CROSSING OF THE JINSHA RIVER BY THE RED ARMY IN 1935

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In the long history of the Chinese revolution, the Long March of the Red Army is undoubtedly a magnificent and soul-stirring legend. In this legend, the battle of crossing the Jinsha River has become a heroic deed passed down from mouth to mouth with its thrilling and key role in turning danger into safety. In 1960, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Zunyi Conference, my country issued a set of three commemorative stamps, of which the third stamp (Ji 74-3) vividly reproduced the heroic moment of the Red Army soldiers crossing the Jinsha River. This stamp is not only a masterpiece of art, but also a witness to history. It allows us to travel through time and space and feel those years of war.

Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of the Zunyi Conference
In 1935, after the Zunyi Conference, the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, under the wise leadership of Mao Zedong, embarked on the Long March from Guizhou, overcoming all obstacles along the way and advancing towards Yunnan. At this time, the Red Army was facing a heavy siege by the enemy, and the situation was extremely grim. In order to get rid of the predicament and continue to march north to fight against the Japanese, the central government made a bold and wise decision - to force a crossing of the Jinsha River.
The Jinsha River, located in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, runs through the deep mountains and narrow valleys at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan. The river is wide, the water is turbulent, and the waves are turbulent. For the Red Army, the Jinsha River is both a natural barrier and a chance for survival. If the Red Army fails to cross the river successfully, it may be compressed by the enemy in the deep mountains and narrow valleys, facing the danger of annihilation. Therefore, the battle to cross the Jinsha River is not only a military action, but also a battle of life and death.
Under the unfavorable conditions of the enemy's tight defense, destroyed ships and blocked the river, the Red Army showed amazing perseverance and wisdom. On May 3, 1935, comrades from the Military Commission Cadre Corps accepted the arduous task of seizing the Jiaoping Ferry on the Jinsha River. They were not afraid of difficulties and dangers, crossed mountains and ridges, traveled 180 miles day and night, and finally arrived at the Jinsha River before dark. At the ferry, they were lucky to find a boat, which was used by spies sent by the enemy to investigate the situation on the south bank. Later, with the help of local farmers, they fished out a broken boat from the water, blocked the holes with cloth, and barely used it.
With these two boats, the Red Army soldiers began to make intensive preparations for crossing the river. They took these two simple boats and quietly crossed to the north bank. The enemy sentries thought that it was just spies coming back and did not pay much attention. However, at this moment of relaxation, the Red Army soldiers launched a surprise attack, wiped out a company of regular troops and a security team in one fell swoop, and successfully controlled the ferry crossings on both sides of Jiaopingdu. Afterwards, they found another five boats and mobilized 36 boatmen to help cross the river.
From May 3 to 9, in just 7 days and 7 nights, the main force of the Red Army crossed the Jinsha River calmly with these 7 small boats. This feat not only allowed the Red Army to escape the enemy's pursuit and blockade, but also created favorable conditions for the subsequent northward anti-Japanese war. After crossing the Wujiang River to the south, the 9th Corps, which served as the rear guard, also flexibly and maneuverably tied down part of the enemy's forces in the Qianxi area under the order of the Military Commission, winning precious time for the main force of the Red Army to cross the river.
When we focus our eyes on this stamp, we can clearly see the Red Army soldiers on the boat paddling with all their might, breaking through the heavy wind and waves, and speeding towards the other side. Their faces are full of determination and fearlessness, and their eyes are shining with the dawn of victory. Some soldiers are ready to throw out ropes to ensure that the ferry can safely dock; while the Red Army soldiers who have crossed the river in advance are already wading on the river beach to meet them. The battle scene is tense and difficult.
The stamp also emphasizes the depth and steepness of the cliffs on the banks of the Jinsha River, as well as the turbulence of the water. The depiction of these natural environments not only adds a sense of layering and three-dimensionality to the picture, but also highlights the heroic and tenacious fighting spirit of the Red Army soldiers. Under such adverse conditions, they were still able to maintain high morale and firm belief, which is undoubtedly the best interpretation of the revolutionary heroism spirit.
The issuance of this stamp not only allows us to recall that glorious period of history, but also allows us to deeply feel the lofty spirit of the Red Army soldiers who fought tirelessly for national liberation and people's happiness. They wrote magnificent heroic hymns with their blood and lives, leaving us precious spiritual wealth.
Today, when we gaze at this stamp again, we may be able to draw more strength and courage from it. It reminds us that no matter how great the difficulties and challenges we face, as long as we maintain firm beliefs and tenacious fighting spirit, we will be able to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and achieve our goals and dreams. The story of the Red Army's crossing of the Jinsha River will be forever engraved in the long river of history and become the source of our motivation keeping moving forward.

(The boat used by the crossing on the painting is a “sampan”)

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China 1960 10f sg 1894. Scott?