Xu Xiangqian
After the failure to implement the "Ningxia Plan", Chen was appointed as Chairman of the Military Committee of the West Army, to lead an attempt with Xu Xiangqian to open a passage to the USSR. However, after a 4-month battle against the Ma Clique in the Hexi Corridor and facing lack of reinforcements, the West Army was crushed. Chen was able to escape under the cover of wounded of the defeated West Army, and returned safely to Yan'an on 16 March 1937. Due to the start of the Second United Front, he returned to the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region in mid August 1937.