To Comrades Dehuai and Gao Gang [1], and to Comrade Kim Il-sung [2]: During the period of preparing for and conducting negotiations with the enemy side—approximately ten to fourteen days—you are instructed to pay strict and thorough attention to the following points:  (1) Within ten days, make every possible effort to reinforce the front-line troops by significantly augmenting their manpower and, in particular, by replenishing their weapons and ammunition.  Comrade Gao Gang is to ensure that all personnel, weapons, and munitions from the rear are transported into North Korean territory within these ten days. It must be borne in mind that once an armistice agreement is signed, the movement and deployment of such personnel and supplies will be prohibited.  (2) Maintain the highest level of vigilance. All of my front-line armies must be prepared to repel a major enemy offensive prior to or during the negotiation process, while the enemy may simultaneously launch large-scale air raids against our rear areas in an attempt to force us into an unfavorable peace settlement. Should the enemy launch a full-scale attack, our forces must counterattack decisively and defeat them.  (3) The two corps under Yang Chengwu [3] and the 50th Army are to be ordered to move rapidly to their designated positions to prevent the enemy from seizing the opportunity to land at Wonsan. Meanwhile, the 38th, 39th, and 42nd Armies should be readied to deal with a potential enemy landing on the western front.  (4) You are to anticipate all possible scenarios that might arise after the conclusion of the armistice agreement and to formulate contingency plans accordingly.

Mao Zedong, July 2, 24:00, printed from the manuscript.

Notes  [1] Dehuai refers to Peng Dehuai, who at the time served as Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers. Gao Gang was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.  [2] Kim Il-sung was at the time Chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea, Premier of the Cabinet of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Supreme Commander of the Korean People’s Army.  [3] Yang Chengwu, born in 1914 in Changting, Fujian Province, was at the time Commander of the 20th Corps of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.