Chinese veteran refreshes memories of war fighting

General Xu Yingquan tells his story to his hometown fellowmen in Rugao city, Jiangsu province, June 13, 2015. [Photo by Liu Mengyang/chinadaily.com.cn]

General Xu Yingquan said he can still hear the gunfire 74 years later when he closes his eyes standing on the same ground where he took part in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).

Xu, a 93-year-old Chinese veteran, took part in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the War of Liberation (1946-49), the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-53), the Wars against the French and US Invasion in Vietnam (1979) and hundreds of battles in the four wars.

He told stories about several key battles he had experienced and refreshed memories on his acquaintance with General Su Yu, one of the founding generals of the People's Republic of China, while addressing school students in his hometown of Rugao, East China's Jiangsu province, where the Gaomingzhuang Battle took place.

Battle of Huangqiao: a 21-day promotion to company commander

Under the influence of his father, Xu joined the anti-Japanese guerrilla movement in 1939 and became a captain when he was only 16.

In 1940, he formally joined the army and in September became a member of the New Fourth Army, the principle unit in China's anti-Japanese armed force.

By the time of the Battle of Huangqiao in October 1940, initiated by the New Fourth Army and the KMT 89 Army, Xu had been a platoon leader for only 21 days when the decisive battle begun.

During mobilization, company commander Huang Hualong vowed to sacrifice his life to secure victory and appointed Xu deputy if he was killed. Xu also vowed to fight until the battle was won.

On the afternoon of the second day, Huang lost his life. Seeing the pressing situation, Xu declared himself company commander and led the army to final victory. It was Xu's first battle since joining the army and he was only 17 years old then.