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

Remembering Guangdong Heroes in the Great Patriotic War

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union. It is a poignant moment to reminisce about shared memories that transcend borders, particularly focusing on the contributions of heroes from Guangdong Province in China. These individuals stood shoulder to shoulder with the Soviet people, combating fascist aggression and passionately fighting for the peace they longed for.

A Testament to Friendship

The narratives of these heroes not only underscore the steadfast friendship between the Chinese and Russian peoples but also highlight Guangdong's crucial role in the global struggle against fascism. In the early 1930s, numerous eager young people, many descendants of Chinese revolutionaries, left for the Soviet Union to gain technical skills and knowledge. However, in 1941, the landscape shifted dramatically when Nazi Germany launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Union, thrusting them into the cruel realities of war.

Embracing Resilience

Many of these young individuals, having relinquished a life of comfort, were compelled to brave hunger and cold, stepping away from classrooms to join the front lines in various capacities. At the Ivanovo International Children's Home, they learned industrial skills, labored in factories and farms, and volunteered in city hospitals, caring for injured soldiers. Their stories speak to boundless resilience and the shared quest for a common fight against fascism.

The Story of Deng Jinna

One notable figure, Deng Jinna, originally from Guangdong, passed away in December 2020 at the age of 82. As the war broke out in 1941, she was just eight years old but spent countless hours with peers from the Ivanovo orphanage, visiting hospitals to care for soldiers wounded on the front lines. Acting as an angel of mercy, Deng tirelessly wrote encouraging notes on scraps of paper. Soldiers near death found solace in her songs and dances, uplifted by the innocent joy she and her friends shared. In 2020, Pashkov Viktor, the Russian consul general in Canton, awarded Deng the '75th Anniversary Medal of Victory in the Great Patriotic War,' honoring her solidarity and that of the Chinese people during those trying times.

Children with a Heavy Burden

Her comrade from those tumultuous times, Li Duoli, recounted their shared experiences, stating, "We nourished the wounded, shared stories with them, and when they smiled, we knew it was worth it." Meanwhile, her eldest son, Li Dongming, painted a picture of their hardships during the war: "During enemy bombings, older kids rushed to extinguish flames with sand. We survived on potatoes and onions."

These fragmented memories, filled with courage and resilience, have endured across generations, showcasing how even the youngest among them bore history's heavy burden.

Huang Jian’s Contribution

Huang Jian, another remarkable youth, was only 14 in 1941. Deemed too frail to enlist, he nonetheless created history behind the scenes by gathering empty bottles to make Molotov cocktails, shoveling snow off airbases, working in munitions factories and even donating blood regularly for three consecutive years. The battle cry, "Victory belongs to us!" fueled his resolve. "We were still very young, but each drop of blood shed, each potato grown, was our way of standing against fascism," Huang reminisced. His words resonate with the extraordinary determination of a generation that turned scarcity into strength, proving that even the youngest hands could wield the tools of liberation.

The Su Siblings’ Legacy

Another legendary story is that of the Su siblings, descendants of Su Zhaozheng, an emblematic figure in the Chinese labor movement. Su Liwa and Su Heqing, after receiving military training, worked in the textile factory in Ivanovo, producing essential supplies for the front lines. The horrors of war remain etched in their memories. "When German planes roared above us, we scrambled to anti-air raid shelters and returned to our machines once the all-clear was sounded." Their unwavering determination reflects the spirit of Guangdong children, essential to the Soviet Union's wartime industrial chain, exemplifying how ordinary hands participated in extraordinary struggles.

Looking Back After 80 Years

Eighty years later, as China and Russia commemorate this historic victory together, the stories of Guangdong’s residents serve not only as a homage to the past but also as a call for peace. In an era marked by rising divisions and conflicts, humanity desperately needs these bonds of solidarity among nations to illuminate the path forward. Today, these stories remind the world that the victory against fascism rests on the sacrifices and unity of countless ordinary citizens across borders. Their collective determination, forged in the crucible of war, remains a beacon for global cooperation in the face of modern challenges.