Wang Yanzhou
preface
In 2005, an 85-year-old rural man was solemnly invited to Zhongnanhai to participate in the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. As soon as this explosive news was sent, it immediately triggered a sensation in Sunjia Village, Rizhao City, Shandong Province, where he was located, because most people did not know his true identity.
His old neighbor once asked him in person, "What do you do?" The old man was silent. Many people expressed puzzlement about his practice of secrecy, responding: "Say it, for fear that they will think I am bragging." ”
Once upon a time of glorious history
This old man's name is Wang Yanzhou, and he is one of the ace pilots in China. His legendary experience contrasts greatly with the image of the peasant with a "local atmosphere" later, and it is really difficult for ordinary people to believe.
Wang Yanzhou was born in 1920, and at the age of 16, the country was in the midst of war. His cousin Wang Yande sent him, who had just finished private school, to the 29th Army Beiping Nanyuan Military Training Corps for training.
The following year, the Japanese army suddenly launched an attack on the Lugou Bridge, and the July 7 Incident broke out. Tong Linge, who was rated as a model soldier by the Beiping Times Daily and was known for his strict military discipline, bravery in battle, and love for the people, issued an iron order to the whole army while ordering self-defense to fight back:
All The Japanese army invaded, resolutely resisted, and vowed to coexist and die with the Lugou Bridge! Don't take a step back!
Tong Lin Pavilion
It can be seen that Tong Linge is a patriotic tough guy with an iron backbone. As the Japanese army attacked Nanyuan, Tong Linge ordered him to defend Nanyuan to the death and led the training corps to resist.
Even though he was shot in the leg by the enemy and his subordinates begged him to retreat, he insisted on leading his troops to fight and continued to fight fiercely with the enemy. Soon, he was also seriously injured in the head, and eventually died of excessive blood loss.
Chairman Mao commented on such a patriotic spirit: "All of them have given the whole Chinese a lofty and great model!" Similarly, this also had a huge impact on Wang Yanzhou, who was only 17 years old at the time, and had a certain impact on his subsequent choices.
In this war, the military training regiment suffered more than 3,000 casualties. Wang Yanzhou and several comrades-in-arms, under the cover of night, braved heavy rain to rush out of the siege and successfully escaped the disaster.
Perhaps it is precisely because of seeing the brutality of the Japanese army and the brave march of countless patriotic heroes that Wang Yanzhou was not intimidated by the cruel war, but strengthened his ambition to kill the enemy and defend the country.
The following year, he entered the Whampoa Military Academy and received formal training, laying the foundation for his military career.
The July 7 Incident
On the eve of graduation, Wang Yanzhou accidentally saw that the Jianqiao Air Force Officer School was enrolling students on the street. This reminded him of the previous war, the huge blow caused by enemy aircraft and artillery to our side. Therefore, he secretly enrolled in school despite his family's objections.
At first, they studied theoretical knowledge in China, but due to Wang Yanzhou's outstanding physical fitness and his diligence and studiousness, they soon stood out from the crowd of students. In 1941, Wang Yanzhou was selected to go to the United States for intensive training.
After studying in the United States, Wang Yanzhou was once again noticed for his excellent grades.
The US side proposed that he be appointed as an instructor, but Wang Yanzhou did not forget his original intention, did not forget that his motherland was still in the heat of the water, the enemy was still maiming our people, and the country urgently needed to resist foreign enemies!
He knew very well that staying in the United States as an instructor would not only avoid the flames of war, but also get quite generous rewards and even have a good future. But he still resolutely chose to return to China, Wang Yanzhou said:
"My country needs me, I'm going back to fight the little devil!"
Wang Yanzhou's military uniform photo
In 1943, at the age of 23, Wang Yanzhou returned to his homeland, joined the Mixed Regiment of the Sino-US Air Force, became a Chinese pilot, and began his brilliant combat career in defending the motherland.
On June 1 of the same year, Wang Yanzhou won the first battle! At that time, he flew the "P-40N" fighter to cover 9 "B-25" bombing missions. On the way back from the successful completion of the mission, the engine of Wang Yanzhou's fighter suddenly stopped working, which made him nervous, seeing that his teammates had returned, and Wang Yanzhou's head was sweating.
Just as he was preparing for an emergency landing, Wang Yanzhou saw the red light on the control panel come on. This means that the left fuel tank of the aircraft is out of fuel and not malfunctioning. Wang Yanzhou's heart was finally put into his stomach. After quickly twisting the transfer switch, Wang Yanzhou continued to return.
