Xu Haidong, the founding general of the People's Republic of China, loves soldiers like a son, why did he pick up a wooden stick and beat hundreds of subordinates?
In the midst of a hail of bullets on the battlefield, a general beats his own soldiers with a wooden stick, which sounds a little incredible. However, in the long history of the Chinese revolution, such a scene really happened. Xu Haidong, the founding general known for his "love for soldiers like sons", once personally picked up a wooden stick at a critical moment and woke up hundreds of exhausted commanders and fighters. This move not only did not cause dissatisfaction among his subordinates, but won their gratitude. What kind of circumstances made this soldier-loving general behave so abnormally? Why are the beaten soldiers not only resentful, but grateful? What kind of military wisdom and human brilliance are contained in this? Let's walk into that dusty past and uncover this seemingly contradictory but warm historical mystery.
The difficult situation of the Red 25th Army
On November 16, 1934, the Red 25th Army set off from Hejiachong and embarked on the arduous Long March. The situation of this unit can be described as difficult, and it is facing the double pressure of internal and external troubles.
Internally, the strength of the Red 25th Army has been sharply reduced from nearly 20,000 at its peak to more than 2,900. Such a loss of troops is undoubtedly a huge blow to a regular army. What is even more tricky is that the Hubei-Henan-Anhui base area on which the Red 25th Army is based has been shattered and cannot continue to provide the necessary supplies and support for the troops.
Judging from the external environment, the situation is even more severe. Chiang Kai-shek's Kuomintang army was like a big net, pressing on the Red 25th Army from all directions. To the east were the 47th, 54th, and 115th Divisions, which formed a mobile blockade in an attempt to trap the Red 25th Army in place. To the west, the 44th Division had already set out from Laohekou, preparing to carry out a head-on attack on the Red 25th Army. To the south, the Kuomintang 40th Army, stationed in the Nanyang area, was also ready to move, and could move south at any time to cut off the retreat of the Red 25th Army. To the north, the 60th Division was in the vicinity of Lushi, blocking the possible northward passage of the Red 25th Army.
Faced with such a sinister situation, the commanders of the Red 25th Army had to make difficult decisions. They originally planned to develop to the Tongbai Mountains in the west, but after reconnaissance on the ground, they found that the Tongbai Mountains were too close to the Pinghan Railway and the Hanshui River, and the Kuomintang troops could easily use these two communication arteries to deploy troops to encircle and intercept them. This fatal flaw forced the Red 25th Army to abandon its original plan and instead decide to go to the Funiu Mountains in western Henan.
However, the road to the Funiu Mountains is not an easy one. The Red 25th Army had to cross the vast Nanyang Basin, a plain area that was a dead end for an army being pursued. In order to get out of the situation, the Red 25 Army carried out a series of ingenious tactical actions.
First, they made a feint to the west to attack Zaoyang, successfully mobilizing the enemy's attention. When the Kuomintang army thought that it was about to encircle and annihilate the Red 25th Army near Zaoyang, the Red Army suddenly changed direction and advanced to the northeast, taking the enemy by surprise. This unexpected action enabled the Red 25th Army to successfully break through the blockade line set up by the enemy west of Tongbai County.
However, the Kuomintang troops soon realized the intentions of the Red 25th Army. They judged that the Red Army might cross the strategic highway from Xuchang to Nanyang from the direction of Dushu Town. As a result, the 115th Division and the Cavalry Regiment of the 40th Army of the Kuomintang quickly assembled in Dushu Town, attempting to intercept the Red 25th Army at this critical juncture.
In this way, on November 26, a cold winter day full of wind and snow, the Red 25th Army unfortunately ran into an ambush that had already been laid in Dushu Town. The Kuomintang troops occupied commanding heights such as Qiligang, forming a network of crossfire. The forward of the Red 25th Army encountered a strong enemy unprepared and fell into a bitter battle for a while.
It was at such a critical juncture that the commanders of the Red 25th Army showed extraordinary courage and wisdom. Political commissar Wu Huanxian personally went to the front line to command, used the terrain and features to organize defense, and stabilized the position. Deputy Army Commander Xu Haidong led the 223rd Regiment of the Rearguard Regiment to arrive in time and join the battle, further consolidating the defensive line.
However, it is not enough to just hold your ground. With the imminent arrival of the enemy's pursuers, the Red 25th Army had to break through the blockade line in front of it as soon as possible. However, three consecutive charges failed to capture the enemy's position, which not only consumed valuable time and physical strength, but also put the Red 25th Army in a dilemma.
