Directive on the Problem of Military
Training1
(May 1, 1946)
To all bureaus:
Directive regarding military training:
	 1.	 Apart from expanding the civil war in the Northeast, the Guomindang reactionaries are now preparing to launch a civil war throughout the country.
Under such circumstances, our Party must be fully prepared so that when the
Guomindang reactionaries launch a civil war, we will be able to smash them.
	 2.	 In our preparations, aside from cutting the number of old and weak (by
demobilization), adding new recruits to our forces, reducing rent and interest
rates, developing production, and reorganizing finances, every region must
pay close attention to military training.
	 3.	 During the past three months the localities did not pay enough attention to
military training. It did not become a campaign; some started the training,
but some did not. This kind of phenomenon should be promptly investigated
and corrected.
	 4.	 After receiving this directive, you should immediately issue an order that the
entire army begin training. The higher levels should supervise and inspect,
as this is one of the critical factors that will determine victory or defeat.
	 5.	 The content of military training: Practice and improve the three great military skills,2 and practice defending the cities and fighting at night. As regards
politics, raise determination and confidence to defeat the diehard enemy and
defend the Liberated Areas.
	 6.	 Report promptly on the measures taken to carry out this directive.
The Central Committee
Our source for this document is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 3, pp. 193–94, where it
is reproduced from Mao’s handwritten manuscript preserved in the Central Archives.

--- Notes

1.  Mao Zedong drafted this telegram on behalf of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

2.  I.e., shooting, assassination, and bomb throwing.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-129