Let Qiu Qingquan Penetrate Deep, Cut Off His Retreat, and Encircle Him[1]

(November 14, 1948)

Su, Chen, Zhang, and inform Wei, Ji, Tan, Wang, Liu, Chen, Deng[2]:

(1) Chiang Kai-shek, finding Huang’s Army Corps[3] in dire peril, has ordered Qiu’s Army Corps[4] to advance by starry night, with a deadline of reaching Nianzhuang[5] by the night of the 13th to break the siege. (2) Huang’s Army Corps can probably be finished off today. At present, this is an excellent opportunity to continue annihilating Qiu’s Army Corps. It is hoped that orders will be given for the frontal blocking forces to withdraw eastward, letting Qiu the bandit penetrate deep. Order Wei and Ji’s Army Corps to cut off Qiu the bandit’s retreat tonight and complete the encirclement of this bandit. Otherwise, as soon as this bandit hears that Huang the bandit has been annihilated, he will rapidly retreat to Xuzhou. (3) Qiu the bandit’s eastward reinforcement force comprises seven divisions, leaving three divisions (including one cavalry brigade) in Xuzhou and to its west.

The Military Commission

14th, 0400 hours

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Su Yu, acting commander and acting political commissar of the East China Field Army; Chen Shiju, chief of staff; and Zhang Zhen, deputy chief of staff.

[2] Wei and Ji refer to Wei Guoqing and Ji Luo (Ji Pengfei), who were then respectively commander and deputy political commissar of the Subei Army Corps of the East China Field Army. Tan and Wang refer to Tan Zhenlin and Wang Jian’an, who were then respectively political commissar and deputy commander of the Shandong Army Corps of the East China Field Army. Liu, Chen, and Deng refer to Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping, who were then respectively commander, first deputy commander, and political commissar of the Central Plains Field Army.

[3] Huang’s Army Corps refers to the Kuomintang 7th Army Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Huang Baitao.

[4] Qiu’s Army Corps refers to the Kuomintang 2nd Army Corps, commanded by Corps Commander Qiu Qingquan.

[5] Nianzhuang, a town located in the western part of Pi County, Jiangsu Province.