Annihilating Huang Wei’s Corps Is the Key to Destroying All the Enemy Forces at Xuzhou-Bengbu[1]

(November 29, 1948)

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

(1) Your telegram of 17:00 hours on the 28th[3] received and noted. Proceeding from the perspective of the enemy’s stubborn defense, concentrating firepower, dividing and annihilating them piece by piece, and planning to resolve this enemy force in ten days or more—such a plan is steady and reliable. (2) Annihilating Huang Wei’s Corps[4] is the key to destroying all 66 enemy divisions at Xuzhou-Bengbu[5].

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Liu Bocheng, commander of the Central Plains Field Army, First Deputy Commander Chen Yi, and Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping.
[2] Su, Chen, Zhang refer to Su Yu, Chen Shiju, and Zhang Zhen, who were then respectively acting commander and acting political commissar, chief of staff, and deputy chief of staff of the East China Field Army. Tan, Wang, Li refer to Tan Zhenlin, Wang Jian’an, and Li Yingxi, who were then respectively political commissar, deputy commander, and chief of staff of the Shandong Corps of the East China Field Army.
[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, and Deng Xiaoping at 17:00 hours on November 28, 1948, to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and Su Yu, Chen Shiju, Zhang Zhen, Deng Zihui, and Li Da. The telegram stated: “After last night’s operations, the enemy has been compressed into a long, narrow, constricted area fifteen li east to west and four to five li north to south. The enemy’s basic intention still seems to be to break out to the southeast, but if the breakout fails, they can only hold out desperately and await reinforcements. Proceeding now from the perspective of the enemy’s stubborn defense, we are awaiting the arrival of ammunition, after which we will begin attacking and annihilating the enemy the night after next, adopting the tactic of concentrating firepower, striking one point first, and annihilating them piece by piece. Our six columns, from the blocking action at Guoyang on the 19th up to this morning, have suffered no more than six thousand casualties in total, and morale is very high. With the coordination of the East China Field Army’s 7th Column and artillery, we are fully confident of completely annihilating this enemy, but it will require about ten days to accomplish. Originally, based on the situation of the enemy’s general breakout and Liao Yunzhou’s uprising, it was estimated that the battle could be resolved quickly; this situation has now changed. The East China Field Army’s 7th Column, because the enemy has switched to stubborn defense, is therefore still retained as the general reserve force.”
[4] Huang Wei’s Corps refers to the Kuomintang Army’s 12th Corps, with Corps Commander Huang Wei.
[5] Xuzhou-Bengbu refers to Xuzhou in Jiangsu and Bengbu in Anhui.

We must anticipate the enemy’s deathbed struggle and must retain surplus strength in our own hands sufficient to deal with unexpected circumstances. Therefore, after Su, Chen, and Zhang have resolved the enemy at Guzhen and Caolaoji, the East China Field Army’s five columns—the 2nd, 6th, 10th, 11th, and 13th—should immediately assemble and rest, serving as the general reserve force for annihilating Huang Wei. The matter of crossing the Huai River and advancing south shall be discussed only after Huang Wei is completely annihilated. (3) We hope Tan, Wang, and Li will resolutely block the enemy forces of Qiu, Li, and Sun[1], ensuring that these enemy forces cannot break into Su County. Report on the situation on the northern front.

Military Commission

06:00 hours, 29th

1948, the motor vehicle defense line organized by the Kuomintang Army’s Huang Wei Mechanized Corps during the Huaihai Campaign.

[1] Qiu, Li, Sun refer to Qiu Qingquan, Li Mi, and Sun Yuanliang, who were then respectively commanders of the Kuomintang Army’s 2nd Corps, 13th Corps, and 16th Corps.