Central Military Commission Order[1]

(March 5, 1935)

1. It is assessed that the two divisions under Xiao and Xie of Zhou’s Column, totaling seven regiments, show signs of advancing tomorrow (the 6th) from Changganshan toward Fengxiangba and Bailakan, while the six regiments of Wan’s Division show signs of advancing toward Changganshan. The three regiments of the Guizhou enemy He Zhizhong’s unit will advance from Shikeng’aokou toward Daheishui.

2. Our army has the task of first destroying the two divisions under Xiao and Xie. Tomorrow’s (the 6th) deployment is as follows:

A. The 1st Army Corps and the Cadre Regiment shall form the Right Column. At dawn tomorrow (the 6th), they shall take the route via Huamiaotian to attack between Changganshan and Fengxiangba. The 1st Division shall make a detour to the Daoliushui–Licun area to strike the enemy’s rear, while the 2nd Division shall launch a flank attack on the enemy in the Qingkeng area. The Cadre Regiment shall advance with the 2nd Division and be under the command of Lin and Nie.

B. The 3rd Army Corps shall form the Left Column. Its main force of three regiments shall bypass the western end of Wenshui Mountain via Wenshuigou and attack from south to north toward Daoliushui, Qingkeng, and Yangmashui. One regiment shall hold the front at Jiulongshan and Bailakan to draw the enemy eastward. This Army Corps shall dispatch a small unit to the area south of Taipingchang to confuse and pin down He’s enemy forces.

C. The 5th Army Corps shall serve as the General Reserve and advance to the vicinity of Bailakan to await orders.

3. Tomorrow (the 6th), each corps must resolve the battle against the two divisions under Xiao and Xie with fierce action, so as to continue operations against Wan’s Division on the 7th.

4. The general rear area shall be in the region from Yaxi and Huamiaotian to Zunyi.

[1] In March 1935, during continuous operations in the areas of Loushanguan, Zunyi City, and the northern bank of the Wujiang River, the Central Red Army achieved significant victories. This is the operational order issued by the Military Commission to deploy forces to engage the enemy.

5. The Forward Enemy Command shall advance with the Headquarters of the 1st Army Corps and shall be at Bailakan on the 6th.

Postscript: In addition to using radio to report battle conditions at any time, the following method for signal fires is prescribed: three fires for a major victory, two fires for a minor victory, one fire for a stalemate or unfavorable situation.

Commander: Zhu De

Political Commissar: Mao Zedong

Central Military Commission Order

1. The two divisions under Xiao and Xie of Zhou’s Column, totaling seven regiments, show signs of advancing tomorrow (the 6th) from Changganshan toward Fengxiangba, while the six regiments of Wan’s Division show signs of advancing toward Changganshan. The three regiments of the Guizhou enemy He Zhizhong’s unit will advance from Shikenglongkou toward Daheishui.

2. Our army has the task of first destroying the two divisions under Xie and Xiao. Tomorrow’s (the 6th) deployment is as follows:

A. The 1st Army Corps and the Cadre Regiment shall form the Right Column. At dawn tomorrow (the 6th), they shall take the route via Changtian to attack between Changgan and Fengshe. The 1st Division shall make a detour to the Celiushui–Licun area to strike the enemy’s rear, while the 2nd Division shall launch a flank attack on the enemy in the Qingkeng area. The Cadre Regiment shall follow the 2nd Division and be under command.

B. The 3rd Army Corps shall form the Left Column. Its main force of three regiments shall bypass the western end of Wenshui Mountain via Wenshuigou and attack from south to north toward Celiushui, Qingkeng, and Nongmashui. One regiment shall hold the front at Jiuhangtubakan to draw the enemy forward. This Army Corps shall dispatch a small unit to Taipingchang to threaten and pin down He’s enemy forces.

C. The 5th Army Corps shall serve as the General Reserve and advance to the vicinity of Bailakan to await orders.

3. Tomorrow (the 6th), each corps must resolve the battle against the enemy divisions under Xiao and Xie with fierce action, so as to continue operations against Wan’s Division on the 7th.

4. The general rear area shall be in the region from Longxi and Chongshantian to Jianxian.

5. The Forward Enemy Command shall advance with the entire 1st Army Corps and shall be at Bailakan tomorrow (the 6th).

Postscript: In addition to using field telephones to report battle conditions at any time, the following method for signal fires is prescribed: three fires for a major victory, two fires for a minor victory, one fire for a stalemate or unfavorable situation.

Commander: Zhu De

Political Commissar: Mao Zedong

Operational order issued by Mao Zedong and Zhu De in the Yaxi area of Zunyi.

Diagram of the Red Army’s Four Crossings of the Chishui River.


Taipingdu, one of the crossing points of the Red Army’s Four Crossings of the Chishui River.