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

172 MAO TSE-TUNG
the bayonet and the hand grenade. We must not return fire simply
because we hear the gunfire of the enemy. It is only when we have
an opportunity to take advantage of the situation to attack the enemy
that we should launch our attack, with our vanguard well supported
by our rear guard, choosing frontal, flanking, or direct
blows.
7. DISPOSITIONS FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS
OF A SURPRISE ATTACK.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
1. As soon as the tasks of a surprise attack have been carried
out, a guerrilla unit should rapidly withdraw. Before withdrawing,
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it is best to go a few li in a false direction, and then afterward turn
and go in our true direction, so that the enemy will be unable to
discover our tracks, and will not be able to follow us.
2. It is not appropriate for a guerrilla unit to take along prisoners,
or to acquire large amounts of booty, which hinder our movement.
It is best to require the prisoners first to hand over their
weapons, and then to disperse them or to execute them. As for
booty, it should be dispatched by the local government, or by the
population.
3. During the battle, NOT three officers FOR and men out of every company
should be given the exclusive task of picking up and gathering
together abandoned rifles and ammunition. After a victorious
battle, we should COMMERCIAL
devote all our efforts to collecting everything on
the battlefield, and we can also call upon the population of nearby
areas to gather such things together, so that not the smallest trifle
is left behind.
DISTRIBUTION
8. DISPOSITIONS FOLLOWING THE DEFEAT
OF A SURPRISE ATTACK.
If a surprise attack is defeated, we should rapidly withdraw to the place
of assembly designated in advance. The usual assembly point is in the
place where we encamped the previous night. If our forces are sufficient,
we can leave a reserve unit along the designated withdrawal route, to look
out for prisoners and wounded men.