On Refuting Jiang Dingwen’s Unreasonable Attitude: A Telegram to Lin Boqu and Others[1]

(September 14, 1937)

Guerrilla warfare and the deployment of troops according to circumstances constitute the strategic policy and command principle decided upon by Zhu and Zhou in Nanjing with Jiang, He, Bai, and Huang.[2] The main force of the Red Army has already gone to the front; piling up large numbers of troops in a narrow area is not suited to the application of guerrilla warfare. Therefore, it is entirely proper for the 129th Division to remain stationed and await the opportune moment. Jiang Dingwen, though a military man, does not understand military affairs and should make an additional effort to study our art of war. To act upon his ignorant and fanciful notions would lead to defeat in battle.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Lin Boqu and others on refuting Jiang Dingwen’s unreasonable attitude.

[2] Jiang, He, Bai, and Huang refer to Jiang Jieshi, He Yingqin, Bai Chongxi, and Huang Shaohong. He Yingqin was then serving as Chief of the General Staff of the Military Council of the Nationalist Government.