Comments on the Volunteer Army’s Artillery Replenishment Plan [1]
(May 14, 1952)
Comrade Enlai:
As for resolving this matter (2), in addition to the several artillery regiments you mentioned that are to be transferred, please also consider: (1) drawing a portion from the garrison units within China, and (2) drawing a portion from the second-line units stationed in Korea. Whether this is feasible, I would appreciate it if you could discuss and decide after consulting with Peng, Nie, and Su (3). Furthermore, please re-examine the possibility of purchasing artillery from our friendly foreign side.
Mao Zedong
May 14th
[1]
This is a note written by Mao Zedong to Zhou Enlai on a report submitted by Peng Dehuai, Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government and Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, dated May 14, 1952.
[2]
Refers to the report forwarded by Peng Dehuai from Chen Xilian, Commander of the PLA Artillery; Wan Yi and Su Jin, Deputy Commanders; and Qiu Chuangcheng, Deputy Political Commissar, dated May 13, 1952, concerning the Volunteer Army’s artillery losses and proposed replenishment plan. The plan suggested: (1) fully replenishing the Volunteer Army by transferring all newly imported artillery equipment from newly reorganized infantry divisions; and (2) equipping each Volunteer Army division with one artillery regiment, requiring a total of 1,250 field guns and howitzers. If orders were placed with the Soviet side, it would require US$56,235,830 in foreign exchange.
[3]
Peng refers to Peng Dehuai. Nie refers to Nie Rongzhen, who at that time served as Acting Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government. Su refers to Su Yu, who at that time was Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People’s Government.