February 1945

CHAPTER II

AN EMBARRASSING POSITION

WITH the Communists' sweep through Changyi, Wang Shang-chih had been brought out of his place of imprisonment, and was escorted to a village on the west bank of the Wei River, where he stayed for several days, still under guard.

Considering it an appropriate opportunity, one of his old and trusted friends came out as negotiator and, calling on Yu-min, advised the liberation of Wang, whose military experience and ability would at this time be of great assistance to the unit. Yu-min, disconsolate and not a little depressed at the turn of events, agreed to see Wang Shang-chih, and a meeting of reconciliation took place between them. Yu-min criticised himself for the plight to which he had brought the Fifteenth, and Wang on his part shed tears of repentance. New plans were discussed between them for the best way of dealing with the Communists. Suddenly, amidst the reconciliatory atmosphere, Wang Shang-chih seized a gun from one of the bodyguards, forced his way out of the room, and, mounting a horse that was waiting for him, galloped away without hindrance.

That there was some conspiracy afoot was obvious. A few days later we heard that Wang had visited the puppet commander at Weihsien and had gone on further to the west to Changed, where he stayed pending further developments.

With Wang again a free man, there was much speculation as to what the next development would be. Secretly, one or two of his old friends visited him at Changlo, returning to spread rumours of his possible return and the advisability of seeking Japanese co-operation in regaining control of their native soil. As these rumours grew, so we became more uneasy in our own position.

Several months previously we had received a communication from the camp, advising us that they had been approached by the Communists in very much the same manner as they had first been approached by the Fifteenth, with an offer of rescue and safe transportation to Yenan, the Communist capital. We advised a polite refusal but at the same time considered it desirable for them to keep the channel of communication open. With the deterioration in the situation we sent in a message asking the camp to re-establish communications with the Communists and, if possible, to advise them of our intended move. It was quite impossible for us to get into touch with them as long as we were so closely attached to Headquarters.

Unfortunately the situation developed with such rapidity that we could not afford to await developments from negotiations between the camp and the Communists, and decided to take the risk and leave before any further complications arose.

The Communists were already pressing hard and had crossed the river in several night attacks on the puppet garrisons to the north of us. If this continued, we should find ourselves pushed to the very outskirts of Weihsien city. Our Chinese friends had a fair chance, but we, as two foreigners, were in an impossible position. The facial characteristics of the average Westerner are so completely different from those of an Asiatic that disguise is practically impossible at anything under twenty yards. In the winter we used to wind woollen mufflers over the lower part of our faces and with the aid of a Chinese fur hat and dark glasses could get away with it, but in the summer it was another proposition.

From the point of view of the camp, if, as it appeared, the Communists were going to succeed in occupying the whole of this part of Shantung, it would be just as well if we did go over to them. After all, they were Chinese and appeared just as interested in looking after the welfare of the internees as the Fifteenth, particularly in view of the propaganda value.

The evening we chose for our get-away commenced with a thunderstorm and a great deal of heavy rain. For lack of other quarters, our orderly was sleeping in our room, and it was difficult to get rid of him. We proposed this mission and that, but he always knew the answers or else came back before we had completed our arrangements. In the end we sent him off to the other end of the village with a letter to the radio station, requesting certain information which we knew would take some time to obtain. It was soon after eight when he left; the sky had cleared and, in spite of the now heavy going after the rain, we decided to carry through our plan.

Taking some dry bread and dismantling the inner tubes from our bicycles to assist us in swimming across the river, we crept cautiously out of our quarters and made for the village wall. It was very dark but as we approached we could see the outline of bushes on top of the wall against the sky. We tried to locate our sentries but there was no movement. We knew only too well that if any of the patrols on the wall had as much as a glimpse of a moving figure in the vicinity, they would shoot. We could still see no sign of anyone and decided to take a chance. Climbing up the inside wall by the help of bushes, we slithered down the outside slope and dashed for the cover of the kaoliang crops.

