The Eighth Route Army Cavalry Regiment Dispatches to the Mongolian Border[1]

(November 16, 1937)

Comrade Gao Gang:

(1) With the fall of Taiyuan, Suiyuan[2] has become even more critical. Some princes of the leagues and banners in Inner Mongolia have already wavered and leaned toward Japan, while others are hesitating without a clear stance. The Japanese invaders are currently exploiting Prince De[3] and Prince Sha[4] in an attempt to create a puppet government in Inner Mongolia. After the fall of Guisui[5] and Baotou, Ma Zhanshan’s[6] forces and others have gathered near Xinwuyuan. If the Japanese and puppet forces advance further westward, it will likely be difficult to sustain the current situation. It is urgently necessary for us to dispatch a force northward into the Mongolian border region to calm the people, establish contact with the various banners, initiate guerrilla warfare, and defend the Sanbian[7] area.

(2) Therefore, it is decided that you shall serve as the Cavalry Commander of the Eighth Route Army, leading the cavalry regiment and the Mongol-Han detachment northward into the area of East and West Uxin Banners and Otog Banner, operating north of Sanbian and south of the desert. The tasks are:

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong, Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian), and Xiao Jinguang, Director of the Rear Area Garrison Headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, to Gao Gang, Commander of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Security Command. Later, due to changes in the situation, the task of dispatching forces to Inner Mongolia to develop the anti-Japanese guerrilla war was actually assigned to the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army.

[2] Suiyuan, a former province name, encompassing the central region of today’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, abolished in 1954.

[3] Prince De, full name Demchugdongrub, was then Vice-Chairman of the "Mongolian League Autonomous Government" supported by Japanese imperialism.

[4] Prince Sha, full name Shagdarshab, was then Chairman of the Suiyuan Mongolian Political Council of the Nationalist Government and Head of the Ih Ju League.

[5] Guisui, a former city name and capital of the former Suiyuan Province, renamed Hohhot in 1954.

[6] Ma Zhanshan, then Commander of the Northeast Advance Army of the Nationalist forces.

[7] Sanbian refers to Dingbian, Anbian, and Jingbian in northwestern Shaanxi.

The Eighth Route Army Cavalry Regiment Dispatches to the Mongolian Border

A. Under the slogans "Mongol and Han Nationalities Unite as One to Resist Japan" and "Defend Suiyuan," initiate and facilitate a joint conference of the various banner princes, achieving an anti-Japanese united front among the upper strata of the Ih Ju League banners, uniting to resist Japan (adopting a critical attitude toward Prince De and Prince Sha). Simultaneously, carry out extensive work among the Mongol and Han peoples, organize and arm them, establish new anti-Japanese guerrilla units, and expand our own forces.

B. Establish contact with Ma Zhanshan, He Zhuguo[1], and others, as well as local Nationalist Party members, convey our anti-Japanese propositions and the situation of the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi, urge them to improve their nationality policies, unite all anti-Japanese organizations in Suiyuan, arm the local people, resolutely struggle against traitors, and develop independent, self-reliant mass guerrilla warfare to strike at the Japanese invaders’ offensive.

(3) The majority of the staff from the Provincial Committee’s Mongolian Affairs Department[2] must accompany you into the Mongolian area for work. Only one or two persons should remain in Dingbian to handle reception and liaison duties.

(4) The cavalry regiment and detachment may be dispatched after several days of consolidation, mobilization, and preparatory work. If leather coats are unavailable, two thousand yuan may be allocated from the Salt Tax Bureau for their purchase.

Mao, Luo, Xiao

The 16th

[1] He Zhuguo, then Commander of the 2nd Cavalry Army of the Nationalist forces.

[2] Refers to the Mongolian Work Department of the CPC Northern Shaanxi Provincial Committee.