Prepare to Attack Enemy Strongholds on the North Bank from Anqing to Nantong[1]

(April 14, 1949)

To the General Front Committee, Su and Zhang, and Liu, Zhang, and Li[2]:

(1) In order to prepare for the direct action of crossing the Yangtze River, to deal a blow to Nanjing, and to prompt them to accept our terms, please prepare to attack and capture, on Mao Gu (April 20), all enemy strongholds on the north bank (not the south bank) and the river islets (including Yangzhong County) that you deem necessary, along the line from Anqing to Nantong, except for Anqing and the two points of Liangpu (Pukou and Puzhen[3]). Upon receiving this telegram, please promptly make arrangements to capture them in one stroke on Mao Gu. Before Mao Gu, maintain calm and utter silence. (2) Please telegraph the troop strength and positions of the enemy forces at all north bank strongholds and central strongholds, except for Anqing and Liangpu.

Central Military Commission

13:00, April 14

[1] This telegram was drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and addressed to the General Front Committee, as well as Su Yu (Deputy Commander and Second Deputy Political Commissar of the Third Field Army) and Zhang Zhen (Chief of Staff), among others.

[2] Liu, Zhang, and Li refer to Liu Bocheng, Zhang Jichun, and Li Da, who were then serving as Commander, Deputy Political Commissar and Director of the Political Department, and Chief of Staff of the Second Field Army, respectively.

[3] Pukou and Puzhen are both town names, located northwest of Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, on the north bank of the Yangtze River.