The 343rd Brigade Should Immediately Change Its Operational Plan

(February 28, 1938)

Comrade Lin Biao,[1] and inform Zhu, Peng, He:[2]

A. The enemy has already entered the lower reaches of the Fen River. Fenglingdu[3] and Tongguan[4] are in critical danger. Yan and Wei[5] have already reached the riverbank and are preparing to cross the river.

B. The enemy is fiercely attacking the west bank from the two points of Jundu and Qikou, preparing to cross the river. Suide is in critical danger.

C. You, leading the entire Chen Brigade,[6] should immediately change the operational plan.

(1) Swiftly use a portion of forces to control the areas of Damaijiao, Shuitou, Chuankou, and Shikou, mobilize the masses to organize guerrilla units, and consolidate the strategic pivot.

(2) Dispatch sufficient working personnel to vigorously mobilize the masses in the two counties of Shilou and Yonghe, organize guerrilla units, and consolidate the river-crossing points.

(3) Send working personnel to the two counties of Lingshi and Fenxi, mobilize the masses to organize guerrilla units, and prepare for the east Shanxi forces to shift westward when necessary.

[1] Lin Biao, then commander of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army.

[2] Zhu, Peng, He, referring to Zhu De, Peng Dehuai, and He Long, commander of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army.

[3] Fenglingdu, a town located southwest of Ruicheng County, Shanxi Province, on the Tongpu Railway.

[4] Tongguan, located in the northern part of Tongguan County, Shaanxi Province, at the strategic juncture of Shaanxi, Shanxi, and Henan provinces.

[5] Yan and Wei, referring to Yan Xishan and Wei Lihuang, then respectively commander-in-chief and deputy commander-in-chief of the Second War Zone of the Kuomintang, concurrently commander-in-chief of the Southern Route Front Enemy Forces and commander-in-chief of the 14th Group Army.

[6] Chen Brigade, referring to the 343rd Brigade of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with brigade commander Chen Guang.

(4) Shift the main force into the areas of Xi County, Wucheng, and Daning, seek opportunities to engage in combat, and accordingly annihilate the enemy.

Mao Zedong

28th