Plan for the Deployment of Guerrilla Warfare in the Jin-Yu Border Region[1]

(March 6, 1938)

Comrade Zhu Rui, and for the information of Zhu and Peng, Hu and Yang[2]:

A. Your telegram of the 3rd[3] has been noted. The deployment is very appropriate. The Jin-Yu border region is extremely important. It is hoped that guerrilla warfare in the areas of Qinshui, Yicheng, Quwo, Yuanqu, Jiyuan, Bo’ai, and Jincheng will be deployed in a planned manner, in coordination with the operations of the main forces on the northwestern and western flanks.

B. County Magistrate Li of Yangcheng[4] should be instructed to send someone by a roundabout route to Ji County to report to Director Yan[5] on the plan for deploying guerrilla warfare in seven counties and for concurrently serving as commander of guerrilla forces in the Jin-Yu border region, and to request his appointment and the provision of rifles, ammunition, and funds.

C. Zhu and Peng are leading the Eastern Route Army in the Yushe and Liaoxian area. Wei[6] is leading the Southern Route Army in the Lüliang Mountain

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong to Zhu Rui, Secretary of the Military Commission of the Northern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, who was engaged in united front work in the Wangwu Mountain area of the Jin-Yu border region, and others.

[2] Zhu and Peng refer to Zhu De and Peng Dehuai. Hu and Yang refer to Hu Fu (Liu Shaoqi) and Yang Shangkun, Deputy Secretary of the Northern Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

[3] Refers to the telegram sent by Zhu Rui to Liu Shaoqi and Yang Shangkun, with information to Zhang Wentian and Mao Zedong, on March 3, 1938. The telegram proposed a plan to launch guerrilla warfare in the Jin-Yu border region centered on Yangcheng. The main contents included: (1) organizing a Jin-Yu Border Military-Political Committee; (2) establishing guerrilla armed forces in the Jin-Yu border region; (3) designating the area encompassing Qinshui, Yicheng, Quwo, Yuanqu, Jiyuan, Bo’ai, and Jincheng as the guerrilla zone.

[4] County Magistrate Li refers to Li Minzhi, then County Magistrate of Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province, and a member of the CPC.

[5] Director Yan refers to Yan Xishan, then Commander of the Second War Zone of the Kuomintang, and formerly Director of the Kuomintang’s Taiyuan Pacification Office. The former title is used here.

[6] Wei refers to Wei Lihuang, then Deputy Commander of the Second War Zone of the Kuomintang, concurrently Commander-in-Chief of the Southern Route Forward Enemy Forces, and Commander-in-Chief of the 14th Group Army.

range. Wei himself is in Hejin. Fu Zuoyi[1] is leading the Northern Route Army in the area north of Fenyang and Lishi. Yan is in Ji County. Hu and Yang are moving toward Daning and Xi County.

D. The enemy is advancing in several columns: one from Bo’ai to Yangcheng; one from Changzhi and Fucheng[2] to Linfen; one from Lingshi and Zhaocheng toward Linfen; one from Xi County and Pucheng toward Linfen; one from Fenyang to Jundu; one from Wenshui and Jiaocheng toward Loufan Town; one from Ningwu and Shenchi toward Wuzhai; and one from Pinglu and Qingshuihe to Baode. Their total strength is no more than fifty thousand. All units of our Eighth Route Army, in coordination with friendly forces, are resolutely persisting in guerrilla warfare and operating against the flanks and rear of each enemy column.

Mao

March 6

[1] Fu Zuoyi, then Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Route Forward Enemy Forces of the Kuomintang’s Second War Zone, Commander-in-Chief of the 7th Group Army, and concurrently Commander of the 35th Army.

[2] Fucheng, a town name, now the county seat of Anze County, Shanxi Province.