War without victory?
In April of 1944, the war was already in its last phase, but Chinese soldiers still faced a hard fight. In August of the same year, Chiang Kai-shek raised the slogan "100,000 youths make 100,000 soldiers." At that time, a large group of students in high school and college put down their pens and raised up rifles, changing the Chinese tradition that "a man of quality is not used as a soldier just as the best iron is not used for nails." "That was definitely a radical shift in old customs," says Fu Tsung-mao, one of those young men and formerly political vice minister of the Ministry of Examination.
So many people left their homes and families. One of those was Chu Chien-chang, now head of academic affairs at National Chengchih University. He remembers that when he decided to join the army he asked his mother if she would object. She replied, "Why should I object? You can't stay with me forever." In those days, it seems, loyalty to the country was always the first priority.
From May to August 1945, China recalled its elite troops from Burma and began a general counteroffensive aimed at Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Peking. China's military was stronger and morale was high. Chinese forces had retaken Cangwu and were preparing to advance toward Guangzhou when the United States suddenly dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Japan surrendered on August 15. The Second World War and the War of Resistance Against Japan ended simultaneously.
When the atomic bomb was dropped, Dagong Bao welcomed the American decision with an editorial entitled "A new era has begun." It said in part, "The atomic bomb has greatly shortened the war and greatly reduced the loss of human life. Although the bomb is a killer, it is also a blessing that ensures peace among mankind." When Japan formally capitulated, Dagong Bao used extra-large bold print to announce "Japan Has Finally Surrendered," bringing the good news for which people had waited for so long.
Ironically, the news traveled more slowly to Japanese-occupied areas than to Chongqing. The August 15 edition of Shanghai's Shen Bao had as its lead a story from the Japanese military claiming success for a commando raid. It was only the next day that the headline had suddenly become, "Emperor Announces Peace Proclamation." The story mentioned nothing about surrender. However, the editorial cautioned the people, "In times of great change, it is necessary to remain calm and tranquil."
With the victorious ending to the War of Resistance Against Japan, the 14 years of bitter struggle that had begun with the 918 Incident of 1931 seemed to be at an end. Newspapers were suddenly filled with announcements of marriages and engagements to celebrate victory. There were advertisements declaring "Cheer the Victory and Welcome Our Veterans Back Home."
But amidst all the joy and tears, few would have guessed that China had not yet escaped from turmoil. The Chinese, unified in the war against Japan, would soon turn against each other. And many people, after a short breathing spell, would again find themselves displaced into another era of hardship.
[Picture Caption]
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This 15-year-old Chinese boy left his schooling and took up arms just prior to the Battle of Wuhan in March of 1938. This photo, taken by Robert Capa, was the cover of the May issue of Life magazine. The cover story was "Defending China." (photo taken from Life magazine)
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The photo, from December 22, 1939, shows house-to-house fighting during the Japanese advance in northern Hunan. The characters on the wall say "Refuse to Be a Slave from a Destroyed Nation." (photo courtesy of Echo magazine)
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A front line dog--Feng Tzu-kai
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Almost all Chinese during the war had the experience of being forced to flee destruction. (photo courtesy of the Kuomintang Department of Party History)
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Even at weddings people did not forget the nation, and often donated their wedding gifts to the country. (photo courtesy of Echo magazine)
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Near the end of the war Chiang Kai-shek raised the slogan "100,000 youths make 100,000 soldiers," and many young people responded by throwing down their pens and taking up swords. (photo courtesy of the Kuomintang Department of Party History)
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1945: The chief of staff of Japanese forces in China surrenders to Ho Ying-chin, representing the Commander in Chief of the China Theater. (photo courtesy of the Kuomintang Department of Party History)
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Residents of Manchuria celebrate victory over Japan in August 1945. (photo courtesy of Echo magazine)