Beginning in October, 1934, Chiang Kai-shek mobilized more than 40,000 troops of warlords of Shaanxi, Shanxi, Ningxia, and Gansu to launch the second encirclement campaign against Shaanxi–Gansu Soviet aimed to eradicate the local Communists.

In contrast, the Communists adopted the strategy by concentrating their forces and fought in northern Shaanxi under a unified command.

In late April 1935, the Nationalists finally begun their uncoordinated and disorganized attacks, which were easily defeated by the Communists.

[citation needed] After more than two months of fighting, Nationalists not only failed their original objective, but also lost half a dozen towns including Anding (安定), Yanchang (延长), Yanchuan (延川), Ansai (安塞), Jingbian (靖边), and Bao'an.

After suffering more than 3,000 casualties, the warlords called off the any further military operations, and the campaign resulted in Communist victory.