Chapter 40 The Chinese People's Volunteers Should and Must Enter the Korean War

(October 13, 1950) Comrade Zhou Enlai: (1) As a result of discussions with Comrades Gao Gang, Peng Dehuai[1] and other Politburo comrades, it was agreed that it would be advantageous for our troops to be dispatched to North Korea.In the first period, we can specialize in fighting the puppet army. Our army is sure to deal with the puppet army. We can open up North Korea's base areas in the large mountainous areas north of the Wonsan and Pyongyang lines, and we can inspire the Korean people to reorganize the People's Army.In two months, the Soviet Volunteer Air Force could arrive.After six months, we can receive the artillery and tank equipment from the Soviet Union, and we can attack the US military after training.In the first period, as long as a few divisions of the puppet army can be wiped out, the situation in Korea will change in our favor.

(2) We adopt the above-mentioned positive policies, which are extremely beneficial to China, North Korea, the East, and the world; but if we do not send troops to let the enemy press down to the Yalu River, and the domestic and international reactionary arrogance increases, it will be unfavorable to all parties. First of all, It is even more detrimental to the Northeast, the entire Northeast Frontier Defense Force will be sucked in, and Nanman Power will be controlled. (3) Zhenri[2] Filipov[3] and you jointly sent a telegram saying that Su can fully satisfy our equipment such as aircraft, artillery, tanks, etc. I don’t know whether it will be leased or bought with money. As long as the lease method can be used to maintain a budget of 200 million U.S. dollars for economic, cultural and other construction and general military and administrative expenses, our army can safely enter North Korea for a long-term war and maintain the unity of the majority of people in the country.

(4) As long as the Soviet Union can send out volunteer air forces to help us fight in Korea, as well as cover air forces to Beijing, Tianjin, Shenyang, Shanghai, Nanjing, Qinghai and other places within two months or two and a half months, we will not be afraid The whole air strike is just that if it encounters an air strike by the US military within two months or two and a half months, it will have to endure some losses. (5) In short, we believe that we should and must join the war.The benefits of participating in the war are great, and the damage of not participating in the war is great.I am only unsure about the third and fourth points above. Therefore, please stay in Moscow for a few days to re-negotiate the above-mentioned issues with the Soviet comrades, and hope for a quick reply by telegram.

Mao Zedong Twenty-two o'clock on October 13 Printed from originals kept at the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Gao Gang, then member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, commander and political commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.Peng Dehuai was then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, commander and political commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteers. [2] True day, that is, the eleventh day. [3] Filipov, referring to Stalin.