(November 1, 1950)

Peng and Deng, and inform Gao:[1]
We have just received your operational deployment for the entire army, sent at 9:00 on November 1. It is excellent and most reassuring.

Mao Zedong
November 2, 2:00

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, and Deng Hua, Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar. The telegram sent by Peng Dehuai and others at 9:00 on November 1, 1950, to the commanders of the various armies, the Artillery Command, and the 125th Division of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army, with a copy to the Central People’s Government People’s Revolutionary Military Commission and others, proposed the operational deployment of the Volunteer Army. The telegram stated:
(1) The U.S. and puppet forces west of the Chongchon River are dispersed in units of divisions (or regiments) along the line from Guseong and Jeongju to Gujang and Bakcheon, creating an extremely favorable situation for us to divide, encircle, and annihilate the enemy in separate operations.
(2) The 66th Army shall use one part to pin down the U.S. 24th Division west of Guseong, and send other parts respectively to the area of Namsandong on the Guseong-Taechon road and the area of Unsangyo on the Guseong-Jeongju road, to resolutely and thoroughly destroy roads and bridges and block enemy transportation. The main force of the army shall be controlled in an appropriate area, ready to strike from the enemy’s flank and rear to encircle and annihilate this enemy. The 39th Army shall attack and annihilate the enemy at Unsan at dusk on the 1st, and after success, prepare to encircle and annihilate the 1st Cavalry Division at Yongsan-dong and Taechon. The main force of the 40th Army shall encircle the enemy at Yongbyon on the evening of the 1st and organize an attack to annihilate them. After success, it shall advance toward Yongsan-dong and Namdeung-dong to cut off the enemy’s retreat route, while leaving one part at Sanggudong, southeast of Unsan, to prevent the enemy from fleeing from Unsan. The 38th Army, after swiftly annihilating the enemy at Gujang, shall send one division to advance along the east bank of the Chongchon River toward Won-ri and Gunu-ri, and then actively pin down the enemy at Anju and block any enemy forces that may come from Suncheon to reinforce the west. The main force of the army shall cross the Chongchon River and advance toward Bakcheon to cut off the enemy’s retreat route. After the 125th Division captures Deokcheon, its main force shall construct fortifications in place.