The Culling at Xiang River CCW (id:#60555)

(The Long March ID: HOB LM 3)   [next]   [previous]

Xiang River, China 1934-11-30 (1 other)

Overview:

The Nationalist forces guarding the southwest corner of the Soviet Territories were actually those of a local warlord, Bai Chongxi. A showdown with the Red Army would be a pyrrhic victory at best. Instead, an arrangement was made allowing him to withdraw most of his troops to allow the Communists passage. The Red Army's column stretched 50 miles as 80,000 men and women carried workshops, libraries, and theaters with them. Their slow pace meant that the KMT could bring in four divisions to attack the Red Army's northern flank. This attack struck when half the Red Army had crossed the river. Bai Chongxi decided to demonstrate his loyalty to Chiang Kai-shek and joined in the attack.

Defender: Red Army (Elements of the Red Army)  

Errata (source)