China Heroic Spirit 3 First General to Die in Battle

  Tong Linge (1892-1937), originally named Ling Ge, courtesy name Jie San, from Gaoyang, Hebei. In 1912, he joined Feng Yuxiang's army and held various positions including battalion, regiment, brigade, and division commander. In 1927, he was stationed in Tianshui, serving as the garrison commander of Longnan. After the disarmament conference in January 1929, he became the commander of the 11th Division. In 1930, during the Central Plains War, he served as the commander of the New 1st Army and concurrently as the commander of the 27th Division, participating in the anti-Chiang Kai-shek front line. In 1933, he was appointed as the director of the Chahar Province Public Security Bureau and concurrently as the director of the Zhangjiakou Public Security Bureau. Soon after, Song Zheyuan's army was transferred to Ji Dong for assembly, entrusting Tong as the acting chairman of Chahar Province. In May 1935, after the formation of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, he served as the commander of the 1st Army and concurrently as the acting chairman of Chahar Province. After the dissolution of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, he became the deputy commander of the 29th Army and concurrently as the commander of the Military Training Regiment, stationed in Nanyuan, Beiping. Later, he acted as the commander of the 29th Army. After the July 7 Incident, he resolutely led his troops to resist the Japanese army. On July 28, 1937, during the fierce battle defending Nanyuan and fighting against the Japanese army, he died heroically for his country.

  1. Threw himself into the Anti-Japanese Allied Army

  In 1930, after the Central Plains War, Feng Yuxiang's remaining troops were incorporated into the 29th Army of the National Revolutionary Army by Chiang Kai-shek, with Song Zheyuan as the army commander and Tong Linge as deputy commander. However, Tong did not take up his post but instead followed Feng into a life of seclusion, seeking to avoid the worldly troubles.

  In 1931, the outbreak of the September 18 Incident and the fall of the three northeastern provinces shocked the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. The national public opinion was in an uproar, demanding resistance against Japan to save the country. At this critical moment for the survival of the nation, Tong Linge and Feng Yuxiang both quickly responded, abandoning their reclusive life of reading and discussing Confucian classics. On September 23, Feng Yuxiang issued a telegram criticizing Chiang Kai-shek's government for its non-resistance policy and condemning its illusion that relying solely on the "League of Nations" could solve the problem. Tong Linge also left his place of seclusion and returned to the headquarters of the 29th Army to assist Song Zheyuan in training troops, improving their combat effectiveness, and responding to changing circumstances.

  In August 1932, the Nationalist government in Nanjing appointed Song Zheyuan as the chairman of Chahar Province, and Tong Linge followed the 29th Army into Chahar, stationed in Zhangjiakou. In reality, Tong Linge was responsible for the affairs of Chahar Province.

  On January 3, 1933, after Shanhai Pass was occupied by Japanese troops, Jehol was on the brink of danger and the Pingjin area was threatened. Zhang Xueliang, who was in charge of military and political affairs in Beiping, hastily ordered the 29th Army to defend Tongzhou, Sanhe, Yutian, and Jixian areas.

  At this time, Song Zheyuan, the commander of the army, came to the front line with his troops and entrusted Vice Commander Tong Linge to concurrently serve as the Chahar Province garrison commander, temporarily acting as the chairman of Chahar Province.

  In late February, after Japanese troops occupied Jehol, they advanced towards the Great Wall area. The 29th Army was hastily deployed to the Great Wall line to resist the enemy. At Xifengkou, the soldiers of the 29th Army utilized their familiarity with the terrain and relied on big knives to adopt a surprise attack tactic, heavily striking the enemy and winning the Battle of Xifengkou.

  The 29th Army earned the title of "Anti-Japanese Heroic Troops". Tong Linge, who was left behind in Zhangjiakou, actively prepared for battle in the rear, maintained the situation, and provided strong support to the front line.

  When the Japanese army was planning to advance into North China, General Feng Yuxiang came from Mount Tai to Zhangjiakou. Responding to the call of China, Feng Yuxiang resolutely decided to form an anti-Japanese alliance army. Tong Linge and Feng Yuxiang both advocated for resistance against Japan, so he actively supported Feng Yuxiang and jointly planned the organization of the anti-Japanese alliance military affairs. In a meeting, General Tong Linge wrote the poem "Out of the Frontier" by Tang Dynasty poet Wang Changling: "The Qin moon and Han pass, the long march of ten thousand miles has not yet returned. As long as the dragon city flying general is present, do not let the barbarian horses cross the Yin Mountains." This expressed his determination to resist Japanese aggression.

