Telegram Regarding the Effort to Wage One or Two Battles on Each of the Eastern and Western Fronts Within a Month (November 9, 1950) To Peng, Deng, and Pu [1] Also informing Gao [2]: (1) We have received your telegram of 3:00 p.m. on the 8th [3]. The current deployment and the plan for the next phase of operations are both excellent. Please proceed steadily in accordance with these instructions. (2) The first batch of Soviet trucks will arrive shortly. Although many vehicles have been lost, they can be replenished. Assuming an average daily loss of thirty trucks, that amounts to nine hundred per month; even over an entire year, total losses would be only around ten thousand. Moreover, some damaged vehicles can be repaired, others can yield useful spare parts, and additional units may be captured. Therefore, there is every means to ensure an adequate supply of motor transport. (3) It is essential to construct several broad highways leading into the Dechuan–Ningyuan–Mengshan area. This constitutes a critically important strategic task. All routes must be properly built and widened. Please expedite this work without delay. (4) Let us strive to fight one or two battles on each of the eastern and western fronts within this month, concluding by early December—aiming to annihilate seven or eight enemy regiments in total—and advance our lines to the region along the Pyongyang–Wonsan railway. Should we achieve this, our forces will have secured a fundamental victory. I request that Gao and He [4] employ every possible method to guarantee the supply of food, ammunition, and uniforms (including warm clothing) to both fronts. Mao Zedong November 9 Based on the manuscript copy. Included in Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong (Internal Edition).

Notes [1] Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, who at the time served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. Deng refers to Deng Hua, and Pu refers to Pu Yiyu, both of whom held the concurrent posts of Deputy Commander and Deputy Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. [2] Gao refers to Gao Gang, then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. [3] Refers to the telegram dated November 8, 1950, at 3:00 p.m., sent by Peng Dehuai, Deng Hua, and Pu Yiyu to Mao Zedong and Gao Gang, reporting on the combat situation and deployment along various fronts. The telegram stated that, in order to fight from a position of advantage and facilitate rear-area logistics, our forces intended to continue employing the tactic of luring the enemy deeper before engaging them in separate engagements. [4] Gao refers to Gao Gang. He refers to He Jinyuan, who at the time was Deputy Commander of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.