Actions of Hu Zongnan’s Troops and Our Army’s Dispositions

(November 20, 1936)

Peng[1]:

A. The enemy is now mired in difficulties. Following Jiang’s[2] orders, they have shifted from Baoning Fort toward Dingbian and Yanchi[3] to secure supplies and control strategic strongholds. Their main force’s route of advance must pass through Hongliugou[4], but there is a possibility that Ding’s division[5] may move toward Dingbian via Shanchengbao[6] and Qinggangxia.

B. It would be best for us to concentrate four armies and strike from their right rear, while the Fourth Army pins them down from the front.

C. In battle, the principle is first to annihilate one of their divisions, achieve a decisive victory, and then fight a second engagement.

D. The enemy believes our First and Second Front Armies have fled toward Huanxian. At present, Hu’s[7] forces are completely unaware of our intentions, but once the enemy reinforces Shanchengbao, they will inevitably discover them. Be sure to pay close attention to this.

E. The Third Section of the Red Army University at Quzi[1] and the Twenty-Ninth Army at Dingbian and Yanchi are placed under your unified command.

Mao Zedong

20th, 5:00

[1] Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then serving as Commander-in-Chief and Political Commissar of the Red Army’s Frontline Forces and Commander of the First Front Army.

[2] Jiang refers to Jiang Jieshi (Chiang Kai-shek).

[3] Dingyan refers to Dingbian in Shaanxi and Yanchi in Ningxia.

[4] Hongliugou, a village located southwest of Dingbian, Shaanxi.

[5] Ding’s division refers to the 78th Division of the 2nd Column, 1st Route, Northwestern “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters of the Nationalist Army, with Division Commander Ding Delong.

[6] Shanchengbao, a village located north of Huanxian, Gansu.

[7] Hu refers to Hu Zongnan, then serving as Commander of the 2nd Column, 1st Route, Northwestern “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters of the Nationalist Army, concurrently Commander of the 1st Division.

[1] Refers to the Third Section of the Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Red Army University, also known as the Infantry School Affiliated to the Red Army University, externally referred to as the Central Instructional Division, then stationed in Quzi Town, Huanxian, Gansu.