  On May 26, 1933, the Chahar People's Anti-Japanese Alliance Army was established in Zhangjiakou. Feng Yuxiang served as the commander-in-chief, Tong Linge acted as the chairman of Chahar Province and also served as the commander of the First Army of the alliance. On May 28, Tong Linge and 14 other anti-Japanese generals, including Ji Hongchang, jointly issued a telegram in Zhangjiakou, expressing their response to Feng Yuxiang's call and leading their troops to resist Japan. On June 15, the Alliance Army held its first military-civilian representative conference in Zhangjiakou, where Tong Linge was elected as a member of the Military Affairs Committee and a standing committee member.

  After the formation of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army, Tong Linge actively participated in the anti-Japanese war and achieved a series of victories against Japan. In battle, Tong Linge demonstrated outstanding military command capabilities. During his collaboration with Feng Yuxiang, the two men got along very well. One time, when Feng Yuxiang came to Zhangjiakou for an inspection, he suddenly said he wanted to have dinner at Tong Linge's home. Tong Linge's wife, Peng Jingzhi, didn't know how to entertain him properly. Tong Linge told his wife: "Just serve millet rice, steamed buns, and pickled radish as a side dish." His wife prepared very simple food according to Tong Linge's instructions. When Feng Yuxiang was eating the steamed buns and pickled radish, he praised Tong Linge with relish: "You are indeed my subordinate, you have become an official but still haven't lost your peasant nature."

  The establishment of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army became a major obstacle to the Japanese invaders' implementation of "North China Specialization" and the government's policy of compromise with Japan, so they absolutely would not allow the existence of the Anti-Japanese Allied Army. Under the threat of the Japanese invaders and the divisive tactics adopted by the Chiang Kai-shek government, the Anti-Japanese Allied Army existed for only two months before announcing its dissolution in early August, and Feng Yuxiang retreated to Mount Tai once again. Tong Linge faced the shattered mountains and rivers, deeply feeling that his anti-Japanese ambitions had not been fulfilled, so he could only take his family to live in seclusion at the Xiangshan Villa in Beiping. During this period, he strolled through the ancient temple forests. To eliminate his melancholy, he studied the teachings of the Bible, but there he could not find a way to serve the country, and he sighed to the cross: "I am so devoted to you, how are you to me?" However, as a patriotic soldier, during his seclusion, he still closely followed the development of the situation in North China.

  After the signing of the "He-Umei Agreement", Beiyang established the Ji-Cha Political Affairs Committee, and Song Zheyuan was appointed as the chairman to maintain the complex situation in North China. Since Song Zheyuan was at the focal point of contradictions, various matters were very tricky, so a talented person with both literary and military skills was urgently needed to assist him. In this way, under the invitation of Song Zheyuan, Feng Zhian, Zhang Zizhong, Zhao Dengyu and others, in the spring of 1936, Tong Linge left Xiangshan for Beiping with his second daughter Tong Yannan, re-appointed as deputy commander of the 29th Army, and concurrently served as the head of the Anti-Japanese Training Corps. At this time, the December 9 Movement was in full swing, and a wave of anti-Japanese patriotic movement swept across North China, with slogans such as "Don't want to be a slave to the country" and "Support the 29th Army to defend North China" echoing throughout Beiping City, Tong Linge was very inspired.

  After Tong Linge took office, he stationed in Nanyuan and trained the troops with all his heart. At the founding meeting of the training team, Tong Linge wore a military cap, a leather belt around his waist, a pistol on his hip, and riding boots on his feet, looking energetic and spirited. He gave an impassioned speech to his subordinates, saying: The Japanese army has been constantly invading our country and is our sworn enemy. Resisting the Japanese and defending the nation is the duty of soldiers and also the responsibility of every citizen in the country. The 29th Army is a unit that supports resistance against Japan. When the country and the nation are in danger, when the Japanese bandits launch an attack on us, we have the responsibility to defend our territory and will not hesitate. In the Battle of Xifengkou, we defeated the enemy and made the people across the country look up to our army with high hopes. Therefore, the 29th Army established an anti-Japanese military training team, hoping that everyone would actively participate in military training, enhance their combat skills, resist the Japanese army, and make contributions to the country. Once the Japanese bandits impose war on us, we will immediately counterattack. I personally, along with everyone else, will take up arms, fight bravely, fight for the survival of our nation, and sacrifice ourselves for the honor of our country! His speech greatly inspired the soldiers' determination to resist Japan.

