Order for Attacking the Enemy Zhang Huizan’s Division at Longgang[1]

(December 29, 1930)

(1) The enemy Zhang Huizan’s division[2] is advancing toward us from Nanlong. At 10:00 a.m. today (the 29th), its vanguard reached Longgangxu, thirty li from here (the 103rd Regiment of Dai Yue’s brigade[3]), but the situation of its follow-up units is unclear. There are reports of enemy forces arriving at Tantou.

Tan Daoyuan’s division[4] remains at Yuantou and Shangxiachao.

Mao Bingwen’s division[5] has moved to the area of Luokou, Pingtian, and Dongshanba.

(2) The Front Army has decided that the Left Route Army shall attack the enemy at Longgang tomorrow (the 30th), while the Right Route Army shall dispatch units to assist in annihilating this enemy.

(3) The 12th Army (excluding the 35th Division but including the 64th Division) shall serve as the left wing. It must set out before 4:00 a.m. tomorrow and advance toward Biaohu. A part of it shall occupy Wangong Mountain at the western end of the southern tip of Longgang, while its main force shall cut off the main road leading to Nanlong (via Lanshi and Maoping). The required positions must be occupied by 10:00 a.m.

The 3rd Army shall serve as the right wing. It must set out at 5:00 a.m. tomorrow, occupy the area to the right of Mukeng and the main positions at Tingziling, and advance to attack Longgang (the attack must commence by 9:30 a.m.). On the right, it shall

[1] This is the 12th Order of the Red Army’s First Front Army, issued by Mao Zedong and Zhu De at Junbujie, Yongfeng County, Jiangxi Province, at 20:00 on December 29, 1930.

[2] Zhang Huizan’s division refers to the 18th Division of the Kuomintang’s 9th Route Army, with Zhang Huizan as the division commander.

[3] Dai Yue’s brigade refers to the 52nd Brigade of the 18th Division of the Kuomintang’s 9th Route Army, with Dai Yue as the brigade commander.

[4] Tan Daoyuan’s division refers to the 52nd Division of the Kuomintang’s 9th Route Army, with Tan Daoyuan as the division commander.

[5] Mao Bingwen’s division refers to the 8th Division of the Kuomintang’s 6th Route Army, with Mao Bingwen as the division commander.

establish firm contact with the units dispatched by the Right Route Army. If the Right Route Army has not sent out any units, the 3rd Army shall extend to the right and pay special attention to its right flank.

(4) The general attack on Longgang is set for 10:00 a.m. on the 30th.

(5) The Right Route Army shall dispatch a unit tomorrow morning to advance via Huilong to the vicinity of Fanbu, linking up with the 3rd Army on the left and the 12th Army on the right, and attack toward the northwestern end of Longgang (near Zhangjiache). Upon arrival, it must immediately establish contact with the 3rd Army and the General Headquarters. If there are no enemy forces at Shanggu, its main force shall advance to attack along the line of Fanbu and Zhangjiache, while a small unit shall maintain vigilance over Xiagu and Tantou.

(6) Each army shall select its own locations for small baggage, casualty collection stations, and dressing stations. The enemy prisoner reception station shall be set up at Xiaobie.

(7) The main baggage shall remain positioned at Yang[1] and await further orders. If enemy activity is detected at Xiaobu, it shall move directly to Yuexi.

(8) The General Headquarters shall move to the vicinity of Xiaobie tomorrow to direct operations.

Supplementary Notes:

1. Before setting out tomorrow, all units shall assemble officers and soldiers for speeches to provide political encouragement. Reserve units shall also conduct political encouragement at all times.

2. The 12th Army shall make every effort to cut off enemy reinforcements from Nanlong.

3. Prisoners captured by each army may be transferred to the reception station at Xiaobie.

4. Each army shall pay attention to maintaining mutual contact and gathering intelligence.

5. All units shall take care to collect Western medicine, and radio equipment must not be damaged.

By Order of:

Commander-in-Chief Zhu De

Political Commissar Mao Zedong

[1] A character is missing after “Yang” here, likely “Yangji” (Yang Promontory).