When night fell, the Red 25th Army temporarily disengaged from the enemy and retreated to the area of Yanglou. However, greater trials await them. The Red Army commanders and fighters were exhausted by the marching and fierce fighting that they fell asleep and could not wake up when they had a chance to rest.
At this critical moment, Xu Haidong made a seemingly cruel but wise decision. This decision not only changed the tide of the night of the battle, but also laid the foundation for the follow-up of the Red 25th Army. But what are the considerations behind this decision? How did Xu Haidong strike a balance between loving soldiers like children and military needs? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following stories.
Encounter in the town of One Tree
On November 26, 1934, the battle near Dushu Town began, and this encounter became an important turning point on the Long March of the Red 25th Army. In the early morning of that day, the weather was unusually cold, and thick fog covered the entire battlefield, and visibility was extremely low. When the vanguard of the Red 25th Army was advancing towards Dushu Town, it suddenly encountered the 115th Division of the 40th Army of the Kuomintang, which had already been ambushed here.
The Kuomintang troops occupied the advantage of the terrain and set up their positions on high ground such as Qiligang, forming a tight defense system. Their machine-gun fire points were distributed on the commanding heights, and crossfire covered the entire offensive line. The vanguard of the Red 25th Army ran into this line of defense unprepared and suddenly fell into a passive situation.
However, the commanders of the Red 25 Army reacted quickly. Political commissar Wu Huanxian immediately rushed to the front and personally commanded the battle. He keenly observed that although the enemy forces occupied the high ground, there were some dead spots left on the slopes and at the foot of the mountain. Wu Huanxian decisively ordered the troops to use these terrain to cover and quickly build temporary fortifications. This decision bought the Red Army valuable respite, allowing the follow-up units to enter the battle in an orderly manner.
At the same time, Deputy Army Commander Xu Haidong led the 223rd Regiment of the Rear Guard to the battlefield quickly. Xu Haidong was an experienced commander who quickly assessed the situation on the battlefield and realized that a frontal breakthrough would be extremely difficult. So, he came up with a bold plan: divide his troops into two routes, one to continue to pin down the enemy head-on, and the other to go around the enemy's flank and carry out a surprise attack.
This plan was approved by army commander Cheng Zihua and political commissar Wu Huanxian. Soon, the main forces of the Red 25 Army went into action. Xu Haidong personally led an elite unit and quietly circled the enemy's right flank. Using the cover of dense fog, they managed to approach the enemy positions without the enemy noticing.
At this moment, the main forces of the Red Army launched a frontal offensive. Heavy artillery fire and dense gunfire instantly resounded throughout the battlefield. The Kuomintang troops were preoccupied with the frontal attack, completely oblivious to the danger on the flanks. Xu Haidong seized this opportunity and ordered a surprise attack. Like tigers, the Red Army soldiers burst into the enemy's positions and dealt heavy blows to the enemy.
The flank raid was a great success. The enemy's right flank positions were quickly broken through, and the entire line of defense fell into disarray. The Red 25th Army seized this favorable opportunity and launched a fierce attack on all fronts. Under the command of Xu Haidong and Wu Huanxian, the Red Army soldiers marched forward bravely and captured enemy positions one by one.
However, the Kuomintang army did not admit defeat easily. After losing part of their positions, they quickly adjusted their deployment and organized stubborn resistance on the main position of Qiligang. A fierce battle ensued here, and the battle continued until the evening.
The Red 25th Army launched three fierce charges in a row, each time almost capturing the enemy's position, but in the end they were repulsed by stubborn defenses. This repeated charge consumed a lot of physical strength and ammunition, and also brought considerable casualties to the Red Army.
As night fell, the battle was temporarily at a stalemate. Although the Red 25th Army achieved certain results, it did not completely break through the enemy's defensive line. To make matters worse, intelligence showed that enemy reinforcements were rapidly approaching. If it cannot break through as soon as possible, the Red 25th Army will face the danger of being encircled and annihilated.
Under these circumstances, the command of the Red 25th Army made a difficult decision: temporarily withdraw from the battle, retreat to the area of Yanglou, reorganize the ranks, and look for opportunities to break through. Although this decision temporarily abandoned the hard-won gains of battle, it bought valuable rest time for the troops.
However, the real test has only just begun. Days of marching and fierce fighting had exhausted the commanders and men of the Red Army. When they retreated to the Yang Tower, many of them fell into a deep sleep as soon as they lay down, and they couldn't wake up. If this situation is not changed in time, it will seriously affect the combat effectiveness of the troops, and may even lead to the destruction of the entire Red 25 Army.