  At around 11 pm on July 7, 1937, the Japanese army's Kiyoshi Kawashima regiment arrived at the Lugou Bridge area near the defense zone of China's 29th Army, which was stationed in Fengtai, to conduct military exercises. Under the pretext that one soldier had gone missing, they unreasonably demanded to enter Wanping County to search for him, but were immediately met with a stern refusal from the Chinese garrison. The Japanese army then launched a premeditated artillery attack on the Chinese garrison at Lugou Bridge and Wanping County. The Chinese garrison, unable to bear it any longer, rose up in resistance and gave the invading enemy a resolute counterattack. Thus began the nationwide war of resistance of the entire Chinese nation.

  At that time, the commander of the 29th Army, Song Zheyuan, was not in Beiping. All actions of the 29th Army were commanded by Deputy Commander Tong Lin'ge. He immediately convened a meeting with division commanders Feng Yuxiang, Zhang Zizhong, Zhao Dengyu, and Liu Ruming to discuss the situation. Everyone's emotions ran high, and they all requested to go to war. Tong Lin'ge analyzed the situation facing Beiping and encouraged everyone to prepare for the ultimate sacrifice for their country. He said: "The Sino-Japanese War is inevitable. The Japanese invaders are attacking, our army is at the forefront, those who die in battle will be glorious, while those who survive will be shameful. It's light when it comes to personal honor and shame, but heavy when it comes to national and ethnic honor. When the country faces many difficulties, soldiers should wrap their bodies in horsehide to report their deaths to the country." These patriotic generals were inspired by Tong Lin'ge, tightly clasped their hands, and made a decision to live or die together, vowing to share life and death with Lugou Bridge. Then, an earth-shaking order was issued to all units of the 29th Army: "Counterattack immediately! The Lugou Bridge and Wanping City are your graves, you must survive or perish with the city." The anti-Japanese passion that had been suppressed for many years among the soldiers of the 29th Army suddenly burst out like a floodgate being opened.

  On July 7, a fierce battle was fought, and the Japanese army's multiple attacks were repelled. The Lugou Bridge and Wanping Fortress were as solid as gold. On the morning of the 8th, the Japanese concentrated their artillery fire and launched two intense bombardments against the Lugou Bridge, also deploying tanks to capture the Lugou Bridge railway station. Soon after, they launched a charge from the east bank of the Yongding River to the west bank, attempting to occupy the Lugou Bridge and control the Beijing-Hankou Railway. The third company of the 29th Regiment of the 110th Brigade of the 37th Division, who were guarding the bridge, fought valiantly and sacrificed themselves to the last man. The company commander, who was guarding the south gate of Wanping Fortress, was enraged and immediately dispatched a company of dare-to-die troops armed with big knives to charge at the enemy. When the two armies clashed, the dare-to-die troops were unstoppable, their knives flashing in the sunlight as the enemy's blood and flesh flew everywhere. The Japanese army was intimidated by such fearless opponents and fled in disarray, one by one. The Lugou Bridge was recaptured.

  From July 8 to 10, the sound of killing was endless at Lugou Bridge. In front of the Dawang Temple, the soldiers of the 29th Army shouted: "Rather die as a war ghost than be a slave to a lost country!" They exerted their strength in close combat and repeatedly fought with the Japanese army for positions. The Dawang Temple was lost and regained three times, and the battle was more intense than ever before. The Japanese army company commander, Kazukiyo Iwata, was killed by our army at the Dawang Temple, and the 29th Army's Jin Zhenzhong battalion commander was seriously injured. On the banks of the Yongding River, smoke billowed, and the Japanese army swarmed in. The 29th Army's big knife team, which had been hiding on the riverbank, suddenly jumped out and fought to the death with the enemy. The Japanese army retreated in defeat.

