Regarding the Operational Deployment of Each Division in Shanxi

(October 5, 1937)

Zhou, Zhu, Peng[1]:

A. Fully agree with the operational plan decided upon jointly by Zhou, Cheng Qian, and Yan Xishan[2].

B. All of our 115th Division, except for a portion engaged in local work, should quickly concentrate in the mountainous area north of Taihuai Town and south of Daying Town and Shahe Town. When the enemy is drawn into the Yuanping-Xinxian area and the fighting becomes intense, launch a surprise attack on the Pingxing Pass–Daying–Shahe[3]–Fanshi line. After success, hand over this line to friendly forces for occupation, while our troops strike northward to seize the Hunyuan–Yingxian area and open up a new situation.

C. Wang Zhen’s unit[4] should promptly return to the organic structure of He’s division[5]. Except for guerrilla detachments, the main force of He’s division should at this moment remain concealed in the Wuzhai area. When the fighting on the Yuanping front becomes intense and our 115th Division has already moved toward Daying and Hunyuan, then commit the main force to sortie beyond the Great Wall and raid the Shuoxian–Zuoyun area, coordinating with the 115th Division to disrupt the enemy’s entire rear.

[1] Zhou, Zhu, Peng refer to Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, and Peng Dehuai.
[2] Cheng Qian was then serving as Chief of Staff of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government and Acting Commander of the First War Zone, responsible for directing operations along the Beiping–Hankou Railway. Yan Xishan was then Commander of the Nationalist Second War Zone.
[3] Pingxing Pass, Daying, and Shahe are all located within Fanshi County, Shanxi.
[4] Wang Zhen’s unit refers to the 717th Regiment of the 359th Brigade, 120th Division, Eighth Route Army. Wang Zhen was then brigade commander, leading this regiment in operations around Pingshan in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region.
[5] He’s division refers to the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with He Long as division commander.

D. The 129th Division should position one regiment in Xiaoyi, with its main force located on the flank and rear of the Zhengding–Taiyuan Railway[1], including Niangzi Pass[2]. Its primary tasks are to mobilize workers and peasants on both sides, strategically support Lin’s[3] and He’s divisions, and secure the rear lines.

E. In the areas originally designated for Lin’s and He’s divisions, necessary local work personnel must be dispatched to carry out planned, dispersed operations and accomplish specified tasks within designated areas. The original local work in these areas must not be neglected because of the main-force operations. The above deployment suggestions are to be promptly considered and implemented by Zhu and Peng.

F. Our troop deployment can only be communicated to Yan Xishan in person; it must not be reported to him by telegram. He must also be instructed not to pass it on to anyone else, and strict precautions must be taken to prevent leaks.

Mao Zedong

October 5, 15:00 hours

[1] Niangzi Pass is located northeast of Pingding, Shanxi.
[2] The Zhengding–Taiyuan Railway refers to the railway from Zhengding to Taiyuan, now the Shijiazhuang–Taiyuan line.
[3] Lin refers to Lin Biao, then commander of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army.