The Long March 1934-1935

Why did it occur?

Chiang Kaishek had launched his biggest extermination campaign against the Communists. Military adviser, Seeckt used methods such as surrounding the Jiangxi Soviet with half a million troops.

How did Mao react?

He introduced new tactics with Zhu by splitting up the army and travelling in twists and turns instead of a straight line,

What was Seeckts aims?

To stop all movement into and out of the Soviet, starving the Communists of food, fuel, weapons etc.

How successful was this 'blockhouse strategy'?

Very successful By October 1934 the Communists had lost over half their territory, 60,000 soldier in the Red Army had been killed and the area under their control was steadily shrinking as the Guomindang advanced.

Did Otto Braun get his way?

Yes Mao was expelled from the Party's Central Committee. Under Braun's leadership the Red Army now began to defend its territory. They lost 8000 men. They could not easily replace these men or their weapons due to the blockhouse rings cutting them off.

When did the long march occur?

16 October 1934.

What happened during the Long March?

It took the Red Army 6 weeks to break through the blockhouse rings encircling Jiangxi. They fought in a major battle when they reached the Xiang River (25 Nov-3 Dec). Over half the soldiers died. Many of the Red Army soldiers blamed Otto Braun for the great losses of men.

What was the reason for these losses?

It was partly due to the amount of equipment the soldiers were carrying as it slowed them down but Otto Braun was leading the Red Army in a straight line, making it easy for the GMD to predict its movements.

Then the Long March occurred, when?

On 16 October some 87, 000 soldiers of the Red Army set out on the retreat planned by Otto Braun.

How did the Communist react?

Otto Braun, a Russia agent insister that Mao Zedong's tactics were politically wrong. He believed that the Red Army should defend the border of the Soviet by fighting head-on battles with the Guomindang.