Dispositions for Wiping Out the Enemy
Forces in the Zhongyang Area
(March 5, 1936, 12:00 midnight)

To Lin [Biao] and Nie [Rongzhen], Xu [Haidong] and Cheng [Zihua]:

1. It has become clear that there are three columns of enemy forces under
Enemy Yan [Xishan] in the east, there should be three as well in the north, and
there will undoubtedly be two in the south, which makes eight columns with an
estimated total of sixteen regiments, or twenty regiments at most.
2. Our troops should use Guanshang and Shuitou as a pivot, with our back
against Shilou, concentrate the largest main force from both army groups, and
take as our basic fighting orientation that of continuous battle to wipe out two or
three contingents of their forces in the east. If the enemy in the south gets close
to Shuitou, the fighting could also be started in the south. The decision is to be
made according to the situation tomorrow.
3. In order to prepare to do battle on the 7th, our arrangements for tomorrow
(the 6th) are as follows:
a. The First and Fourth divisions of the First Army Group will concentrate in
the area about twenty li east of Guanshang. One unit shall maintain contact
with the two enemy contingents in Duijiuyu and Gaoyang, and the main
forces of the Second Division will control the area between Guanshang
and Cheminyu, and move to Zhongyang to block the enemy. The First
Army Group is to prepare to be in front during the fighting on the 7th.
b. The Fifteenth Army Group's Seventy-fifth Division is to place two regiments tomorrow about 30 li east of Shuitou along the road to Damaijiao.
The Seventy-eighth and Eighty-first divisions are to concentrate in
Shuitou, but one guerrilla unit should be placed in Shikou. The Fifteenth
Army Group should be prepared to attack from the right wing during the
fighting on the 7th.
c. Tomorrow we will lead the Twenty-third platoon to meet with Xu and
Cheng at Shuitou. The First Army Group's maps should be sent to Shuitou
without delay. Xu and Cheng are to remain at Shuitou tomorrow.

Peng [Dehuai] Mao [Zedong]
Destroy the Enemy Forces Moving Toward
Damaijiao One by One
(March 6, 1936, 2:00 A.M.)

To Lin [Biao] and Nie [Rongzhen], Xu [Haidong] and Cheng [Zihua]:

1. It seems that there are no enemy forces in the direction of Fenxi, Xixian,
and Yonghe that will attack Damaijiao, and that the main forces are still the two
units under Li Shengda¹ and Sun Chu² in the east and north. Their method is to
advance along separate routes, not to advance prematurely.
2. Our army will use the tactics of waiting for the opportunity to attack them
one by one, concentrating our main forces, fighting continuously, attacking first
toward the east and then toward the north, and hitting them from behind the
flank, then surrounding and annihilating them. Today both army groups need to
concentrate their forces and rest, and should not do any fighting.
3. The First Army Group's wounded should be moved quickly to the
Jieyuanli area.
4. It is hoped that Lin and Nie will send to Shuitou their opinions about doing
battle.

Peng [Dehuai] Mao [Zedong]

Our source for this document is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 479-80, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
Our source for this telegram is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 481-82, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
1. Li Shengda was at this time commander of both the Third Column and the
Seventy-second Division under the Guomindang army's Taiyuan Pacification Office.
2. In addition to the 101st Division, Sun Chu now commanded the Fourth Column
under the Guomindang army's Taiyuan Pacification Office.