Currently, the enemy should be allowed to concentrate to facilitate annihilation
(December 24, 1950)
Comrade Dehuai:[1]
At present, a portion of the puppet forces and the U.S. military have gained a foothold between the 38th and 37th parallels and formed a defensive line, which is most advantageous for our army to destroy these enemy units one by one. It is currently favorable for us if the puppet forces are concentrated, and unfavorable if they are dispersed. Therefore, not only can our troops, after this campaign, withdraw to the rear for rest and reorganization, taking a step backward so that the puppet forces can concentrate again and form a defensive line, facilitating the next annihilation battle, but also the original plan for the People’s Army’s 2nd and 5th Corps to penetrate deep behind enemy lines and disperse enemy forces deserves reconsideration. It seems more appropriate for these two corps to temporarily rest and reorganize together with the Volunteer Army after this campaign, rather than advancing south, and to postpone their southward advance until the next campaign. What exactly should be done, I ask you to decide at your discretion.

Mao Zedong
December 24
[1] Dehuai, i.e., Peng Dehuai, then commander and political commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.