Surround the Enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua to Ensure They Cannot Escape[1]

(November 29, 1948)

Yang and Li; Yang, Luo, and Geng; Cheng and Huang[2]:

(1) After Yang and Li have surrounded the enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua,[3] they should immediately and swiftly complete blocking fortifications, ensuring that the enemy cannot escape (be careful not to let the enemy escape under cover of night), so as to draw enemy forces from the east to come to their aid. If the enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua flees toward Huailai before your arrival, you should immediately pursue them fiercely to Huailai and must by all means seize a portion of the enemy force. (2) As soon as Yang, Luo, and Geng learn that Yang and Li have surrounded the enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, they should immediately advance rapidly to surround the enemy at Huailai. (3) Cheng and Huang should remain in their present positions awaiting orders, so as to reassure the enemy and let them advance westward to provide reinforcements.

The Military Commission

24:00 hours, November 29

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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 Yang Chengwu, Commander of the Third Corps of the North China Military Region, and Li Tianhuan, Deputy Political Commissar and concurrently Director of the Political Department, among others.

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

[3] Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua refer to Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua in Hebei Province.