The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army are fiercely attacking the enemy behind enemy lines

(May 15, 1941)

Directors Wu and Yuan[1]:

(1) In the event that the enemy forces cross the river, you must prepare to relocate. Apart from moving bulky items to appropriate locations, Yunfu should stay with Director Xiong of the General Office[2], seek his instructions at all times, and request his protection. Xiaoxuan should stay with Commander Wei[3]. (2) Make it known to all parties that the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army are fiercely attacking the enemy behind enemy lines, coordinating operations with friendly forces on the front, and will never hold grudges over the Kuomintang’s anti-communist hostility. However, we are short of both pay and ammunition and hope the government will provide support. After the friendly forces around the border region move to the river to defend against the enemy, the Eighth Route Army’s rear-guard units in the border region will persist in unity and continue to hold their original defensive positions. (3) Report any movements of the Kuomintang by telegram at any time.

Mao Zedong

Noon of the 15th

[1] Directors Wu and Yuan refer to Wu Yunfu, Director of the Eighth Route Army’s Xi’an Office, and Yuan Xiaoxuan, Director of the Eighth Route Army’s Luoyang Office.

[2] Director Xiong refers to Xiong Bin, then Director of the General Office of the Xi’an Field Headquarters of the Nationalist Government’s Military Commission.

[3] Commander Wei refers to Wei Lihuang, then Commander-in-Chief of the First War Zone of the Nationalist Army.