Attention to Annihilating Enemy Forces That May Counterattack Us, One by One
(November 4, 1950)

Peng, Deng [1], and inform Gao [2]:

(1) According to an order from the puppet chief of staff to the Second Corps at 1450 hours on the 4th: “In order to recapture Tokchon and Huichon in time, it is expected that the Second Corps will undertake this attack operation and submit a new operation plan and attack time before 1200 hours on the 5th,” etc. After assembling and slightly reorganizing their various units, the enemy may possibly launch a counterattack against our forces. Please instruct all our units to be on the alert and annihilate them one by one when they counterattack, paying particular attention to the Tokchon area.

(2) At present, the enemy’s various units are in great confusion. The U.S. 2nd Division has dispatched two regiments, one north of Suncheon and the other deploying at Kaechon, leaving Pyongyang undefended. The U.S. 25th Division has a field artillery battalion at Sinanju, providing cover. Please order our 38th Army to thoroughly crush the enemy forces in front of them, making it impossible for the enemy to organize a new defense line.

Mao Zedong
2200 hours, November 4

[1] Peng and Deng refer to Peng Dehuai and Deng Hua, who were then Commander and Political Commissar, and Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, respectively.
[2] Gao refers to Gao Gang, who was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region.