On the Expedition Road: Talking Past and Present with Chinese Expeditionary Force Veterans in Myanmar

Author: Yu Zhiyun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: During the tumultuous War of Resistance against Japan in the Chinese nation, the Battle of Western Yunnan and the Chinese Expeditionary Force's entry into Burma to fight against Japan were renowned campaigns on the main front. This battle witnessed immense hardship, heavy sacrifices, abundant achievements, and great international significance, unparalleled on the main front. The soldiers who experienced this battle each had their own story, yet for years, accounts of these stories were scarce in mainland China. The stories of the veterans who remained in Burma were even rarer. They all shared a wish: to see a formal publication recording their experiences in their lifetime. This book combines interview notes, recollections, commemorations, and discussions, structured into four parts: Seeking, Remembering, Honoring, and Cherishing. Most of the book is written in the first-person perspective of the participants, showcasing the experiences, actions, thoughts, and emotions of the Chinese Expeditionary Force veterans who remained in Burma over six decades. It includes both the heroic struggles for the survival of the nation and the hardships of striving for personal survival; it features both the indomitable spirit of heroes and the sorrow and helplessness of strangers in a foreign land. This book has also fulfilled their wishes: witnessing the strength of the Chinese nation and the recognition of their homeland.