An old photo of Wang Dingguo. (Photo/CNR)
When Wang was 21, she started the Long March with the Fourth Red Army Front. She was with the army's theatrical troupe that aimed to lift the troops' spirit. She was in charge of props and makeup and served as a fighter during battles. The troupe had to march ahead of the troops and caught up with them after they passed, which means she had to take the same route twice.
The Red Army passed through some of the most difficult terrain with limited supplies during the Long March. It was ended when the three Red Army fronts of more than 30,000 troops met in Huining, Gansu province, in October 1936.The army was engaged in more than 380 battles during the process.
One of Wang's toes fell off right before her eyes due to frostbite when climbing a snow mountain. Wang was also shot twice in her right leg during battles. None of the life-threatening circumstances foiled Wang's determination to complete the Long March and seal the ultimate victory.
