In 1951, 5 female volunteers mysteriously disappeared, and 50 years later, United States female reporters used five paintings to uncover the truth!
On the battlefield of Korea in 1951, five young Chinese female volunteers suddenly disappeared, and their fate became a mystery for a century and a half. Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana and Li Yili, these five names that were once alive disappeared without a trace in the flames of war. Are they prisoners of war? Or sacrifice? Or is there something else that goes unnoticed?
Fifty years later, an elderly United States female journalist appeared in Beijing with five portraits at the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea. These portraits uncover a long-lost past and add a striking touch to this history. What is it about the experience that makes an United States journalist so obsessed with preserving the portraits of these Chinese female soldiers? What exactly did these five female volunteers go through? What kind of thrilling truth is hidden behind their stories?
In October 1950, the Chinese People's Volunteers crossed the Yalu River and began the battle to resist US aggression and aid Korea. In this thrilling war, there are five women from different places, who are full of enthusiasm to devote themselves to the great cause of defending their families and country. They are Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana and Li Yili.
Wang Wenhui, 22 years old, from Shandong. Born into an ordinary peasant family, she has been full of yearning for medical work since she was a child. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, she resolutely signed up for a local health training course. There, she learned basic medical knowledge and first aid skills. At the end of 1950, when she learned that the volunteer army needed medical personnel, Wang Wenhui was the first to sign up for the army. Her courage and expertise quickly made her an excellent medic.
Wang Zhaodi, 20 years old, a girl from Hebei. She has been interested in radio since she was a child, and often secretly listens to her father's radio. After graduating from high school, she was admitted to the local post and telecommunications school to study communication technology. When the Korean War broke out, Wang realized that her skills could contribute to the country. Without hesitation, she signed up for the army and became a communications soldier. Her wit and agility have made her a big part on the battlefield.
Zhang Lan is 19 years old and from Jiangsu. She has loved singing and dancing since she was a child, and she is always the main force of literary and artistic activities in school. In 1950, she was selected to join the local art troupe. When the Volunteer Army was formed, Zhang Lan felt that she had a responsibility to use literature and art to boost morale. She took the initiative to join the Volunteer Army Art Troupe. Her singing and dancing brought joy and solace to the frontline soldiers.
Sun Nana, 21 years old, a girl from Northeast China. She has a naturally good voice and is quite famous in the local area. After 1949, she joined the local art troupe and became a professional singer. When the Volunteer Army recruited literary and art workers, Sun Nana did not hesitate to sign up. Her singing has become a beautiful scenery on the battlefield, bringing the warmth of her hometown to the soldiers.
Li Yili, 23 years old, Sichuan girl. She has loved writing since she was a child and interned at a local newspaper in high school. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, she became a journalist. When he learned that the Volunteer Army needed war correspondents, Li Yili immediately asked to go to the front. Her pen is vivid and powerful, and she has recorded many touching stories of the battlefield.
At the beginning of 1951, the five young women met at the assembly site of the Volunteer Army. Although they come from different places and have different skills, they all share a common beheed: to dedicate themselves to their country. At the mobilization meeting before departure, they solemnly swore to defend the motherland to the death and complete the task.
Subsequently, they embarked on a journey to the Korean battlefield. Along the way, they took care of each other, sharing their stories and dreams. Wang Wenhui taught everyone some simple first-aid knowledge, and Wang Zhaodi explained the use of communication equipment. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana sang the minor tune of their hometown from time to time to relieve everyone's tension. Li Yili recorded their stories all the way and prepared to write a newsletter to send back to China.
After arriving at the front, five people were assigned to different posts. Wang Wenhui was busy in the field hospital, rescuing one wounded person after another. Wang Zhaodi was on duty day and night at the communication station to ensure smooth communication between the front and rear. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana toured with the art troupe in various units, using singing to boost morale. Li Yili traveled to various battlefields, recording the cruelty of war and heroic feats with a pen and camera.
Despite the different job positions, whenever the opportunity arises, the five of them get together and share what they see and feel. They encouraged and supported each other, and formed a deep sisterhood during the war-torn years.
However, the cruelty of war soon befell them. In a fierce battle, the unit of five men was met with a fierce attack by enemy troops. In order to cover the retreat of the large army, they took the initiative to ask Ying to stay behind and break the rear. In this way, the five brave female soldiers embarked on an unknown journey, and also started their legendary and tragic story.
In December 1951, the situation on the Korean battlefield took a turn for the worse. In the continuous fierce battles, although the volunteer army achieved many victories, it also paid a huge price. Supply lines were lengthened, and food and ammunition were in short supply. At the same time, the US army, under the command of the new commander of the Eighth Army Corps, Ridgway, began to launch a fierce counteroffensive.
In this case, the Volunteer Army had to make a decision on a strategic retreat. However, retreat was not an easy task. A large number of wounded had to be evacuated, and enemy artillery fire was closing in. At this critical moment, Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana and Li Yili took the initiative to ask Ying to take on the heavy responsibility of escorting the wounded.
In the early hours of December 15, five female soldiers led a team of 30 seriously wounded men and began a difficult retreat. They had to cross the enemy blockade line and move over the mountains to the rear in the freezing cold of minus 20 degrees Celsius.
As a medical soldier, Wang Wenhui constantly checked the condition of the wounded, changed their bandages and injected them with antibiotics. Wang Zhaodi is responsible for maintaining contact with the rear and reporting the position and status of the team at any time. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana took turns carrying the wounded forward, and at the same time used singing to boost everyone's morale. While helping to care for the wounded, Li Yili recorded this difficult journey with his pen.
However, fate is always full of surprises. While traversing a dense forest, they suddenly encountered a reconnaissance team of American troops. Neither the enemy nor the enemy expected this encounter, and for a moment it fell into a stalemate. The U.S. troops were outnumbered and well-equipped, while the Volunteer Army, with the exception of five female soldiers, was wounded and almost defenseless.
At this critical moment, Wang Zhaodi had an idea and came up with a plan. She whispered a few words to the other four, and then suddenly stood up and shouted in fluent English, "We surrender!" We have important information for your commanders! ＂
This sudden scene stunned the American soldiers. They didn't expect that in this Chinese army, there would be people who could speak English. And Wang Zhaodi's remarks also aroused the interest of the US military commander. He motioned for his men to lay down their weapons and intend to come over in person to inquire about the situation.
At the moment when the US troops relaxed their vigilance, Wang Wenhui and Li Yili suddenly pounced on the two closest US soldiers and snatched their weapons. At the same time, Zhang Lan and Sun Nana quickly covered the wounded to safety. Wang Zhaodi took advantage of the chaos to snatch the radio equipment of the US military and sabotage their communication system.
This sudden counterattack completely disrupted the position of the US military. They didn't expect these seemingly weak Chinese female soldiers to have so much courage and wisdom. After a short melee, the U.S. troops had to retreat in disarray, leaving behind a large amount of weapons and ammunition.
However, this encounter also revealed their whereabouts. Wang Zhaodi learned through the captured US military communications equipment that the enemy had discovered their traces and was mobilizing a large number of troops to encircle and suppress them. The situation is critical and they must be evacuated as soon as possible.
Just then, an unexpected piece of news came. In a village not far away, there is a besieged volunteer art troupe, most of which are female soldiers. They were attacked by the enemy during the performance and are now in a very dangerous situation.
The five men were faced with a difficult choice: should they continue to escort the wounded to retreat, or should they take the risk to rescue their trapped comrades? After a short discussion, they unanimously decided: go their separate ways. Wang Wenhui and Li Yili continued to escort the wounded to retreat, while Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan and Sun Nana went to rescue the trapped comrades of the art troupe.
In this way, the five brave female soldiers once again split up. They don't know what kind of danger awaits them, but they know that no matter what difficulties they encounter, they must move forward bravely and never back down. Because what they shoulder is not only the responsibility to complete the task, but also the loyalty to the motherland and their comrades.
As night fell, the cold wind howled in the mountains and forests of North Korea. The two teams embarked on their own journeys, heading towards an unknown fate. Their story has also opened a new chapter.
In early 1952, Anna ·, a young female reporter for the New York Herald in the United States, was sent to report on the Korean battlefield. As a recent journalism graduate, Anna was both excited and apprehensive about the mission. Through her brushstrokes, she hopes to show the United States the true face of war.
