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

ON GUERILLA WARFARE
ers that contribute to the general success, should be assumed.
The problem of establishment of bases is of particular importance.
This is so because this war is a cruel and protracted struggle.
The lost territories can be restored only by a strategic counter-attack
and this we cannot carry out until the enemy is well into China.
Consequently, some part of our country — or, indeed, most of it —
may be captured by the enemy and become his rear area. It is our
task to develop intensive guerrilla warfare over this vast area and
convert the enemy’s rear into an additional front. Thus the enemy
will never be able to stop fighting. In order to subdue the occupied
territory, the enemy will have to become increasingly severe and
oppressive.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
A guerrilla base may be defined as an area, strategically located,
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in which the guerrillas can carry out their duties of training, selfpreservation
and development. Ability to fight a war without a rear
area is a fundamental characteristic of guerrilla action, but this does
not mean that guerrillas can exist and function over a long period of
time without the development of base areas. History shows us many
examples of peasant revolts that were unsuccessful, and it is fanciful
to believe that such movements, characterized by banditry and
brigandage, could succeed in this era of improved communications
and military equipment. Some guerrilla leaders seem to think that
those qualities are present in today’s movement, and before such
leaders can comprehend the importance of base areas in the longterm
war, their mind must be disabused of this idea.
NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL
The subject of bases may be better understood if we consider:
DISTRIBUTION
1. The various categories of bases.
2. Guerrilla areas and base areas.
3. The establishment of bases.
4. The development of bases.
Guerrilla bases may be classified according to their location as:
first, mountain bases; second, plains bases; and last, river, lake, and
bay bases. The advantages of bases in mountainous areas are evident.
Those which are now established are at Chang Po Chan, Wu
Tai Shan, Taiheng Shan, Tai Shan, Yen Shan, and Mao Shan. These
bases are strongly protected. Similar bases should be established in
all enemy rear areas.
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