The Capture of Luding Bridge

In May 1935, the Central Red Army reached Anshunchang on the Dadu River. On May 25, 17 soldiers of the 1st Regiment forced a crossing, but there were too few ferries for the other troops to get across. The Red Army then decided to take Luding Bridge. The 4th Regiment force-marched 240 li (120 km) in one day and night, arriving on May 29. The enemy had removed the planks, leaving only 13 iron chains. At 4 p.m., 22 commandos climbed the chains and charged, swiftly seizing the bridge and opening the way north.