Opinions on the Concrete Disposition for Annihilating Liao Yaoxiang’s Army Group[1]

(October 20, 1948)

Comrades Lin, Luo, and Liu:

We are in complete agreement with you on the policy of immediately preparing to annihilate, without missing the moment, the five armies of Liao Yaoxiang’s army group,[2] as already communicated by telegram. As for the concrete disposition, you may handle it according to the circumstances as you see fit. We offer the following opinions for your consideration: (1) The two columns and three independent divisions originally assigned to the defense of the Jinxi-Huludao[3] sector should continue to undertake defense there, with no additional troops to be committed. (2) All nine columns—the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th—comprising twenty-seven divisions, should be used to split up and encircle the five armies and twelve divisions of Liao’s army group. The method is as follows: Use the six columns with the strongest combat effectiveness to split up, encircle, and attack three enemy armies, that is, assign two columns to encircle and annihilate one enemy army. At the same time, use another two columns to split up and partially encircle the other two enemy armies, that is, assign one column to partially encircle one enemy army, refraining from attack for the time being, only ensuring that it can neither reinforce nor escape. After our main force of six columns has annihilated the enemy’s main force of three armies, these columns can then be shifted to annihilate the remaining ones. Use the remaining one column as the general reserve, to be committed to the main-force operations at any time. We believe that, given the enemy’s lack of strong fortifications and their declining morale, it is sufficient to use two of our columns to encircle and annihilate one enemy army. Moreover, after our main force has encircled three enemy armies, we need not attack all three simultaneously; we may first attack one or two

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

[2] Liao Yaoxiang’s army group refers to the Kuomintang’s 9th Army Group, whose commander was Liao Yaoxiang.

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

armies. Once one enemy army has been nearly wiped out, we can then proceed to attack all three armies simultaneously. If Xiao Xiao[1] can lead several independent divisions to arrive in time to cut off the enemy’s retreat route, that would be even more advantageous. (3) Gao Wu[2] proposes stationing six divisions (the 12th Column plus three independent divisions) north of Yingkou. We feel it might be appropriate to add one more division, making a total of seven divisions north of Yingkou, to block the enemy’s escape route, and among these there should be two to three divisions with relatively strong combat effectiveness. (4) You should immediately convene a meeting of cadres to mobilize for the operations of the new campaign. The above four points are for your consideration and action.

Military Commission

0700 hours, October 20

[1] Xiao Xiao refers to Xiao Jinguang and Xiao Hua, who were then respectively commander and political commissar of the 1st Army Group of the Northeast Field Army.

[2] Gao Wu refers to Gao Gang and Wu Xiuquan, who were then respectively first deputy commander and deputy chief of staff of the Northeast Military Region.