Telegram Approving the Tactic of Luring the Enemy Deep into the Chongju, Sonchon, Thaichon, and Kusong Area

(October 28, 1950)

Peng and Deng,\(^1\) and inform Gao\(^2\):

According to a report from the Headquarters of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, the enemy at Pakchon has advanced and occupied Changsan-myong and made contact with our 115th Division south of Thaichon. If this is indeed the case, it is excellent. Please order the 115th Division to withdraw northward. All our troops and personnel at service stations in the area of Chongju, Sonchon, Thaichon, and Kusong should withdraw westward, so as to allow the enemy to penetrate deep into the Thaichon-Kusong-Chongju-Sonchon area, thus facilitating our subsequent attack and annihilation of the enemy. This intention was originally proposed by you, and it is extremely correct. It is hoped that the above-mentioned units will be ordered to carry it out. (The 115th Division has not yet done so.)

Mao Zedong
23:00, 28 October 1950
Based on the manuscript. Published in Selected Military Writings of Mao Zedong (restricted edition).

**Notes**

\(^1\) Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then Commander and Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Deng refers to Deng Hua, then Deputy Commander and Deputy Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.

\(^2\) Gao refers to Gao Gang, then Commander and Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.