On June 25, 1950, the smoke of the Korean War had not yet been ignited, and a special unit had quietly set foot on Korean soil. They are about 40,000 ethnic Korean fighters from the Fourth Field Army. These brave soldiers, who had entered the Korean Peninsula months before the outbreak of the Korean War, heralded an imminent war.
These Korean warriors, they are wearing uniform uniforms, wearing bright five-star red flags on their chests, their eyes are firm and deep, as if they have seen the wind and rain of the future. With a desire for peace and an aversion to war, they resolutely set foot on the battlefield.
Over the next three months, this "Korean division" played a huge role on the battlefield. They were brave and fearless, withstood the enemy's wanton and indiscriminate bombardment with their flesh and blood, and defended the dignity and territorial integrity of the motherland with their lives and blood. Their heroic deeds have become a glorious history of the Chinese People's Volunteers in the Korean War.
However, the cruelty of the war did not spare them because of their bravery. After the end of the war, the fate of these brave and fearless soldiers on the battlefield is embarrassing.
Information indicates that during the Sino-Japanese War in China, many Korean patriots, including Kim Il Sung, joined the Northeast Anti-Japanese Allied Army. Among them, the "Li Hongguang Detachment", which was mainly composed of Korean fighters, gradually emerged during the war and later became part of the 166th Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
In the Taihang Mountain area, there was also a North China detachment composed of Korean volunteers, who actively participated in the War of Resistance against Japan. Over time, this force gradually grew and eventually formed the 164th and 156th Divisions of the People's Liberation Army.
During the Liberation War, several major units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, such as the 38th, 40th, and 47th Armies, absorbed a large number of Korean companies and soldiers. These valiant warriors showed tenacious fighting spirit and fearless sacrifice in the war.
As victory in the Liberation War was approaching, ethnic Korean officers and soldiers in these units began to express their desire to return to Korea. They miss their loved ones and their homeland far away from home, and they long to return to their home country.
In the early morning of May 1949, Kim Il, director of the General Political Bureau of the Korean People's Army, set foot on Chinese soil and shouldered a heavy mission. On behalf of the DPRK labor ***, he made a special request to the CCP**: to let the troops of ethnic Koreans serving in the Chinese People's Liberation Army return to North Korea.
At this time, China's history was at an important turning point. With the end of the war, the PLA began to carry out large-scale disarmament. In this context, this particular request is given great importance. After careful consideration, it was decided to appoint *** to be responsible for this work.
** Understands the enormity of this task. He understood that these Korean fighters fought bloody battles on Chinese soil and made great achievements in the cause of China's liberation. Now, however, they are being forced to leave the land where they once fought. In dealing with this issue, he did his utmost to ensure the rights and interests of these fighters in a humanitarian spirit.
After months of careful organization and coordination, these Korean fighters finally set out on their way home. With full of enthusiasm and reluctance, they left their former home, China. On the day they left, they waved the ** in their hands and sang military songs, expressing their gratitude and nostalgia for China.
Since July 20, 1949, the Korean soldiers who had fought valiantly on Chinese soil have embarked on their way home, leaving the country they once fought side by side and returning to their homeland of North Korea.
The first to leave were the fighters of the 164th and 166th Divisions. They were ready to go, armed with all the combat experience and equipment they had accumulated in China, and full of ambition, they embarked on the journey back to China. Their departure seems to have taken away the tenacity and courage of the Chinese land, leaving deep thoughts and gratitude.
Time passed, and on April 18, 1950, the Korean soldiers of the 156th Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army also set out on their way home. With full enthusiasm and firm faith, they arrived at Wonsan, North Korea, with all the best equipment. So far, China has handed over to the DPRK a total of three divisions of troops, with a total of more than 37,000 troops.
Without a moment's rest, the officers and soldiers who returned to the DPRK quickly integrated into the sequence of the Korean People's Army. Those warriors who served in the 164th Division were reorganized in the Ronan area and officially became part of the 2nd Infantry Division of the 5th Army Corps of the Korean People's Army. The division was a strong force with the 10th, 11th, and 12th infantry wings, as well as an artillery wing. Leading this team was none other than the former deputy commander of the 164th Division, the heroic Major General Kim Chang-deok, who became the new commander of the division with his outstanding leadership and firm faith.
At the same time, after returning to Sinuiju, the soldiers of the former 166th Division were also reorganized and became the 6th Infantry Division of the 1st Army Corps of the Korean People's Army. The division was also quite strong, with three infantry wings and one artillery wing. And those warriors who played in the 496th, 497th, and 498th regiments are now the 13th, 14th, and 15th wings, respectively. Leading them was Fang Hushan, the outstanding political commissar of the former 166th Division, who became the new commander of this division with his outstanding leadership and far-reaching vision.
The independent 15th Division (formerly the 156th Division) established in Zhengzhou, they were reorganized into the 12th Division of the First Army Corps, with Quan Yu as the division commander. This force has a long history. After the reorganization, it became one of the main divisions of the First Army Corps, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting the home and defending the country.
At the same time, a special unit under the former 47th Army was reorganized. This unit is an independent regiment composed of Korean officers and soldiers, who are brave and good at fighting and have deep national feelings. After reorganization, this unit became the 1st Infantry Wing of the 4th Infantry Division of the 18th Army Corps of the KPA.