After Anna arrived in North Korea, she was soon sent to the front line to cover the news. During an interview with the military, she met an American lieutenant named Jack · Wilson. Jack is a scout with a lot of experience on the battlefield. The two had a good conversation, and Jack told Anna much about what he had seen on the battlefield.
Just then, Jack suddenly mentioned a strange thing. He said that during a reconnaissance mission a few months ago, he had encountered five Chinese female soldiers. Not only are the five female soldiers brave and resourceful, but one of them is also fluent in English. Jack said the encounter left a lasting impression on him because he had never seen such a brave female warrior.
Anna became intrigued by the story. She pressed Jack for more details, but Jack said he didn't have much time to observe the women due to the urgency of the situation. Still, he remembers one of the female soldiers with particularly bright eyes, while the other had a distinctive accent, as if she was from southern China.
The story sparked Anna's journalist intuition. She decided to delve into the story of these five mysterious Chinese female soldiers. Over the next few months, she used every opportunity she could to ask every U.S. soldier she interviewed, hoping to find more clues about the five women.
However, the process of the investigation did not go smoothly. Most of the soldiers either had not heard the story or were provided with contradictory information. Just when Anna was about to give up, an unexpected discovery rekindled her hope.
During a mission to interview a U.S. prisoner of war camp, Anna meets a Chinese prisoner of war named Li Ming. Li Ming was originally a communications soldier in the Volunteer Army, but was captured in a battle. When Anna mentions the story of the five female soldiers, Li Ming's reaction caught her attention.
Li Ming told Anna that he knew one of the female soldiers, named Wang Zhaodi. Wang Zhaodi was a member of their communications company, and because she spoke English well, she was often sent to work as a translator. Li Ming also mentioned that Wang Zhaodi and four other female soldiers disappeared during a mission to escort the wounded, and their whereabouts are still unknown.
The news got Anna excited. She finally found a reliable clue. In the following interview, Li Ming described to Anna in detail the characteristics of Wang Zhaodi and four other female soldiers. He also mentioned that these five female soldiers are a very special existence in the volunteer army, because they each have unique talents and are known as the "Five Golden Flowers".
Anna carefully recorded every detail that Li Ming provided. She noticed that the characteristics of the five female soldiers described by Li Ming matched the striking ones mentioned by Jack · Wilson earlier. This further confirms the authenticity of this story.
However, Anna soon encountered new difficulties. Due to the sensitivity of her status as a prisoner of war, the US military authorities forbade her to continue contact with Li Ming. Moreover, her investigative behavior has also aroused the alarm of her superiors. Her editor-in-chief warned her that she could risk being recalled if she continued to pursue the story, which may involve military secrets.
Faced with such pressure, Anna was caught in a dilemma. As a journalist, she is eager to find out the truth and uncover this mysterious story. But on the other hand, she is also well aware that in times of war, certain truths can have unpredictable consequences.
Just as Anna was hesitating, an American military officer approached her. The officer said he had a number of items in his possession that could be related to the five Chinese female soldiers, including several sketches. He told Anna that the items were found during a search, but for various reasons, they had been sealed.
Anna carefully opened the box containing the items. Inside there are several worn-out notebooks, some photographs, and five beautiful sketches. The sketches vividly depict five young women, each with a name written on the back: Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana, and Li Yili.
Looking at these portraits, Anna felt an inexplicable shock. She realized that she might have touched on a major historical mystery. These five portraits may be the key to uncovering the fate of the five missing Chinese female soldiers.
Unbeknownst to Anna, however, this is just the beginning of a much larger mystery. In the years to come, these five portraits will take her on a journey of search that spans half a century, uncovering a shocking historical truth.
In July 1953, the Korean War ended. However, for the five female soldiers, Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana and Li Yili, their legendary story has just begun.
After the war, five people were sent to different posts. With her outstanding medical skills, Wang Wenhui was sent to the General Hospital of the Beijing Military Region and became a military doctor. Wang Zhaodi, because she was proficient in English, was transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and became a diplomat. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana returned to the art troupe to continue their artistic careers. Li Yili stayed in the army and became a military reporter.
Despite being scattered in different positions, the five have always maintained close contact. They often communicate through letters, sharing their experiences and observations. These letters later became important sources for understanding their legends.
