Beginning of the „Long March”

Led by Mao Tse-tung, the Communist „People’s Liberation Army“ begins its „Long March“ on 27 October 1934. With its retreat into the northern Chinese province of Yenan, the force avoids certain annihilation by Chiang Kai-shek’s nationalist „Kuomintang“. Desertions soon reduce the People’s Liberation Army to a fifth of its original strength. Nevertheless, Mao will succeed in assembling new forces in the north of China and in finally mounting a counter strike. In 1949 the Communists will emerge from the Civil War as victors.

© Paul Noll Crossing the Great Snowy Mountains took the lives of many communists - the 14,000 and 15,000-foot height would kill many men who would just die for lack of oxygen