At this critical juncture, Xu Haidong stood up again. He took a seemingly brutal but intelligent action that not only changed the situation of the night, but also laid the foundation for the follow-up of the Red 25th Army. What is this action? How did it affect the course of the battle? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following stories.
Xu Haidong's extraordinary move
On that cold night in Yanglou Village, the Red 25th Army faced an unprecedented crisis. The warriors were exhausted and fell into a deep sleep, as if unconscious. However, the enemy's pursuers are closing in, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment. At this life-and-death moment, Xu Haidong made a shocking decision.
Xu Haidong ordered the troops to find a thick wooden stick, and then personally held this wooden stick and began to wake up the sleeping soldiers one by one. When shouting and shaking failed to wake them up, Xu Haidong gently hit their legs and feet with a wooden stick. This method, though crude, was the most effective way to wake up in the situation.
Xu Haidong's move quickly caused an uproar among the troops. Some of the soldiers who had just woken up had not yet figured out the situation for a while, and some even thought that it was a sneak attack by the enemy. But when they saw that it was Xu Haidong who was personally acting, everyone was stunned.
Xu Haidong did not stop to explain, but continued his work. As he struck, he shouted loudly: "Comrades, wake up!" The enemy is nearby, we must immediately transfer! This sentence was like a thunderclap, which instantly sobered everyone up.
As more and more fighters were awakened, the whole unit began to come alive. Those fighters who had already awakened themselves also joined in the awakening of comrades. They help each other and use various methods to wake up their comrades. Some people splashed with water, some shook it vigorously, and some even imitated Xu Haidong's practice and gently tapped the legs and feet of their comrades with small branches.
In this process, Xu Haidong always remained calm and rational. He didn't add to the intensity of his blows because of his agitation, and he always maintained a moderate amount of force, both to wake up the fighters without causing damage. This kind of meticulous care is especially precious in tense situations.
As time went on, more and more fighters were awakened. They quickly realized the current dangerous situation and immediately began to organize their equipment and prepare for the transfer. Throughout the process, no one complained or expressed dissatisfaction, on the contrary, they showed deep understanding and gratitude for Xu Haidong's behavior.
Under the leadership of Xu Haidong, the Red 25 Army completed the assembly in less than half an hour. This speed can be said to be amazing under the circumstances of the time. You know, before that, they had been fighting and marching continuously for many days, and their fatigue level had reached the limit. Being able to regain his strength in such a short period of time not only reflects the strong will of the Red Army soldiers, but also highlights Xu Haidong's extraordinary leadership skills.
After the assembly, Xu Haidong briefly explained the current situation to all the commanders and fighters. He pointed out that the enemy's pursuers were approaching, and if they continued to stay there, they would probably be in danger of being surrounded and annihilated. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately transfer, looking for opportunities to break through.
Xu Haidong's words were short and powerful, without too much explanation and preaching. He knows that in such an emergency, the most important thing is to act quickly. His resoluteness and courage gave all the commanders and fighters great confidence.
Under the command of Xu Haidong, the Red 25th Army began a secret transfer. They avoided possible enemy checkpoints and blockades, and took advantage of the cover of night to move silently to the northwest. This direction is precisely where the enemy's defense is weakest and the best option for the Red 25th Army to break through.
Throughout the transfer process, Xu Haidong was always at the forefront of the team. He personally led the scouts, carefully inspected the road conditions, and ensured the safety of the troops. When encountering difficult terrain, he and the fighters built a human ladder to help his comrades overcome the obstacles. This spirit of setting an example has greatly boosted the morale of all commanders and fighters.
By the time dawn, the Red 25th Army had managed to break out of the enemy's encirclement. When they looked back, they saw enemy artillery fire looming on the distant skyline. At this time, everyone realized that if it wasn't for Xu Haidong's timely action, they might have fallen into the hands of the enemy.
This successful transfer not only prevented the Red 25th Army from falling into a situation of being passively beaten, but also created favorable conditions for the subsequent breakthrough operation. More importantly, through this experience, the trust and admiration of all commanders and fighters for Xu Haidong has reached a new height. They witnessed firsthand how a general who truly loved his soldiers made the right decisions in a critical situation.
However, this transfer was only a small episode in the Long March of the Red 25th Army. In the coming days, they will face more hardships and dangers. What impact did Xu Haidong's extraordinary move have on the Red 25th Army? And how did it shape the spirit of the Red Army? The answers to these questions will be revealed in the following stories.
