Comments on the Summary Report of Combat Experience from Sinking the Kuomintang Navy’s Two Ships, the “Jianmen” and “Zhangjiang” [I]
(August 15, 1965)
Read. Return to Comrade Lin Biao [3].
Mao Zedong
August 15th
[I]
These are Mao Zedong’s comments on the summary report submitted on August 9, 1965, by Li Zuopeng, Deputy Commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy; Wu Ruilin, Commander of the South Sea Fleet; and Fang Zhengping, Political Commissar of the South Sea Fleet, regarding their experience in sinking the Kuomintang Navy’s “Jianmen” and “Zhangjiang” ships.
[2]
The report by Li Zuopeng, Wu Ruilin, and Fang Zhengping stated: This battle was the most significant naval victory in recent years. The primary reasons for success were the correct command of the leaders of the Central Military Commission, the General Staff, and the Guangzhou Military Region, coupled with resolute determination, strong support from friendly units, and close cooperation with the militia. The participating forces fully leveraged human factors, upholding our army’s fine combat traditions of bravery, tenacity, close-quarters combat, and night fighting, while implementing the principle of concentrating superior forces to annihilate the enemy piecemeal. This victory also demonstrated that small boats are not only capable of engaging large warships but can even sink them.
On August 1965, Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi, Zhou Enlai, and others met with representatives of meritorious units and individuals involved in this battle. Mao Zedong remarked: “You fought well.” “It’s like ants gnawing away at a bone—this has always been our method for destroying the enemy.”
[3]
Lin Biao was at the time Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission.