Huangpu (2)

  Huangpu characteristics

  The Whampoa Military Academy, also known as the Land Army Officer School, was a product of the first KMT-CPC cooperation; it was a school created to build a truly revolutionary army. The Whampoa Military Academy rejected some of the drawbacks of the old military system and proposed a relatively complete route for building an army, cultivating a large number of military and political talents, and opening up a new era for the modernization of China's armed forces.

  The establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy has a profound historical background. The founder of the academy, Sun Yat-sen, had always advocated for the use of revolutionary means to overthrow the reactionary forces' rule. However, in his persistence on violent revolution, he neglected the importance of creating an army. From the uprisings he led, either through the Triad Society or by infiltrating the new armies with revolutionary intellectuals, making them lean towards the revolutionary party and using them for the party's purposes. The Xinhai Revolution was won through the movement of the new armies turning against the government and the responses from various provinces. However, neither the Triad Society nor the new armies were truly revolutionary armies belonging to the revolutionary party, as Sun Yat-sen himself said: "The armies we used did not have a single one that struggled with the same goals as the revolutionary party; our revolution only had the struggles of the revolutionary party people, but no struggles from the revolutionary army." After the failure of the Xinhai Revolution, Sun Yat-sen attempted to use warlord forces to gain victory. In the movement to protect the constitution, he used the southwestern warlords to launch a northern expedition and failed. Regarding this, Sun Yat-sen pointed out: "The greatest calamity for our country is the struggle for power among the military leaders; the south and north are like two tigers in the same mountain." Later, Chen Jiongming's betrayal dealt a huge blow to Sun Yat-sen, who deeply realized that because there was no revolutionary army fighting, the general bureaucratic warlords controlled the Republic of China, and their revolution could not be completely successful.

  The October Revolution in Russia had a great impact on Sun Yat-sen. In 1918, Sun Yat-sen sent a telegram to Lenin and the Soviet government, expressing his admiration for the victory of the October Revolution and proposing that the two parties unite and fight together. This showed the initial formation of his idea of cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. He then held talks with Comintern representative Maring, which promoted the reorganization of the Nationalist Party and the implementation of cooperation between the two parties, and decided to establish a military academy. In August 1923, Sun Yat-sen sent a delegation led by Chiang Kai-shek to visit the Soviet Union to study party affairs and military matters, and to observe the Red Army and various military schools. On June 16, 1924, the Whampoa Military Academy was established on the site of the old naval school and army primary school, and held its opening ceremony. In March 1926, it was reorganized into the Central Military and Political School. The Whampoa Military Academy was deeply influenced by the Soviet Red Army, whether in terms of organization or military education and training, all bearing the imprint of the Soviet military. At the same time, the Whampoa Military Academy was also established on the basis of the Three Principles of the People, and was a major breakthrough from the old military schools and old armies. In retrospect, the history of the Whampoa Military Academy, especially in its early days, had the characteristics of the times and innovative significance, with three distinct features:

  First, with the realization of the Three Principles of the People as its educational goal, while putting political education first, it also implements the principle of political and military education complementing each other. Sun Yat-sen recognized the importance of revolutionary armies in his many failed lessons and believed that establishing a military school was for the purpose of building a revolutionary army. On June 16, 1924, Sun Yat-sen proposed to all students at the Whampoa Military Academy: From today on, let's recreate the revolution, and make this school the foundation, establish a revolutionary army. So what is called a revolutionary army? How can we set our aspirations to become a revolutionary army? Sun Yat-sen clearly pointed out that only an army with the same struggle as the revolutionary party can be called a revolutionary army. Sun Yat-sen believed that the old armies were all established on the basis of mercenary systems, and the vast majority of them went into the army because of their livelihoods or family burdens, with the goal of promotion and wealth. Obviously, such people cannot become revolutionary armies. The foundation of a revolutionary army is to have the same behavior as the revolutionary martyrs, that is, to have the spirit of revolution, to establish revolutionary ideals, to set a will, and for life, there is no psychology of promotion and wealth, only knowing how to do national salvation and people's livelihoods, realizing the Three Principles of the People and the Five-Power Constitution, wholeheartedly engaging in revolution, can achieve the purpose of the revolution. Therefore, cultivating military school students' realization of the Three Principles of the People's revolutionary ideas and spirit is the fundamental difference between Whampoa Military Academy and the old army.

