(October 23, 1937)

We must absolutely defeat Japanese imperialism. Such is the duty of the Communist Party, the Red Army, and the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Special Region. We
must definitely arouse the people of the whole country and the parties and factions
in the whole country to carry out the ten great guiding principles put forward by
the Communist Party for resisting Japan and saving the country, so as to reverse
the crisis situation and defeat the Japanese bandits. Every Communist Party member and every progressive element should unite, yield to no difficulties, make careful
preparations for everything, and smash the Japanese imperialists in the end.

Guerrilla Warfare Should Be Carried Out
Mainly on the Flanks and in the
Rear of the Enemy

(October 23, 1937, noon)¹

Comrades [Peng] Xuefeng, Zhou [Enlai], Zhu [De], Peng [Dehuai], Ren [Bishi],
Lin [Biao], Nie [Rongzhen], He [Long], Xiao [Ke], Liu [Bocheng], Xu [Xiangqian],
and Zhang [Hao] [Li Yuying]:

We have taken note of your telegram of the 18th [of September]. As far as Mr. Yan
[Xishan]'s suggestions are concerned, I totally agree with the orientation he proposes according to which, if circumstances are unfavorable, the two armies can
unite as one and firmly resist the attack of the Japanese bandits by means of a
guerrilla war. I have, however, the following suggestions:
1. A guerrilla war should be mainly in the enemy's flanks and rear. Shanxi
should be divided into the four districts of northwestern Shanxi, northeastern Shanxi,
southeastern Shanxi, and southwestern Shanxi. Toward the enemies that have entered central cities and major communication lines, we should adopt the posture of
surrounding and attacking the enemy troops from four sides. It is unwise to concentrate in the single region of the Wutai mountains, and it is difficult to concentrate for long in one region.
2. We should make the Wutai mountain range one of the important guerrilla
regions. In order to achieve that, the preparation should be speeded up. Both sides
should send people there to investigate and plan everything without delay.
3. At the same time, we should pay full attention to the Guanyin mountain
range in northeastern Shanxi, as well as to the arrangements and preparations there,
since the enemy is sure to take first the Shenchi-Ningwu area in this region in
order to coordinate this action with the action aimed at taking the Heng mountain
range in the east, and to obtain the advantage of occupying a commanding position before attacking Taiyuan.

This text was first published in Xin Zhonghua bao, November 4, 1937. Our source is Mao
Zedong ji. Bujuan, Vol. 5, p. 127, which reproduces this version.

Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 96-97, where it is reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1. It is indicated by a conventional character that this telegram was sent between 11:00
A.M. and 1:00 P.M.