Biography of a Fighting Life - A Patriotic Education Reader

Author: Miao Min
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: In the spring of 1929, the Red Army units in northern Jiangxi expanded, forming an independent brigade. They captured a significant number of weapons, with each company having around forty to fifty guns. Due to financial difficulties, the soldiers did not receive immediate compensation for the captured weapons. The amount of guns captured was recorded as a debt, and no payment was made. Although many guns were captured, the army also owed a substantial debt. At that time, there was no money for food or uniforms, let alone settling the gun debts. The soldiers understood the financial struggles of the unit and thought, "Whatever we can get, we will take it," constantly pressuring the leaders for payment. It was truly a difficult situation! Eventually, a meeting was called to "cancel the debts," and after some persuasion, it was announced that all debts from captured weapons would be forgiven. The soldiers, knowing every penny was hard-earned, voluntarily gave up their compensation. As a result, no one pressed for payment anymore. However, the soldiers and farmers still actively brought in weapons, delivering them to the unit immediately upon capture. With weapons, there were no ammunition supplies. Apart from capturing a small amount from enemy victories, there were no other sources. A small arms factory was then established to produce homemade bullets. Old cartridge cases were used, old tin was shaped into bullet heads, and red matches were used as the explosive charge. These homemade bullets were even more destructive than regular ones. The unit also implemented a policy allowing spent cartridge cases to be exchanged for ammunition. After every battle, enemy cartridge cases were collected. In this way, the shortage of ammunition was temporarily resolved.
In May, the enemy launched another attack. This time, it was organized by the local gentry, landlords, and White Army forces from over ten counties, including Guangxin and Raozhou. Their tactics were also quite novel—what they called "tree-cutting tactics." The gentry and landlords believed that the Red Army's ability to maneuver, set ambushes, and win battles was solely due to the cover of forests. If the trees on several major mountains were cut down, the Red Army would have no place to hide! Thus, this "encirclement campaign" focused heavily on tree-cutting, with a plan to organize hundreds of thousands of tree-cutting teams. The enemy issued strict orders, requiring every village to form a tree-cutting team. Each participant was to bring a (firewood axe), a (saw), and a few liters of rice. If injured by the Red Army, each person would be rewarded with 100 yuan in foreign currency, and if killed, 300 yuan in compensation. This money was to be paid by those who did not join the tree-cutting teams, with each person contributing at least 20 yuan. This caused great unrest in the villages. In Yiyang County, they were particularly enthusiastic. Under the coercion and temptation of local officials and gentry, they managed to organize over 6,000 people. Comrade Zhi Min also sent many people to join the tree-cutting teams. Once inside, these individuals would boost the morale of the Red Army, claiming how formidable the Red Army was, how Comrade Fang Zhi Min had laid a trap, and how those who went to cut trees in the ninth district would definitely be killed—there would be no survivors, only a one-way trip. As a result, some people grew afraid, crying to withdraw from the tree-cutting teams, while others, thinking it would be a test, decided to go first and collect their travel expenses. When the Red Army actually fought, they would simply run away after a brief engagement.
P69-70