Foreword:
The Chinese Expeditionary Force, a group that once fought bravely on the battlefield of resistance against Japan, many people may be unfamiliar with this name. However, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, this army was the backbone of the Chinese people who crossed the border and went to Burma and India to fight against the Japanese invasion together with the British army. This article will review the Chinese Expeditionary Force's battle history and the misfortunes that befell them at their graveyards.
1. The First Battle of the Chinese Expeditionary Force: The Battle of Tonggu.
The title of "Chinese Expeditionary Force" carries the historical memory of Chinese people who are far away from the motherland and devote themselves to the international war of resistance. On March 7, 1942, the 200th Division of the Expeditionary Force led by General Dai Anlan arrived at Tonggu in Burma to take over the defense of the British army and fight in coordination with the British army. The Battle of Tonggu lasted 12 days, and the Chinese Expeditionary Force and the British Army worked together to successfully annihilate more than 5,000 Japanese troops, however, this battle also cost the Expeditionary Force heavy sacrifices, and more than 2,000 of them were buried in Tonggu.
II. The fate of the cemetery of the expeditionary force.
The fate of the Chinese Expeditionary Force's cemetery in Burma can be described as bumpy. The first batch of expeditionary soldiers, about 60,000 people died, and they made significant contributions to the liberation of Burma and the cause of resistance against Japan. However, the graves of these valiant servicemen were almost completely destroyed. The cemeteries of the more than 40,000 soldiers of the second group of martyrs are mainly distributed along the Stilwell Highway, including Bhamo and Xibao in Burma. However, the cemetery of Ba Mo has now been turned into a city hall, which is a sad phenomenon.
3. Comparison: The treatment of British and Japanese cemeteries.
In stark contrast to the fate of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, the British cemetery in Burma was brilliantly built and beautifully guarded. What is even more infuriating is that even the cemetery of the Japanese army has been carefully maintained. Through assistance and other means, Japan built a Japanese military cemetery in Burma, which is well maintained by the local area.
IV. What Happened to the Expeditionary Force Cemetery: Historical Regrets.
The experience of the cemetery of the Chinese Expeditionary Force is a cause for thought. It is rumored that during the War of Liberation, the remnants of the Kuomintang fled to Burma and clashed with the Burmese army, resulting in the deliberate destruction of the cemetery of the Chinese Expeditionary Force. This heart-wrenching historical regret became the unfortunate fate of the soldiers of the expeditionary force.
The Chinese Expeditionary Force is a soldier who has fought bravely for the honor of the country, and their deeds should be duly respected. However, what happened to the cemetery was sad. We should remember history, remember these heroic souls who sacrificed their lives for the country, and at the same time reflect on the maintenance of cemeteries in peacetime, so that the efforts of heroic soldiers will not be wiped out by time.
The story of the Chinese Expeditionary Force should be remembered, not only to commemorate their bravery, but also to educate future generations to cherish peace and warn people to cherish historical and cultural heritage. In this process, we hope that the cemetery of the expeditionary force will be given the respect and protection it deserves, so that this historical memory will be passed on forever.