On May 29, 1935, during the Red Army's Long March, the Red Fourth Regiment successfully flew to capture the Luding Bridge in Luding County, Sichuan, creating conditions for the Red Army to smoothly cross the Dadu River and get rid of the enemy's pursuit, which became a major turning point in the history of the Long March.
Background
In May 1935, the Red Army's Long March reached Sichuan Province. At that time, the Kuomintang army deployed heavy troops in Sichuan Province in an attempt to encircle and annihilate the Red Army. In order to get rid of the enemy's pursuit, the Red Army had to cross the Dadu River.
The Dadu River is an important tributary of the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, with a narrow valley, turbulent water flow and steep banks, which is a natural barrier. The Kuomintang troops deployed heavy troops on the Luding Bridge in an attempt to prevent the Red Army from crossing the river.
The Red Army decided to cross the Dadu River in a roundabout way. The Red Fourth Regiment was ordered to erect a pontoon bridge at Anshun Field in Shimian County on the east bank of the Luding Bridge to cover the crossing of the river by the main force.
Fighting
On May 29, the Red Fourth Regiment, under the leadership of regiment commander Yang Shangkun and political commissar ***, braved enemy artillery fire and quickly occupied the commanding heights on the east bank of Luding Bridge.
The soldiers of the Red Fourth Regiment bravely charged towards the Luding Bridge. In the battle, the soldiers of the Red Fourth Regiment Yang Tianming, Kuwabara Daoan, Wang Qiang and others died bravely, but they used their own flesh and blood to create conditions for the Red Army to seize the Luding Bridge.
Under the heroic struggle of the soldiers of the Red Fourth Regiment, the Red Army finally captured the Luding Bridge. The Red Army successfully crossed the Dadu River, freed itself from the pursuit of the enemy, and laid the foundation for the victory of the Long March.
Significance
The victory in the Battle of Luding Bridge was a major turning point in the history of the Red Army's Long March. This battle smashed the Kuomintang army's attempt to encircle and annihilate the Red Army, changed the strategic situation of the Red Army's Long March, and created conditions for the Red Army to smoothly cross the Jinsha River and enter northern Sichuan.
The victory in the Battle of Luding Bridge fully demonstrated the heroic tenacity and revolutionary will of the Red Army soldiers. This battle inspired the patriotic enthusiasm of the people of the whole country and injected new strength into the victory of the Chinese revolution.
Conclusion
The Battle of Luding Bridge was a glorious chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. The victory in this battle is an important guarantee for the victory of the Red Army's Long March and a precious wealth in the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.