Break through the Dadu River
After the Red 25th Army successfully broke through, the next major challenge it faced was how to cross the Dadu River. The fast-flowing river stretched out in their path, acting as a natural barrier. In May 1935, the Red 25th Army finally came to the banks of the Dadu River, and at this time half a year had passed since their last difficult breakthrough.
The Dadu River has a turbulent current, a wide river surface, and steep cliffs on both banks. To make matters worse, the Kuomintang forces had set up heavily garrisoned banks and blew up most of the river crossing facilities. The situation facing the Red 25th Army can be described as unprecedentedly severe.
In this critical situation, the commanders of the Red 25 Army held an emergency meeting. At the meeting, Xu Haidong put forward a bold plan: divide the troops into two routes, and make a feint attack at Anshun Field all the way to attract the enemy's attention; The other way secretly went to Luding Bridge to seize this strategic location.
This plan was risky, but it was the most viable option at the time. After careful consideration, Cheng Zihua and Wu Huan finally agreed to this plan. Thus, the Red 25th Army began this crucial operation.
Xu Haidong personally led the main force to Anshun Field. They deliberately created the illusion of large-scale river crossings, carried out large-scale activities on the riverbanks, and even organized some small-scale exploratory river crossings. These actions succeeded in attracting the attention of the enemy, and most of the Kuomintang troops were concentrated in the area of Anshun Field.
At the same time, another force led by political commissar Wu Huanxian quietly advanced in the direction of Luding Bridge. They walked an extremely difficult mountain trail, sometimes even climbing steep cliffs. But in order not to reveal their whereabouts, they have to endure these hardships.
During the march, Wu Huanxian paid special attention to protecting the physical strength of the troops. He ordered the fighters to take turns resting at regular intervals and to replenish food and water as much as possible. This meticulous care enabled the troops to maintain a high level of combat effectiveness even after a long journey.
After two days and two nights of arduous trekking, the troops led by Wu Huanxian finally arrived near the Luding Bridge in the middle of the night on May 28. However, they found that the iron cables on the bridge had been dismantled by the enemy, and only 13 iron chains were left across the river. Forcibly crossing under such circumstances is tantamount to suicide.
Faced with this situation, Wu Huanxian did not panic. He immediately convened a meeting of the backbone of the troops to discuss countermeasures. After intense discussions, they decided to form a death squad, consisting of 22 warriors, to brave the rain of bullets and bullets to seize the bridgehead first.
All 22 warriors signed up voluntarily. They were well aware of the danger of this mission, but for the sake of the victory of the revolution, they did not hesitate to stand up. Wu Huanxian personally explained the task to these warriors, emphasizing the importance and arduousness of the task.
In the early hours of May 29, under the cover of thick fog, 22 warriors began their operation. With the help of iron cables, like acrobats, they struggled to advance in the air at a height of tens of meters above the water. Enemy machine-gun fire continued, bullets whizzed by, and several warriors were unfortunately shot and fell into the river. But that didn't shake the resolve of the others, and they moved on.
After nearly an hour of hard fighting, the remaining warriors finally reached the opposite bank. They immediately launched a fierce attack, taking the enemy defending the bridge by surprise. After a short but fierce battle, the bridgehead was successfully captured.
Subsequently, the main forces of the Red 25th Army began to cross the river at a rapid pace. They laid wooden planks on the iron cables to form a simple bridge deck. Although this method of crossing the river is still very dangerous, it is much better than before. Over the next few hours, thousands of Red Army soldiers successfully crossed the Dadu River.
By the time the sun rose, the Red 25th Army had firmly controlled the Luding Bridge and its surroundings. This operation not only successfully broke through the natural danger of the Dadu River, but also created favorable conditions for the subsequent northward march.
The victory in the battle of Luding Bridge greatly boosted the morale of all the commanders and fighters of the Red 25th Army. They personally experienced the miracle of "changing the way of the moat" and strengthened their belief in the victory of the revolution. At the same time, this campaign also fully demonstrated the military ability and strategic vision of the commanders of the 25th Red Army, especially Xu Haidong's strategy of attacking the east and the west and Wu Huanxian's impromptu response, both of which demonstrated superb command art.
However, crossing the Dadu River is only an important node on the Long March. In the next trip, the Red 25th Army will face more challenges. Will they be able to continue to overcome the difficulties and finally complete their mission to the north? The answer to this question will be gradually revealed in the subsequent course of the Long March.
