General Sun was the most truely respected and loved man of his time. He made Chinese proud with his great victories over Japan in the battles within Burma throughout the China-Burma-India Theater operation against the Japanese invasion. American volunteers and British units fighting side by side with General Sun's units admired his New First Army and the General. Every one respect him and love him from simple facts and deeds, not because of propaganda material.
General Sun considered little soldiers (privates) treasures of the nation. He loved them and took good care of them. This is the key for the fighting strength of his army. Because he wanted his officers to treat the soldiers well, everyone in the army is a member of a big family. During any battle, everyone engaged in combat knew what everyone else was doing. They faught as a single unit, and they support each other. Because General Sun will not easily sacrifice a single man, his men completely trusted his judgement. He overcome his enamies using his tacktics and intelligent strategies. His leadership won the heat and soul of his officers and men. Everyone considered it a great honour to serve under him or be his subordinates.
Millions of people ever served under him or have ever worked with him felt and still feel his intense love. His honesty was and still is an inspiration for all. Under his leadership, even small units have delivered incredible power in combat. His opponents were afraid of him, yet respected him at the same time.
Gen. Sun became the Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Republic of China when the Nationalists retreated to Taiwan. His army stabilized Taiwan, and he won the respect of everyone. His popularity was a concern for President Chiang Kai Shek. Chiang's son Ching Kuo was very jealous of him.
After having seen many children scattered in the Army, General Sun put them
in one single unit called The Children Group. He provided this group of
1300 kids an opportunity to be educated like other children in the country.
Chiang Ching Kuo was jealous of every thing General Sun did, and told his
father Chiang Kai Shek to dissolve (disaband) the Children Group.
The Kids Group was dissolved on February 15, 1953. Most young kids from the Children Group went to Chiang's Ching Kuo's School of Politics and older ones were sent to the Dring School of the Ministry of Supply and Transportation.
Following the dissolution of the Kids Group, General Sun sent five of us to Chang Cheng School, which he has established to educate the children of the officers of the Army. The money comes from his salary. I am one of the 5.
Two years later (1955), the Korean War started. The United States of America signed a treaty with Chiang Kai Shek to include Taiwan in the U.S. defense line. The 7th fleet was deployed in the Taiwan Strait. Soon after the U.S. agreed to co-defend Taiwan, the Chiang's regime resorted to bandit tactics. They fabricated stories, spread rumors of a coup d'‚tat by some officers, and snatched long-time subordinates of Sun. They also detained Gen. Sun and isolated him from any contact with the world except some immediate family members. Even mentioning Sun's name and recalling his deeds were forbidden. Class books of Sun's training schools were burned in public. Anyone mentioning his name fell victim. These actions completely destroyed the power of the Ever Victorious General, a term everyone called him.
Having seen the brutal evil of politics, I decided to pursue a science career, staying away from military or politics.
I felt my responsibility to expose the dark side of politics, and exonerate my foster father, General Sun. He and I were very close emotionally, and we have been comfort for each other over a long and difficult period.
The General was freed and exonerated after Chiang Ching Kuo died in 1988.
Despite the watchful eyes of the new government, people on Taiwan,
especially his men and officers, had shown a tremendous affection and
love to him since he gained freedom.
Those expressions have been suppressed for more than 33 years.
Unfortunately, General Sun passed away on Nov. 19, 1990 of old age.
In 1991, the book was published by Yeo Shung Wen Hua Chu Ban She in Taiwan.
The book can easily be purchased in Taiwan by calling 0227031828.
The ISBN is 957-630-118-1. Buying direct from the publisher from North
America is rather difficult. They do not accept US$ checks or money orders.
I have just purchased some copies from the publisher in July 2000.
If you send me a check of US$16.00, you will receive a copy by surface
mail within North America.
Please send the cheque to the address:
C. Chieh, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo,
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, N2L 3G1.