Telegram to Peng Dehuai [1] et al. Regarding the Ninth Corps’ Return to Northeast China for Rest and Reinforcement (December 17, 1950)  To Peng, with copy to Gao [2] and to Song and Tao [3]:

The Ninth Corps has, under extremely difficult conditions, successfully accomplished a major strategic mission in the eastern front operations. Owing to the severe cold, inadequate supplies, and intense fighting, its casualties have amounted to as many as forty thousand men. The Central Committee deeply appreciates this achievement.

In order to restore its original strength and prepare for further combat, it is proposed that, upon the complete conclusion of the present campaign, the entire corps be withdrawn to Northeast China to receive new recruits and undergo two to three months of rest and recuperation, after which it may again be deployed to Korea. During this interim period, the six armies on the western front, in coordination with the Korean People’s Army, will conduct operations in South Korea. For each campaign, the objective should be to annihilate approximately ten thousand, at most twenty thousand, troops of the U.S.-Rhee forces [4]; the existing force levels appear sufficient. Since operations in South Korea involve very long supply lines, favorable opportunities for engagement must be carefully selected and thoroughly prepared; excessive troop concentrations would be unnecessary. Only at the time of the final decisive battle will there be a need for a substantial augmentation of forces.

Should an opportunity arise within the next two to three months to employ additional troops, consideration might be given, as Comrade Gao Gang has suggested, to committing Yang Dezhi’s corps [ ]. However, Yang’s corps also requires reinforcement of equipment and replenishment of personnel (the corps numbers 110,000, of whom roughly 90,000 are combat-ready). If this corps is to be used, it would be advisable to deploy it in late January or February of next year.

What are your views? Please advise.

Mao Zedong December 17 Based on 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] Gao refers to Gao Gang, who at the time served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.  [3] Song denotes Song Shilun, Commander and Political Commissar of the Ninth Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers; Tao refers to Tao Yong, Deputy Commander of the same corps.  [4] Refers to the U.S. forces and the South Korean army under President Syngman Rhee.  [ ] indicates the Nineteenth Corps of the People’s Liberation Army, commanded by Yang Dezhi.