Look at the Long March with an open eye

Author: Ye Xinyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: How many miles did the Red Army walk during the Long March? How many miles did the Red Army of the First Front Walk during the Long March? In 1936, Snow, based on his visit and investigation and after reading the book "Twenty-five Thousand Li" (also known as "The Long March"), calculated that the total distance covered by the First Corps of the Red Army was 18,088 li. He believed that including all the detours, twists, turns, and advances and retreats, the Red Army, which referred to it as the "Twenty-five Thousand Li Long March," undoubtedly walked this long or even longer distance. Since some people in Taiwan have written books doubting the distance covered by the Red Army of the First Front during the Long March, even claiming it was Snow's propaganda and that there wasn't actually that much, and citing examples that the Red Army itself did not believe there were so many miles in "The Long March," it is still necessary to quote Snow's reporting at the time. In the chapter "The Great March," Snow wrote: "The Red Army refers to it as the 'Twenty-five Thousand Li Long March,' including all the detours, twists, turns, and advances and retreats, from the farthest point in Fujian to the northernwestern terminal of Shaanxi. Certain sections of the marching troops undoubtedly walked this long or even longer distance. The precise itinerary, section by section, compiled by the First Corps shows that the total distance of its Long March was 18,088 li, equivalent to 6,000 miles—about twice the distance across the North American continent—this figure is approximately the average marching distance of this main force. During the journey, they crossed some of the most difficult paths in the world where vehicles could not pass, and traversed the towering snow mountains and wide rivers of Asia." Snow's report above indicates that the "Twenty-five Thousand Li Long March" was self-proclaimed by the Red Army, not his imagination. The calculation of the Red Army's Long March distance is based on scientific evidence. The distance covered by the First Corps was shown by a precise itinerary, section by section; including all the detours, twists, turns, and advances and retreats, from the farthest point in Fujian to the northernwestern terminal of Shaanxi; the marching distance of certain units. Adding these three together, Snow believed they "undoubtedly walked this long or even longer distance." The "Twenty-five Thousand Li Long March" was not imagined by anyone; it was based on solid evidence. The saying people often used to say, "Is it hard? Think about the Red Army's twenty-five thousand," still reflects people's affirmation of the spirit of the Red Army's Long March and serves as a to themselves. We spent so much effort quoting Snow's reporting from back then, just so that those who did not experience the Long March could see how the Red Army's Long March was viewed by foreigners, especially foreigners at that time, which is very meaningful.