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

246 MAO TSE-TUNG
(1) A relatively large group should be retained as a central
force. The remainder of the troops should not be divided into
groups of absolutely equal size. In this way, the leader is in a
position to deal with any circumstances that may arise.
(2) Each dispersed unit should have clear and definite responsibilities.
Orders should specify a place to which to proceed,
the time of proceeding, and the place, time, and method of
assembly.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
Guerrillas concentrate when the enemy is advancing upon them,
and there is opportunity to fall upon him and destroy him. Concentration
may be desirable when the enemy is on the defensive and
guerrillas wish to destroy isolated detachments in particular locali-
⋆
ties. By the term “concentrate”, we do not mean the assembly of all
manpower but rather of only that necessary for the task. The remaining
guerrillas are assigned missions of hindering and delaying
the enemy, of destroying isolated groups, or of conducting mass propaganda.
In addition to the dispersion and concentration of forces, the
leader must understand what is termed “alert shifting”. When the
enemy feels the danger of guerrillas, he will generally send troops
out to attack them. The guerrillas must consider the situation and
decide at what time and NOT at what place FOR they wish to fight. If they
find that they cannot fight, they must immediately shift. Then the
enemy may be destroyed piecemeal. For example, after a guerrilla
group has destroyed COMMERCIAL
an enemy detachment at one place, it may be
shifted to another area to attack and destroy a second detachment.
Sometimes it will not be profitable for a unit to become engaged in
a certain area, and in that case, it must move immediately.
When the situation DISTRIBUTION
is serious, the guerrilla must move with the
fluidity of water and the ease of the blowing wind. Their tactics
must deceive, tempt, and confuse the enemy. They must lead the
enemy to believe that they will attack him from the east and north,
and they must then strike him from the west and the south. They
must strike, then rapidly disperse. They must move at night.
Guerrilla initiative is expressed in dispersion, concentration, and
the alert shifting of forces. If guerrillas are stupid and obstinate,
they will be led to passive positions and severely damaged. Skill in
conducting guerrilla operations, however, lies not in merely understanding
the things we have discussed but rather in their actual ap-