Pin Down the Two Mas and Annihilate Four or Five Armies of Hu Zongnan’s[1]

(June 26, 1949)

Comrades Peng, Zhang, and Zhao:

According to recent intelligence, the various units of the Ma[2] bandit forces have already prepared to withdraw toward Binchang,[3] and the various units of the Hu[4] bandit forces are bound to withdraw simultaneously toward Baofeng.[5] They will definitely not advance any further, nor will they hold their ground without retreating. Under these circumstances, you should concentrate the full strength of the Wang and Zhou armies[6] and the main force of the Xu army[7] to swiftly encircle four or five armies of the Hu bandits, and dispatch strong forces to circle behind the enemy to cut off their retreat, then annihilate them. The Xu army should leave behind the necessary forces to keep watch on the two Mas until the Yang army[8] arrives to take over. The Yang army should immediately advance westward, press close to the two Mas to construct fortifications, assume the task of pinning down the two Mas, and strictly guard against a counterattack by the two Mas. This point must be strictly conveyed to Yang Dezhi; under no circumstances should the two Mas be underestimated, otherwise you will surely suffer losses. Yang Dezhi and others have no experience with the two Mas. Whether the above opinions are appropriate, please handle as you see fit. The Military Commission, June 26.