The Situation Regarding the Activity of the
Northeastern Army, and the Dispositions for
the Transfer of Central Committee Organs
(June 15, 1936, 2:30 A.M.)
To Peng [Dehuai], Zuo [Quan] and Nie [Rongzhen], Xu [Haidong] and Cheng
[Zihua], Song [Shilun] and Song [Renqiong], Yan [Hongyan] and Cai [Shufan],
Li [Fuchun], Xiao [Jingguang], and for transmittal to [Yang] Zhicheng:


1. The Northeastern Army is now advancing toward Wayaobao in three separate columns. Yesterday its left and center columns had reached Ansai and
Panlong, and the right column had reached Pingbuta; today they may reach
Yongping. It is also possible that the enemy in Qingjian and Suide may coordinate with them in their advance.


2. Figuring that Wayaobao is bound to fall sooner or later, our army has
decided to evacuate the town of Wayaobao and prepare to do battle. The Central
[Committee] and all organs of the

Military Commission are getting ready to
move to the Hongde City and Helianwan area; the supplies and gear will go first,
and the area in the vicinity of Yangjiayuanzi and Wuqizhen shall be the site for
transfer and resting.


3. It has been decided by the Military Commission that:
a. Enlai is to remain on the eastern line to direct all the troops and the local
forces in the east in resistance against the attacking enemy, and to make
arrangements for the transfer of the Central Committee and the Military
Commission.
b. Dehuai is in charge of making arrangements for the organizations (including the Red Army School) in the area of Hongde City and Helianwuan. It
is hoped that this will be accomplished by the end of this month.
c. Lin Biao is in charge of directing the organs and troops throughout the
transfer, which is set to begin on the 16th.


4. In order to carry out the transfer smoothly, the following instructions apply:
a. The two Songs are to undertake to cover the area north of the
Yangjiayuanzi-Shaji line with two companies of soldiers, and eliminate the
[landlord] militias and bandits in the area.
b. Jingguang is to undertake to cover the line between Yangjiayuanzi and
Shaji with one regiment of soldiers, and eliminate the militias and bandits
near Bao'an.
c. Zhicheng is to gather together at least two hundred draft animals, and
begin on the 16th to haul grain to Yangjiayuanzi so as to facilitate the
transportation of materials, machines, and some wounded and sick personnel to Wuqizhen and Hongde City, and make arrangements in the vicinity
of Wuqizhen for cave dwellings and grain.


5. In preparing this time for the moving of forces and for the war of resistance, the Central Committee does not intend to change its basic plan of speeding
up the great unification in the Northwest by taking advantage of the current
Southwest Incident. It should be explained among the cadres and the masses that
the Central Committee is moving its capital in order to lead directly and consolidate a new and larger base area in the Northwest, facilitate the further development of guerrilla warfare in the east and west, win over the Northeastern Army
more easily, and prepare a new counteroffensive.
Military Commission
Mao [Zedong] Zhou [Enlai]
Peng [Dehuai]

--- Notes

Our source for this document is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 1, pp. 546-48, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.