"Hey, there seems to be a little black dot in front of me. Good guys, it turned out to be the plane of a Japanese devil! Seeing this, Wang Yanzhou once again concentrated highly and prepared for battle.
As the distance got closer, Wang Yanzhou saw that the other party was a large transport plane, and the fuselage was painted with a red sun pattern. At this time, the Japanese army also seems to have spotted him. Wang Yanzhou quickly circled behind the enemy, and in a panic, the enemy plane was ready to move its bloated body and turn around to avoid.
Wang Yanzhou took a group photo with the fighter plane
Wang Yanzhou could give him a chance to escape and quickly pressed the button. Suddenly, six machine guns fired simultaneously, accompanied by the sound of "sudden, sudden, sudden", the fuel tank of the Japanese aircraft caught fire, and the aircraft instantly turned into a large fireball, and slammed into the ground with a bang.
The next day, the American detachment leader of the "Flying Tigers" told Wang Yanzhou that the Japanese plane he shot down yesterday was carrying seven Japanese generals! Moreover, he eliminated seven Japanese generals with only 18 bullets. Wang Yanzhou made a great contribution, and did not sleep all night in excitement.
After that, Wang Yanzhou flew this "P-40N" fighter jet to shoot down 3 Japanese Zero fighters and 1 Tojo fighter. He was also awarded the honors of "Ace Pilot" and "Hero of Air Combat", and was awarded 60,000 French coins.
Among them, the Zero fighter was the main carrier-based fighter of Japan at that time. At the beginning of its use, it set a record of 24:0 in Chongqing. In the Pacific War against the U.S. army, with a record of 6:1, the "zero myth" was created, which made Japan very arrogant. This time, Wang Yanzhou weakened the prestige of the Japanese army to a certain extent.
Japanese Zero fighter
In addition, Wang Yanzhou also flew over the "Hump Route" known as the forbidden place of flight eight times in two years. After passing through the Himalayas, it went to India and other countries to receive anti-war materials. The Hump Route, with a total length of 500 miles and a maximum altitude of 7,000 meters, was the main passage between China and the Allies at that time, and was known as the "road of life" of international assistance in the Chinese battlefield, which showed its importance.
But for pilots like Wang Yanzhou, the route is almost a suicide route. During the flight, they will frequently encounter strong turbulence, strong winds, ice, the weather is bright and dark, and they can't see the front clearly. Coupled with aging equipment and frequent Japanese aircraft, this route became the most dangerous route in World War II.
Between 1942 and 1944, nearly six hundred planes crashed and thousands of people died here. But Wang Yanzhou did not flinch in the slightest. It is precisely because there are countless heroes like Wang Yanzhou who are not afraid of sacrifice, by the end of the war, a total of 650,000 tons of materials were sent to China through this route, promoting the final success of the War of Resistance.
Hump Course Monument
Playing against Deng Xiaoping, he changed zhou Enlai's name twice
After the end of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Wang Yanzhou was transferred to the Ninth Theater Headquarters of the Kuomintang Air Force in Jinan in April 1946. However, during the flight, due to a sandstorm and a sandstorm, wang Yanzhou was forced to land in Qinghe County, Hebei Province, after deviating from the course. At this time, Hebei Province had been liberated.
Wang Yanzhou wanted to go into the village to find some food and ask for assistance, but when he went in, he found that it was a liberated area, and his Kuomintang outfit was particularly conspicuous. Earlier, he had received information at the Kuomintang that "pilots captured by the Communists will be skinned and buried alive." ”
Therefore, Wang Yanzhou was very nervous at that time. Although he was already hungry, he was cautious and did not dare to act rashly, for fear of becoming a prisoner if he was not careful. But Wang Yanzhou was eventually discovered by the militia. However, not only was he not harmed, but he was also invited to the villagers' homes and served with scrambled eggs, flatbread, porridge and other food.
After that, Wang Yanzhou went to many other places in the Liberated Areas. During this period, through communication with the people, he truly felt the difference between the Communist Party and the Kuomintang, and all previous misunderstandings were eliminated, and he admired the Communist Party.
Deng Xiaoping and Liu Bocheng
In the Handan Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region, Wang Yanzhou met Deng Xiaoping, Liu Bocheng, and others. Seeing that Deng Xiaoping and Liu Bocheng were both dressed in gray cloth military uniforms, just like ordinary soldiers, and, as senior leaders, they were very kind and did not have any shelves. This style without a sense of hierarchy surprised Wang Yanzhou very much.
