Combat Missions of the Various Armies on the Beiping–Zhangjiakou Line[1]

(December 4, 1948)

Cheng and Huang; Yang, Luo, and Geng; Yang and Li[2]; and for the information of Lin, Luo, and Liu; Nie, Bo, and Teng[3]; and Xiao and Chen of the Northeast First Army[4]:

(1) Our Yang–Li force has already drawn in and encircled six enemy infantry divisions and two cavalry brigades at Zhangjiakou, and on the 1st and 2nd repelled several enemy attacks on our positions. (2) At Xuanhua and Xiahuayuan[5] there was originally one enemy division. According to Yang and Li, the Provisional 10th Division moved from Huailai to Xuanhua on the 1st, so Xuanhua now has one division plus two regiments, and Xiahuayuan has one regiment. The Provisional 3rd Army is still on the Huailai–Nankou[6] line. This situation is extremely favorable to us. (3) The missions of the various armies are as follows: A. The present disposition of Yang–Li is excellent, namely two columns west of Zhangjiakou and one column between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua cutting the

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Cheng Zihua, commander of the Northeast Field Army’s Second Army, and Chief of Staff Huang Zhiyong, et al.

[2] Yang, Luo, and Geng refer to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who at the time were respectively commander, political commissar, and chief of staff of the North China Military Region’s Second Army. Yang and Li refer to Yang Chengwu and Li Tianhuan, who at the time were respectively commander and deputy political commissar concurrently director of the political department of the North China Military Region’s Third Army.

[3] Lin, Luo, and Liu refer to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou, who at the time were respectively commander, political commissar, and chief of staff of the Northeast Field Army. Nie, Bo, and Teng refer to Nie Rongzhen, Bo Yibo, and Teng Daiyuan, who at the time were respectively commander, political commissar, and second deputy commander of the North China Military Region.

[4] Xiao and Chen refer to Xiao Jinguang and Chen Bojun, who at the time were respectively commander and deputy commander of the Northeast Field Army’s First Army.

[5] Xiahuayuan, a town, present-day Xiahuayuan District, Zhangjiakou Municipality, Hebei Province.

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

link between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, and prevent the enemy at Xuanhua from concentrating toward Zhangjiakou (this point is extremely important). However, attention must be paid to rapidly strengthening blocking positions, preparing to repulse many enemy attacks, and wearing down the enemy in front of the positions, so as to facilitate the subsequent concentration of forces to annihilate this enemy. B. Yang–Luo–Geng must act swiftly, use the main force to encircle the enemy at Xuanhua and Xiahuayuan, and seize the opportunity to annihilate them (first annihilate the enemy at Xiahuayuan). Use a strong element to sever the link between Huailai and Xiahuayuan, and reliably prevent the enemy at Huailai and east of it from reinforcing westward. C. The Cheng–Huang force shall advance rapidly toward the Huailai–Nankou line, and upon arrival, seize the opportunity to annihilate the enemy on that line piecemeal. D. After the above three tasks are completed, concentrate all strength to resolve the enemy at Zhangyuan[1]. E. Your three commands must exchange situation reports with each other once daily, and inform us.

Military Commission

1600 hours, 4th

[1] Zhangyuan is Zhangjiakou.