China's forgotten army

Revenge attacks

However, retribution was the order of the day, according to Wen: "Under the leadership of the CPC, NAJUA killed many Japanese and puppet army soldiers, so the Japanese carried out crazy acts of revenge that caused huge casualties to NAJUA, including several top leaders."

Bai witnessed one of the cruelest acts. "The Japanese killed commander Yang Jingyu in 1940. They put his head in a glass case and ordered four Chinese to parade it around the villages in our county. I couldn't helping crying when I saw his head with its square face and long beard," he said.

By 1940, only about 1,000 NAJUA troops were left, so they were evacuated to the Soviet Union to recover.

"Most of my comrades were killed. Very few survived," Bai said.

"I've outlived all of my former comrades. I have enough food and I sleep in a warm house in winter. I need nothing more," he said.

Cao believes the NAJUA troops were the unsung heroes of China's struggle against Japan, and their memory should be honored accordingly.

"Every time I say goodbye to one of these veterans, I worry that it may be our last meeting. These old men are heroes of our country. Now they are in the autumns of their lives, and they deserve the very best we can provide for them," he said.

Contact the writer at: hena@chinadaily.com.cn