For this "uninvited guest", Deng Xiaoping and others would often be busy sneaking around and accompanying him to play chess and poker. Wang Yanzhou recalled: "Deng Xiaoping's chess skills are very good, and when the two play chess together, he basically loses. For Deng Xiaoping, Wang Yanzhou is very admirable, and when it comes to the other party, he always has a smile on his face inadvertently.
During this time in the Liberated Areas, Wang Yanzhou was very happy, but he also faced the problem of choosing to stay. Deng Xiaoping told him, "Don't worry about anything.
Our policy is that visitors are welcome, and those who go are not only farewell, but also pay for the journey. The decision is entirely in your own hands. ”
After several considerations, Wang Yanzhou finally decided to stay. His original intention was to defend the country and protect the people. Now that we see that the Communist Party is so good to the people, his service for it is equivalent to serving the people.
The People's Liberation Army Pictorial published a photo of Wang Yanzhou
At the moment of making the decision, Wang Yanzhou suddenly felt more relaxed than ever, and after handing over the letter of determination to the organization, he slept particularly soundly that night.
In 1948, Wang Yanzhou was sent to the Mudanjiang Aviation School in northeast China to teach. The following year, the first combat unit of China's Air Force was established, and Wang Yanzhou became one of them. In October of the same year, Wang Yanzhou was invited to participate in the founding ceremony. At this point, he was very excited. Especially at the thought of being about to be examined by Chairman Mao and Premier Zhou, Wang Yanzhou was very excited.
As he flew the plane over Tiananmen Square, watching the square boil, he seemed to hear the cheers of the people. Whenever he thought of this scene, Wang Yanzhou's tone would rise unconsciously, excited and proud, and his hand waved, as if he had returned to that exciting time.
With the outbreak of the Korean War, Wang Yanzhou once again went to the front line to fight, mainly responsible for covering bombers. Before leaving, he submitted an application to join the party and requested an inspection. But this wait is a few decades.
Due to its outstanding comprehensive strength, it has rich combat experience. Wang Yanzhou made a great contribution to the destruction of US warplanes on the Korean battlefield.
One afternoon, Wang Yanzhou's fleet had just passed by Anton, and there were dense black dots approaching behind them. As enemy planes rushed over like lightning, the two sides began to fight fiercely. Soon, our army lost No. 3 and No. 4 wingmen. In the melee, Wang Yanzhou seized the opportunity to attack the enemy with his super high driving skills.
In this battle, Wang Yanzhou destroyed and injured one of the most performing ace aircraft of the US army, the F-86, successfully covered the bombers of our army, and won the second class merit. He also became one of two Chinese pilots who shot down both Japanese planes and American planes.
In 1953, after the victory of the Korean War, Wang Yanzhou, who returned to China, married Qi Shuyun, a talented woman from Tsinghua. Although he made many military achievements, Wang Yanzhou never mentioned his brilliant deeds to his wife. Therefore, Qi Shuyun only knew that he was a pilot. And in her impression, in addition to her husband's proficiency in flying airplanes, she seems to be a little clumsy in doing other things.
Wang Yanzhou and Qi Shuyun wedding photos
In 1954, Wang Yanzhou met premier Zhou for the first time. Like Deng Xiaoping, Premier Zhou was simple and approachable. During the conversation, Wang Yanzhou learned that Premier Zhou had contacts with his father-in-law during his study abroad, and that Premier Zhou had been the director of the political department of the Whampoa Military Academy, and that he himself had been a student there. This made him feel very kind, so the two were known as teachers and students.
Because he felt more and more the charisma of Premier Zhou's personality, Wang Yanzhou changed his name to "Wang Yanzhou" out of respect. Later, Premier Zhou died, and in order to commemorate Premier Zhou, he changed his name back.
Difficult road to redress
In 1955, Wang Yan went to work in the local area and lived a plain and happy life with his wife. But two years later, he was sentenced to prison for being framed and his wife was separated.
In court, the moment he saw the divorce papers, Wang Yanzhou roared uncontrollably but could not do anything, and signed the divorce with unwillingness to endure. After his release from prison, Wang Yanzhou was sent back to his hometown to work as a farmer in 1961. This was a challenge for him, who had been an ace pilot.
Wang Yanzhou recalled the past
Unwilling to drag down his family, Wang Yanzhou stayed with his father, who had re-established the family, and after living for a while, he returned to his hometown of Rizhao alone. Because his hometown was uninhabited for many years, the yard had long been abandoned, and everything seemed endlessly desolate, Wang Yanzhou began his farming life.
