Prepare all necessary conditions,
and resolutely crush the enemy’s landing adventure [1]
(December 20, 1952)
To Comrades of the CPC Committee of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, with copy to the Northeast Bureau, the Northeast Military Region, and the heads of all departments of the Central Military Commission:
Directive on Preparing All Necessary Conditions, Resolutely Crushing the Enemy’s Landing Adventure, and Striking for Greater Victory in the War:


I. Based on various indications—Eisenhower’s inauguration on December 1, the suspension of peace talks, and the United Nations’ adoption of an Indian proposal—we judge that the enemy may attempt a risky amphibious assault behind our lines, particularly along the western coast from the Han River, Chongchon River, to the Yalu River, employing roughly seven divisions.


II. Our Volunteer Army, in coordination with the Korean People’s Army, has the solemn duty to decisively defeat the enemy’s landing operation and secure even greater victory in the war.


III. To this end, our forces must:
(A) Mobilize every possible resource to substantially strengthen coastal defenses and their rearward positions, constructing robust fortifications; at the same time, reinforce depth-of-defense works along the entire 38th Parallel front to support our overall defensive posture.
(B) Deploy sufficient troops and firepower along the coasts most directly threatening our rear areas and their immediate hinterlands, ensuring that any naval assault or large-scale airborne landings by the enemy are utterly repelled. In other regions where enemy landings might occur—namely, Tongchon, Wonsan, the Ongjin Peninsula, Chinampo, the Han River area, and areas east of Chongjin—similarly commit whatever forces and fire support can be mustered, employing all available means to guarantee the destruction of any such attacks.
(C) Promptly and resolutely undertake measures to construct new railway lines, upgrade existing ones (such as the Manpo–Changp’yong section), widen numerous highways, establish additional supply depots and staging areas, and pre-position substantial stocks of food, ammunition, and other supplies. These steps will ensure uninterrupted logistical support and unimpeded movement of all front-line and flanking units, including the Korean People’s Army, under any circumstances.
(D) The various corps currently engaged on the front have achieved significant combat successes; in 1953 they should strive for even greater accomplishments and destroy more enemy forces.
(E) Political work shall ensure that every officer and soldier throughout the army maintains unwavering resolve and high morale, fully committed to defeating the enemy’s offensive and securing ultimate victory.
(F) Special attention must be paid to preparatory efforts between now and April 1953, as this period is crucial to overcoming the enemy.
(G) Comrade Deng Hua, acting commander and political commissar, shall concurrently serve as commander and political commissar of the Western Coast Command; Comrade Liang Xingchu shall be appointed deputy commander of the Western Coast Command, and its other cadre personnel should be reinforced.


IV. Over the past two-plus years, the Chinese People’s Volunteers, in close cooperation with the Korean People’s Army, have won great and glorious victories in their courageous and tenacious struggle against U.S. imperialism and its puppet forces. We have come to thoroughly understand the enemy’s capabilities, surmounted numerous difficulties, and accumulated rich combat experience. U.S. imperialism has tried many different tactics against us, yet each one has ended in failure. What remains now is only one last desperate move: a daring amphibious landing behind our lines, which it hopes will deal us a crippling blow. If we can successfully thwart this maneuver and render it a complete failure, the enemy’s final defeat will be sealed. The Central Committee firmly believes that the Chinese People’s Volunteers, together with the Korean People’s Army, are fully capable of crushing the enemy’s landing scheme. It is hoped that all comrades will proceed with utmost caution and steadfast composure, mobilize all available strength, gain precious time, and complete all preparations for countering the enemy’s amphibious assault. Once these preparations are in place, victory will undoubtedly be ours.


The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
December 20, 1952