Luring the Enemy in Deep Facilitates Their Annihilation
(October 23, 1950)

Peng, Deng,[1] and to inform Gao:[2]
(1) The enemy advance is very rapid. The puppet 6th Division reached Kaechon on the 22nd, with small units reaching Nyongbyon, and one regiment of the puppet 1st Division reached Kunu-ri. It is estimated that both units can reach Nyongbyon today (the 23rd) and advance several more li tomorrow (the 24th). Please immediately order the main force of the 40th Army to assemble covertly in the Onjong area and use one unit to control Huichon; do not go to Unsan or Nyongbyon and make premature contact with the enemy. The 39th Army shall assemble in the Kwijong area and also shall not go to Taechon. The reconnaissance units of these two armies should not go to Jongju, Pakchon, Nyongbyon, or Kujang; be careful to avoid opening fire with the enemy. The area south of the Huichon-Onjong-Kwijong line should be yielded to the enemy, luring them in deep to facilitate their annihilation. The 38th Army should advance rapidly.
(2) The puppet 8th Division was still at Taepyong-ri and Pukchang-ri[3] south of Tokchon on the 22nd, moving rather slowly, but it may reach Tokchon or its vicinity today (the 23rd).

Mao Zedong
14:00, October 23

[1] Peng and Deng refer to Peng Dehuai and Deng Hua, who were then respectively Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and Commander and Political Commissar of the 13th Army Corps.
[2] Gao refers to Gao Gang, then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region.
[3] Taepyong-ri was located south of Tokchon County, South Pyongan Province. Pukchang-ri was located northeast of Sunchon County, South Pyongan Province.