Mentoring, reorganization and a new mission
On June 12, 1935, in Maogong Town, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, the Red 25th Army finally joined forces with the Central Red Army. This moment is undoubtedly a milestone moment for the Red 25th Army, which has gone through a lot of hardships. When the vanguard of the Red 25th Army appeared outside the town of Maogong, the soldiers of the Central Red Army burst into enthusiastic cheers. The two teams that had been separated for a long time finally reunited on this plateau, and the scene was moving.
Xu Haidong, Cheng Zihua and Wu Huanxian led the main cadres of the Red 25th Army and had cordial meetings with Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other central leaders. The two sides hugged each other, and the excitement was palpable. At the subsequent meeting, the leaders of the Red 25th Army reported in detail on their Long March experience. Starting from the Hunan and Jiangxi Soviet regions, after dozens of large and small battles, breaking through the blockade, and finally arriving in western Sichuan, this journey is full of hardships and legends.
Mao Zedong and other central leaders spoke highly of the heroic performance of the Red 25th Army. In particular, they praised the extraordinary courage and strategic wisdom shown by the Red 25th Army in the Battle of the Dadu River. This victory not only ensured the survival of the Red 25th Army, but also created favorable conditions for the Central Red Army to move north.
Immediately after the meeting, the Central Committee began to reorganize the Red Army. According to the needs of the situation at that time, it was decided to integrate the Red 25th Army into the Red First Army. Although this decision meant that the Red 25th Army would lose its independent structure, from a larger strategic point of view, it was conducive to strengthening the overall strength of the Red Army and improving command efficiency.
The reorganization work was carried out in an intense and orderly atmosphere. The commanders and fighters of the 25 th Army of the Red Army showed a high degree of organization and discipline and actively cooperated with the reorganization work. They know very well that only by forming a more powerful unified fighting force can they better accomplish the revolutionary tasks.
In the process of reorganization, many outstanding cadres of the Red 25th Army were selected to more important posts. For example, Xu Haidong was appointed deputy commander-in-chief of the Red Army, and Cheng Zihua and Wu Huanxian were also given important positions. These appointments are both an acknowledgment of their past performance and an expectation for their future.
After the reorganization was completed, the new Red Front Army showed even greater combat effectiveness. Commanders and fighters from different units quickly merged and formed an organic whole. In the following skirmishes, the newly formed units performed excellently, which fully proved the correctness of the reorganization.
At the same time, the Central Committee also formulated a new strategic policy for the Red Army. In view of the domestic and international situation at that time, especially the increasingly intensified invasion of China by Japan imperialism, the Central Committee decided to position the main task of the Red Army as resisting Japan and saving the country. The establishment of this policy pointed out a new direction for the Red Army.
In order to achieve this new strategic goal, the Red Army needed to advance further north in order to develop anti-Japanese forces in a more favorable geographical position. This means that the arduous long march will continue.
In the course of the new march, the commanders and fighters of the former Red 25th Army played an important role. Their rich experience in the Long March provided a valuable reference for the entire Red Front Army to move north. Especially on some difficult mountain marches, the perseverance they showed was a great inspiration to other warriors.
In August 1935, the Red Army began its famous meadow march. This journey is considered to be the most arduous part of the entire Long March. In the vast expanse of grassland, there are no roads, no food, and even drinking water is desperately scarce. In this extremely harsh environment, the soldiers of the former Red 25th Army once again showed extraordinary willpower. They not only insisted on moving forward themselves, but also took the initiative to help other comrades, interpreting revolutionary friendship with practical actions.
In the process of crossing the meadow, a touching little thing once happened. A veteran of the former Red 25th Army found it difficult for a young fighter to advance due to hunger and fatigue. Without saying a word, the old warrior gave the young man what little dry food he had left, and carried him on his back. This spirit of selfless dedication spread among the Red Army and became a motivating force for all.
After months of arduous trekking, the Red Army finally reached northern Shaanxi. On this red hot land, they will begin a new revolutionary journey. Although the Red 25th Army no longer existed as an independent formation, its spirit and traditions were inherited and carried forward in the new Red Army. Those commanders and fighters who fought in the 25th Army of the Red Army will continue to contribute their strength to the cause of the Chinese revolution in their new posts.
The Long March of the Red 25th Army was a magnificent chapter in the history of the Chinese revolution. Starting from the Hunan and Jiangxi Soviet regions, after going through many difficulties and dangers, and finally joining forces with the Central Red Army, this process embodies the painstaking efforts and sacrifices of countless revolutionary ancestors. Although the Red 25th Army was eventually reorganized, its spirit and contributions will forever be engraved on the monument of the Chinese revolution.