Deployment for Attacking Guisui[1]

(November 5, 1948)

Yang, Li, and Li, and inform Yang, Luo, and Geng, Cheng[2] and Lin, Luo, and Liu[3]:

(1) The Yang-Luo-Geng Army is currently positioned west of the Ping-Bao line[4] to await opportunities to attack and destroy the enemy on that line, thereby threatening Beiping from the south. Cheng-Huang, leading two columns, four independent divisions, and one cavalry division, will concentrate around the Zunhua-Jixian area around the 12th of this month to threaten Beiping from the north. It is estimated that Fu’s[5] forces will find it difficult to detach two armies to reinforce Sui[6], but we must still prepare to deal with one army being sent as reinforcements. In addition to Cheng-Huang ordering Zhan Danan[7] to actively operate with full force along the Zhangbei-Zhangjiakou-Xuanhua-Huailai line when you attack Guisui[8], thereby pinning down the two armies of the Temporary 3rd and Temporary 4th, you yourselves should still position a considerable force from the 8th Column in the

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Yang Chengwu, Commander of the 3rd Army of the North China Military Region; Li Jingquan, Political Commissar; and Li Tianhuan, Deputy Political Commissar and concurrently Director of the Political Department.

[2] Yang, Luo, and Geng refer to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who were respectively Commander, Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the 2nd Army of the North China Military Region at the time. Cheng and Huang refer to Cheng Zihua and Huang Zhiyong, who were respectively Commander and Chief of Staff of the 2nd Army of the Northeast Field Army at the time.

[3] Lin, Luo, and Liu refer to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou, who were respectively Commander, Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Northeast Field Army at the time.

[4] The Ping-Bao line refers to the railway from Beiping (present-day Beijing) to Baoding, a section of the present-day Beijing-Guangzhou line.

[5] Fu refers to Fu Zuoyi, who was then Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang’s “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters in North China.

[6] Sui refers to Suiyuan, an old province name covering the central region of the present-day Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, abolished in 1954.

[7] Zhan Danan was then Commander of the Ji-Re-Cha Military Region.

[8] Guisui, an old city name, is present-day Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.

Xingji[1] area, cooperating with the Beiyue troops to directly block any enemy forces that might attempt to reinforce from the west. You should also keep a portion of your main force as a reserve, positioned near Zhuozishan[2] to provide support. For the time being, leave only a small number of troops along the Guisui-Baotou line, so as to draw out the main force of the 8th Column and position it to the east. Report whether this is feasible. (2) The appropriate time for the attack is when the Cheng-Huang Army has reached eastern Hebei and the Beiping side already feels threatened. The specific date can be set around the 15th. (3) Thoroughly investigate the enemy’s disposition and coordination within Guisui City to facilitate a swift and effective assault. Strive to capture Guisui in about ten days. (4) You should maintain close contact with Zhan Danan. The timing of Zhan’s pinning-down operations should be coordinated with the timing of your attack on the city.

Military Commission

5th, 0600 hours

[1] Xingji refers to Xinghe and Jining in Inner Mongolia.

[2] Zhuozishan is now the seat of Zhuozi County, Inner Mongolia.