Operational Deployment for the 129th Division, 120th Division, and Other Units

(October 21, 1937)

Zhu and Peng, and inform Zhou:

A. Please prepare to deploy the entire regiment of the 129th Division currently operating north of Xinkou,[1] or the main force of the headquarters special task regiment, to rush at the necessary moment to the area south of Jiexiu and north of Huo County (primarily the Lingshi area), select narrow and defile sections of the road, destroy several segments of the road, and block the enemy forces from advancing southward. When carrying out the destruction, it must be timed for when Taiyuan has fallen and the enemy is advancing toward Jiexiu, with the principle of not missing the opportune moment.

B. Please order He’s Division[2] to prepare to dispatch one battalion, led by a capable officer and equipped with a radio station, to the border area between Fenyang and Lishi, select narrow and defile sections of the terrain, and when the enemy advances to Fenyang and areas to its west, destroy the roads there without missing the opportune moment, in order to block the enemy from advancing westward.

C. Yang Chengwu’s regiment shall prepare to operate independently and on its own initiative over a long period in the border area of the three provinces of Hebei, Chahar, and Shanxi. Promptly assign a number of reliable high-level military and political cadres to strengthen it. Communication methods and communication materials must be prepared to last for up to two years. Provide it with a clear political and military program, and assign it one cavalry company.

D. The Wutai Mountains cannot be covered by Yang Chengwu’s regiment. Please consider dispatching the best battalion from the headquarters special task regiment, equipped with a number of military and political cadres capable of leading over three thousand men, to operate independently and on its own initiative over a long period in the Wutai Mountains area, in coordination with Yang Chengwu’s unit.

[1] Xinkou, a town name, located in the northern part of Xinzhou, Shanxi, is a militarily important location.

[2] He’s Division refers to the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Division Commander He Long.

Operational Deployment for the 129th Division, 120th Division, and Other Units

E. The entirety of Song Shilun’s regiment[1] (detached elements should be returned to their organic establishment) shall prepare to operate over a long period in the area north of the Great Wall and west of Datong and Yanmen Pass, coordinating to the east with Yang Chengwu and to the south with the main force of the 120th Division.

F. The main force of two regiments and the division directly subordinate units of the 120th Division, aside from preparing to dispatch one battalion to operate along the line of Fenyang, Wuchengzhen, and Lishi City (primarily to destroy roads without missing the opportune moment at first), shall be divided into two parts. The first part shall be the main force, preparing to operate in the three counties of Shenchi, Ningwu, and Jingle, as well as the area west of the Yanmen Pass–Taiyuan railway line. The second part shall be the secondary force, operating in the area of Wuzhai, Kelan, Lan County, Pianguan, Hequ, and Xing County.

G. Wang Zhaoxiang’s unit[2] shall prepare, at the necessary moment, to return in whole or in part to Shenfu. He and Guan shall also be responsible for guiding the work in Shenfu.

H. Wen Niansheng’s regiment[3] shall set out immediately from Luochuan and Fu County, and take up positions along the line of Wubu City, Zaolinping, Mahuiping, Xuejiamao, Chuankou, Hekou, and Qingjian City, to consolidate river defenses and coordinate with Shanxi. Chen Xianrui’s unit[4] of the 74th Division shall be transferred to Luochuan and Fu County to take over defense (it has already reached Yao County).

I. The above items are to be considered and decided upon as appropriate.

Mao Zedong

The 21st

[1] Song Shilun’s regiment refers to the 716th Regiment, 358th Brigade, 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army. From August to September 1937, Song Shilun served as the regiment commander. At the end of September, the Yanbei Detachment was formed based on the regiment’s 2nd Battalion, with Song Shilun as the detachment commander. Here it refers to the Yanbei Detachment of the Eighth Route Army.

[2] Wang Zhaoxiang’s unit refers to the Engineer Battalion of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Battalion Commander Wang Zhaoxiang.

[3] Wen Niansheng’s regiment refers to the 718th Regiment, 359th Brigade, 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Regiment Commander Wen Niansheng.

[4] Chen Xianrui’s unit was originally the 74th Division of the Red Army, with Division Commander Chen Xianrui. In August 1937, this division was reorganized into the artillery battalion and baggage battalion of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army. Chen Xianrui was then serving as deputy director of the Eastern District Garrison Office of the Rear Area General Garrison Office of the Eighth Route Army.