Illustrated History of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-1945)

Author: Zhang Xianwen, Editor-in-Chief
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-08-01
Features: During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, the anti-invasion war of the Chinese nation gradually developed into two major battlefields—the front battlefield and the rear battlefield. In the early stages of the comprehensive war, the Eighth Route Army had not yet advanced into the rear areas and was still fighting in coordination with friendly forces on the front or flanks. Meanwhile, in the rear areas, the Kuomintang also launched guerrilla warfare. The emergence of two battlefields, both interconnected yet relatively independent, during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was an inevitable outcome of historical development. Faced with a formidable enemy, the Communist and Kuomintang parties united to resist Japan, but significant political disagreements still existed between them. Mao Zedong once pointed out, "Under current and general conditions, it is necessary and appropriate for the Kuomintang to take on the regular warfare on the front and for the Communist Party to engage in guerrilla warfare in the rear." The relationship of mutual support and interdependence between the two battlefields existed throughout the entire War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. During the strategic defensive phase, the two battlefields coordinated well. Mao Zedong's ideas on the protracted war had a significant influence on the upper echelons of the Nationalist government. After the Eighth Route Army entered Shanxi, it participated in successive battles such as Pingxingguan, Xinkou, and Taiyuan. The New Fourth Army in the Ehuai-Bianjiang region also coordinated with friendly forces to conduct dozens of battles of varying scales against Japanese troops. The tacit strategic coordination between the two battlefields directly impacted the development of the overall war situation. The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army's strategic offensive operations in the rear areas provided undeniable support to the Nationalist Party's strategic defensive operations. According to incomplete statistics, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army fought more than 1,600 battles during the strategic defensive phase, eliminating over 54,000 enemy soldiers; from 1938 to 1943, during the strategic stalemate phase, they fought more than 62,000 battles, eliminating over 590,000 Japanese and puppet soldiers, and“”、“”; in 1944 alone, they fought more than 20,000 battles, eliminating nearly 300,000 Japanese and puppet soldiers. The rear battlefield tied down a large number of enemy forces, alleviating pressure on the front battlefield and making significant contributions to the entire Chinese anti-invasion war. In summary, both battlefields contributed to safeguarding the independence and territorial integrity of the Chinese nation. Denying the status or role of either battlefield is inappropriate; they are an integral part of the entire Chinese battlefield and the national anti-invasion war. This book, with its rich illustrations and detailed text, provides incisive discussions on the positions of the Communist and Kuomintang parties during the war, the roles of the front and rear battlefields, and other related issues, while also presenting a comprehensive picture of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The book features precious images, thorough research, and accessible language. Reading it allows one to understand the tragic history of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and relive the great spirit of the Chinese people uniting to resist aggression.