  On July 11, the Japanese government decided to send troops to northern China, expanding the war. On July 17, Chiang Kai-shek delivered a speech in Lushan, formally stating: "Once the war begins, there will be no distinction between north and south, old and young, all have the responsibility to resist and defend their homeland." The arduous eight-year War of Resistance officially began.

  The war clouds over Beiping are growing thicker. After Song Zheyuan returned from Shandong, his understanding of the situation was not very clear, and he was indecisive, making an already grim situation even more severe. The Japanese military had made up its mind to go to war with China, and Sugiyama Hajime boasted to the Japanese Emperor that he would "destroy China in three months". Large numbers of Japanese troops were concentrated along the railways and the Great Wall towards Pingjin.

  By July 26, the invading Japanese army had increased to more than 100,000. Langfang fell, and at the same time, the Japanese army stationed in Fengtai attempted to enter Guang'an Gate of Beiping, but was fiercely blocked by the 29th Army, and the Japanese commander Sakai was killed.

  On July 27, the Japanese Army's Suzuki Brigade and Inoue Detachment launched an attack on Beiyuan, Huangsi and Shahe with the support of more than 30 aircraft and an artillery regiment.

  The Japanese army gained time through fake peace talks and completed the strategic encirclement of Pingjin, making a big war inevitable. Tong Lin Ge spent his days rushing around the front line, knowing that the South Garden he was defending was the barrier between Tianjin and North Ping. Once the South Garden fell, the ancient city of North Ping would be exposed. He repeatedly asked Song Zheyuan to quickly dispatch troops to reinforce the South Garden. On the 27th, Song Zheyuan finally abandoned all illusions, decided to fight a decisive battle with the Japanese army, and appointed Zhao Dengyu as the military commander-in-chief of the South Garden to arrange the defense plan with Tong Lin Ge. Tong Lin Ge, who had been worried and anxious, finally let out a sigh of relief. He and Zhao Dengyu were old comrades-in-arms who had shared life and death for many years. When Zhao joined the army in Xi'an, Tong was his first company commander after enlistment, and they later cooperated for a long time, going through thick and thin, and established a brotherly friendship. The arrival of Zhao made him feel at ease, but when he learned that the main force of the 132nd Division led by Zhao was still on its way to Ping, and the vanguard had been blocked by the Japanese army in Tuanhe, his heart sank, and he thought to himself: "The time has come for me to sacrifice my life for the country."

  On July 28, the Japanese army launched an unprecedented fierce attack on Nanyuan. Under the alternate bombardment of more than 30 aircraft and dozens of artillery pieces, the position of the 29th Army had become a sea of fire, and the connection between various troops was cut off. The positions could not communicate with each other, and the soldiers were fighting against the Japanese army equipped with advanced equipment, relying solely on their morale and a large knife.

  The position was lost, the warriors bared their blades and took it back with their flesh and blood. The bunker was blown up, the warriors jumped into the hot shell hole, continuing to fight to the death. The front troops were wiped out, and the rear troops rushed forward without hesitation, blocking the gap. Chinese soldiers are no longer relying on weapons to compete with the enemy, but are inspired by a sense of national righteousness to fight against the strong enemy with their lives.

  At noon, the Japanese army broke through the defensive lines of Nanyuan West and South. The only road connecting the 29th Army with the city was the highway from Nanyuan to Beiping. At this time, a soldier reported that a large number of Japanese troops had appeared in the area of Dahongmen. Tong Lin Ge was shocked, he clearly knew that these Japanese troops were trying to control Dahongmen and cut off the entire North Road, so that the troops in Nanyuan would become isolated and completely surrounded by the Japanese army. The military situation was extremely urgent, Tong Lin Ge decided to personally go to clear out the Japanese troops at Dahongmen. At that time, there were not many defending soldiers left, after emergency mobilization, there were only over a hundred guards and attendants, Tong Lin Ge didn't care about the thin forces, he led them to rush towards Dahongmen.

