Red Army Advance Theater Troupe: Tragic Song on the Northwest Desert On December 5, 1936, the Red Army Advance Theater Troupe was ordered to go to the headquarters of the Red 9th Army to perform condolences. However, this glorious mission turned into a tragic song on the Northwest Desert. This troupe was originally formed from the Workers' and Peasants' Drama Society of the Red Fourth Front, but it was reduced to a regiment after the Long March. Led by the troupe leader Zhou Rugong and political commissar Yi Weijing, the troupe managed to evade Ma Jiajun's pursuit, but encountered an unexpected dilemma when approaching its destination. Under the leadership of the Advance Troupe, the group marched towards the location of the headquarters of the 9th Army for twenty miles. However, when they were still a few miles away from their destination, they found dust ahead and could hear the neighing of horses, which made them feel bad and seemed to encounter Ma Jiajun. To protect themselves, they decided to seek refuge and found a three-story earthen enclosure.
The fence is surrounded by strong high walls, and there is a tin gate guard directly south, which can temporarily resist the impact of the Ma family army. Therefore, they began to organize defense, and used tiles and bricks in the fence to increase the defense capability. However, the number of Ma Jiajun was increasing, while the weapons of the Advance Troupe were very limited. They only had some old guns and grenades, which were far from enough to withstand enemy attacks. After analysis, the two chiefs, Zhou and Yi, decided to fight to the death to attract the attention of Ma Jiajun and buy time for the troops to escape. Under their command, the cadres and soldiers of the troupe resisted bravely, but the enemy's fire was stronger, and the troupe was finally breached. In this bloody battle, the cadres of the troupe, Wang Xiancheng, Ren Yisul, and many soldiers died. On the position of the troupe, there is also a female Red Army company instructor Liao Chijian, she is an old Red Army who participated in the Long March and has superb marksmanship.
She defeated 5 enemies in a row, but was eventually surrounded by the enemy and brutally killed. Another cadre, Commissar Yi, was shot several times, but he persisted in the battle and covered several female warriors to hide deep in the fence. However, the enemy's offensive did not stop, and they resorted to a strategy of "fire attack", trying to burn the fence. The bloody battle continued until dusk, when the soldiers of the troupe had run out of bullets, even throwing stones. Facing the charge of Ma Jiajun, a platoon commander Peng Yongxin and soldier Xiao Bingrong decided to engage in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy and eventually died. Regiment commander Zhou Rugong and political commissar Yi Weijing also died heroically in the battle. When night came, Ma Jiajun blew open the iron gate of the fence and captured more than 30 people including Wang Dingguo, who was unable to move in the troupe. Many of these people are female warriors. Ma Bufang ordered them to be imprisoned, ready for them to perform for themselves.
This fierce battle took place between members of the Red Army Advance Theater Troupe, who had gone to the military headquarters for a condolence performance, but unfortunately encountered enemy attacks. Surrounded by the enemy, they chose to resist desperately to buy time for the Red Army to escape. Despite their eventual failure, their heroic deeds remain admirable. This story tells us that war is brutal, but in the most difficult times, people can still show perseverance and heroic action. These Red Army soldiers and cadres, men, women and children, showed their fearlessness and loyalty. For the sake of faith and justice, they did not hesitate to sacrifice themselves to protect the weak in the ranks. Looking back at history, we should cherish the sacrifices of these heroes and remember their spirit. At the same time, we should also think about the pain and harm caused by war, and strive for a peaceful and harmonious society.
We should reflect on the causes of war, avoid repeating the mistakes of the past, and make our own contribution to world peace and stability. Finally, I would like to ask readers a question: in modern society, how can we better inherit and carry forward the heroic spirit of the Red Army?