Order to Attack the Enemy at Zhongcun and Nantuan[1]

(May 21, 1931)

(1) According to a report from the Third Army Corps, there is one brigade of the enemy under Gao Shuxun[3] at Zhongcun[2]. Its advance units made contact with our Sixth Division’s outposts this afternoon. This enemy force appears to be covering the movement of the main force to its rear.

(2) The Front Army has decided to attack this enemy tomorrow (the 22nd), and to press on to Nantuan[4] to destroy the main force of Gao’s division.

(3) The Third Army Corps shall serve as the left wing (and also as the left wing during the attack on Nantuan the following day), attacking the northeastern end of Zhongcun, advancing along the three routes of Dipanyuan, Dingjialing, and Xiyuanlong to strike north of Zhongcun. It shall set out from Shima at 3:00 tomorrow morning (the 22nd) and arrive at the preparatory attack positions by 6:30.

The Fourth Army shall serve as the right wing, advancing along the line of 49 Nao toward Jiaokeng, Luobishan, Niukeng, and Gangshang to attack the southern end of Zhongcun. It must set out from the Longfang area at 3:00 tomorrow morning and arrive at the preparatory attack positions by 6:30. (It shall assume the frontal role during the attack on Nantuan the following day.)

The Third Army shall serve as the general reserve. It shall set out from its present location at 3:00 tomorrow morning, advancing along Tongfang, Xiajiangkou, Xiazhipeng, Muzinao, Sanzikeng, Zhongkeng, Puhua’an, Haoyuan, and Qiaoxiakeng to support the Fourth Army, and shall enter Yuantou to bivouac as the situation permits, in preparation for attacking Nantuan the following day (the 23rd),

[1] This is an order of the First Front Army of the Red Army issued by Mao Zedong and Zhu De at Yaofang, Yongfeng County, Jiangxi Province, at 19:50 on May 21, 1931.

[2] Zhongcun, a village located southeast of Yongfeng County, Jiangxi Province.

[3] Gao Shuxun, then commander of the 27th Division of the 26th Route Army of the Kuomintang forces.

[4] Nantuan, a village located north of Ningdu County, Jiangxi Province.

serving as the right wing (it must maintain strict vigilance toward Nantuan and reconnoiter the enemy situation).

The Twelfth Army shall serve as the general reserve. It shall march behind the Third Army at 3:30 tomorrow morning, positioning itself near Haoyuan and Qiaoxiakeng behind the Fourth Army’s positions. During the attack on Nantuan the following day, it shall follow the Third Army and serve as the right wing. The line from Hanpolong, Laizhuting, and Zhongcun to Songshuyan shall serve as the boundary line for combat operations. The area north of the line shall be the responsibility of the Third Army Corps, and the area south of the line (including the line itself) shall be the responsibility of the Fourth Army.

(4) Should the enemy at Zhongcun retreat toward Nantuan or Yuantou, the Third Army Corps shall advance as far as possible to bivouac in the direction leading to Nantuan. The Third Army, Twelfth Army, and Fourth Army shall all enter the Yuantou area to bivouac, in preparation for attacking Nantuan the following day.

(5) The General Headquarters and directly affiliated units shall follow the Revolutionary Military Commission to the vicinity of Dongkeng to exercise command. Tomorrow evening, reports shall be received on the street in Zhongcun. The command post for the attack on Nantuan the following day shall be at Xiaxiachao.

Order issued by

Commander-in-Chief Zhu De

Political Commissar Mao Zedong