  4. How magnificent, General!

  The Japanese army had discovered this reinforcement unit and concentrated a large amount of firepower, densely firing shells at the unobstructed troops. Under Tong Lin Ge's command, the soldiers advanced in a zigzag pattern under artillery fire. The Japanese saw that the unit was not very numerous and gradually surrounded them with infantry near the Great Red Gate. Tong Lin Ge became trapped in a heavy siege, fighting hard for a long time, charging east and west but unable to break through. Tong Lin Ge's leg was hit by a bullet, and his subordinates advised him to retreat and bandage his wound, but he said: "The situation is urgent, the war of resistance is important, personal safety is insignificant." With blood flowing profusely, he still led the charge. What Tong Lin Ge wanted was not to save himself, but how to find a weakness in the enemy's defenses and protect this northern line's only passageway. The soldiers were moved to tears, following Tong Lin Ge as he fought with the enemy. At that moment, a wicked bullet hit Tong Lin Ge's head, his eyes spewing flames of anger, bearing an unyielding hatred for the enemy, making a heroic sacrifice. That year, Tong Lin Ge was 45 years old. The day after Tong Lin Ge died in battle, the Hebei-Chahar Diplomatic Committee sent Secretary Ouyang Fu to lead more than ten guards, driving Red Cross vehicles to the Great Red Gate to retrieve the general's remains.

  Tong Linge was the first high-ranking general to sacrifice himself after the full-scale anti-Japanese war began. His spirit of fighting to the death against the enemy is admired by people all over the country. The National Government issued a commendation order on July 31, 1937, posthumously promoting Tong Linge to General of the Army. On New Year's Day in 1943, the National Government held a grand ceremony in Chongqing to honor Tong Linge and Zhao Dengyu as national heroes who had died resisting Japan, announcing that they would be enshrined in the capital's Temple of Martyrs. In the commendation order, the National Government praised Tong Linge: "With defending the nation and preserving its territory as his duty, he repeatedly charged forward, fighting valiantly without hesitation. His loyalty and bravery are truly worthy of inspiring the morale of our troops and serving as a model for our military campaigns. Unfortunately, he was surrounded by the enemy and died on the battlefield. We deeply mourn his heroic sacrifice!"

  China's "Rescue the Nation Times" published in Paris carried an article mourning General Tong Linge, praising him as "fighting to the last drop of blood, gloriously fulfilling his duty to defend the country and protect the people, a model for all military personnel nationwide."

  Tong Lin Ge and Zhao Deng Yu were both long-time sworn brothers of Feng Yuxiang. Feng Yuxiang was deeply grieved by their sacrifice. On August 1st, Feng Yuxiang wrote a poem in Nanjing titled "Mourning Tong and Zhao", expressing his deep feelings for the two national heroes:

  Tong is a comrade of 26 years.

  Zhao is a twenty-three-year-old brother.

  We share the hardships together, we accompany each other through thick and thin.

  On Learning

  Tong entered the Imperial Academy and studied for one year.

  Zhao entered the instructional team and returned to the camp after August.

  On physique:

  Equally robust, but Zhao is more majestic than Tong.

  Tong Shan's military training was extremely meticulous.

  Zhao Chang killed the enemy in a night raid on the camp.

  Tong Ji was frugal and simple, but his faith in Buddhism was very sincere.

  Zhao was extremely filial and especially good at putting his words into practice.

  Two people are equally loyal.

  The two men were equally brave.

  Now both died in battle against the enemy

  How sad it makes me!

  But I thought for the two of them,

  Also feel very fortunate.

  Eat people's fat, receive national cultivation

  It's better to die this way than to have a worse ending.

  The deceased fought hard in the war

  All of you are role models.

  Our entire nation is in an uproar

  Not afraid of how fierce the enemy flames are.

  Victory will ultimately belong to us.

  Victory will ultimately belong to us!

  The two of you wait for me in front.

  I will soon catch up with you guys.

  After Tong Linge's body was transported back to Beiping, it was temporarily placed in the Bailin Temple at Xinxing Bridge. At that time, Beiping had fallen, but the abbot of the temple admired General Tong's spirit of sacrificing his life for the country and risked being shot by the Japanese army to keep the secret of the coffin's placement until the end of the war. On July 28, 1946, on the ninth anniversary of Tong Linge's death and the first anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance, the people of Beiping held a grand memorial service for him at Zhongshan Park. The meeting was attended by numerous wreaths and mourning couplets, with an endless stream of people coming to pay their respects, giving General Tong the highest honors. He was finally reburied in Xiangshan Park. People from all walks of life in Beiping also unanimously decided to name Nangou Street in Xicheng District "Tong Linge Road" as a permanent memorial.