893.00/10–2948: Telegram
The Ambassador in China (Stuart) to the Secretary of State
[Received October 29—4:25 p. m.]
2037. Following monitored last night from Communist north Shensi broadcast:15
“North Shensi October 28. Commenting on annihilation of 12 Kmt divisions west of Mukden this morning, military observer here points out that this is biggest of 3 victories scored by People’s Liberation Army offensive in Manchuria during last fortnight. Other 2 recent victories were scored in strategic Chinchow and Changchun.
These 3 victories of People’s Liberation Army have lopped off 26 divisions from Kmt Army. Including other Kmt special troops and miscellaneous troops wiped out in these actions, Kmt losses total some 300,000 men. Together with Kmt losses suffered south of Great Wall since People’s Liberation Army launched its autumn offensive, Kmt losses to date total 450,000 or almost half million men.
Except for Kmt Forty-ninth Army, all 5 Kmt Armies under Kmt General Liao Yao-hsiang wiped out west of Mukden are ‘famous’ American-equipped troops especially New First Army and New Sixth Army. In destroyed Kmt New Third Army are 2 divisions transferred from Kmt so-called crack New First and New Sixth Armies.
There are now only 9 Kmt divisions in Manchuria, in Mukden and its vicinity and Yingkow area, apart from 11 Kmt divisions in Chinhsi southwest of Chinchow.”
Sent Department 2036 [2037]; repeated Shanghai 1011.
- For further broadcasts on October 30 and 31, see United States Relations With China, pp. 882–885.↩