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

BASIC TACTICS
with the organization of the enemy’s rear. Whether or not each season
is favourable to us is also determined with reference to the terrain.
5. SECRET ACTION
The peculiar quality of the operations of a guerrilla unit lies entirely
in taking the enemy by surprise. Consequently, we must take
every possible measure to preserve military secrecy, as described in
detail below:
(1) The commander of the unit should explain to his subordi-
FROM MARX
TO MAO
nates their tasks and the plan for the operation only just before the
⋆
action begins, or while they are advancing. In case of necessity, he
should explain the whole plan only by stages, so that others learn
about each stage only when required.
(2) The best method for the transmission of orders in a guerrilla
unit is by oral explanations from the commander to his subordinates.
It is necessary to limit written orders insofar as possible, in order to
avoid leakage of military secrets.
(3) One should not discuss the whole of one’s actions and plans
with guides or the local population. This is the case even with regard
to local populations NOT favourable FOR to us; it is even more necessary
to forbid such talk when we are about to attack a certain place.
(4) We should send out faithful and reliable scouts in advance
to observe the point COMMERCIAL
where we are going to camp or to lie in ambush
along important roads in the enemy’s rear, in order to cut off his
information.
(5) When we advance, our rear guard should take full responsibility
for obliterating DISTRIBUTION
and removing all secret signals and road signs.
We should also advance by circuitous route, so that the enemy does
not know the direction of our advance.
(6) Fixed code names should be used in place of all unit designations,
and the use of the real names of units should be strictly
prohibited.
(7) Except in case of necessity, all documents should be burned
immediately after they have been read.
(8) Apart from the methods already enumerated, the true plans
of a guerrilla unit can also be obscured in certain cases by using the
local population for the deliberate propagation of false information
165