#China #Guangdong #Guangzhou #Great Patriotic War #Soviet Union

A Legacy of Courage: Guangdong Heroes in the Soviet Union's Great Patriotic War

As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War, a remarkable chapter in history emerges. This narrative speaks of young revolutionaries from China's Guangdong province who stood in solidarity with the Soviet citizens against fascist aggression. Despite the hardships, these youthful heroes exhibited unparalleled bravery and resilience, illustrating the profound friendship between the Chinese and Russian people.

The Emergence of the Guangdong Heroes

In the early 1930s, many ambitious youths from Guangdong, primarily the offspring of Chinese revolutionaries, were sent to the Soviet Union. Their mission was to acquire technical skills and knowledge, with dreams of contributing to their homeland. However, the sudden Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941 thrust them directly into the maelstrom of war. Despite their privileged backgrounds, these young men and women faced the grim realities of conflict — enduring hunger and cold as they were displaced from the comforts of education into the harshness of a war zone.

At the International Children's Home in Ivanovo, they adapted to life in factories and farms, often volunteering in hospitals to assist injured soldiers returning from the front lines. Their experiences serve as a testament to intercultural solidarity and an unwavering spirit in the face of adversity.

Deng Jinna: The Angel of Healing

Among the notable figures was Deng Jinna from Guangdong, who witnessed this tumultuous era. At just eight-years-old when the war broke out, she, along with her peers in the Ivanovo Children's Home, would spend hours traversing hospitals, changing dressings for wounded soldiers. As a beacon of hope, Deng tirelessly wrote encouraging messages on scraps of newspaper, uplifting the spirits of those around her with songs and dances.

In 2020, Viktor Pashkov, acting consul of Russia in Canton, presented Deng with the “75th Anniversary Medal of Victory in the Great Patriotic War” at her hospital bedside, honoring her and the Chinese people's unwavering support during the war.

Huang Jian: Resilience Against Adversity

Huang Jian, only 14 when the war began, exemplified courage under fire. Although deemed too fragile for military service, he sought miraculous ways to rewrite history through his involvement. He gathered empty bottles to make Molotov cocktails, cleared snow from airfields, toiled in munitions factories, and donated blood for three consecutive years. His mantra, “Everything for victory!” drove him amidst peril. “We were young, but each drop of blood we donated, every potato we grew, was a statement of defiance against fascism,” he reminisced.

This fierce determination showcased how even the youngest could wield tools of liberation in the quest for justice.

The Su Siblings: Garment Workers of Valor

Another powerful story arises from the Su siblings, descendants of Su Zhaozheng, a key figure in the Chinese labor movement. Their duty at the Ivanovo textile factory involved producing essential supplies for the frontline.

The horrors of war burned vividly in their memories. “When the German planes roared overhead, we would dash to the air raid shelters and quickly return to work once the danger passed,” they recounted. Their resolute spirit became an integral part of the Soviet Union's war industry, underscoring how ordinary hands achieved extraordinary feats.

A Collective Memory for Future Generations

Now, as China and Russia jointly commemorate this pivotal historical victory, the stories of the Guangdong residents serve not only as a tribute to the past but also as a clarion call for peace. In an age marked by growing polarization and confrontation, humanity needs these transnational bonds of solidarity as a guiding light towards a more harmonious future.

Today, this history reminds us that beneath the victorious struggle against fascism lay the sacrifices and unity of countless ordinary individuals across borders. Their collective resolve, forged in the crucible of war, remains a beacon for global collaboration amid contemporary challenges.