War veterans recall stories of fighting against Japanese invasion

Ma Daolai, 85, a former intelligence officer, tells the "bamboo burning" story. [Photo by Liu Mengyan/chinadaily.com.cn]

Burning of the bamboo fence

Wang Jinfu, who served in the main force in central Jiangsu, told how he had taken part in the "bamboo burning" movement, which happened in the counties of Qidong, Haimen, Nantong and part of Rugao.

According to Ma Daolai, 85, a former intelligence officer, the Japanese built a bamboo fence and increased troops to blockade the villages. He recalled that the Japanese were trying to launch a "mopping-up" operation in the area.

The Chinese military in the region organized a 40,000-strong force of soldiers and civilians to dismantle the bamboo fence stretching for 352 meters and destroyed more than four million bamboo sticks.

Ma sang a ballad to our reporter describing the scene at the burning of the bamboo fence.