(June 26, 1958)
Approve Peng’s proposal; proceed accordingly. 121.
Mao Zedong
June 26
[1]
This is a note written by Mao Zedong on the telephone record submitted on June 26, 1958, by Peng Dehuai, a member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Minister of National Defense.
[2]
Telephone report from the Operations Department of the General Staff Headquarters of the People’s Liberation Army, morning of June 26, 1958: The Fuzhou Military Region has assessed that the Kuomintang forces may soon launch a major artillery attack against us. Based on this assessment, the Fuzhou Military Region has proposed two courses of action. The first is a defensive measure—evacuation and other preventive steps, with anti-aircraft artillery intensifying air defense operations. The second is an offensive measure: to organize a counterattack. Chief of the General Staff Su Yu instructed that, in addition to using artillery to defend against enemy attacks, certain anti-aircraft units should be redeployed to concentrate fire on enemy aircraft. Should the opportunity arise, ground targets might also be engaged. He endorsed the Operations Department’s recommendation to actively prepare for a counterattack and to deliver a crushing blow once the enemy exposes its targets. At 12:00 noon on June 26, Peng Dehuai wrote his approval: “Forward immediately to the Chairman for review and approval. I concur with the second measure—adopt an active counterattack and strengthen air defense firepower.”