Telegram to Peng Dehuai [1] et al. Regarding Troop Reorganization and the Recruitment and Training of New Recruits (November 30, 1950)  To Peng, Deng, Pu, and Hong [2], with copy to Gao and He [3], and to Song and Tao [4]:

(1) Please do not put forward the slogan of “winter rest”; limit rest and reorganization to the intervals between two campaigns. Provided conditions permit, such reorganization may be carried out for about one month following a major campaign. If circumstances allow, it may be extended; if not, it should be shortened. Troop reorganization is best conducted at suitable locations near the front lines. Units that have been severely battered may be stationed in relatively safer areas, but it would be most advantageous for them to remain south of the Yalu River, within Korean territory, under the direct command and supervision of the respective army headquarters. Please consider and decide whether the above is feasible.

(2) The current operation is of very large scale, and casualties among the troops on both the eastern and western fronts may exceed forty thousand. Comrade Gao Gang is requested to accelerate the recruitment and training of new recruits, aiming to have several tens of thousands of men join the units by mid-December. Kindly report on the status of new recruit recruitment and training.

Mao Zedong November 30    Printed from the original verbatim record preserved in the Central Archives. Included in Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong (Internal Edition).

Notes   [1] Peng Dehuai was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.

[2] Deng refers to Deng Hua, Pu to Park Il-woo; both were then Deputy Commanders and Deputy Political Commissars of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Hong refers to Hong Xuezhi, who was then a Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.

[3] Gao refers to Gao Gang, who was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. He refers to He Jinyuan, who was then a Deputy Commander of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.

[4] Song refers to Song Shiyun, who was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Ninth Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Tao refers to Tao Yong, who was then a Deputy Commander of the Ninth Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.