According to relevant information, the cadres of the Korean People's Army at this time who held the positions of division and brigade commander and above had surprisingly consistent backgrounds. All of them came from the former Northeast Anti-Japanese Federation and the Yan'an Volunteer Army.
However, after returning to China, they were faced with a new task: to go through the procedures for changing the party. This not only means that they need to change from membership in the Communist Party of China to membership in the Workers' Party of Korea, but also means that they need to face new challenges and tests.
According to the recollections of some of the parties concerned, many people did not understand this request at that time, and even became emotional. They had fought bloody battles for China's revolutionary cause on Chinese soil, but now they were about to change the party, which made them confused and incomprehensible.
However, in the face of this situation, the DPRK ** made a decisive decision. They asked the Chinese communists to send people to do the work to explain the significance and necessity of changing the party.
Under the patient explanation and persuasion of the CPC representatives, these officers and men gradually understood the significance of changing the party. They realized that as ethnic Koreans, their roots were in Korea, and that they had changed the party in order to better serve their nation and country. This shift is not a denial of the past, but an expectation of the future.
So, with the help of the CPC representatives, these officers and soldiers began to go through the formalities of changing the party. They filled in all kinds of **, submitted various materials, and went through a series of procedures to finally complete the task of changing the party. Although the process was complicated, with the help of CCP representatives, everything went in an orderly manner.
Later, when the Korean War broke out, these Korean soldiers who had gone through the transition from north to south in Chinese mainland and had rich combat experience showed their stubborn fighting will and outstanding combat skills on the Korean battlefield by virtue of their actual combat experience in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation. Like eagles, they soar across the battlefield and make enemies fearful. They made many exploits on the battlefield, broke the enemy's defense line again and again, and became an indispensable and important force in the Korean War.
On July 5, 1950, a fierce battle unfolded in Seoul, in which the 4th Infantry Division showed amazing courage and perseverance, and their performance amazed everyone. After the battle, the division was named the "4th Seoul Division" by Kim Il Sung for its outstanding exploits in the battle to occupy Seoul, in recognition of their incomparable bravery.
On July 23, Kim Il Sung issued a special order to reward those units that had excelled in battle. Among them, the troops led by Jin Xiong and Li Quanwu received special commendations for their outstanding contributions.
During the period from July 26 to August 29, the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK honored those units that had distinguished themselves in the war. Of these, 7 units were awarded the title "Guards", which represents their excellence in the war.
Of these seven troops, four were returned from China, namely the 18th Infantry Division, the 6th Infantry Division, and the 10th Infantry Wing. The heroic performance of these troops has not only won the respect of the DPRK, but also made China proud.
In addition, on November 15, Fang Hushan was awarded the title of Double Hero of the Republic, which is the highest praise for the heroic performance of Fang Hushan in the war. What is amazing is that there are only three people who have won this honorary title, which is enough to show how outstanding Fang Hushan's heroic performance in the war was.
After the end of the war. According to incomplete statistics, among the more than 40,000 people, about 30 percent of the officers and men died bravely in the war, and they defended the territorial integrity of the country and the dignity of the nation with their lives. Their sacrifices are enormous, their spirit is noble, and their deeds will forever be remembered in the long river of history.
In addition, about 20 per cent of the officers and soldiers were captured during the war. They spent countless days and nights in the enemy's cage, endured untold pain and suffering. However, they never gave in and did not give up their beliefs and ideals. In the end, they used their strength and perseverance to win their freedom and dignity.
After the end of the war, about 30 percent of the remaining officers and soldiers chose to settle in Korea, and they took root in a foreign country and made great contributions to local economic development and cultural exchanges. Their dedication and efforts have not only won the respect and gratitude of the local people.
In addition, 20 percent of the officers and soldiers returned to China between the end of the war and 1957. They returned to China with the memories and pains of the war. They regard China as their hometown, rebuild their homes on their own land, and contribute their own strength to the prosperity and development of the country.
In addition to the valiant soldiers, what is the fate of the generals who once commanded on the battlefield? According to publicly available information in North Korea, in the late and post-war periods, the fate of the main leaders who returned to North Korea from China varied, like autumn leaves, each fluttering in the wind.
Jiang Jian, also known as Jiang Xintai, is the kind of person who is like a tiger on the battlefield. However, fate played a cruel joke on him. In the war, he died heroically and remained forever in the land he loved.
Wu Ting, known as"Zhukov in North Korea", the ability to command in the war is amazing. However, he was in the post-war because"Failure to carry out military orders, improper command of battles, and the crime of warlordism"was dismissed. In December 1950, this once majestic general on the battlefield died of illness in Pyongyang, which made people sigh.
Park Yiyu, his fate is even more tortuous. He was in"Anti-partisan and sectarian activities"He was deposed in December 1955. His departure is undoubtedly a huge blow to the efforts he once made for the country and the people.
Fang Hushan, after the war, served as the president of the People's Army Army University. However, he was also affected by the Park Ilwoo incident and finally had to choose to retire. His departure was undoubtedly a huge blow to his military career.
Others, such as Choe Chang-ik (then deputy prime minister), Yoon Gongqin (then minister of commerce), and Seo Hui (then minister of labor) of the former Korean Independence League, died in 1956"Sectarian events"Removed from office. What happened to them is deeply regrettable. The loss or experience of these former leaders and generals has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the country. Their fate has also become a microcosm of that era.