Chapter 39: The Hadapu Reorganization—The Fierce Tigers Return to the Shaan-Gan Detachment

Chapter 39: Reorganization at Hadapu – The Fierce Tigers Join the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment

On September 18, 1935, the main force of the Central Red Army arrived in Hadapu, Min County, Gansu. This small town in southern Longnan was suddenly filled with Red Army soldiers who had endured countless hardships on their long march north. Though tattered and gaunt, every person’s eyes shone with the dawn of having reached "home."

Although Hadapu was small, it was a crucial turning point in the Long March. Here, the Red Army not only gained a precious opportunity for rest but also learned through newspapers that the Red 15th Army Corps, led by Liu and Xu, was still fighting in northern Shaanxi. This news solidified the strategic decision to "go to northern Shaanxi."

To adapt to the new situation of marching north to resist the Japanese, to unify command, streamline organizations, and increase mobility, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China decided to reorganize the troops in Hadapu. The main components of the First and Third Army Corps of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army and the Military Commission Column were reorganized into the "Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army." Commander-in-Chief Peng was appointed commander, and the Chairman concurrently served as political commissar. The detachment was divided into three columns: the original First Army Corps became the First Column, the Third Army Corps became the Second Column, and the Military Commission Column and other units formed the Third Column.

Once the reorganization order was issued, all units acted quickly. The Independent Regiment, led by Wang Lin, was currently stationed on the outskirts of Hadapu, performing guard duties while taking the opportunity to rest and replenish. Soldiers cleaned their uniforms and mended their footwear. The mess squads used the grain and mutton they had collected to improve the troops' meals. The market in Hadapu provided a rare opportunity for the troops to secure supplies, and for the first time in a long while, the camp was filled with a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

That day, a courier delivered an order from the detachment headquarters. Wang Lin, along with Political Commissar Wang Guangdao and Deputy Regiment Commander Li Yunlong, reviewed it together.

The order clearly stated: To strengthen the direct assault power of the detachment, the original Independent Regiment of the Red 5th Army Corps (the "Iron-Blooded Rearguard Tiger Regiment" or "Fierce Tiger Regiment") would remain intact. The entire regiment would be incorporated into the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment as an independent combat regiment directly under the detachment's command, retaining the designation of "Independent Regiment." The positions of the original commanders at the regimental, battalion, and company levels would remain unchanged, with Comrade Wang Lin continuing as Regiment Commander, Comrade Wang Guangdao as Political Commissar, and Comrade Li Yunlong as Deputy Regiment Commander. Logistics and supply relations were to be adjusted immediately, coming under the direct command of the detachment headquarters.

"That’s great!" Li Yunlong slapped the table, making the teacups jump. "Our Independent Regiment is staying together! Under the direct command of the detachment! We’re now a true vanguard blade!"

Wang Guangdao also looked pleased. "The Central Committee is fully affirming the combat effectiveness of our Independent Regiment. Keeping our organizational structure intact is conducive to exerting our unit's overall combat efficiency."

A weight was lifted from Wang Lin’s heart as well. He knew the importance of unit cohesion. The Independent Regiment had fought its way out from the Xiang River; the tacit understanding and unique tactical style they had developed would be severely compromised if they were disbanded and dispersed into other units. Retaining the unit as a whole was undoubtedly the best arrangement. This was consistent with the historical composition of the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment, which included several main force regiments; the Independent Regiment, with its formidable strength and track record, had earned its status as a directly subordinate unit.

"Pass the word down," Wang Lin instructed the courier. "Convene a meeting of all officers at the company level and above to convey the detachment's order!"

At the meeting, when Wang Lin announced that the Independent Regiment was being incorporated into the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment as its directly subordinate "Fierce Tiger Regiment," the officers were filled with excitement. This meant they were no longer just a rear-guard force but a genuine vanguard brigade marching north to fight the Japanese, bearing a more glorious and arduous mission.

Wang Lin emphasized, "Reorganization does not mean a change in our spirit. Being directly under the detachment is an honor, but also a responsibility! We must continue to carry forward the 'Iron-Blooded Rearguard' style—daring to fight hard battles and winning them. At the same time, we must adapt to the northern environment more quickly and prepare for new battles! Each battalion and company must use this time to rest and replenish, especially by familiarizing themselves with the new communication signals and logistics regulations issued by the detachment."

"Understood!" the officers replied in unison, their morale high.

After the reorganization was completed, the banner of the "Fierce Tiger Regiment" was officially raised. Soldiers proudly wore their newly issued armbands or insignias. Despite the persistent material hardships, the morale of the troops was completely renewed.

During the rest in Hadapu, Wang Lin did not slacken. He ordered:
Liu Gensheng’s artillery company to intensify training, especially to adapt to artillery support in the potentially more open terrain of the north.
Zhang Hongtu’s reconnaissance company to send out squads toward the Wei River to scout enemy movements, terrain, and civilian conditions.
Zhong Guangbang’s administrative office to step up coordination with the detachment’s logistics department to collect as much grain, winter clothing (such as sheepskin coats), footwear, and especially medicine as possible.

Each battalion and company continued to carry out political education, studying the Party’s policy on the Anti-Japanese National United Front, preparing mentally for entering northern Shaanxi and heading to the front lines. Given that many soldiers were from the south, he mandated the dissemination of information on preventing cold and frostbite.

Li Yunlong, meanwhile, kept grumbling about wanting to get some "hard goods" for his Fourth Battalion, spending all day brainstorming how to "exchange" equipment tips with the brother battalions.