The moon was not yet up but we had a rough knowledge of the surrounding country. We knew that if we continued directly east, sooner or later we would come to the river. As we were in puppet territory we could not follow the roads, which meant cutting across country. Checking on the stars, we plodded through kaoliang, acres and acres of it, over rough fields and untilled land, stumbling and falling into ditches. It was hard going, the ground was wet and slippery, and it was not long before we were soaked through from the wet kaoliang, our hands and knees cut and smarting from continual pushing through the rough leaves.

We had been going for five hours before, coming to the top of a ridge; we saw below us the wide expanse of the river, a broad silver band under the light of the moon. Consider-ably heartened, we pushed on down the ridge towards the river-bed, fortunately at a familiar spot, for we immediately realised that we were too far to the south. There were still small detachments of our own troops across the river from this point, and in order to avoid running into them we retraced our steps inland again for about a mile with the intention of crossing the river further north. We continued parallel with the river, heading in a northerly direction. Guided here and there by a familiar landmark, we had a fairly good idea as to where we were and, as the sky began to pale in the east, we turned directly towards the river.

Drawing near the bank of the river we took cover in the thick kaoliang crops, and slowly pushing our way through we at last emerged into a clear space about fifty yards from the river's edge. On the very edge of the bank were large shrubs. As we came out of the kaoliang we noticed that the wet ground between us and the river was covered with footprints. We decided that they were probably the result of a Communist raiding party landing at this point during the night, or a Japanese unit leaving for an attack on the Communists on the other side of the river. We were tired by then and, I suppose, rather careless, but drawing our revolvers, we followed the well-muddied track to the edge of the river. I was leading, with Arthur following about ten yards behind. Suddenly, from behind the bushes, up sprang a very sleepy-looking Chinese bestrung with leather straps from which dangled pistols and belts of ammunition. He was as surprised to see us as we were to see him. For a moment we both stood still looking at each other in amazement, and then he shouted. Half turning, we ran for the nearby kaoliang, watching him as we went. Simultaneously heads began to pop up from behind the bushes all along the river-bank in the immediate vicinity. A Japanese ran after us, shouting and firing haphazard shots; others followed. Reaching the kaoliang, we took a couple of pot-shots at them and dived for cover. We ran as hard as we could, into one patch and out at the other side, across open space and into more kaoliang. We continued to run, keeping under cover as much as possible, until we were literally exhausted and somewhat scared. Behind us there was a good deal of shooting and shouting, but it gradually died down without getting any nearer. Knowing that we were armed, it was most unlikely that they would dare to follow us into the kaoliang; for all they knew, we might be two of a hundred.

Having recovered our breath, we found we were too near the edge of the crops and, moving further into the middle, we cut down stalks to make a pallet and lay down to rest. In about an hour we heard both rifle and machine-gun fire which was soon joined by a light cannon. For the best part of half an hour a one-sided battle seemed to be going on, probably for our benefit. Evidently we had stumbled upon a Japanese and puppet party from the nearby garrison who were guarding the river against a possible attempt by the Communists to cross. We thought it unlikely that they would have recognised us as foreigners; they had probably taken us for Communist infiltrators and were putting up the present racket to let us know that they were on our tracks.

As the sun mounted in the sky, so the heat intensified, and with the sun directly overhead we had little or no shade. The recent rain had left the atmosphere humid and heavy and we were soon soaked with perspiration. At noon we chewed up some of the dry bread, but without water it was difficult to swallow.