In 1956, an unexpected opportunity brought the five together again. At that time, China was preparing to participate in the World Youth Festival in Moscow. The organizing committee decided to send a delegation to participate, and the "Five Golden Flowers" were selected as members of the delegation because of their heroic performance in the war and their respective talents.
In Moscow, the performance of the five attracted a lot of attention. Wang Wenhui shared her experience in treating the wounded on the battlefield at the medical forum, which was well received by the participants. Wang Zhaodi, with her fluency in English and Russian, became the "diplomat" of the delegation, communicating with young people from all over the world. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana performed wonderful dances in the theatrical performance and won warm applause. Li Yili used her keen observation and superb writing skills to record the wonderful moments of the whole event.
This experience not only allowed the "Five Golden Flowers" to show the demeanor of Chinese youth on the international stage, but also gave them a deeper understanding of the world. After returning to China, they continued to work hard in their respective posts and contributed to the construction of the country.
In the early 1960s, the state began to carry out large-scale training of scientific and technological talents. Wang Wenhui and Wang Zhaodi were selected to study in the Soviet Union. Wang Wenhui studied at the Faculty of Medicine of Moscow State University, specializing in surgery. Wang Zhaodi studied international relations at Moscow State University. In a foreign country, the two supported each other, overcame language barriers and cultural differences, and successfully completed their studies.
At the same time, Zhang Lan and Sun Nana are also constantly improving their artistic level in China. They participated in the creation of a number of stage plays and films reflecting the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, many of which were based on their own experiences. These productions have toured the country and inspired countless audiences.
Li Yili continued her military career. She has been involved in the coverage of many major military exercises, and her articles are often published on the front pages of military newspapers. She also began to try to write novels, using her own experiences and those of her comrades-in-arms as the material to depict the coming-of-age story of a group of ordinary soldiers during the war years.
In 1966, the Cultural Revolution broke out. This political movement had a huge impact on the lives of the "Five Golden Flowers". Wang Wenhui and Wang Zhaodi were labeled as "bourgeois intellectuals" because of their background in studying abroad, and they were criticized. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana's art troupe was disbanded, and they were sent to work in the countryside. Li Yili has also been criticized for the content of her writings that is considered "a glorification of the bourgeoisie."
However, even in such a difficult time, the five did not give up hope. They kept in touch and encouraged each other through secret correspondence. Wang Wenhui and Wang Zhaodi use their expertise to provide medical and educational services to local people in decentralized areas. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana organized amateur literary and artistic activities in the countryside, enriching the cultural life of the peasants. Although Li Yili could not write publicly, he still insisted on privately recording what he saw and heard during this special period.
In 1976, the Cultural Revolution ended. "Five Golden Flowers" finally ushered in the second spring of their career. Wang Wenhui was appointed vice president of a large general hospital and made an important contribution to the reform of the medical system. Wang Zhaodi returned to her diplomatic post and participated in many important international negotiations. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana re-established the art troupe and created a series of excellent works reflecting the period of reform and opening up. Li Yili published a novel she secretly wrote during the Cultural Revolution, which attracted widespread attention.
In the 1980s, with the implementation of China's opening-up policy, the "Five Golden Flowers" once again stood at the forefront of the times. With their respective expertise, they have contributed to China's modernization in different fields. Wang Wenhui has participated in a number of cooperation projects between China and the international medical community, and has promoted the improvement of China's medical standards. As a diplomat, Wang Zhaodi participated in the negotiations on Hong Kong's return to the motherland. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana led the art troupe to visit many countries, showing the charm of Chinese culture. Li Yili began to pay attention to social change, and her reports and literary works deeply reflected the great changes of this era.
In the 1990s, although the "Five Golden Flowers" had reached the age of retirement, they still maintained their vigorous vitality. They are often invited to give lectures in major schools and units, sharing their life experiences and views on national development. Their stories have inspired countless young people and become a microcosm of an era.
In the 21st century, the legendary story of the "Five Golden Flowers" began to attract the attention of scholars. A number of historians and sociologists have begun to study their experiences as important cases in the study of modern Chinese history and the history of women. Their letters, diaries and other personal belongings have been compiled into valuable historical sources.
