Purchase TNT in Large Quantities and
Emphasize Training for Attacking Cities1
(May 29, 1946)
To all military district commanders:
Because TNT is an important weapon for attacking the cities, all military districts must find a way to buy and stockpile large quantities of it; every brigade
should have several hundred to several thousand catties. All major strategic work
units should manufacture TNT on their own. For the training of the troops, besides
drilling them in the three major skills2 and in guarding the cities and night warfare,
they should also be trained in how to attack the cities, which includes training in
the use of TNT. This matter is extremely important, and we hope the entire army
will take notice.
The Military Commission
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 3, pp. 240–41, where it is
reproduced from Mao’s handwritten manuscript preserved in the Central Archives.
1.  Mao Zedong drafted this telegram on behalf of the Central Military Commission.
A June 8, 1946, telegram that Mao drafted on behalf of the Central Military Commission
again emphasized the importance of TNT.
2.  The “three major skills” (san da jishu) were marksmanship, bayonet fighting, and
throwing grenades.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-160