Speaking of the War of Resistance Against Japan, one can't help but think of that period of blood and fire, and behind that, the impact of the Red Army's reorganization on the battlefield against Japan cannot be underestimated. In 1937, the National War of Resistance broke out, and the main force of the Red Army was reorganized into the Eighth Route Army, but do you know? Behind this major change, there is actually a little-known secret - the Red Army was far more than the establishment at that time, with 34,000 more men! How were these extra soldiers finally settled, and how did they affect the course of the war?
In 1937, when the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was in full swing, the reorganization of the Red Army became an important strategic adjustment. The reorganization of the original main force of the Red Army into the Eighth Route Army was not only a name change, but also a comprehensive reform of the army's structure and combat effectiveness. It is said that the number of the Red Army had grown to nearly 80,000 at that time, but the establishment stipulated by the Nationalist Government could only accommodate three divisions. This means that more than 34,000 Red Army soldiers are in a state of "overstaffing", what should be done with this part of the population?
I have to mention these soldiers of the Red Army, most of whom joined the Long March through many difficulties and dangers. The Long March was not only a great strategic shift, but also a severe test of survival. From its departure from Jiangxi in 1934 to its arrival in northern Shaanxi in 1935, the Red Army's ranks experienced numerous battles and difficulties, and their numbers plummeted from more than 80,000 to less than 7,000. In northern Shaanxi, the Red Army did not stop their pace, but ushered in new development and growth.
In northern Shaanxi, the Red Army established bases and, in cooperation with local guerrillas, Red Guards, gradually regained its strength. By the end of 1936, the number of the Red Army had risen to about 55,000. After the "Xi'an Incident", the Red Army's cooperation with the Northeast Army and the 17th Route Army gave the Red Army more room for development, and the size of the troops increased again.
How were the 34,000 supernumeraries resettled? It turned out that the top of the Red Army did not simply reduce these "redundant" fighters, but carried out a series of strategic adjustments and optimizations. The first was the rational distribution of equipment, the Red Army redistributed the weapons and equipment captured along the route, strengthening the firepower of the troops. The Red Army has also strengthened the reorganization of the guerrilla units and Red Guards in northern Shaanxi and its surrounding areas, and many supernumerary personnel have been reincorporated into these local forces, which has not only enhanced their combat effectiveness, but also enhanced the joint combat capability of the Red Army and the local armed forces.
In this process, the Red Army also paid special attention to the flexible use of forces and the innovation of tactics. They adopted guerrilla tactics such as reconnaissance, ambush, and harassment in small detachments, which effectively disrupted the Japanese army's logistical supply lines and depleted the enemy's combat effectiveness. The successful use of these tactics is largely due to the "supernumerary" fighters, who have played an irreplaceable role in the troops.
On the other hand, the leadership of the Red Army also attached great importance to the political and ideological education of these fighters, ensuring that each and every one of them understood the purpose and meaning of his struggle. This not only strengthened the cohesion of the soldiers, but also greatly enhanced the overall fighting will and morale of the troops. In this way, even the supernumerary part can be effectively used and transformed into a new force in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
In specific battles, these supernumerary Red Army fighters also showed extraordinary courage and tenacity. They served as strikers and commandos in many battles, and made it to the list of heroes of the War of Resistance Against Japan. Some of them waged protracted battles with the Japanese army in the Jin-Cha-Ji and Jinsui base areas, while others went deep behind enemy lines and carried out guerrilla warfare, and their footprints were almost all over the entire anti-Japanese battlefield.
And this flexible and mobile tactics of the Red Army were not limited to the front-line battlefield. At the strategic level, this part of the supernumerary force was also used to strengthen cooperation with the Kuomintang army, which to a certain extent alleviated the contradictions between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and laid a solid foundation for the final victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan.
This war is not only a contest of bullets and bullets, but also a contest of people's hearts. The existence and struggle of this part of the Red Army soldiers became an important factor in the victory of the Anti-Japanese War. They wrote the indomitable chapter of the War of Resistance with their flesh and blood, and also interpreted the profound meaning of "unity is strength" with practical actions.
The 34,000 supernumerary soldiers of the Red Army did not become a burden, but became an indispensable force in the War of Resistance Against Japan. Their correct placement and effective use demonstrated the wisdom and strategic vision of the leadership of the Red Army. All this tells us that the wheel of history is propelled by countless ordinary and determined steps.