In Addition to Dealing with the Qiu and Sun Corps, We Must Also Deal with Huang Wei’s Corps[1]

(November 1, 1948)

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

Bai Chongxi[3], believing that the Longhai battle at Xuzhou may break out at any moment, has ordered Huang Wei’s Corps[4] to complete its assembly at Taihe and Fuyang by Xu Hui. After our Huaye launches the offensive on Xu Qi, it is estimated that the fighting will be most intense during the ten days from Xu Qi to Xu Qiao, and it is imperative to ensure that during these ten days Qiu Qingquan’s Corps[5] cannot move east to reinforce. However, in addition to dealing with the two corps under Qiu and Sun[6], you must also deal with Huang Wei’s Corps (four armies). We request your assessment of Huang Wei’s advance and your proposed countermeasures. We believe that, aside from the 6th Column, which must immediately follow Huang Wei and advance east, if the 10th Column is near Nanyang, it should also coordinate with the 2nd Column to follow Huang Wei and advance east. What is your view? Awaiting your reply.

The Military Commission
Dong Hai

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[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Chen Yi, First Deputy Commander of the Central Plains Field Army, and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping.
[2] Liu, Deng, and Li refer to Liu Bocheng, Deng Zihui, and Li Da, who were respectively Commander, Deputy Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Central Plains Field Army at the time. Su, Tan, and Chen refer to Su Yu, Tan Zhenlin, and Chen Shiju, who were respectively Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar, Deputy Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the East China Field Army at the time.
[3] Bai Chongxi was then Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang Army’s Central China “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters.
[4] Huang Wei’s Corps refers to the Kuomintang Army’s 12th Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Huang Wei.
[5] Qiu Qingquan’s Corps refers to the Kuomintang Army’s 2nd Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Qiu Qingquan.
[6] Qiu refers to Qiu Qingquan. Sun refers to Sun Yuanliang, who was then Commander of the Kuomintang Army’s 16th Corps.