Letter to Zhou Enlai on the Rotation of Troops in the Korean Theater (February 7, 1951) Comrade Enlai, with a copy to Nie [1]: When you are planning the rotation of combat forces, please organize Yang Dezhi’s [2] three armies, the three armies from the Southwest (sending out two first; the third army, after reaching Hebei, will undergo two weeks of training before being dispatched), Yang Chengwu’s [3] two armies (to be sent forward after the 66th and 50th Armies return to take over defensive positions), the 47th Army (to concentrate in Yueyang by the end of February, move to Northeast China in early March, undergo two weeks of training, and then proceed to the front), and Dong Qiwu’s [4] corps—two armies (first to be reinforced by 10,000 men; their weaponry also appears to require improvement)—for deployment to the front in April to assume garrison duties—as the second rotation of combat forces.

Meanwhile, the six armies of the current First Rotation, namely the 13th Corps, should be withdrawn to rear areas for replenishment and rest for three to four months (with the 50th and 66th Armies concurrently assigned to defend the Tianjin–Yingkou line, while the other four armies rest between Pyongyang and Shenyang), and reclassified as the Third Rotation. The entire 9th Corps is to return to East China to serve in garrison duties.

As for replenishment plans, the 9th Corps will be reinforced upon its return to East China, whereas the 13th Corps must be fully restored immediately upon reaching its rest and rehabilitation location. The two armies already in the Southwest, Yang Chengwu’s two armies, and Dong Qiwu’s two armies should be instructed to commence without delay all training necessary for combat operations outside the country. The commanding officers of these units should be summoned to Beijing for a meeting to receive their assignments. The three armies of the second echelon from the Southwest should complete their preparations in February and begin moving out in March, arriving in Hebei in April.

Mao Zedong, February 7th. Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Nie refers to Nie Rongzhen, who at that time served as Acting Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. [2] Yang Dezhi was then commander of the 19th Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. [3] Yang Chengwu was then commander of the 20th Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army. [4] Dong Qiwu was then commander of the 23rd Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army.