In 2010, a special commemorative event was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The protagonists of this event are five elderly people who are over the age of old: Wang Wenhui, Wang Zhaodi, Zhang Lan, Sun Nana and Li Yili. They are the legendary "Five Golden Flowers" 60 years ago. This event is not only a personal tribute to them, but also a retrospective of that special era.
At the event, five elderly people talked about their life experiences. Wang Wenhui recalled her experience of saving lives on the battlefield and her later contributions in the medical field. "The war made me realize the preciousness of life and made me determined to be a good doctor," she said. Wang Zhaodi shared her experience in the field of diplomacy, especially in the process of participating in the negotiations on Hong Kong's return to the motherland. "Every negotiation is a battle without gunpowder, and we defend our national interests with wisdom and courage," she said. ＂
Zhang Lan and Sun Nana brought a wonderful dance performance, showing their still vigorous posture. After the performance, they told the story of the troupe and how art can bring hope to people in difficult times. Li Yili read aloud a short essay she had written, recalling how the friendship between the five had deepened over the years.
This event has attracted wide attention from all walks of life. Many young people watched the whole process through the live broadcast, and they were deeply moved by the experience of these five elderly people. One college student wrote on social media: "Their stories have taught me that no matter what era you are, you must have the courage to fight for your country." ＂
After the event, the story of the "Five Golden Flowers" began to spread across the country. A number of television stations have produced special programs to report on their lives in depth. Some schools have incorporated their stories into their textbooks as vivid examples of patriotic education.
In 2012, a TV series based on "Five Golden Flowers" began to prepare. The crew invited five elderly people to serve as consultants to ensure the authenticity of the plot. The drama aired in 2013 and has received extremely high ratings and widespread critical acclaim. Viewers have said that through this drama, they have a deeper understanding of that period of history.
In the same year, a public welfare project called "New Five Golden Flowers" was launched. The aim of this project is to find outstanding representatives of contemporary women and to inherit the spirit of the "Five Golden Flowers". The project selected five young women across the country who have made outstanding contributions in different fields, including a female scientist, a female entrepreneur, a female athlete, a female teacher and a female police officer.
In 2015, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the "Five Golden Flowers" were invited to participate in the military parade. Despite their advanced age, they still appeared on the tower of Tiananmen Square in good spirits to receive the salute of the people of the whole country. This scene was reported by many international media and became one of the most touching images of the parade.
In 2018, a biographical work entitled "Five Golden Flowers: Witnessing China" was published. The book not only records the lives of the five people in detail, but also reviews China's development in the past 70 years through their perspectives. The book contains a large number of precious historical photos and documents, which has become an important reference for the study of this period of history.
In 2020, the new crown epidemic broke out. Despite their advanced age, the "Five Golden Flowers" still exert their influence. Wang Wenhui uses HER's medical knowledge to popularize epidemic prevention knowledge for the public online. Wang Zhaodi contacted HER's friends abroad and coordinated a batch of urgently needed medical supplies. Zhang Lan and Sun Nana created an anti-epidemic song that was widely spread on the Internet. Li Yili recorded this special war "epidemic" through HER's brushstrokes.
In 2022, the Beijing Winter Olympics will be held. The organizing committee specially invited the "Five Golden Flowers" to participate in the torch relay. Although the five elderly people can only complete the relay in wheelchairs, their firm eyes and bright smiles have become one of the most moving pictures of this Winter Olympics.
With the passage of time, the story of the "Five Golden Flowers" has gradually become a symbol of the times. Their experiences are not only personal legends, but also epitome of modern Chinese history. From the war-torn era to the wave of reform and opening up, from the hardships of construction to the glory of development, their life trajectories reflect the great changes in China.
In 2023, the last surviving "Golden Flower", Li Yili, passed away peacefully at his home in Beijing at the age of 93. The departure of HER marked the end of an era, but the spirit of the "Five Golden Flowers" remained in people's hearts forever. Among her relics, a thick diary was found, recording her observations and reflections on the development of the country. This diary was later compiled and published, and has become an important source for the study of modern Chinese history.
The story of the "Five Golden Flowers" has come to an end, but their spirit is still alive and well in the new era. Across the country, more and more young people are beginning to learn from their deeds and think about how they can contribute to the country under the new historical conditions. Their stories have become immortal legends that inspire future generations.