Enemy forces—specifically Zhang Huizan’s division, advancing from Nanlong toward our position—had, by 10:00 a.m. today, brought their vanguard to Longgangwei, thirty li distant. The whereabouts of the trailing elements of Dai Yue’s 103rd Regiment remain uncertain; reports indicate enemy presence at TanTou. Meanwhile, Tan Daoyuan’s division remains stationed at YuanTou and Shangxiachao, while Mao Bingwen’s division has shifted to the areas around Luokou, Pingtian, and Dongshanba.

The First Front Army has decided that the Left Column will launch its attack on Longgang tomorrow, and the Right Column is accordingly directed to dispatch units to assist in annihilating the enemy force.  The Twelfth Army, currently lacking its 35th Division but incorporating the 64th Division as its left wing, is ordered to move out before 4:00 a.m. tomorrow and advance toward Biaohu Lake. A portion of this force is to seize the southern end of Longgang, as well as Mangong Mountain on the west bank; the main body is to cut off the major southward road leading to Longgang via Lanshi and Maoping. All designated positions are to be occupied by 10:00 a.m. The Third Army, serving as the right wing, is to depart at 5:00 a.m., occupy the terrain to the right of Mukeng and the key positions on Tingziling, and then press forward to attack Longgang (the assault is to commence at 9:30 a.m.). Both the right and left columns must establish firm communication through mutually dispatched liaison detachments; should the right column fail to do so, it is to extend its deployment further to the right, with particular attention to the right flank.

The general assault on Longgang is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on the 30th. The Right Column is also to send a detachment early tomorrow morning, via Huilong to the vicinity of Fanpu, linking up with the Third Army on the left and the Eleventh Army on the right, and pressing forward to attack near Zhangjiache at the northwestern extremity of Longgang. Upon arrival, immediate contact is to be established with the Third Army and with Headquarters. Should no enemy forces be encountered in Shanggu, the main body is to continue its advance along the line toward Fanpu and Zhangjiache, while a small detachment is to maintain vigilance over Shanggu and TanTou.

Each unit is to independently select locations for its light baggage depot, casualty collection point, and dressing station. A separate facility will be set up to house enemy prisoners. Units carrying heavy baggage are to remain at Yangzhai, standing by under orders to hold their positions; should Xiaobu detect enemy activity, they are to move directly to Yuoxi.

Headquarters will relocate to the vicinity of Xiaobu tomorrow morning to assume command.

Notes: Before departing tomorrow, all units are to convene their officers and men for political mobilization speeches, ensuring thorough ideological encouragement. Reserve units are likewise to keep themselves prepared at all times for such work. The Eleventh Army should make every effort to intercept any enemy reinforcements bound for Nanlong. Prisoners captured by each unit may be transferred to the reception center at Xiaobu. All units are to maintain close communications with one another and actively gather intelligence. Furthermore, each unit must take care to collect Western medicines, and radio equipment must not be damaged under any circumstances.

Issued by Commander-in-Chief Zhu De and Political Commissar Mao Zedong.

O Concerning Historical Issues and Documents Related to the Red Third Army, West China People’s Publishing House, 1981.

Selected Materials from the Fifth Counter-Encirclement Campaign of the Central Red Army, compiled by the Editorial Department of the Journal of Southwest University (Social Sciences Edition), published in 1979.

Order No. 2: Attack on Longgang by the First Front Army Against Zhang Zhushan’s Forces