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On the desolate frontier of Setura, time seems to have stopped flowing. A group of Kuomintang soldiers waited in this vast desert, isolated from the world by four years of loneliness and wind and sand. Their uniforms have long since worn out, their food and medicine supplies have been cut off, and they are battling extreme conditions and loneliness every day.
Despite this, they still stick to this last post, their eyes firmly looking into the distance, looking forward to the dawn that belongs to them. However, when the spring breeze of 1950 blew across the land of Setura, a group of soldiers in different uniforms appeared on the horizon, their arrival like a long-lost rain and dew, giving nourishment to withered life.
The tears of the Kuomintang sentinels flowed quietly in the dusty wind, was it the relief of suffering or the joy of excitement? Can they really believe that four years of loneliness are finally over?
The establishment and historical significance of the Setula outpost
In 1877, when the cold winds of late autumn had begun to ravage the vast lands of Central Asia, more than 100 Qing Dynasty soldiers arranged by Zuo Zongtang trekked along the edge of the Silk Road along rugged mountain roads, carrying heavy loads of food and military supplies. The camels in the procession hissed and roared, shaking their heavy gear from time to time, as if in protest against the endless journey.
After a long journey, they finally arrived at Setura. It is a vast desert, surrounded by mountain ranges, isolated and strategically located. The soldiers quickly began construction work, first with the help of the local population, who collected a large amount of earth and stones.
The earth and stones were transported to the designated place, and the soldiers, armed with shovels and wooden picks, began the intense and orderly construction of the fort. The local people are also actively involved in this construction activity. They brought livestock to help transport heavy loads, and taught soldiers how to use the natural resources available to them to fortify the fort's defenses.
On a hot construction site, soldiers and locals can be seen working side by side, building walls with mud and stone foundations, working together to create a strong defensive line.
As it gets late, bonfires are lit on the construction site. The soldiers sat around the fire and shared a simple dinner with the locals. The camels lay quietly on the sidelines, occasionally crowing low. At night, the Setula outpost, with the faint light of the bonfire and the gentle howl of the night wind, became even more impregnable.
In the weeks that followed, the construction of the post progressed well. Soldiers and the local population continued to work together to bring in more stones and dirt, and the main structure of the post gradually emerged. The walls were reinforced, and the watchtowers were gradually raised, each of which reflected the rigor and solidity of the military fortress.
Military life and environmental trials
The Setura outpost is located at the southern tip of Xinjiang, where the geographical conditions and climatic environment pose great challenges to the soldiers stationed there. In summer, when the sun hangs high, the scorching sun scorches the desert and gravel, and the temperature often reaches more than 50 degrees. The heat quickly depleted the soldiers' water supply, making daily patrols and sentry posts extremely difficult.
The heat wave in the air seemed to evaporate everything, and even breathing became heavy. In winter, it's the opposite. The wind was bitterly cold, the temperature plummeted below zero, and the icy wind swept across the outpost like a knife. Soldiers had to wear heavy military coats and sheepskin jackets, and wrap their hands and feet in plush warmth to preserve their body temperature as much as possible.
Even the water in the kettle freezes, and living in such an environment, you must be well prepared for every outing. In addition to extreme temperature differences, the Setula post is also subject to frequent sandstorms. When a sandstorm hits, the sky becomes dark, visibility is extremely low, and the sand grains stick to the skin like needles, making it painful.
Under such conditions, soldiers must wear heavy masks and goggles to prevent sand particles from invading their eyes or respiratory system. Even so, tiny grains of sand can find crevices and burrow into clothing, food, and even sleeping beds. At the Setula outpost, the daily rhythm of the soldiers' daily lives was strictly regulated to adapt to the harsh environment.
Their day-to-day work includes patrolling, maintaining the defenses of the outpost, inspecting weapons and equipment, and conducting tactical training. Even in extreme weather conditions, these activities had to be carried out as planned, ensuring the safety and combat readiness of the posts. Due to these extreme natural conditions, soldiers are rotated once a year.
This system was implemented to protect the health of the soldiers from prolonged exposure to such harsh conditions. Whenever a new group of soldiers arrives at the outpost, they undergo a period of acclimatization training, led by experienced veterans, to learn how to survive and perform tasks in such an environment.
The garrison and predicament during the Kuomintang period
By the spring of 1946, the Setula post had a new defender - thirty soldiers of the Kuomintang army. The soldiers were assigned to an eight-hundred-mile cordon, which stretched along the edge of the rugged mountains and arid deserts. Their mission is to monitor and prevent any potential intrusions, ensuring the security of this strategic location.