At the first signs of dusk, we stealthily made our way towards the river. From the glimpse that we had had that morning, it appeared to be flooded from bank to bank, and now as we approached we heard the roar of the water. Coming into full view of the river, we realised that it would be sheer foolishness to swim across. Reluctantly we gave up the idea; we could not possibly wander about the country, infested as it was with puppet and Japanese troops, waiting for the river to fall, which might take days. Our immediate necessity was water: the river water, thick with yellow mud, was out of the question and we set off to find something to drink. After half an hour of walking directly inland, we found ourselves amongst cultivated market gardens, evidently on the outskirts of a village. Soon we were stumbling across a melon field towards a crude mud hut, which acted as a shelter for the person whose job it was to watch over the melon crop. The hut was empty, but it smelt of tobacco smoke as if only recently vacated. Looking round outside the hut we came across an earthenware container, filled to the brim with water. A half-gourd dipper floated on the top. Greedily we scooped up dippers full of this brackish but deliciously cool water, and greatly refreshed, we decided to look around in the hope that we would find someone.

Soon we came upon another hut. "Anybody there?" we asked. But there was no response. We pushed open the door and immediately sensed that it was not deserted. Feeling around in the darkness, my hand came to rest on a leg. "Who are you?" I asked. "Speak." "Lao pai hsing," came the reply, meaning "a peasant". "Good! Do not be afraid — we are friends." Evidently reassured, the man got up and followed us outside. "Where do you come from?" we asked him.

"I am a native of that village just over there. The Communists are about tonight and I thought I would be safer here. Who are you and where do you come from?"

We explained that we were with the Fifteenth but had lost our unit, and asked him to guide us to the road that led back to the village from which he had come.

"No, no, I dare not do that. I do not know the way and it is too dangerous. Ah! Here come my friends, perhaps they will help you." We heard the squelch of footsteps to our right and, drawing our pistols, stepped back from the hut.

Presently two men approached. "Old Liu," they asked, "Who are you talking to?"

"It is nothing — just two of our friends who were passing. Come, have a smoke."

"What is the news from the village? I have not been back there today." "Indeed, these are troublesome times for the likes of us. The Japanese, the puppets, the guerrillas, and now the Communists . . .", and so they rambled on.

Convinced now that they were nothing but peasants from a neighbouring village, we stepped forward.

They were afraid, but the older man whom we had first met reassured them. We sat down to share their pipe, and talked, and eventually worked around to the question of one of them guiding us, but they steadfastly refused. Well, how about something to eat? Yes, perhaps that could be arranged. And after much more talk, one of them agreed to try and get back to his home in the village to fetch some food.

In an hour he returned with warm bread and a kettle of hot water. We felt much better and, getting detailed directions from them, set off on the return trip, having decided there was no alternative.

This time we decided that if we could find the road we would take a chance and follow it. We did eventually, and after a little while recognised it as a road we had travelled on several occasions during the last ten days, so felt confident of being able to find our way back. We had gone almost half-way and were walking up a steep ascent when, as we turned a slight bend, there was a sudden commotion at the edge of the crops overlooking the road. Several figures dashed back into deeper cover away from the road. Simultaneously there was an explosion some twenty yards in front of us — a hand-grenade. We disappeared into the kaoliang on the opposite side of the road. Ahead of us was a village and we were forced to make a wide detour, during which time hand-grenades exploded in all directions in the vicinity of the village. "We seem to have started something," said Arthur. "They are probably blowing each other up in the excitement." West of the village we got hack on to the road.

About seven that morning we arrived back at the village from which we had started. Headquarters had moved four hours earlier and none of the villagers, of course, knew where they had gone. Thoroughly worn out, we went back to our old billet and called the landlord. We could not stay there without the protection of our unit, otherwise the puppets or the Japs would be after us in no time, but, on the other hand, it was useless to wander around the countryside looking for Headquarters.

We asked the landlord to call the village headman, taking a chance that he would play square, and not hand us over to the puppets or the Japanese. They soon returned, and the headman was very polite and said that although he did not know where the Fifteenth had gone, he could find out and would send word to them that we were here. In the mean-time we could rest assured that no harm would come to us and he would prepare us a meal. We were soon comfortably full of hot noodles and fast asleep on the k'ang.

In the late afternoon we were awakened by a couple of Yu-min's bodyguards who had been sent to escort us back to Headquarters.

