Directive on Strengthening Troop and Mass Mobilization Work in the Areas Occupied by Our Forces[1]

(November 29, 1937)

To Zhu and Ren at the Front General Headquarters:

(1) The enemy’s rear route in western Shanxi is under great threat from us. In recent days, they have reinforced Shuoxian, Zhuolu, and Baoding, halted their southward advance, and partially withdrawn northward. Their main intention is to safeguard the security of their rear route, apparently by reinforcing garrison points along the way and relying on these points to clear out our troops in the vicinity. However, they may also launch attacks on the Hebei-Chahar-Shanxi Border Area and the northwestern Shanxi area.

(2) The masses in the areas occupied by our forces and the newly organized guerrilla units lack experience in struggle. Please immediately undertake the following preparatory work:

(1) Strengthen political education and Party work in the new units, making this the core of the work to consolidate the units.

(2) Intensify necessary military and guerrilla action training, preferably by having them practice alongside veteran units.

(3) Mobilization of the local masses.

① The Communist Party and the Eighth Route Army resolutely resist the enemy and share hardships with the masses in Shanxi and northern China, calling on the masses to organize and arm themselves.

② Firmly grasp the facts of the enemy’s burning, killing, raping, and plundering to conduct agitational propaganda. It is best to organize teams of representatives from villages to conduct on-site inspections in the afflicted areas, and to organize afflicted refugees to carry out propaganda in various places.

[1] This is a directive from Mao Zedong and Peng Dehuai to Zhu De and Ren Bishi.

③ Cities and large towns and villages must have air defense installations.

④ The methods and necessity of blockading information and propagating the clearing of fields and strengthening of walls.

⑤ Launch struggles against traitors among the masses, confiscate the property of traitors, and distribute it to the masses.

⑥ Preferential treatment for the families of those fighting in the anti-Japanese war must be concretely realized.

The above must be carried out through the mass line, convening mass meetings with the village as the unit and representative conferences with the county or military sub-district as the unit. Only through discussion by the masses can we gain greater mass support. Strictly supervise all military regions and military sub-districts in their implementation.

Mao, Peng

The 29th day