Chapter 115 Three Opinions on Our Army's Southward Advance

(August 12, 1947) Liu Deng[1], and sued Chen Su[2]: There are three points for your consideration: (1) In view of the fact that during the 25,000-mile Long March there was too little rest, too much fatigue, and too many reductions in personnel, and many of that impatience was unnecessary; this time our army marched south, we must reduce unnecessary impatience and strive to walk as little as possible 3. Take more rest. When the situation is tense, you should walk for a few days, but you should rest for a few days to recover from fatigue. (2) For the next few weeks, we must avoid major battles and focus on fighting to disperse weak enemies and not to concentrate strong ones. Once our army gets used to operating outside without rear lines, it will benefit us again. Only under the conditions of the enemy's situation and terrain can we consider fighting a big battle.

(3) Don't hope to establish solid bases in the Dabie Mountains, western Henan, western Anhui and other places in a short period of time. This is impossible, and these can only be temporary footholds.It must be estimated that our army will have a long period of time (at least half a year) to maneuver between the east, west, north and south areas between the rivers, to propagate and mobilize the masses, and to wipe out dozens of enemy brigades before we can establish a solid base. (4) If Liu Deng thinks the above three points are feasible, please inform Chen Tang and Ye Tao[3] to follow them together, so that everyone can be mentally prepared to defeat Chiang Kai-shek.

Military Commission unwritten Published according to Mao Zedong's manuscript. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Liu Deng refers to Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping, who served as the commander and political commissar of the Shanxi-Hebei-Shandong-Henan Field Army at that time. [2] Chen Su, referring to Chen Yi and Su Yu, who were respectively the commander, political commissar and deputy commander of the East China Field Army at that time. [3] Chen Tang, referring to Chen Shiju and Tang Liang, who were respectively the Chief of Staff and Director of the Political Department of the East China Field Army at that time.Ye Tao, referring to Ye Fei and Tao Yong, were respectively the commanders of the first column and the fourth column of the East China Field Army at that time.