Somewhat shamefaced and considerably embarrassed, we went in to see Yu-min, who, with some of our other friends, was just sitting down to a meal. He was so relieved to see us that there were no recriminations whatsoever; most of our friends seemed to think our escapade a great joke and it was weeks before we heard the end of it. Others, with very obvious tact, avoided mentioning it at all.

We had arrived apparently at an appropriate time, as preparations were going ahead to return to our area by cutting in at the southernmost point. Everyone was very cheerful at the prospect and from our point of view it was fortunate, as it detracted attention from our little adventure.

Soon after dark we set off, everything going smoothly until we came to the ford across the river just north of Tsoshan station. The water was still very high and running swiftly. The foot soldiers had to strip completely, tie their clothes and ammunition to their rifles which they held above their heads, and wade across. Even those on horseback found it necessary to take off their trousers and tie them round their necks. Half the column were about over and most of the horses were in mid-stream followed by the balance of the foot soldiers, when rifle fire broke out some distance up the bank towards which we were heading. Bullets cut into the water around us or ricocheted off in uncertain directions. We broke formation and urged our horses on towards the bank. One or two of them stumbled and submerged their riders. I can well remember the picture made by Yu-min's minute secretary, thrown off his horse, floundering in about five feet of water and being supported every now and again by a huge six-foot soldier wading alongside him, one hand under the secretary's chin and the other holding up his rifle and clothes. I had a couple of soldiers hanging on to the tail of my horse. As soon as our men reached dry land, they opened fire without stopping to dress. In about fifteen minutes the opposition subsided and Yu-min ordered everyone to the nearest village at the double. I should like to have seen the faces of the guards on the gate as they opened to admit a crowd of naked soldiers with rifles slung over their shoulders; not to mention the Headquarters staff officers who, pantless, rode through the portals of the village gate with the dignity of their position weighing heavily upon them, and saluting the guards as they passed.

This village, lying but a few miles from the railway, was renowned for the number of rich families who had lived there at one time and had built themselves huge residences. Yu-min was quartered in a veritable palace with numerous courtyards, vermilion pillars and carved lattice-work.

News had come through that the Japanese, alarmed by the Communists' occupation of the Fifteenth area, which brought them into too close proximity to the railway for the former's liking, had sent off an expedition in an attempt to drive them back.

As they recaptured points from the Communists, placed them in the hands of the puppet troops, and themselves with-drew, so Yu-min planned to seize the opportunity and retake such points himself. It was a bold move, but unfortunately the Japanese, on hearing that Yu-min had occupied this village, called reinforcements from a neighbouring station and prepared to attack us. Again we were forced to withdraw to west of the river.

The Japanese met with little success in their raid on the Communists now occupying our area and the situation for the Fifteenth showed no improvement. Men and officers became despondent. Frequent secret trips were made by certain Headquarters officers. There was now definite rumour of a split in the camp. One party headed by Wang Shang-chih advocated co-operation with the Japanese as the only means of winning back the area. Yu-min stood out for non cooperation. A deputation was sent to Changlo to bring Wang Shang-chih back, and on his return he soon had the backing of his old friends — with them, of course, went the soldiers under their command.

Yu-min found himself in the minority, but in no circumstances would he agree to any dealings with the Japanese. He talked it over with us many times: "For eight years I have struggled against the Japanese; for four years I have led this unit against them, and now, with the hour of victory in sight, they ask me to co-operate with them. Never will I have it said of myself or of my unit as long as I lead them, that we have co-operated with these dwarf devils. Rather than see this come to pass, I will go to Chungking. With your help I shall be able to fly from Fuyang and with your co-operation I will obtain supplies of ammunition in Chungking. Then I will return. I will not spare those who have had dealings with the Japanese."