Wang Yanzhou, who had never done farm work, could not start with unfamiliar work at first. He can't even push a wheelbarrow well, and the number of jobs he earns every day is not as good as that of a woman. The huge gap once made him very uncomfortable. Fortunately, he was smart by nature, coupled with hard work, and after a few years he became a bookmaker in everyone's eyes.
After his life improved, Wang Yanzhou had the idea of washing away his grievances. He wanted to get rid of the crimes that he had inflicted on him and return his innocence.
With this in mind, he came to Beijing in 1973. But in the end, it ended because there was no way to appeal, and Wang Yanzhou was greatly hit. Coupled with learning that his ex-wife Qi Shuyun remarried, Wang Yanzhou, who originally had a glimmer of expectations for a family reunion, completely gave up this time.
Wang Yanzhou insisted on reading in English
He confessed his fate, and suddenly he thought it would be nice to be an ordinary farmer like this. As for whether the grievances have been washed away, it does not matter. Even if he is innocent, he will not be able to return a complete family, and he will not be able to repay the years he spent in prison.
It didn't mean much to him. In this way, Wang Yanzhou returned to his hometown alone. But he didn't know that ten years later, his fate would change because of one person.
In 1983, Xia Liangbai, then the united front work department of the county party committee, came to Sunjia Village. Wang Yanzhou, 63, was working at the time to guard the door of the brigade headquarters. Therefore, after Xia Liangbai arrived, Wang Yanzhou boiled water for the guests as usual. Just when delivering water, Wang Yanzhou, who was wearing air force training pants, attracted Xia Liangbai's attention.
In Xia Liangbai's view, although the old man in front of him was dressed like a rural old man, the unique temperament of the soldiers exuded from his body was not obscured by these external things at all. By asking the village party secretary, Xia Liangbai knew what happened to Wang Yanzhou.
Wang Yanzhou watched TV with his family
He asked Wang Yanzhou incomprehensibly, "Why don't you appeal?" Wang Yanzhou looked at him and said lightly, "I'm used to it here, reputation and status are all floating clouds for me." However, Xia Liangbai tried to persuade Wang Yanzhou to change his mind and personally wrote a letter to help him implement it.
The following year, Wang Yanzhou finally rehabilitated the unjust case after 27 years and obtained the "Certificate of Leave of State Cadres". This time, he was equally low-key and did not let the village committee inform the villagers. So, everyone doesn't know about him.
What is even more admirable is that after the relevant departments paid Wang Yanzhou a supplementary salary for 27 years, he did not collect it. He felt that he could be self-sufficient and did not need the money. And the country is being built, and it's time to spend the money. So, he donated the money to the state.
Wang Yanzhou is not the first time to do something similar. 39 years ago, he also did not hesitate to donate all the 50,000 prizes he had just received and obtained by shooting down enemy planes to the Shandong villagers who wandered in Shaanxi.
Regardless of difficulties or adversities, Wang Yanzhou has always been so bold, always thinking of others and the country!
In 2004, after falling ill, Wang Yanzhou once again submitted an application to join the party, but his previous regrets were reversed. It was also this year that the outside world finally paid attention to him. At that time, a letter he sent to his old comrades-in-arms in Beijing attracted the attention of reporters.
In 2009, Wang Yanzhou watched the military parade at home excitedly
Soon, many media reported Wang Yanzhou's deeds. After that, he accepted the invitation of the party and government organs and other aspects and became a "patriotic education propagandist". Use your life's experience to tell the young generation to be patriotic and fight for the prosperity of the country!
In 2005, after officially becoming a member of the Communist Party, 85-year-old Wang Yanzhou was invited to Zhongnanhai to attend a symposium on the 60th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression at the Great Hall of the People.
In 2012, Wang Yanzhou died in Beijing, and his legendary life came to an end. Before dying, he instructed his family that the funeral should be done from Jane. Therefore, after his death, the son did not notify the relevant departments and refused to allow the relevant departments to come to Beijing to attend the farewell ceremony. In order to avoid the sadness of the old comrades-in-arms, they did not inform each other.
For Wang Yanzhou, her ex-wife Qi Shuyun is very sorry, although she filed for divorce for the sake of her children, she has not been able to let go. After Wang Yanzhou's death, she once said that she missed a family letter that Wang Yanzhou gave her after marriage:
"November 23, 1953, was the day we parted, and the time before that day, even if it was only for a second, was worth remembering."
It could be seen that Qi Shuyun still had feelings for Wang Yanzhou. Unfortunately, the family was not able to reunite in the end.