  In accordance with the school's mission of implementing the Three Principles of the People, the Whampoa Military Academy placed political education in a prominent position. To this end, the school specially formulated the "Outline for Political Education", which clearly stated the goals to be achieved through the implementation and strengthening of political education, namely: students would thoroughly understand the international background that led to China's national revolution, as well as the domestic political, economic and other backgrounds; understand the importance of military political work, clarify their responsibilities within the army, and make military power truly become the people's military power. According to this outline, the Whampoa Military Academy formulated a comprehensive system of political education courses, initially stipulating three-peopleism and other political courses, later increased to 18, namely: History of the Kuomintang, Three People's Principles, History of Imperialist Invasion of China, Modern Chinese History, Imperialism, Social Evolutionary History, Introduction to Sociology, Social Problems, Socialism, Political Science, Economics, Economic Thought History, Comparative Study of National Constitutions, Military Political Work, Party Organization Work, China's Political and Economic Situation, World Political and Economic Situation, Political Economy Geography. In January 1926, after the reorganization of the military academy, courses such as Soviet Studies, Labor Movement, Peasant Movement, Student Movement, etc. were added, with a total of 26 courses. The content was very rich and the scope was very broad, not only including the Three People's Principles as the guiding ideology but also incorporating other advanced ideas, especially Marxism, socialism, and communism. As the representative of the party in the military academy, Wang Jingwei once mentioned in his order: "In addition to practically accepting the party's training, making efforts to study our party's doctrine, all publications related to our party must be carefully read. Moreover, we must pay attention to the world trend." Therefore, regarding books on socialism, communism, Marxism, etc., as well as publications that sympathize with or support our party's policies and actively assist our party, in addition to requiring the political department to purchase them at any time, students of this school can also buy them. This inclusive and comprehensive political education curriculum and content played a huge role in enhancing students' political awareness and ideological level, relatively well achieving the purpose of the outline.

  The most typical and influential political education in the Whampoa Military Academy was the political work system. The political work system was established by the Whampoa Military Academy, following the example of the Soviet Red Army's military establishment system, which opened up a precedent for the political work system in Chinese military academies. It was also because of its effective political work that the students of the Whampoa Military Academy not only knew how to use guns but also knew who to aim at. Their morale and combat effectiveness were unmatched by the old army.

  The political work of the Whampoa Military Academy had an inseparable relationship with the Communist Party, especially Zhou Enlai. Before Zhou Enlai arrived at the Whampoa Military Academy, the Political Department was just a shell, and there was hardly any progressive political work to speak of. After Zhou Enlai took over as the director of the Political Department, he put most of his time into concrete work, proposing that the Political Department should do three things well: first, send party representatives to the newly established First Regiment; second, establish the "Youth Military Union" and publish the wall newspaper "Soldier's Friend"; third, establish a normal working order and political work system for the Political Department. Finally, he also divided up the work and formulated detailed rules.

  Among them, the service details of the Political Department stipulated that all officers, students, soldiers, and workers had the responsibility to receive political training or guidance, so that they would have correct political knowledge, enhance their revolutionary spirit, and consciously abide by the revolutionary discipline. They were also responsible for external propaganda and political guidance, ensuring that the people knew that the revolutionary army was fighting for the interests of the oppressed masses, implementing Sun Yat-sen's legacy of combining military force with the people, becoming the people's military force, and achieving practical results in receiving help from the people.

  From then on, the political work of the Whampoa Military Academy flourished. Through various forms such as political lectures, political discussion meetings, and specially setting up a political Q&A box, they effectively carried out political education work, cultivating the students' high revolutionary enthusiasm, strong revolutionary fighting spirit, and brave sacrifice spirit.

