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

BASIC TACTICS
we should hold the number of people we send out for reconnaissance
to the very lowest level. In general, it will be sufficient to send just
a few scouts along the road, but we must have very good guides.
4. If we are not absolutely certain that there are no enemy spies
coming to observe us, it is best to divide our forces into small groups,
which advance separately in different directions and then concentrate
at a point which has been secretly designated.
5. When a guerrilla unit is on the move, it should be constantly
prepared for a meeting with the enemy. For this reason, the commanding
officer of a guerrilla unit generally advances, accompanied
by his staff, just behind the scouts, behind the elite soldiers, or ahead
of the staff of the unit (the staff is entrusted to the leadership of the
FROM MARX
TO MAO
second in command). Thus, it is easy to obtain a clear picture of the
⋆
situation, and decisions can be taken very rapidly. If the commander
sees that it is possible to advance, he advances; if he becomes aware
of difficulties, he withdraws. All that is required is for two or three
officers to hold a discussion, and then the decision can be made.
Thus, we avoid sending orders back and forth, with the consequent
wasting of opportunities, and we diminish command form the rear,
and its attendant evil of taking action not in keeping with the circumstances.
6. Apart from the scouts sent out along the road, the soldiers of
the guerrilla unit should not load their rifles, so as to avoid accidental
discharges during the march and discovery by the enemy.
NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL
4. MEASURES TO BE TAKEN IF THE ENEMY
IS ENCOUNTERED WHILE ON THE MARCH
DISTRIBUTION
1. Under no circumstances should a guerrilla unit provoke a
pointless battle before it has reached its objective. Even though a
guerrilla unit may encounter the enemy in the course of its march, it
should devise a way for getting around him — if necessary, departing
from the original plan. If there is no way of avoiding battle, we
should emerge from ambush, after rapid preparations, so as to appear
where the enemy does not expect us and annihilate him by a
surprise attack. At the same time, when we are carrying out such a
maneuver, we should pay attention to whether the enemy halts or
advances, and send out scouts to reconnoiter from all directions. If
the enemy army is not prepared for battle or if, although he is in
169