Order of the Presidium of the Military Commission

(July 14, 1937)

Commander-in-Chief Peng, Political Commissar Ren, President Lin,[1] all front armies, army groups, armies, divisions, regiments, and military schools, leading comrades:

(A) Japan is dispatching large numbers of troops to North China; the nation is in peril. The 29th Army is resisting in battle, the National Government has already mobilized reinforcements, and the national salvation movement is rising across the country. Our anti-Japanese Red Army has the duty to advance to the front to reinforce friendly forces and coordinate with friendly forces to annihilate the savage Japanese troops.

(B) Upon receipt of this order, reorganize into the establishment of the National Revolutionary Army, taking the army as the unit. Simultaneously, increase anti-Japanese political courses, and teach cadres and soldiers the geography of the four eastern provinces and the five provinces of North China, and teach the current situation of Japan. Military training shall emphasize snowfield combat, night operations, assault combat, air defense techniques, long-distance marches, operations without a rear area, and other such items. All military schools shall generally handle matters in the same manner.

All the above items are to be completed within ten days, pending orders for deployment.

(This order is to be publicly announced to the Red Army, but must be kept strictly secret from the Japanese bandits and traitorous elements; no negligence is permitted.)

Presidium of the Military Commission

[1] Refers to Peng Dehuai, Ren Bishi, and Lin Biao.