Make Sure the Enemy at Zhangjiakou Cannot Withdraw Eastward[1]

(December 4, 1948)

Yang, Luo, and Geng; Yang and Li[2]; and inform Cheng and Huang[3]:

The greatest concern in the coming days is that the enemy at Zhangyuan[4] may take advantage of the moment when our Cheng-Huang forces are about to arrive but have not yet done so to break out eastward, while the enemy at Huailai and Nankou[5] moves westward to meet them. Therefore, in addition to the points already communicated, the following supplementary instructions must be carried out swiftly, firmly, and resolutely. (1) Yang, Luo, and Geng must use full strength by tomorrow (the 5th) to control the section between Xuanhua (exclusive) and Huailai (exclusive), immediately begin constructing strong blocking fortifications facing both east and west, and make sure the enemy at Zhangyuan cannot withdraw eastward. This is the most important task. Do not rush to attack the enemy at Xuanhua. If Xiahuayuan[6] has only one regiment, then annihilate it; if it has a division, do not attack it either, only encircle it, and wait until Cheng and Huang reach the Huai-Nan line[7] before striking. (2) Yang and Li’s 1st Column must firmly hold the interdiction position between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua. If their strength is insufficient, they should reinforce

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission, addressed to Yang Dezhi (commander), Luo Ruiqing (political commissar), and Geng Biao (chief of staff) of the 2nd Corps of the North China Military Region, and others.

[2] Yang and Li refer to Yang Chengwu and Li Tianhuan, who were then respectively commander and deputy political commissar and director of the Political Department of the 3rd Corps of the North China Military Region.

[3] Cheng and Huang refer to Cheng Zihua and Huang Zhiyong, who were then respectively commander and chief of staff of the 2nd Corps of the Northeast Field Army.

[4] Zhangyuan is Zhangjiakou, Hebei.

[5] Nankou is a town located in the western part of Changping County, Beijing.

[6] Xiahuayuan is a town, present-day Xiahuayuan District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province.

[7] The Huai-Nan line refers to the railway from Huailai to Nankou, a section of the present-day Beijing-Baotou line.

it. (3) If the enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua retreats toward Beiping by a roundabout route, the two corps of Yang, Luo, and Geng and Yang and Li should pursue, block, and encircle the enemy on the move. (4) Report immediately whether Yang, Luo, and Geng can reach the Xuan-Huai line[1] tomorrow (the 5th), and on what day Cheng and Huang can reach the Huai-Nan line.

Central Military Commission

21:00, the 4th

[1] The Xuan-Huai line refers to the railway from Xuanhua to Huailai, a section of the present-day Beijing-Baotou line.