Deployment for the Encirclement and Annihilation of the Enemy Forces at Zhangjiakou, Xuanhua, and Huailai[1]

(December 6, 1948)

To Cheng and Huang, Yang, Luo, and Geng, Yang and Li[2], and for the information of Lin, Luo, and Liu[3], and the North China Bureau:

(1) The telegram from Yang, Luo, and Geng dated 21:00 on the 5th[4] has been noted. (2) After the entire force of Yang, Luo, and Geng arrives in the Xiahuayuan[5] area, immediately dispatch one capable column to the area between Xuanhua and Zhangyuan[6] to join forces with the 1st Column and securely control the positions along the Shalingzi and Balizhuang[7] sector between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua. Extend as far as possible toward both Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, smash every enemy attempt to open a passage between Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, isolate the enemy forces at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua from each other, so as to

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Cheng Zihua, Commander of the Second Corps of the Northeast Field Army, and Chief of Staff Huang Zhiyong, among others.

[2] Yang, Luo, and Geng refer to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who were respectively Commander, Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Second Corps of the North China Military Region at the time. Yang and Li refer to Yang Chengwu and Li Tianhuan, who were respectively Commander and Deputy Political Commissar concurrently Director of the Political Department of the Third Corps of the North China Military Region at the time.

[3] Lin, Luo, and Liu refer to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, and Liu Yalou, who were respectively Commander, Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Northeast Field Army at the time.

[4] This refers to the telegram sent by Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao to the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and others at 21:00 on December 5, 1948. The telegram stated: "The 4th Column has been ordered to set out after midnight to swiftly capture Zhuolu and Xiahuayuan. If the enemy at Zhuolu has not fled, a portion of the force will keep them under surveillance while the main force proceeds directly to Xiahuayuan. The 3rd and 8th Columns have been ordered to make every effort to advance tomorrow as well. We have arrived at Taohuabao and will follow behind the 4th Column tomorrow."

[5] Xiahuayuan, a town name, now Xiahuayuan District, Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province.

[6] Zhangyuan refers to Zhangjiakou, Hebei.

[7] Shalingzi, a town name, located northwest of Xuanhua County, Hebei Province. Balizhuang, a town name, located south of Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province.

facilitate subsequent annihilation strikes. (3) After the column dispatched by Yang, Luo, and Geng has indeed arrived in the Shalingzi and Balizhuang area and joined forces with the 1st Column, Yang and Li may then deploy the 2nd Column to the north and northwest of Zhangjiakou, together with the 6th Column, to intensify the construction of blocking positions. It must be ensured that the enemy at Zhangjiakou is at no time able to flee northward, northwestward, or westward. The Beiyue Group[1] shall be positioned on the second line (Yang and Li to select an appropriate location, perhaps the Xinghe area would be suitable). Yao Zhe's[3] 8th Column from Suiyuan[2] shall form the third line; Yang and Li are to telegraph orders for it to prearrange the blocking of all possible enemy escape routes westward. (4) The remaining two columns of Yang, Luo, and Geng shall be positioned east of Xuanhua to sever the connection between the enemy forces at Xuanhua and Huailai. (5) Any attempt by the enemy forces at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua, whether to open a connection between themselves, or to break out eastward, westward, or by a roundabout route, must be resolutely smashed. Should such situations occur, the entire army shall intercept, pursue, and annihilate them. (6) If the enemy forces at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua hold their positions and remain inactive, then temporarily besiege them without attacking. Wait until Cheng and Huang have occupied Huailai and Badaling[4], and until the main force of Lin, Luo, and Liu has arrived (which will still require two weeks) and the deployment for Ping, Jin, Tang, and Tang[5] is completed, then commence the attack on the enemy at Zhangjiakou and Xuanhua. (7) After Yang, Luo, and Geng arrive in the Xuanhua and Xiahuayuan area, Yang and Li shall come under the command of Yang, Luo, and Geng. After Cheng and Huang arrive at Huailai, organize a Ping-Sui Front Committee with the seven comrades Cheng, Huang, Yang, Luo, Geng, Yang, and Li, with Cheng Zihua as secretary and Luo Ruiqing as deputy secretary, to exercise unified leadership over Ping-Sui operations and matters concerning grain, ammunition, prisoner handling, etc. With the complete annihilation of the ten infantry divisions and three cavalry brigades of the enemy at Zhangjiakou, Xuanhua, Huailai, and other places, and the recapture of the cities of Zhangjiakou, Xuanhua, Huailai, and others as the objective, strive to accomplish the mission in about one month.

Military Commission
6:00, 6th

[1] The Beiyue Group refers to the Beiyue Military Sub-district, with Commander Wang Ping and Political Commissar Zhao Zhensheng.
[2] Suiyuan, name of an old province, encompassing the central region of present-day Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, abolished in 1954.
[3] Yao Zhe, then Commander of the Sui-Meng Military Sub-district concurrently Commander of the 8th Column.
[4] Badaling, a pass on the Great Wall, located in the south of present-day Yanqing County, Beijing.
[5] Ping, Jin, Tang, and Tang refer to Beiping, Tianjin, Tanggu, and Tangshan, Hebei.