In June 1938, the Japanese army launched a large-scale attack on Jiujiang, Jiangxi, the situation in Jiujiang was critical, although Chiang Kai-shek had already mobilized troops to help, but the gap was still very large, Chiang Kai-shek temporarily took the Guizhou security force to the front line and reorganized it into the Reserve 2nd Division.
After going to the battlefield, the reserve 2nd Division failed to improve the battle situation, but was passive everywhere, and the division commander was even more of a sack of wine, and Chiang Kai-shek was helpless, so he invited Chen Mingren to take over the post of division commander.
Before leaving, Chen Mingren assured Chiang Kai-shek: "There are no weak soldiers under the strong generals, and they will not retreat from the Japanese army and will never retreat from Jiujiang!" ”
Chiang Kai-shek just smiled at that time, probably thinking in his heart: How else can you fight a miscellaneous army?
After Chen Mingren arrived at the Jiujiang position, he immediately arrested a few officers who had been ineffective in combat before him and said loudly: "I despise deserters the most, let alone some regimental commanders and brigade commanders!" With a wave of his hand, several officers were taken outside and executed.
When the generals of the whole division saw the situation, they were immediately solemn.
Chen Mingren summoned all the soldiers of the division and said loudly: "The duty of a soldier is to defend the family and defend the country, and now that the Japanese Kou are attacking, we have wiped out the whole division, and we must not take a step back!" ”
On July 23, the Japanese launched a fierce attack on Poyang Lake, especially the air force, and began a heavy bombardment of the Chinese defenders' positions, and warships on the river also launched a series of bombardments on the shore fortifications. At that time, the 8 divisions in the hands of the commander-in-chief Zhang Fakui were defeated and their positions fell one after another, but Chen Mingren's reserve 2nd Division became one of the few bright spots.
In the face of the indiscriminate bombardment of the Japanese army, Chen Mingren ordered the troops to deal with it calmly, and repelled the Japanese charge again and again, not only did not lose the position, but was as stable as a rock until the end of the battle.
In the Battle of Jiujiang, Chen Mingren fought with the Japanese army to the end with a miscellaneous army, and played a record that the ace army did not have, which made Chiang Kai-shek look at him with astonishment.
In May 1944, in order to open up the Burma Road, which had been interrupted for a long time by the Japanese army, Chen Mingren was ordered to lead the 71st Army to attack Longling, an important town on the Burma Road.
At that time, the Japanese army was building fortifications between Longling and Songshan, heavily guarded, Chen Mingren learned of the situation, decided to avoid the heavy and light, first take the Zhen'an Street between Longling and Songshan, cut off the retreat of the Japanese army in Songshan, and then come to a "dumpling" to launch a full attack on the enemy of Songshan.
However, after conquering Zhen'an Street, Chen Mingren handed over the defensive responsibility to the 87th Division, but the performance of the division commander Zhang Shaoxun greatly ignited him. What's going on?
It turned out that after the Japanese troops in Tengchong learned that Zhen'an Street had been captured, they decided to send a reinforcement squadron to rescue them, and Zhang Shaoxun, who was responsible for blocking the attack, heard the news and actually had the idea of retreating from the front. Not only that, he also called Song Xilin, commander-in-chief of the 11th Army, who, after listening, instructed Zhang Shaoxun to change positions.
However, what Zhang Shaoxun did not expect was that this matter was actually known to Chen Mingren.
It turned out that Chen Mingren had something to report to Song Xilian, so he called the phone, and just happened to hear Song Xilian's conversation with Zhang Shaoxun, chen Mingren was angry and scolded: "Zhang Shaoxun, are you going to be a deserter?" I tell you, now that the 71st Army is under my command, no one can move around! ”
At the same time, Chen Mingren said to Song Xilian: "The commander-in-chief cannot interfere in the combat command of the 71st Army!" If Zhen'an Street is lost, Zhang Shaoxun will come to see you! ”
After Zhang Shaoxun hung up the phone, his face was hot, and he actually had suicidal thoughts, and shot at himself, but he did not die and was rescued. What do you mean by that? With this temperament, it is better to die on the battlefield!
After Chen Mingren heard the news of Zhang Shaoxun's suicide, he was even more angry, saying: "It is a shame that a deserter is still thinking of committing suicide!" Even if he wasn't dead, I'd shoot him!" Of course, under the persuasion of everyone, Chen Mingren did not shoot Zhang Shaoxun in the end.
However, because of this incident, no one in the 71st Army dared to retreat lightly, and finally under the command of Chen Mingren, all the Japanese brigades in Songshan were annihilated, and a big victory was won!
It should be said that among the senior generals of the Nationalist army, Chen Mingren's military ability can rank in the top ten, but such a brave general, Chiang Kai-shek will not use it, and finally let Chen Mingren abandon the dark and join the camp of our army.
In 1955, Chen Mingren was awarded the title of founding general, becoming one of only three rebel generals.
On May 21, 1974, General Chen Mingren died of illness at the age of 71.