In modern times, China, which is poor and weak, has faced a situation of deep national crisis and national turmoil. From the Sino-Japanese Sino-Japanese War to the September 18 Incident and then to the July 7 Incident, the ambitions of Japanese imperialism to invade and destroy China were completely exposed, and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression became a war that had a vital bearing on the life and death of the Chinese nation.
It is precisely at such a moment that countless sons and daughters of China have stepped forward and heroically sacrificed their lives for the sake of the country and the nation.
In a photo taken by an American reporter, a young "baby soldier" appeared in the anti-Japanese army. Why was he able to enlist in the army and fight against the Japanese when he was not yet an adult?
Natural and man-made disasters, displacement
In 1942, the iron hooves of the Japanese Kou had already crossed the Central Plains, and while the people at the bottom were oppressed by the invaders, a rare natural disaster struck them mercilessly.
This year, there was a severe drought in the Central Plains, and the bottom peasants who relied on the sky to eat had no grain in their fields, and they were in a chaotic world, and they could not get any relief. For this reason, the people in the disaster areas went out to flee the wilderness and flocked to the rear of the War of Resistance.
Among the many refugees, Chen Youli, who lost his parents due to natural disasters, is particularly desolate. At the age of twelve, he was promoted by the tide of refugees and experienced many hardships, and finally came to the rear of the Anti-Japanese War - Yunnan region.
It was difficult to make a living and entered the army
Having escaped invaders and drought, Chen Youli, who had come to Yunnan, was still in a difficult situation. Young and unskilled, he struggled to make a living in a troubled world.
Fortunately, there was no invincible road in the sky, and Chen Youli, who was full of thoughts, saw the notice of the army recruitment and went to sign up with the attitude of trying it out.
How could this twelve-year-old orphan, who was not yet the height of a rifle, join the army and fight? But Chen Youli's miserable life was sympathized with, and the recruiters eventually agreed to "take him in".
Raise horses and work hard to survive
After Chen Youli entered the army, it was naturally impossible to receive normal training and combat like other soldiers. A groom of the 200th Division of the Fifth Army saw that he was pitiful, so he asked Chen Youli to lay hands on himself, do some chores to release horses, and eat mixed food.
Although Chen Youli is young, he clearly knows that only hard work can survive in the chaotic world, and the errand of releasing horses is meticulously done, and gradually gets everyone's approval.
Chen Youli, who had a lively personality, later took the initiative to serve as a "service soldier" for the company commander, running errands for the company commander to pass on the message, and the company commander was very fond of the diligent Chen Youli and received him from time to time.
Train with the army and leave a photo
In 1943, Chen Youli's army was transferred by his superiors to India for training, and chen Youli, a "service soldier", accompanied the army and underwent rigorous training with the troops.
After eight months of training, the unit was formally incorporated into the Chinese Expeditionary Force and went to Burma to fight against the Japanese invaders. On the way to the front line, the American reporter in charge of the interview accidentally saw the young Chen Youli.
This experienced American war correspondent who has experienced vicissitudes is still deeply touched by Chen Youli's tragic death. Therefore, the American reporter took a photo of Chen Youli's military service, and among the many soldiers, Chen Youli's young body was particularly distinctive.
Time moves and traces
Decades later, China, which emerged from the crisis, became richer and stronger, and the deeds of that year were gradually eroded by the years. It was not until that precious historical photo was known to the public along with the declassification of the US military archives that people ignited a passion for this "baby soldier".
Enthusiastic volunteers launched a campaign to find the protagonist of the "baby soldier carrying a gun to resist Japan", and after some efforts and twists and turns, Chen Youli was finally confirmed as the protagonist of the photo. Chen Youli, who appeared in people's field of vision again, is already an 83-year-old man.
Reminiscing about the past, old tears flowed
Seeing the photos he left behind 70 years ago, the elderly Chen Youli couldn't help but reminisce about the past of the anti-Japanese army. Although he was young and did not have any combat ability, Chen Youli, who had joined the army, experienced more than fifty battles in large and small battles on the anti-Japanese battlefield.
After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Chen Youli followed the troops to Shandong, and during the Liberation War, he was captured by our army and became a soldier of the People's Liberation Army.
After that, Chen Youli participated in the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, and because of his bravery and good fighting, he won the third class meritorious service once again, and once again dedicated his own strength to defending his family and defending the country.
After retiring from the army at the end of his life, Chen Youli chose to spend his old age in the countryside of Guiyang, an orphan who once lived a miserable life, and enjoyed the beauty of the new society in his later years.
brief summary
Chen Youli was born in the old society of internal and external troubles and turmoil, and a lonely orphan could only risk joining the army to maintain his own life.
After experiencing the baptism of war, Chen Youli finally chose a correct path of struggle and continued to make efforts and dedications to national security. In the new society, the happy life in the old age may be a kind of blessing in the underworld
Reference: "Resistance Baby Soldier"