Operational Policy and Dispositions Chuan
(9 November 1950)
Peng, Deng, Piao, and inform Gao:
(1) Your telegram of 1500 hours on the 8th [2] is noted. The current dispositions and the intent for the next phase of operations are both very good. Please proceed steadily in accordance with them. (2) The first batch of Soviet trucks can arrive soon. Although many vehicles have been damaged,
[1]
This is Mao Zedong's telegram to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteer Army, and Deng Hua and Piao Yiyu, Deputy Commanders and Deputy Political Commissars, concerning the policy and dispositions for the Second Campaign of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea.
[2]
Refers to the telegram sent by Peng Dehuai, Deng Hua, and Piao Yiyu to Mao Zedong and Gao Gang at 1500 hours on 8 November 1950. The telegram stated: The enemy, in order to pin down our main forces, has the intention of advancing northward along the Chongchon River to coordinate with their eastern flank in a turning movement toward the border at Kanggye. In order to wait at ease for the exhausted enemy and facilitate rear area transportation, we intend to persist with the policy of luring the enemy deep and destroying them piecemeal.
The dispositions on the western front
are as follows:
One division of the 38th Army will resist step by step along the eastern bank of the Chongchon River, drawing the enemy to the Myohyang Mountain area and resolutely holding it;
the main force will be concealed and concentrated in the mountainous area east of Haa-dong and Kujang, and north of Tokchon.
The 42nd Army's main force, tasked with covering duties, will, after the Song Shilun Corps arrives, concentrate near the 125th Division in the areas northeast of Tokchon, Tokchon, Haengchon-dong, and Kyogwan-ri; after the Song Corps opens fire, it will coordinate with the main force of the 38th Army to attack from northeast to southwest, but without letting slip any opportunity to annihilate puppet troops. The main forces of the 39th Army, 40th Army, and 66th Army are positioned in the areas of Onjong, Unsan, Taechon, and Kusong, resting for 7 days, searching for stragglers, replenishing grain and ammunition, and repairing roads. If the enemy does not advance, after the Song Corps opens fire and throws the enemy into motion,
we plan to concentrate 3 armies to sortie toward Tokchon and areas south of it to seek opportunities to annihilate the enemy, pushing the battlefield further forward to facilitate protracted operations. We are currently preparing to build the road from Huichon via Haengchon-dong to Nyongwon. Nearly 500 trucks were captured in this battle, most of which were destroyed by enemy aircraft bombing, leaving about ten to twenty percent. When can the trucks purchased from the Soviet Union arrive? Awaiting instructions.