligence indicates that Qiu’s Corps has a new mission, and Qiu has ordered the 1st Cavalry Brigade to strengthen reconnaissance in the Jinxiang-Chengwu area. It also states that the 63rd Army of Huang’s Corps[4], according to information of the 9th, plans to send the 168th Division, with one regiment of the 125th Division attached, from Xin’an and Yunhe[5] westward to Xuzhou, intending to sweep through Xiao County toward Yongcheng. It further states that Li’s Corps[6] is sending the New 20th Division of the 8th Army to Feng County to relieve the 100th Army’s defense, and so forth. From this, it can be generally judged that the enemy’s Qiu and Sun Corps will launch a defensive offensive toward southwestern Shandong. The purpose of this offensive, based on the Ministry of National Defense’s assessment that our forces suffered very heavy losses in attacking Jinan and are now covering regrouping and replenishment, and that the main direction of our future offensive will be through southwestern Shandong toward the Xuzhou-Bengbu section, is therefore to first move heavy forces against southwestern Shandong. Whether this is indeed the case will soon become clear. If Qiu and Sun Corps truly act in this manner, it will be extremely advantageous for our operations in both the Huaihai and Zhengzhou areas. Therefore, it is decided: (1) Liu, Chen, and Deng’s main force should postpone the attack on Zhengzhou. The 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 9th Columns are to rest in place and await orders, while Wang Hongkun’s[7] units advancing southward may move rapidly. (2) Su and Tan’s main force is not to move this month but to step up all preparations for the Huaihai Campaign. (3)

[1] Yan Ji refers to Yanzhou and Jining in Shandong Province.

[2] Sun’s Corps refers to the Kuomintang’s 16th Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Sun Yuanliang.

[3] Su and Tan refer to Su Yu and Tan Zhenlin. Chen and Zhang refer to Chen Shiju and Zhang Zhen, then chief of staff and deputy chief of staff, respectively, of the East China Field Army.

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

[5] Xin’an, name of a town, now the county seat of Xinyi County, Jiangsu Province. Yunhe, name of a town, now the county seat of Pi County, Jiangsu Province.

[6] Li’s Corps refers to the Kuomintang’s 13th Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Li Mi.

[7] Wang Hongkun, then commander of the Tongbai Military District.

Su and Tan are to immediately order Wei and Ji[1] to prepare to lead the 12th Column southward ahead of the main force on the 23rd or 24th of this month, to link up with the 11th Column in northern Jiangsu, and to concentrate in the Sixian-Lingbi area west of the canal[2]. The 2nd Column is to remain temporarily in its present position and later follow the main force southward to rejoin its unit.

Central Military Commission

Twenty-one hours, 14th

[1] Wei and Ji refer to Wei Guoqing and Ji Luo (Ji Pengfei), then commander and deputy political commissar, respectively, of the Northern Jiangsu Corps of the East China Field Army.

[2] West of the canal refers to the area west of the Grand Canal.