To Lin Biao and Nie Rongzhen[1]

(March 19, 1936)

Lin and Nie:

A. The enemy’s 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Columns, which had been attacking westward along the entire front for the past two days, have all halted along the entire front as of yesterday. It is estimated that new dispositions will not be made until today or tomorrow. B. Yesterday, the 15th Army Corps of the Red Army wiped out a company of Shang Zhen’s 141st Division at Yitang Town, ten li south of Jiexiu. There is information that this entire division (three regiments) has arrived at Jiexiu. Today, the 15th Army Corps of the Red Army is moving north to attack and seize Wenshui. C. You should, as far as possible, occupy one or two county towns and thoroughly destroy the railways and telegraph lines.

Peng and Mao

19th, at 2:00

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong and Peng Dehuai, Commander of the First Front Army of the Red Army, to Lin Biao, Commander of the First Army Corps of the First Front Army, and Nie Rongzhen, its Political Commissar.