Order to Lure the Enemy out of Their Fortifications to Be Destroyed and Then Exploit the Victory to Attack Changsha[1]

(August 31, 1930)

(1) The enemy forces in Changsha are still stubbornly resisting us from behind their fortifications. The enemy at Banshigang has assembled a large number of boats and appears to be preparing to cross the river between Datuopu and Yijiawan.

On the 24th, two regiments of Gong Bingfan’s[2] troops arrived in Changsha from Yuezhou[3].

It is reported that enemy forces (about three regiments) from Hengbao[4] have moved to Xiangtan.

(2) The Front Army still plans to lure the enemy out of their fortifications to be destroyed and then exploit the victory to attack Changsha.

(3) The Third Army Corps (minus the First Division of the Fifth Army) shall remain in the area of Linjiadan, Yangjiachong, Longshantang, Xitangchong, and Huanghuchong. After the enemy at Banshigang crosses the river, it shall launch an attack and destroy them. Once successful, it shall carry out its original mission and advance along the railway and highway to attack the southern gate of Changsha.

(4) The First Division of the Fifth Army shall remain near Mojialong. Tonight it shall dispatch a force to feign an attack on the enemy positions at Houzishi. Before daybreak it shall occupy the positions slightly behind Shipailing. It must be able to swiftly destroy any enemy forces that sally forth from Houzishi and shall coordinate with the left wing of the First Army Corps (the Twelfth Army) and the right wing of the Third Army Corps (primarily coordinating with the Twelfth Army).

[1] This order of the First Front Army of the Red Army was issued by Mao Zedong and Zhu De at Baitianpu in the southern suburbs of Changsha, Hunan Province, after August 31, 1930.
[2] Gong Bingfan’s troops, i.e., the Newly Organized Fifth Division of the Ninth Route Army of the Kuomintang army, with Gong Bingfan as the division commander.
[3] Yuezhou, the name of an old prefecture, i.e., Yueyang in Hunan Province.
[4] Hengbao refers to Hengzhou and Baoqing, both names of old prefectures, i.e., present-day Hengyang and Shaoyang in Hunan Province.

(5) The Twelfth Army shall remain in its present location (the area of Laomiao and Dongjingpu). Tonight it shall dispatch a force to feign an attack on the enemy positions at Shiba, Shimapu, and other places. It shall leave outpost sentries along the line of Yanzi Ridge, Jingwanzi, and Laomiao. When the enemy sallies forth, it shall undertake attacks in the areas of Guitang, Shiba, and Shimapu (including the Guitang highway).

(6) The Fourth Army shall immediately withdraw to the northern end of Liaojiachong and Zhoujiaba. Before daybreak tomorrow morning it shall occupy the positions south of Tianji Ridge. It must be able to fiercely attack and destroy any enemy forces that sally forth from our right wing. Tonight it shall dispatch advance sentries to the vicinity of Xujiachong to establish reliable contact with our Liuyang Red Guards’ Seventh Regiment at Dongshan and the Twelfth Army at Yanzi Ridge. When the enemy sallies forth, this army shall link up with the right wing of the Twelfth Army and undertake attacks in the area to the right of the Guitang highway (excluding the highway itself).

(7) The Third Column of the Third Army shall withdraw tonight to the vicinity of Duanjialong and rejoin its unit.

(8) The entire Third Army shall be stationed in the area of Duanjialong and Baitianpu as the general reserve.

(9) The heavy baggage and the wounded collection station of the First Army Corps shall remain in their original positions.

(10) I shall be at the general reserve position at Baitianpu.

Attention:

1. Be vigilant against enemy harassment at night.

2. All units shall dispatch personnel to each other to establish reliable contact, and any intelligence obtained shall be mutually reported.

Commander-in-Chief Zhu De

Political Commissar Mao Zedong