The river defenses along the Jundu-Qikou line should be strengthened[1]

(August 3, 1941)

He and Zhou, and inform Peng and Zuo[2]:

According to reports, over four thousand enemy troops have assembled along the Jundu-Qikou line, preparing to cross the river. It has been noted that the main force of the Wang Brigade[3] has been redeployed northward to deal with He Wending[4], leaving the river defenses weak. The Japanese invaders are highly likely to exploit this vulnerability and launch a crossing assault. If the river defenses cannot be held, the consequences will be extremely serious. It is hoped that He and Zhou will swiftly make arrangements to strengthen the river defense forces and prepare to strike at the enemy attempting to cross, while also deploying a portion of troops to apply flanking pressure, ensuring that the enemy does not succeed. Report promptly on how the arrangements are made. Whether it is advisable to send Shidi to Jia County to take command should also be considered and reported.

Mao, Zhu, Wang, Ye

Jianghai

[1] This is a telegram from Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Wang Jiaxiang (Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Military Commission), and Ye Jianying (Chief of Staff of the Military Commission) to He Long (Commander of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army) and Zhou Shidi (Chief of Staff of the division).

[2] Peng and Zuo refer to Peng Dehuai and Zuo Quan (Deputy Chief of Staff of the Eighth Route Army).

[3] The Wang Brigade refers to the 359th Brigade of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, with Wang Zhen serving as both brigade commander and political commissar.

[4] He Wending was then serving as the commander of the Newly Organized 26th Division of the Kuomintang’s 8th War Zone.