  The Whampoa Military Academy, while emphasizing the Three Principles of the People in its military education, never relaxed its emphasis on military training for cadets. It adhered to the principle that political and military education should complement each other. In the "Outline of Political Education", it was stipulated that students should thoroughly understand military science and tactics, and recognize the importance of revolution. Students were required to have military knowledge and physical strength in order to take on responsibilities in the army for revolutionary work in the future.

  To this end, the Whampoa Military Academy formulated a scientific education and training program, which was divided into two categories: academic subjects and technical skills. The first phase of military education included basic military knowledge such as infantry tactics, shooting techniques, and field operations. In the second phase, students were taught specialized courses in tactics, artillery, engineering, transportation, and constabulary affairs.

  The third phase of education emphasized the four major courses of study: tactics, artillery, engineering, and transportation. Students also studied military regulations, horse riding, management, and hygiene. Technical skills training included drill practice, field exercises, shooting practice, night operations, technical skills, horse riding, work implementation, and command orders.

  The fourth phase of education added courses in armaments, geography, map reading, and surveying. The content of the courses was more in line with the needs of war. The military academy placed great emphasis on practical training, and most of the technical skills training took place in the field rather than on the drill ground. During exercises, students were required to simulate real combat situations, creating a strong atmosphere of battle.

  In addition to teaching academic subjects, military schools regularly hold military lectures. Military lectures are divided into ordinary and special categories. Ordinary lectures aim to instill necessary knowledge in officers, while special lectures introduce new or specialized military knowledge, report on various battles, or discuss other military issues, playing a complementary role in the education of military academic subjects.

  Under the guidance of the above educational thought and principle, the military academy has cultivated a large number of innovative talents with high political quality, solid foundation in military theory, and excellent military skills.

  Secondly, adopt the principle of combining school education with practical struggle, making students tempered into revolutionary soldiers.

  The Whampoa Military Academy was established under extremely harsh conditions. The students who came to the school were all passionate young people from all over the country. However, the school's teaching equipment and weapons were in short supply. Even for three meals a day, there was no guarantee that they would have dinner if they had breakfast, or whether they would have food tomorrow if they had it today. Despite such difficulties, the Whampoa Military Academy adhered to the principle of combining teaching with practical struggle. The students learned while fighting, and at the same time as creating revolutionary miracles, they were trained into true revolutionary soldiers advocated by Sun Yat-sen.

  The Whampoa Military Academy was a product of the cooperation between the KMT and the CPC, with the guiding ideology of allying with Russia, uniting with the Communist Party, and assisting peasants and workers. This determined that the academy would subjectively engage in the practice of anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggle; The academy was established under the watchful eyes of warlords, inevitably facing the hostility and exclusion of warlords and imperialism, objectively making it necessary for the academy to wage a resolute struggle against imperialism and feudalism.

  The Whampoa Military Academy was not long established when an armed rebellion broke out in Guangzhou. The Merchant Corps, a military organization established in the name of the Guangzhou business community, was the armed agent of British imperialism in Guangzhou, with about 4,000 troops. At that time, the southern government's army, loyal to the revolution, had all followed Sun Yat-sen on the Northern Expedition, while the Yunnan, Fujian and Hunan armies either stood by and watched or secretly colluded with the Merchant Corps. The only reliable force was the 800 students who had been studying at the Whampoa Military Academy for less than six months. However, it was this new force that the enemy had not taken seriously, supported by trade unions and peasant associations in Guangzhou and other places, which took only three days to disarm and surrender the Merchant Corps troops. This was also the first successful practice of the Whampoa student army's duty to oppose imperialism and feudalism.

