Telegram to Peng Dehuai and Gao Gang [1] Regarding Approval of the Operational Policy for Engaging the Enemy (October 26, 1950) Comrade Dehuai, with copy to Gao: Your telegram of the 25th, at the hour of the Dog, has been received.

(1) The policy of first annihilating several enemy regiments, then gradually expanding operations to destroy more enemies, thereby stabilizing morale and enabling our forces to gain a firm foothold, is correct. Likewise, the points you have made concerning policy toward the friendly party, as well as the approach of gradual inducement and persuasion, are also sound.

(2) The Seventh Regiment of the puppet Sixth Division is indeed still advancing rashly toward Chushan. Please instruct the 50th Army to be on alert and to move closer to Chushan from positions on both banks near Jianshan and Changdien River Estuary, keeping a vigilant watch. However, this enemy unit may establish a stronghold at Chushan ahead of us. If the 50th Army intends to launch an attack, it should first make thorough preparations, bearing in mind that this particular enemy force is relatively strong.

(3) The command post of the puppet First Division has already reached Yunshan, while its Twelfth Regiment has advanced to the vicinity of Wenjingli. The Fifteenth Regiment is following behind the Twelfth. The Eleventh Regiment is located south of Yunshan. The location of the Eighth Regiment of the puppet Seventh Division, which is attached to this division, remains uncertain; it is presumed to have also reached the Yunshan area. Please inform the 39th Army to take note and proceed to isolate and annihilate this division. The 39th Army should employ strong units to sever communications between the puppet First Division and the U.S.-British forces around Bokchon.

(4) After our 40th Army has destroyed the Second Regiment of the puppet Sixth Division, its Nineteenth Regiment—currently widely dispersed—may concentrate and advance toward Wenjing. Please instruct the 40th Army to remain vigilant.

(5) Two regiments of the puppet Eighth Division may arrive at Hichon today, the 26th, while another regiment—the Tenth—may stay at Deokchon. Please notify the 38th Army to be on alert.

(6) The objective of our army’s first campaign must be definitively set as the annihilation of the aforementioned three puppet divisions, to be accomplished through a series of engagements of varying scale, after which we will then engage the U.S.-British forces.

Mao Zedong, 26 October, 14:00. Printed from the manuscript. Included in Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong (Internal Edition).

Notes [ ] Peng Dehuai was at the time Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Gao Gang was at the time Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.