Establish Local Guerrilla Units Everywhere and Create Guerrilla Base Areas[1]

(July 31, 1946)

To Wu, Zhang, and Xiong, with copies to Zheng and Li[2] and to Central China:

(1) We are very pleased with your decision to disperse for guerrilla operations. (2) Pay attention to mass work and rely closely on the people. (3) The two companies from the 2nd Division of Central China and the guerrilla unit left by the 7th Division in western Tongcheng are hereby placed under the unified leadership and command of the Hubei-Henan-Anhui Regional Party Committee. These two units should operate in their current areas and should not join up with your main force, lest they lose their capacity for independent operations. In general, it is advantageous to disperse for guerrilla operations and establish several base areas. (4) All guerrilla units in the Dabie Mountains are placed under your unified command. (5) Foster local guerrilla units everywhere and create guerrilla base areas everywhere.

Military Commission of the Central Committee

Shi

[1] This was a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee to Wu Chengzhong, commander of the 2nd Independent Brigade of the Eastern Hubei Military Sub-district of the Central Plains Military Area, Zhang Tixue, its political commissar, and Xiong Zuofang, its deputy political commissar.

[2] Zheng and Li refer to Zheng Weisan and Li Xiannian, who were then respectively political commissar and commander of the Central Plains Military Area.