Lure Li Yannian’s Forces Forward and Strike Their Flank and Rear[1]

(November 27, 1948)

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

Request Su, Chen, and Zhang to prepare, when Huang Wei’s army[3] is on the verge of being annihilated but has not yet been completely wiped out, to pull back the frontal blocking forces against Li Yannian[4] by one step, luring his forces forward, and then use the main force to strike from his flank and rear, seeking to annihilate a portion of his forces.

The Military Commission

27th, 8:00 hours

---

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee 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] 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 Wei’s army refers to the 12th Army of the Kuomintang forces, with Huang Wei as its commander.

[4] Li Yannian was then commander of the 6th Army of the Kuomintang forces.