Prepare to Destroy Liao Yaoxiang’s Forces Unit by Unit[1]

(October 19, 1948)

Lin, Luo, Liu:

(1) Your telegram of 14:00 today[2] noted. The enemy at Shenyang seems to have resolved to retreat, with a strong likelihood of withdrawing toward Yingkou. Your most urgent deployment at present is to immediately order Xiao Xiao[3] to lead the bulk of the various independent divisions from Changchun (leaving two, or at most three, independent divisions in the Changchun area will suffice) and the 12th Column to advance by forced marches from east of Fushun to Yingkou and the areas west and north of it to block the enemy’s retreat route. For emergency measures at present, consider ordering the 10th Column to advance from Dahu Mountain[4] to Yingkou to construct fortifications. With the 10th Column, the 12th Column, and six to seven independent divisions on that front, the situation will be consolidated. As long as this move succeeds and the enemy has no escape route, you will have achieved a strategic victory. Your units in the Jinzhou area must strive to rest and regroup for at least another week, preparing to annihilate

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Lin Biao, commander of the Northeast Field Army, Luo Ronghuan, political commissar, and Liu Yalou, chief of staff.

[2] Refers to the telegram sent by Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou to the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China at 14:00 on October 19, 1948. The telegram stated: If the enemy that advanced south of Xinlitun yesterday continues to advance toward Jinzhou according to Chiang Kai-shek’s plan, we will not have time to first annihilate the enemy at Jinzhou and Huludao, and can only first annihilate the enemy advancing from Shenyang toward Jinzhou. If the enemy changes its plan due to the uprising of the Changchun garrison and does not immediately advance toward Jinzhou, then our army, after a brief period of rest and regrouping, will either attack Jinzhou and Huludao or attack Xinlitun. “After the resolution of the Changchun situation, all our units on the northern front will advance toward Yingkou. Our 6th Column has already halted east of Zhangwu. The 5th Column withdrew to Fuxin yesterday. The 10th Column has withdrawn from south of Xinlitun to Dahu Mountain.”

[3] Xiao Xiao refers to Xiao Jinguang and Xiao Hua, who were respectively commander and political commissar of the 1st Corps of the Northeast Field Army at the time.

[4] Dahu Mountain, now named Dahu Mountain, is located in the southern part of Heishan County, Liaoning Province.

the enemy advancing toward you from Xinlitun.[1] If this enemy does not advance further, then attack Xinlitun, seize Liao Yaoxiang[2] and strike, so that he cannot escape, and destroy his forces unit by unit. Because the enemy at Shenyang is resolved to retreat, you must use all your strength to seize the Shenyang enemy; for the time being, you cannot strike at Jinzhou and Huludao.[3] Before the annihilation of the Shenyang enemy, Jinzhou and Huludao should be changed from attack objectives to pinning-down objectives. (2) Your telegram of 12:00 on the 18th regarding the preliminary summary of the Jinzhou operation has been read and noted. The troops’ morale is good, tactics are good, and your command has been appropriate. This is extremely gratifying. Convey an order of commendation.

Central Military Commission

22:00, 19th

[1] Xinlitun, a town located in the northern part of Heishan County, Liaoning Province.

[2] Liao Yaoxiang, then commander of the Kuomintang’s 9th Corps.

[3] Jinhu refers to Jinxi and Huludao in Liaoning Province.