Red Army Long March: Historical accounts of the Yudu and Xiangjiang River crossings

Historical reflections on the Long March highlight key moments of the Red Army's journey through China. In October 1934, more than 86,000 soldiers crossed the Yudu River using a pontoon bridge constructed by local villagers from various materials, including timber and coffin boards, to support the Communist Party of China (CPC) forces.

The expedition faced severe challenges, including the Battle of Xiangjiang River, which proved to be the deadliest campaign for the Red Army during the march. During this conflict, troop strength dropped from over 86,000 to approximately 30,000. The period was marked by intense fighting against Kuomintang (KMT) forces and the broader context of Japanese invasion and domestic instability in China.