O New China Daily — Li Sanba . Four . Three O
Comrade Xiang Ying: Although conducting guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines presents difficulties and the enemy situation is rather severe, as long as there exists a vast area where the masses are actively engaged and sufficient attention is paid to maintaining flexible and mobile command, these challenges can indeed be overcome. This has already been demonstrated by the guerrilla campaigns in Hebei and Shandong provinces. After reconnaissance units have been deployed for several days, the main force can then prepare to follow up. It is entirely feasible to establish base areas within the extensive region spanning Guangde, Suzhou, Zhenjiang, Nanjing, and Qianhu Lake, thereby inciting the people’s anti-Japanese struggle, organizing civilian militias, and developing new guerrilla units. Once the Maoshan base area has been generally established, further preparations should be made to send detachments into the Suzhou–Zhenjiang–Wusong triangular zone, with another portion crossing the river to advance into the north bank of the Yangtze. Under certain conditions, guerrilla warfare can also be carried out in plain areas. However, the circumstances here differ significantly from those during the civil war. Naturally, a cautious attitude must always be maintained, and specific combat operations should only proceed when the concrete situation permits—this point must never be overlooked. (To be continued)☆o()I