Telegraph to Peng Dehuai [1] Regarding Caution Against Possible Enemy Paratroop Landings (April 17, 1951) Comrade Dehuai, with a copy to Comrade Gao Gang [2]: Your telegram of April 14 has been received. Your dispositions for the 38th and 42nd Armies, as well as your plan to open up a central supply route, are all very sound. However, there is one further matter that requires your attention: should the enemy parachute troops in various locations along the central front—for example, by daring to land one paratroop regiment in the Hichon–Dechon area and another in the Pokyong–Gosan–Suan–Icheon region—such forces could scatter at will and disrupt our rear areas. The likelihood of this occurring is quite high; therefore, please promptly devise countermeasures. Where is the 50th Army currently resting and refitting, and could it be employed to defend this sector? Mao Zedong April 17 Based on the manuscript. Notes [1] Peng Dehuai was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. [2] Gao Gang was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.