The First Column Must Be Entirely Used to Cut the Link Between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua[1]

(December 4, 1948)

Yang and Li:

All your telegrams have been noted. To prepare for and fight a stubborn, multi-day battle against the attacking enemy, to firmly cut the link between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, and to prevent the enemy at Xuanhua from concentrating toward Zhangyuan[2]—this is your most important task. The forces you use to cut the link between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua must be the entire First Column, and if necessary, they should be reinforced to some extent. What is your response? Awaiting your reply.

Military Commission

4th, 17:00 hours

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, 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.
[2] Zhangyuan refers to Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province.