Chapter 45 The Chinese People's Volunteers must cross the 38th Parallel[1] to fight

(December 13, 1950) Peng [2], and Gao [3]: Telegram at 18:00 on December 8. (1) At present, the United States and the United Kingdom are asking our army to stop north of the 38th parallel, so as to facilitate the reorganization of the army and fight again.Therefore, our army must cross the 38th parallel.If it stops north of the 38th parallel, it will be very disadvantageous politically. (2) In this southward advance, we hope to find and annihilate several parts of the enemy in the north and south areas of Kaesong, that is, in the area not far from Seoul.Then, depending on the situation, if the enemy sticks to Seoul with a large force, the main force of our army can retreat to the Kaesong line and the area north of it to rest and prepare to attack Seoul, and then use several divisions to approach the north bank of the middle stream of the Han River to support the People's Army in crossing the Han River. The Han River wiped out the puppet army.If the enemy abandons Seoul, our six armies on the western front will rest for a period of time between Pyongyang and Seoul. (3) It is extremely important to recruit a large number of new recruits in mid-January next year, please step up your preparations.Gao and Peng are asked to consider whether it is necessary and possible to send cadres from the front-line armies (a total of nine armies on the east and west lines) to Shenyang to strengthen the work of training recruits.Song Shilun[4] is currently going to need to replenish a part of the army to restore its vitality. If it is possible, please let me know if it is possible. (4) The air force is preparing to cover the railway transportation line, and it is possible to realize it, but the final confirmation is yet to be discussed.

Mao Zedong December 13 Printed from manuscript. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] 38th line, see note [5] on page 99 of this volume. [2] Peng, referring to Peng Dehuai, who was then the commander and political commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteers. [3] Gao, referring to Gao Gang, who was then the commander and political commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. [4] Song Shilun (1907-1991), born in Liling, Hunan.At that time, he was the commander and political commissar of the Ninth Corps of the Chinese People's Volunteers.