Chapter 3 Opinions on Defense Issues

(August 4, 1937) Zhou Zhuye[1] also told Bo Lin, Peng Ren, Liu Zhang, He Guan, Chen Nie, Xu Cheng, Chen Wang, Xiao Guo[2]: On the issue of national defense, our opinion is as follows: A. The first line of defense is Zhangjiakou, Zhuozhou, Jinghai, Qingdao, etc. The focus is on Zhangjiakou, and the first decisive battle should be concentrated. B. On the second line of defense at Datong, Baoding, Machang, Weihsien, etc., we should concentrate our superior forces, reinforce the first line whenever possible, and prepare for a decisive battle on the second line. C. As far as Taiyuan, Shijiazhuang, Cangzhou, etc., it can only be used as the third line of defense, and we must not only focus on this line and not concentrate our forces on the first and second lines.

D. At present, the key is the first line of defense. E. The overall strategic policy is offensive and defensive for the time being, and counter-offensive should be used to annihilate the attacking enemy. It must not be purely defensive; in the future, it is planned to change to strategic offensive and regain lost ground. Self, regular warfare and guerrilla warfare should be coordinated, and guerrilla warfare should be carried out by the Red Army and other suitable troops and people's armed forces, and given independent command under the overall strategic deployment. Geng. The troops engaged in guerrilla warfare shall use their forces appropriately according to the terrain conditions and the development of the battle situation.In order to adapt to the nature of guerrilla warfare, in principle, they should be used separately rather than collectively.

Xin, according to the current situation, the Red Army should deploy one-third of its troops, centered on the border areas of the four provinces of Ji, Cha[3], Shanxi and Sui[4], march westward along Pingsui Road and southward along Pinghan Road enemy, conduct flank guerrilla warfare.The other is to operate in the Hebei-Chahar border area, threatening the enemy's rear (with no more than one regiment in strength).The Red Army should provide necessary supplements. Ren, mobilizing the people's armed self-defense war is the central link to ensure the victory of the army, and the policy of this is the way to lose.

Gui, the rest is proposed by your camera, not too much, but to grasp the center. Luo[6], Mao August 4th Printed from transcripts kept at the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.Zhu, refers to Zhu De.Ye refers to Ye Jianying (1897-1986), a native of Meixian, Guangdong.At the beginning of August 1937, as decided by the CPC Central Committee, they were preparing to go to Nanjing to attend a meeting to discuss national defense issues. [2] Bolin refers to Bogu (Qin Bangxian) and Lin Boqu.They were representatives appointed by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to negotiate with the Kuomintang.Peng, refers to Peng Dehuai (1898-1974), a native of Xiangtan, Hunan, who was then the commander-in-chief of the Red Army's former enemy.Ren refers to Ren Bishi (1904-1950), a native of Xiangyin, Hunan, who was then a political commissar of the Red Army's former enemy general headquarters.Liu, refers to Liu Bocheng (1892-1986), a native of Kaixian, Sichuan, who was then the commander of the Red Army Aid to the West.Zhang refers to Zhang Hao, that is, Lin Yuyang (1897-1942), a native of Huanggang (now Huangzhou City), Hubei Province, who was a political commissar of the Red Army Aid to the West at that time.He refers to He Long (1896-1969), a native of Sangzhi, Hunan, who was then the commander-in-chief of the Second Front Army of the Red Army.Guan refers to Guan Xiangying (1902-1946), a native of Jin County, Liaoning (now part of Dalian City), who was a political commissar of the Second Front Army of the Red Army at that time.Chen, refers to Chen Guang (a

[3] Cha, refers to Chahar Province, which was abolished in 1952. At that time, the jurisdiction was the northwestern part of Hebei Province and the Xilinguole League of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [4] Sui, referring to Suiyuan Province, was abolished in 1954. At that time, the jurisdiction was Ulanchabu League, Yikezhao League, the eastern part of Bayannaoer League, Hohhot City, Baotou City and other places in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. [5] Re, referring to Rehe Province, was abolished in 1955. At that time, the jurisdiction was the northeast of Hebei Province, the southwest of Liaoning Province, and the southeast of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

[6] Luo, refers to Luo Fu, that is, Zhang Wentian, who was a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee at the time and took overall responsibility in the Central Committee.