With the onset of summer, the blazing sun is almost unforgiving. The soldiers' skin was roughened and sunburned by constant UV exposure, and the protection provided by rudimentary hats and capes was far from sufficient. They had to apply sunscreen every few hours, which was hastily drawn from military supplies.
Even so, fighting the strong sun for a long time left them with noticeable sun spots on their faces and arms. The condition of the clothes is also a serious problem. Due to long hours of outdoor work and limited logistical support, their uniforms gradually wore out and became tattered.
Patch after patch, the original tough fabric cannot withstand the long-term erosion of sand and friction. Whenever supplies arrived, soldiers eagerly searched for new clothes to change, but such supplies were often not timely enough to meet everyone's needs.
In such difficult conditions, the daily tasks of the soldiers are a constant challenge. They patrol dozens of miles a day to inspect and repair any damage along the cordon. Each sentinel site needs to be replaced regularly to ensure that every section of the cordon is monitored. Communications equipment is rudimentary, and communication with other sentinels is maintained only by hand-held radios and flares.
Even at night, the environment doesn't get any friendlier. The desert nights were unusually cold, and the soldiers had to wear heavy military coats and blankets to maintain their body temperature. Their tents are rudimentary and poorly insulated, and wind and sand often blow into them, making their sleep extremely poor.
Four years of solitary guards
For four years, from 1946 to 1950, the soldiers at the Setula post remained isolated. Every year, they look into the distance with great anticipation, hoping to see the arrival of a new batch of replacement troops, but year after year, they never wait for any support.
Supplies are running low, military uniforms are worn out, medicines are running out, and even the most basic communications equipment is out of order due to long-term use. In the spring of 1950, the climate was still harsh, and dry sand swept through Sethula again. The soldiers struggled to carry out their daily patrol duties in the dust, and their steps looked heavy and tired.
Over the years, the outpost's defenses have also been dilapidated by a chronic lack of maintenance. On such an early morning, a group of soldiers appeared on the distant horizon. As these figures become clearer, they can be seen wearing uniforms that are different from those of the Kuomintang army – the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army.
As they marched, they waved the red flag in their hands, and their steps were firm and powerful. As they got closer and closer to the outpost, the defenders finally realized that this was not an illusion, but a real support force. When the soldiers of the People's Liberation Army passed through the gate of the outpost, the Kuomintang soldiers who were originally alone on guard could not help but shed tears.
It was the first time in four years that they saw new faces and felt support and hope from the outside world. "Four years! We've been waiting for four years and you're finally waiting for you! A commander dressed in a standard PLA uniform stepped out of the ranks to greet the defenders. His gaze swept over the soldiers opposite, noticing the frayed American-style uniforms they were wearing.
"I see that you are all wearing old American uniforms, you must be brothers of the Kuomintang, right?" Faced with this sudden name, the soldiers of Setula looked a little stunned. They looked at each other, and then one of the soldiers looked down and checked his clothes, confirming that the PLA commander was right.
With a little hesitation and uneasiness, one of them looked back at the neatly uniformed soldiers in front of him, and couldn't help but ask: "So, you are a communist?" There was a hint of surprise and uncertainty in his voice.
The PLA commander smiled and nodded, his attitude remained friendly and accommodating, trying to ease the tension. "Yes, we are the People's Liberation Army." He responded, then walked forward quickly, reaching out his hand. His gesture shows an open and welcoming gesture aimed at breaking down the barriers that may exist between the two sides.
At this time, the tension in the outpost gradually eased, and several soldiers exchanged glances, as if to confirm each other's reaction and next move. After confirming that the PLA was not hostile, they gradually let down their guard and accepted this unexpected peaceful contact.
A turning point and the dawn of a new era
After confirming the identities of both sides, the PLA soldiers solemnly gave a military salute in front of the tired defenders of the Setula outpost. His voice was firm and loud: "New China has been established, everything in the past has become history, as long as there is no rebellion and no evil, no harm to China, no harm to the country, no harm to the people!" The People's Liberation Army has always treated prisoners of war very well! ”
He continued: "And, in such difficult circumstances, you have been in Setura for four years, guarding the borders, and you are not prisoners of war, but heroes defending your country!" ”
PLA soldiers then replenished them from supply trucks behind them, which were filled with supplies brought by the outposts. These Kuomintang soldiers were also arranged to go down the mountain to be reorganized or discharged from the army.
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Resources:
[1] Zhan Xiuping. Silk Road,2005(8):48-49