As Wang Lin oversaw the reorganization, he reflected on the gains and losses of their previous "silent interception." The equipment captured from that complete cavalry company—over a hundred warhorses, sabers, and cavalry rifles—remained vivid in his mind. Stacking this equipment in the transport battalion was a waste; the Red Army was severely lacking in mobile power, especially for the vast northern territories they were about to enter.

His gaze swept over the troops and landed on the stout, agile Yi soldiers. Many of them were from the Liangshan Mountains and had grown up with horses; they were skilled horsemen and natural cavalry material. A plan quickly took shape in his mind.

"Courier!"
"Here!"
"Call Battalion Commander Chen Ahai of the First Battalion, and that Yi platoon leader... what was his name? Shamarge. Have them come to me immediately."
"Yes!"

Before long, Chen Ahai and a young officer with dark skin, sharp eyes, and a gleaming Yi short sword at his waist ran over. Shamarge was a key platoon leader in the First Battalion who had performed brilliantly in the Jinsha River blocking action and the Baozuo Campaign, particularly excelling in mountain mobility and surprise raids. His men were mostly equally brave Yi soldiers.

"Regiment Commander, you sent for me?" Chen Ahai asked.
Shamarge straightened his chest and saluted, saying in accented Mandarin, "Regiment Commander, Shamarge reporting!"

Wang Lin returned the salute and got straight to the point: "Platoon Leader Shamarge, I remember you are from Liangshan. You’ve been riding horses since you were a child, right?"
Shamarge’s eyes lit up, and he nodded vigorously, "Yes, Regiment Commander! We Yi people grow up on horseback!"

"Good!" Wang Lin praised. "I have a mission for you. We captured the entire equipment of a cavalry company from Li Te—horses, guns, and swords. I have decided to form a cavalry company directly under the regiment!"

He looked at both of them and continued his deployment: "Ahai, from your First Battalion and across the whole regiment, prioritize selecting soldiers who can ride and are agile, like Shamarge—especially the Yi soldiers! The number is set at 120 for now! I want the best soldiers!"

"Shamarge!"
"Here!"
"I appoint you as the commander of the Independent Regiment’s cavalry company! You are primarily responsible for selecting skilled riders from the entire regiment and building the framework for this cavalry company as soon as possible! The equipment is ready; for the men, I want you to pick the best fighters! Do you have the confidence?"

Shamarge’s face flushed with excitement. He snapped to attention, his voice trembling slightly with fervor: "I do! Rest assured, Regiment Commander! I, Shamarge, will definitely pick the best riders and lead the fastest blade of our 'Fierce Tiger Regiment'! I will not bring shame to the Regiment Commander or the Independent Regiment!"

Although Chen Ahai was reluctant to part with his elite soldiers, he knew that forming a cavalry company was of great significance to the whole regiment and immediately stated, "Regiment Commander, the First Battalion fully supports this! I guarantee we will send the best candidates!"

"Very good!" Wang Lin nodded. "Personnel selection and initial training will take place during the intervals of our march and rest. Shamarge, you must let the soldiers familiarize themselves with the equipment as soon as possible and form initial combat capability. We are heading north, where the terrain is open; the cavalry will have plenty of use there!"

"Yes! Understood!" Shamarge shouted, his eyes sparkling with longing and glory. He could already see himself leading the cavalry company, charging across the northern plains like a whirlwind.

Watching Shamarge’s excited back as he left, Wang Lin said to Chen Ahai, "I will replenish the elite soldiers you lost from the transport battalion. But this cavalry, in the future, may well be our regiment’s sharpest blade and eyes."
"Regiment Commander, I understand!" Chen Ahai replied solemnly. "Our Independent Regiment is about to gain another trump card!"

Soon, the order was disseminated. Every battalion and company responded, and the Yi soldiers, in particular, were eager to sign up upon hearing that a cavalry company was being formed under the leadership of Shamarge. Shamarge screened them strictly, and soon, a force of 120 experienced soldiers—over 70 percent of whom were Yi—began to take shape. The captured horses and equipment were quickly distributed.

During the subsequent march north, one could often see a new unit on the flanks of the main force, performing intense cavalry training, saber drills, and tactical maneuvers under Shamarge’s leadership. The sound of hoofbeats and the flash of blades became a new sight for the Independent Regiment.

The Independent Regiment’s cavalry company, a future sharp blade, began to be forged at the end of the Long March.

The few days of rest in Hadapu allowed the battle-hardened Independent Regiment to catch its breath, clarify its direction, and replenish some of its supplies, boosting morale even higher. They knew that the next leg of their journey would be a steady advance toward northern Shaanxi and the anti-Japanese front!

The "Fierce Tiger Regiment," a sharp blade honed in Hadapu, was about to be sheathed into the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment, ready to be drawn at any moment to resist the Japanese, roaring like a tiger in the Northwest!

{Historical Aside: Hadapu Rest and Decision-Making (September 18–23, 1935)
Unit Rest: The rest at Hadapu was crucial for the Red Army, which had endured extreme hardships and was physically exhausted. The troops were reorganized here and obtained valuable material supplies.
Intelligence Acquisition and Strategic Shift: The Party Central Committee obtained newspapers (such as *Ta Kung Pao*) in Hadapu, from which they learned the confirmed news that Red Army activities and base areas still existed in northern Shaanxi. This intelligence was critical.
Formal Reorganization: On September 22, the Party Central Committee held a meeting of cadres at the regimental level and above in Hadapu. The Chairman delivered a report announcing the official reorganization of the troops into the Shaanxi-Gansu Detachment of the Chinese Workers' and Peasants' Red Army (with Commander-in-Chief Peng as commander and the Chairman as political commissar). Although the reorganization had been decided at the Ejie Meeting, this was the official announcement and mobilization at the cadre meeting. At the same time, the Chairman proposed the direction of "going to northern Shaanxi."}