Two Plans for Operations in the Su-Xian-Bengbu Area[1]

(November 5, 1948)

Chen and Deng, and for information to Su, Chen, and Zhang[2]:

(1) Where are you now? (2) The enemy already knows the importance of Mengcheng. Sun Yuanliang[3] led his army headquarters from Su County yesterday (the 4th) to Banqiaoji[4]; it is estimated he will reach Mengcheng today (the 5th). The 99th Army of this army (formerly the 69th Division) has already arrived in Bengbu to take over garrison duties, while the 96th Army (formerly the remnants of the 45th Division), originally garrisoned in Bengbu, has moved east from Bengbu to Linhuaiguan[5]. Of this army’s 41st and 47th Armies, it is estimated that one army is accompanying Sun to Mengcheng, while the other remains in Su County. Since the entire Qiu Army[6] is now between Dangshan and Xuzhou (exclusive of both) and in Feng County, and Liu Ruming[7] has moved to Dangshan and areas to its west, and given that earlier reports of Qiu Army dispatching one division to Su County seem not to have materialized, it follows that Sun Army must have one army stationed in Su County. Whether this is the case, we hope you will quickly ascertain. (3) Our 3rd and Guang Columns’ attack on Liu’s forces near Dangshan may draw a portion of Qiu Army westward for reinforcement. (4) Under the circumstances described above,

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and addressed to the First Deputy Commander Chen Yi and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping of the Central Plains Field Army.

[2] Su, Chen, and Zhang refer to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, and Zhang Zhen, who at the time were respectively the Acting Commander and Acting Political Commissar, Chief of Staff, and Deputy Chief of Staff of the East China Field Army.

[3] Sun Yuanliang was then Commander of the 16th Army of the Kuomintang forces.

[4] Banqiaoji is a town located northeast of Mengcheng County, Anhui Province.

[5] Linhuaiguan is a town located in the eastern part of Fenyang County, Anhui Province.

[6] Qiu Army refers to the 2nd Army of the Kuomintang forces, with Qiu Qingquan as Army Commander.

[7] Liu Ruming was then Commander of the 4th Pacification Zone of the Kuomintang forces.

the first plan: After reaching Yongcheng, you do not halt but continue advancing eastward, complete the encirclement of Su County, and then, depending on the situation, attack and annihilate the enemy if conditions are favorable; if enemy reinforcements arrive too quickly and conditions are unfavorable, then strike at the reinforcing enemy. It is estimated that enemy reinforcements may come from the north (a portion of Qiu Army), the west (Sun Yuanliang leading one army from Mengcheng), and the south (the 99th Army). It is also possible that Sun Yuanliang may go from Mengcheng to Bengbu first, assemble two armies, and then come entirely from the south. In any case, it would be advantageous for you to position a part of your forces to block reinforcements from the north and use your main strength to strike at reinforcing enemies from the west and south. However, it is also possible that the enemy from both the west and south may not dare to come to reinforce, and only the north sends reinforcements; in that case, you should strike at the northern reinforcing enemy. This plan can be expected to definitely draw a portion of Qiu Army into motion. The second plan: Use a part of your forces to disrupt the Xuzhou-Bengbu Railway[1] and use your main strength to strike at Mengcheng; after succeeding, thoroughly disrupt the Su County-Bengbu Railway[2]. Which of the above is preferable, we hope you will consider and reply.

Military Commission

Wei Chou

[1] The Xuzhou-Bengbu Railway refers to the railway from Xuzhou to Bengbu, a section of the present-day Beijing-Shanghai line.

[2] The Su County-Bengbu Railway refers to the railway from Su County to Bengbu, a section of the present-day Beijing-Shanghai line.