In due course we wrote the necessary letters of introduction for him and at last all was ready. It was a depressing scene and there were few of Yu-min's friends to bid him goodbye. "We will meet again soon. Whilst I am away I have instructed our friend Chao Chih-yi to be personally responsible for your safety. He is our mutual friend and I leave you with him in the knowledge that he will protect you with his life. After I have gone you will doubtless hear many things to my discredit. Some may be true and some not, but nobody will dare say that I am a traitor." Shaking hands, he mounted his favourite horse and left the village accompanied by half a dozen of his trusted personal bodyguards and a column of one hundred men of the "43rd".

Later that evening we moved on to "Peach Blossom Village by the River" where Chih-yi made his Headquarters. We had comfortable quarters and spent the next few days in reading and bathing in the river, anxiously awaiting further developments.

Three or four days had passed when one morning a messenger arrived from Wang Shang-chin's Headquarters with a letter requesting that we pay him a visit. After some discussion with Chih-yi, he decided to accompany us, just in case there should be any treachery. As soon as we arrived we were taken to Wang Shang-chili's room, where we found him discussing the question of supplies with the head of the Military Supply Department. Dismissing everyone but his secretary, he asked us to sit down. «It is indeed a pleasure to meet you. I have followed with interest the efforts that you have made to assist my unit and I would like to take this opportunity of expressing my thanks. As you know, it was I who opened negotiations with the camp, and although, since my return, ill-health has forced me to retire from public affairs, I never ceased to be concerned over the welfare of our Allied friends so cruelly interned by the devils. Now that I have reluctantly been persuaded to participate again in active affairs, I am anxious to know if there is anything that we can do to alleviate the suffering and hardships of our friends."

We explained to him what had been done up to date, and that we were in constant touch with the camp, and added that we would not hesitate to call upon him at any time we needed help.

We then enquired as to his immediate plans and what our position would be in relation to them. "You have nothing to fear, I have already taken the necessary precautions. As you know, the situation occasioned by Yu-min's cowardly retreat and his subsequent flight to safety is a very grave one. We have done more than our share in the war of resistance for the past seven years, but the time has come when one must take a more practical view of things. We are beaten. We cannot continue indefinitely to rove here and there at the sufferance of the Japanese and their puppets, within areas under their control. Better is it by far to swallow our pride and make use of the Japanese for as long as it serves our purpose. Once we are back again in our own area, then we may act as we please."

Wang Shang-chili suggested that we stay around for a day or two, and he arranged quarters for us in the village. Here we met many of our old friends who had been instrumental in the return of Wang. Life was on a very much more frivolous scale in this new Headquarters. Opium and heroin were openly smoked by people who, under the Yu-min regime, had held up their hands in sanctimonious horror at the very mention of it. Sing-song girls and mah-jongg were back in favour and Japanese officials from the nearby garrison were lavishly entertained at official dinners. But we were secretly glad to see that there were nevertheless a number of familiar faces missing.

The following afternoon Wang came to pay us a visit and, after sitting down, handed us a radio message he had just received from Chungking. It was from General Tai Li stating that it was proposed to send a shipment of ammunition, and also requesting particulars of a suitable location at which to drop the packages. Again our hopes were revived, but at the same time we realised the difficulties, as we were within two miles of the Japanese garrison at Tsoshan station. A measure of understanding had been reached between Wang Shang-chih and the Japanese, but we were still uncertain how far this went. However, it seemed likely that this ammunition was being sent for use against the Communists rather than the Japanese. Wang Shang-chih felt confident that there would be no complications, and if the quantity was sufficient it might afford an opportunity of cutting the Japanese apron-strings. In due course arrangements were made and a radio message sent to Chungking, giving full particulars. Although this appeared to us to be an entirely Chinese affair, Wang Shang-chih seemed to hold us responsible, put us in charge of all the arrangements and that night entertained us with a very lavish dinner.

