Page 42 - SELECTED WORKS OF ZHU DE

38 ZHU DE

Zoumaba and make its crossing at Lintan; part of its men will cross
at Taipingdu before the 3rd Army Group arrives.
4. Upon receiving this order, each of the army groups mentioned
in items (b) through (e) should send an advance force to the point of
crossing, with all its sappers and a radio set. Their main forces should
cross to the east bank of the river and post guards along the road in
the direction from which the enemy is likely to come. The bridges
must be built between 12:00 and 16:00 hours tomorrow (the 21st), and
the main forces should complete their crossing tomorrow night. The
main forces of the 1st Army Group, however, must move quickly so
as not to get in the way of the 3rd Army Group. The advance regiment
of the 1st Army Group at Taipingdu will co-ordinate its movements
with those of the advance regiment of the 3rd Army Group when the
latter arrives.
5. In order to confuse the enemy troops from Sichuan and Yun-
nan, the main force of the 1st Army Group should keep one regiment
at Zhenlongshan. This regiment will send men to harass the enemy at
Gulin with guerrilla actions to give the false impression that our main
forces are moving west. After completing its task, and before noon
tomorrow, the regiment will join the main force of the 1st Army Group
on the march and cross the river at Taipingdu tomorrow night.
6. After crossing the river, each army group will be responsible
for destroying the bridge it has used, except for the one at Taipingdu,
which will be turned over to the 5th Army Group for use and destruc-
tion.
7. I am to lead the Military Commission to Yudonggou tonight,
reaching Jiuxikou by noon tomorrow.

VIII. INSTRUCTIONS TO THE 9TH ARMY GROUP ON OUR
ARMY’S MARCHING SOUTH TO CROSS THE WUJIANG
RIVER AND CARRY OUT NEW MANOEUVRES
March 28, 1935

1. The enemy situation will be telegraphed separately.
2. Tomorrow (the 29th), our 1st and 3rd Army Groups will con-
tinue to advance south and try to gain control of the Wujiang River
for new manoeuvres. Before noon tomorrow, the 5th Army Group at