We will be exercising command in Damaijiao.
Peng [Dehuai] Mao [Zedong]
# Date: 1936-03-17
# Source: en:MRP
The Fifteenth Army Group Should Profit
from the Weakness of the Enemy's Defense
to Advance Northward, Seize the Opportunity,
and Take Jiexiu and Other Places by Surprise
(March 17, 1936, 8:00 P.M.)
To Xu [Haidong] and Cheng [Zihua], and to be transmitted to Lin [Biao] and Nie
[Rongzhen]:
1. Today one unit of the enemy's Second and Third columns entered and
occupied Guojiazhang, and the main forces advanced to the area between
Duijiuyu and Guojiazhang. The main forces of the enemy's Fourth Column
reached Cheminyu and the city of Zhongyang, and one unit reached Nuanquan
and looks as if it is going to save Shilou. Today our First Army Group entered
and occupied the Huoxian area.


2. The Fifteenth Army Group (minus the Eighty-first Division) has the task
of taking advantage of the vacuum to advance northward, smashing the enemy's
rear, shaking the confidence and morale of the enemy soldiers, and expanding
our propaganda. Tomorrow (the 18th) the main forces will advance to Beishitun
and Nanshitun, and one unit should cross the river and seize the opportunity to
take the town of Jiexiu by surprise. If Jiexiu comes into our hands, then enter
Jiexiu and camp there, prepare to advance toward Pingyao on the 19th, and seize
an opportunity to attack and take it by surprise. If Jiexiu does not come into our
hands, then all troops are to encamp tomorrow at Nanshitun and Beishitun, set
out before the 19th for the area between Jiexiu and Xiaoyi, and by way of
Dazhuangcun¹ and Yanwuzhen advance to Jinshancun near Fenshui, and at the
same time have one unit seize the opportunity to occupy the town of Wenshui.


3. Concentrate the troops at all times and be prepared to wipe out the
enemy's cavalry.


4. Pay attention to propaganda and to mobilizing the masses. Shops and
schools may not be sabotaged.
Peng [Dehuai] Mao [Zedong]

--- Notes

Our source for this telegram is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 490-91, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

1. The editors of the Junshi wenji note that this probably means East Dawangcun,
located in the southeastern part of Fenyang xian in Shanxi.