Regarding the Question of Troop Strength Needed for Attacking Taiyuan[1]

(December 28, 1948)

Zhou, Chen, Hu:

(1) Concerning the matter of requiring you to prepare to dispatch the main force from Shijiazhuang to block and strike the enemy fleeing Beiping, this has already been communicated by telegram. This is merely a preparation for a possible situation and may not necessarily be carried out, but you should have this preparation in place. (2) Regarding the question of troop strength for the future attack on Taiyuan, please calculate accurately based on the balance of forces between the enemy and ourselves and report by telegram: whether adding the three columns of Yang-Luo-Geng[2] would already be sufficient; whether, apart from Yang-Luo-Geng, additional forces need to be transferred; and whether it is necessary to draw a portion of artillery from Lin-Luo[3] (after the conquest of Pingjin).

Military Commission

Jianzi

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to Zhou Shidi, Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar of the First Corps of the North China Military Region; Chen Manyuan, Chief of Staff; and Hu Yaobang, Director of the Political Department.

[2] Yang-Luo-Geng refers to Yang Dezhi, Luo Ruiqing, and Geng Biao, who at the time respectively served as Commander, Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Second Corps of the North China Military Region.

[3] Lin-Luo refers to Lin Biao and Luo Ronghuan, who at the time respectively served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Field Army.