Basic Operational Policies of
the First Army Group
(March 25, 1936, 8:00 P.M., near Shilou)
Lin [Biao] and Nie [Rongzhen]:
I. In order to destroy the reactionary base wherever it exists, in order to mobilize
the popular masses all over, and in order to destroy the thousand-li fortification line
along the Yellow River and the major railway lines, from now on the operational
policies of the vanguard army (the right route army) are as follows:
a. Try to fight for as prolonged a period as possible in the present area. The first
stroke should be to divide forces between Yicheng and Jiangxian, surround
Qinshui with one small unit, and make it look as if going eastward.
b. The second stroke should be to fight in the five xian of Fencheng,
Xinjiang, Jishan, Hejin, and Xiangning. The task is to expand the Red
Army. One unit is to lure the enemy southward at Linfen and Xiangling.
c. The third stroke is to transfer to Yonghe, Daning, Jixian, Xixian, and
Puxian. The tasks are first, to destroy the fortifications along the Yellow
River and second, to expand the Red Army.
d. The fourth stroke is to deliver a sudden blow at Jiexiu, Pingyao, Qixian, and
Taigu. The tasks are first, to destroy the railway, and second, to expand the
Red Army.
e. The fifth step is to occupy the Zheng-Tai Railroad. The tasks are first, to
destroy the railway, and second, to expand the Red Army.
f. Afterward, go either to Hebei or to Changzhi and Jincheng, the decision to
be taken according to circumstances.


2. During this period of time, the Fifteenth Army Group (left route) will be
operating in northwestern Shanxi, [with tasks] including destroying the enemy's
fortification line along the north end of the Yellow River, and fighting a way
through to the soviet area in Shen[mu] and Fu[gu].


3. During this period our troops in the Shilou area (central route army) are to
engage the enemy's first column to prevent them from moving southward.


4. Your operations are to be based on this general policy, but if the enemy
situation does not permit this, ad hoc changes may be made.
Peng [Dehuai]
Mao [Zedong]
We have translated this telegram from Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. I, pp. 498--499,
where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.
1. This refers to a stretch of railroad running between Zhengding and Taiyuan.