The Forty-Second Army Should Threaten Pyongyang from the Flank

(December 1, 1950)

Peng, Deng, Piao, Hong, and Song, Qin (1):

(1) The puppet Second Corps is concentrating toward Samdung (2). The U.S. 24th Division is moving from Pyongyang to the Samdung area. The puppet First Division has now arrived at Sukchon, with reports that it may move to Sunchon and Jasan (3). The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division (4) is at Sunchon and Jasan and has not crossed the Taedong River. Therefore, our Forty-Second Army should also not cross the Taedong River, but should operate east of the Taedong River toward Songchon and Samdung to seek out remnants of the puppet Second Corps and engage the U.S. 25th Division, thereby threatening Pyongyang from the flank. Please consider and decide. (2) The main force of the U.S. 7th Division and one regiment of the puppet Third Division are advancing westward from Hyesan, attempting to cut our supply line between Huchang and Changjin. Please instruct Song and Qin to order the division at Huchang to move eastward to intercept and block this enemy force, ensuring that it cannot advance westward.

Mao Zedong
December 1, 12:00

(1) Song and Qin refer to Song Shilun and Qin Jian, who at the time served respectively as Commander and concurrently Political Commissar, and Chief of Staff of the Ninth Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.
(2) Samdung is located in the southern part of Kangdong County, South Pyongan Province.
(3) Jasan is located in the southern part of Sunchon County, South Pyongan Province.
(4) The U.S. 1st Cavalry Division, established during the American Civil War, retained its designation as the 1st Cavalry Division even after being reorganized into a mechanized unit.