Mobilization Order for the Decisive Battle
(November 18, 1936)
For the perusal of all military commanders and political officers of all units of
the First, Second, and Fourth front armies:
All commanders must display the most resolute determination, the most responsible loyalty, and the most enduring and patient resolve in the decisive battle, to
be launched tomorrow, against Chiang Kaishek's attack. Moreover, subordinate
commanders must also be earnestly asked to transmit this to all fighters so that
everyone may, with the same determination, loyalty, and resolve as you have,
obey orders, fight bravely, overcome any difficulties, and be prepared to fight
continuously. This is because this one particular battle facing us is of extremely
critical importance to the soviets and to China. The enemy's weaknesses and our
strengths are both numerous. We must definitely not be afraid of fatigue; we
must charge forward bravely, and capture more prisoners of war, rifles, and guns
to smash this attack; we must create a new overall situation as the first gift to the
victorious people of the entire soviet area from the three front armies that are
about to join forces in the soviet area in the Northwest.
Long live the victory of the Red Army!
Long live the victory of the soviets!
Long live the national war of resistance against Japan!
Mao Zedong
Ren Bishi
He Long
Zhang Guotao
Zhu De
Peng Dehuai
Zhou Enlai
We have translated this order from Nie Rongzhen huiyi lu (Beijing: Jiefangjun chubanshe,
1984), p. 328. It is also reproduced in Mao Zedongji. Bujuan, vol. 5, pp. 21-22.