As March 28, 2026 marks the 91st anniversary of a critical World War II-era military operation, historians reflect on the Fourth Front Army's daring 1935 Jialing River crossing during the Long March. Under Commander Xu Xiangqian's leadership, soldiers navigated enemy artillery fire using makeshift rafts and boats under cover of darkness near Tazishan in Sichuan Province.
The operation—launched via three coordinated routes—succeeded through precise diversionary tactics and close combat. This breakthrough shattered a 300-kilometer defensive line, enabling the Red Army's strategic repositioning. Military analysts still study the battle as a textbook example of tactical river crossings under fire.
Historical Significance
This engagement marked the Fourth Front Army's official entry into the Long March, demonstrating early CCP military ingenuity. The victory strengthened troop morale during the grueling 6,000-mile retreat and laid groundwork for later revolutionary successes.