The location we had chosen for this dropping was north of "Peach Blossom" village, and the following morning we returned. Chih-yi and his regiment were quartered in the northern part of the village and we had rooms in the southern part. To our surprise we were awakened at daybreak by Chih-yi's personal servant, who rushed into the room and asked if we were still there. Arthur mumbled something about the advisability of his buying a pair of spectacles at the next village market, and turned over and went to sleep again. Within half an hour Chih-yi himself came in: "How relieved I am to find you! I should never have forgiven myself if he had taken you."

"What is all this about? First your servant comes, wakes us up and asks if we are still here, and now you seem surprised to see us. What has happened?"

"Didn't you hear the shots last night? Yu-min, six of his bodyguards and a few stragglers returned, overcame the guard at the north gate and forced more than half of my troops to follow him. They have gone to the east. If he had known you were here, I am sure he would have taken both of you with him."

Since Yu-ruin's departure for Chungking, Chih-yi had remained on his own. Although on friendly terms with Wang Shang-chih, he had taken good care to billet his regiment some distance from Headquarters. He had not approved of the negotiations proceeding with the Japanese and was adopting a "wait and see" policy. When news of Yu-min's daring act reached Wang Shang-chih, he picked a Company Commander well known for his hatred of Yu-min and, with two hundred troops, sent him after Yu-min with instructions to bring him back dead or alive.

By midnight a messenger returned with the news that they had caught up with Yu-min's detachment and that fighting had broken out between them. Just before dawn another messenger arrived. Chih-yi's troops, who had gone with Yu-min, had capitulated, some had been killed and many wounded. They had been disarmed and were now on their way back. Yu-min with two or three of his bodyguard had got away and it was thought that he was wounded. But the search was being continued. It was known that they were on foot and there was little chance of them getting far.

For two days we heard no news, then at last word came through. Yu-min had reached Kaomi safely. Although it was not wise to appear too jubilant, we were delighted. From Kaomi, Yu-min issued a proclamation to the effect that he had just returned from a conference with the Governor of Shantung, who had secretly returned to the province, and he had been confirmed in his position as Commander of the Fifteenth. He denounced Wang Shang-chih as a traitor deserving of capital punishment and called on his troops and loyal followers to join him at Kaomi.

At the time of Yu-min's departure it was officially announced that he had gone on a visit to the Governor of Shantung, who had recently returned to Shantung on a secret tour of inspection. During the first night of his journey he had been attacked by troops at the instigation of Wang Shang-chih, but during the attack Yu-min and his personal bodyguard escaped and succeeded in reaching the Governor's Headquarters in safety. The Governor told him of the persistent rumours of peace; the dropping of a fantastic bomb that had completely wiped out a Japanese city; the confident expectation that Russia would join in the war against Japan, and that it was a matter of weeks before Japan capitulated. It was his duty to return and rally his forces around him. Convinced, Yu-min decided to forgo his pro-posed trip to Chungking and return immediately.

The Governor was not in a position to offer him an additional escort and he set off again with only his original six personal bodyguards. As he neared the northern half of the railway zone in which the remnants of the Fifteenth were now crowded between the Communists to the north and the Japanese on the railway, he gathered information regarding the location of the scattered units. Learning that Chih-yi's troops were in a rather isolated position at "Peach Blossom" village, he decided that this would offer the best opportunity.

He arrived in the vicinity of "Peach Blossom" village in the afternoon and, hiding in a convenient clump of trees, sent one of his bodyguards who had a relation in Chih-yi's regiment into the village to investigate. By dusk he had returned. There was divided opinion amongst Chih-yi's troops, but Yu-min decided to take a chance and entered the village just before midnight. Within an hour he was on his way, determined to fight through the Communists with the two hundred of Chih-yi's troops that he had gathered, to the pocketed but intact "44th» regiment at Kaomi.

Escaping with three of his bodyguards from Wang Shang-chih's troops, he had been forced to spend the entire day hidden in the wheat crops, and travelling on foot by night. His pony had been shot from under him and two of his body-guards had been killed and one wounded; he himself had narrowly escaped being captured.

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