K. This is the 1st working draft of vol. VI. It still ... - From Marx to Mao

BASIC TACTICS
April !(#&
FROM CHAPTER MARX
I
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
TO MAO
⋆
1. HOW THE POPULAR MASSES
CARRY OUT MILITARY ACTION
How is it that the bare-handed masses, banded together in illarmed
military units without guns or bullets, are able to charge the
enemy, kill the enemy, and resolutely carry out effective action in
the war? This is a very widespread and very reasonable query. But
if we know the function NOT of the weapons FOR used by an army and the aim
of an army’s action, we can then understand how our popular masses,
although bare-handed, still have weapons and can engage in action
to subdue the enemy. COMMERCIAL
The principal function of an army’s weapons is simply to kill
the enemy, and an army’s final aim is simply to reduce or destroy
the enemy’s fighting strength. Well, in our daily life, is there any
object that cannot DISTRIBUTION
be used to kill the enemy or any type of action
that cannot reduce or destroy his fighting strength? For example, a
kitchen knife, a wooden cudgel, an axe, a hoe, a wooden stool, or a
stone can all be used to kill people. Such actions as cutting electric
lines, destroying bridges, starting rumors, spreading poison, or cutting
off supplies can everywhere inconvenience the enemy or reduce
his fighting strength. All these are methods we may be unwilling
to utilize or unable to employ. If we really want to kill and
exterminate the enemy, there are weapons for us everywhere and
work for us to be doing at all times, in order to ensure effective
united action by the army and the people.
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