The Sandbag Times Issue No: 50

HISTORICAL TOMMY ATKINS
As Seen On TV
By Peter Macey
Chiang Kai-shek was born into the
imperialist state of China on 1 October
1887. He became a politician and military
leader and rose to become leader of what
was to become the Replublic of China
between 1928 and 1975.
In December 1949 another, stronger leader
by the name of Mao Zedong appeared on
the scene and Chiang Kai-Shek was ousted
and escaped across the China Sea to the
island of Formosa. A war ensued between
Chiang and Mao, across the South China
Sea. Eventually the island was renamed
Taiwan. Despite Mao’s best efforts to bring
about change in the Country, Chiang Kai-
Shek, despite his absence, is still recognised
and remembered, by much of the world, as
the head of the legitimate government of
China until the early 1970’s.
From 1928 to 1948, Chiang served as
chairman of the national government of the
Republic of China. He was known as
socially conservative promoting traditional
Chinese culture but as such was unable to
maintain party support at the end of World
war II. Uprisings began as the people in
various regions of the Country became
aware of the teachings of Mao. Chiang
purged them in a complete massacre in
Shanghai and in the areas of Canton and
elsewhere. This included the demolition of
towns and the murders of men, women and
children.
At the onset of the Second Sino-Japanese
war which was to become the Chinese
theater of war during WWII the Manchurian
warlord Xueliang, kidnapped Chiang and
forced him into establishing a Second
United front with the Chinese Communist
Party. After the defeat of the Japanese in
1945, the American Government sponsored
a mission in an attempt to negotiate a
coalition government for China but this
failed in 1946. The Chinese Civil War
resumed and Mao came to the forefront
defeating Chiang in and declaring the
People’s Republic of China in December
1949. Chiang's government and army
retreated to Formosa where Chiang
immediately imposed martial law and
persecuted anyone who dared to counter his
authority. This became known as the
‘White Terror’. After evacuating to
Formosa, Chiang's government continued to
declare its intention to retake mainland
China. Chiang ruled Taiwan securely as
President of China by name only until his
death in 1975, one year before Mao died.
Like Mao, Chiang is regarded as a
controversial figure. He was seen by many
as being a key player and playing a major
role in the Allied victory in WWII. He
managed to unify the nation and became
something of a national figure of the
Chinese resistance against Japan. Others
denounce him as tyrant and dictator who
caused more damage to China and the
Chinese people than Mao ever did.
Up until this point no-one had really
witnessed mass slaughters of innocent
people, although in fairness Japan had
carried out as much damage in Korea
practically enslaving all Korean’s to their
way of culture from the early 1930’s up
until the start of WWII.
During WWII the Hollacaust happened but
whilst people heard news about the camps,
very few actually saw what was going on or
the deaths what incurred due to one’s belief
over another.
In 1989 another uprising in China too place
in Tiananmen Square. Led primarily by
students it took place as a protest towards
Government rules. The Chinese
Government rolled out the tanks and guns,
slaughtering what is estimated to be up to
10,000 protestors.
The difference this time was the world saw
this happen on television.
In the early 1990’s the Balkan war started
and again the slaughter of men, women and
children was witnessed by the world. As it
is today with Syria and must of what
Veterans who are reading this article will
have witnessed first-hand in Countries like
Iraq, Afghanistan, Croatia and Bosnia to
name but a few. And some people wonder
why our servicemen experience PTSD and
night terrors after some of the sights they
encounter during service.
But there is assistance out there through
contacting SBT or Forgotten Veterans UK
(FVUK).
| 10 www.sandbagtimes.co.uk