CCP Central Military Commission Telegram to Peng Dehuai [1] et al. Regarding the Re-positioning of Main Forces on the Western Front (December 2, 1950) To Peng, Deng, Pu, Hong, and Xie [2], with copy to Gao and He [3]: We have received your telegram of the 1st [4]. If the enemy in the Anzhou–Xin’an Zhou area has indeed withdrawn south of Sookchon, then our main forces on the western front should reposition themselves north of the Sookchon–Suncheon line, rest for four to five days, reorganize their formations, replenish supplies and ammunition, and prepare to resume operations in coordination with the eastern front, so as to expand the gains of the campaign. Should enemy forces still remain in the Anzhou–Xin’an Zhou area, repositioning should be delayed until those forces have been annihilated. As for the 42nd Army, it should halt only after the enemy at Sinchang-ri has been wiped out. It would be advisable to observe the situation for another day or two before issuing the repositioning order [order]. Issued by the CMC at 5:00 a.m. on December 2, based on Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft. Included in the “Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong” (internal edition).

Notes [1] Peng Dehuai was at the time Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. [2] Deng refers to Deng Hua; Pu refers to Park Il-woo; both were at the time 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. Xie refers to Xie Fang, who served as Chief of Staff of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. [3] Gao refers to Gao Gang, who at the time was Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army. He refers to He Jinyuan, who was then Deputy Commander of the Northeast Military Region. [4] Refers to the telegram dated December 1, 1950, sent by Peng Dehuai, Deng Hua, and others to the CMC and the Headquarters of the Northeast Military Region, concerning the cessation of pursuit operations by various units.