Chapter 36 Let go of guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines

(May 4, 1938) Comrade Xiang Ying[1]: Although it is difficult to conduct guerrilla warfare in the enemy's rear, it will be better, easier and more hands-off than in front of the enemy with friendly forces and under their command.Although the enemy's situation is more serious, as long as there are a large number of people, sufficient areas of activity, and attention to the flexibility of command, we will be able to overcome this difficulty.This has been proved by the guerrilla warfare in Hebei and Shandong.After the reconnaissance troops go out for a few days, the main force can prepare to follow.It is entirely possible to create base areas in the vast areas between the five districts of Guangde, Suzhou, Zhenjiang, Nanjing and Wuhu, to mobilize the people to fight against Japan, to organize the people to arms and to develop new guerrilla units.After the Maoshan base area is roughly established, we should also prepare to divide part of the troops into the Suzhou, Zhenjiang, and Wusong triangle areas, and then part of them cross the river into the Jiangbei region.Under certain conditions, the plains can also develop guerrilla warfare, but the conditions are very different from those during the civil war.Of course, a cautious attitude should be exercised at any time, and specific combat operations should be permitted by specific circumstances, which cannot be ignored.The malicious intentions of Xue Yue[2] and others deserve serious attention.But the current policy is not to compete with him for a certain amount of time and a few miles of defense line, but to obey his orders and drive to the place he designated, and after arriving there, he will have his own freedom.After that, don't ask him for instructions and report everything, just report the general course of action and give him a good news.Also, please always maintain a good relationship with Comrade Ye[3].Please consider the above.

Mao Zedong May 4th Printed from transcripts kept at the Central Archives. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] Xiang Ying (1898-1941), a native of Wuchang, Hubei.At that time, he served as Secretary of the New Fourth Army Branch of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China and Deputy Commander of the New Fourth Army. [2] Xue Yue, born in 1896, is from Lechang, Guangdong.At that time, he was the commander-in-chief of the 19th Army of the Kuomintang Army and the commander of the Fifth Army. [3] Ye, referring to Ye Ting (1896-1946), a native of Huiyang, Guangdong.At that time, he was the commander of the New Fourth Army.