Xue Feng Field Service Corps

Author: Zhao Xueli
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: In the summer of 1946, Chiang Kai-shek tore up the cease-fire agreement and mobilized his army to launch a major offensive against our liberation areas. The reactionary troops of the Guizhou clique, led by Bai Chongxi, invaded our Huaibei Liberation Area. The enemy advanced along the Su-Si Highway, threatening the city of Si. In this critical moment, the military district decided to evacuate Xuefeng School from the city. Our teachers and students transferred with light luggage, first moving to Wangzhou Village in the southern suburbs. A few days later, the Si County battle broke out, and our school was ordered to move again to Heishu Wang's Village in the northeastern part of Si County for rest and recuperation. The older students had already picked up guns. To adapt to the needs of the war situation, the seventh military district decided to reform Xuefeng School into the Xuefeng Field Service Corps, which would move toward Huaiyin with the army. The Political Director of the seventh military district, Liu Zuofu, called me and Principal Jin Changru to inform us of the decision: the seventh military district had decided to reform Xuefeng School into the Xuefeng Field Service Corps, with the nature of a cultural and propaganda troupe, to move with the army. Principal Jin would serve as the Corps Commander (company level), and Director Sun as the Deputy Corps Commander (deputy company level). The assignments of other comrades would be determined by the Party branch. This group of students numbered about 150. At that time, my Huazhong Field Army's Ninth Corps and the Shandong Field Army had already engaged the enemy in Si County. Enemy planes circled and bombed over Si County, while the sounds of machine guns, rifles, and hand grenades filled the air. Director Liu Zuofu left with the troops, and we quickly returned to Heishu Wang's Village. By then, the stretcher teams were rushing to Si County in batches, and wounded soldiers were being brought back in batches. Since it was not yet time to announce the decision of the seventh military district, an emergency mobilization was made to prepare for field service work. The students took action together—some bandaged the wounds of the wounded, while others brought water, tea, food, and medicine to them.