  After the suppression of the Merchant Corps' armed rebellion, the Guangzhou government was still in a state of crisis with internal and external troubles. With the help of the Communist Party, the leaders of the Whampoa Military Academy had a further understanding of their revolutionary mission, believing that in a semi-colonial country like China, they should overthrow bureaucrats, warlords, and all reactionary forces internally, and resist the heavy oppression of imperialism externally. The Nationalist Party then launched an eastern expedition to attack Chen Jiongming and his remaining troops. The main force participating in this struggle was the newly formed Whampoa Military Academy's Training Regiment and its second batch of students. They formed the Whampoa Military Academy's school army, with limited strength and insufficient training being a fact, compared to Chen Jiongming's troops who had been carefully built up over many years, with solid defensive fortifications and excellent equipment, it was clear that they were at a disadvantage. However, it was this team that was not favored at the time, which won victory after victory, successively winning the battles of Danshui, Mianhu, Wuhua, and Xingning, making the enemy tremble with fear. The reason for their repeated victories is inseparable from the Whampoa Military Academy's insistence on carrying out active and effective political work among the people. In "A Letter to the People of East River", the Whampoa Military Academy informed the people of East River: Our school army believes that the oppressed people want to eliminate their own suffering, they must rise up themselves, and take action with the revolutionary army, then the power of this revolutionary army can be increased, so the people and the revolutionary army must unite as one. Force is used for the people. This is the key to the Whampoa Military Academy's victory in war.

  At the time when Huangpu army was fighting against the reactionary warlords, two other warlords of the southern government, Yang Ximin and Liu Zhenhuan, took advantage of Sun Yat-sen's death and the grief of the people to collude with the Beiyang warlords and plot to overthrow the National Government by force. The Huangpu army returned to Guangzhou without adjustment and joined the battle to pacify Liu and Yang. With their bravery, good fighting skills and strict discipline, the Huangpu army adopted the strategy of quick victory and defeated the Yunnan-Guangxi army one by one, completely eliminating them in less than two days.

  Chen Jiongming, who was defeated by the Huangpu Army and fled in disarray, believed that after pacifying Yang Liu, the Huangpu Army would be severely weakened. He took advantage of this opportunity to occupy the entire Dongjiang area and the strategic city of Huizhou, restoring the situation before the first Eastern Expedition. The Huangpu Army, after a short period of three months of reorganization and training, vowed to launch a second Eastern Expedition. This war was the most arduous battle the Huangpu Army had ever encountered. In the bloody Battle of Huizhou, the Huangpu students won the final victory with their lives and blood. The important reason for the victory of the Second Eastern Expedition lay in the fact that the Huangpu Army emphasized propaganda among the people during the war, winning their support by promoting the Three Principles of the People. As stated in "Reconquering Dongjiang's Warning", protecting the people is to implement the Three Principles of the People, while harming them is a counter-revolutionary bandit army that violates the principles. In the political propaganda work during the battle, slogans such as "Fighting to save the people of Dongjiang", "Fighting to protect the interests of the people of Dongjiang", and "The National Revolutionary Army is the people's armed force, it is the people's own army" were put forward, truly achieving the combination of military power and the masses.

  In addition, the Whampoa Army also participated in the Northern Expedition. The students and faculty of the military academy realized that today's China was suffering from the ravages of imperialism and warlordism, with the people being brutally oppressed to an extreme degree! This is because the warlords privately controlled large military forces, colluded with imperialism to vie for power and profit, and harmed the people. The students of the military academy welcomed battle with full enthusiasm. In the oath of the Whampoa Military Academy students, we can see a glimpse: We are the students of Whampoa, in the near future, we will lead the revolutionary warriors to charge forward and kill the enemy. We swear to be loyal to the party and the country, and to fight for the interests of the people until the end. This body can be killed, but this spirit will not change.

  The characteristics of the Huangpu Military Academy's education are also reflected in the students' active participation in anti-imperialist struggles, support for the workers and peasants movement, and assistance in establishing workers and peasants organizations. After the May 30th Incident, the Huangpu students were filled with righteous indignation and participated in demonstrations and marches. The Huangpu students walked at the back of the procession to protect the workers, peasants, and students, shouting slogans such as "Down with imperialism!" and "Abolish unequal treaties!". The atmosphere was unprecedented and unmatched. Imperialism took advantage of the situation and massacred people in Shaji, where 23 Huangpu students were killed and 53 injured. After the Shaji Incident, the Huangpu School turned grief into strength and issued a declaration in support of the Hong Kong-Canton strike, calling on all sectors to unite against imperialism. The school also sent excellent military officers to train workers' pickets and provided active assistance to striking workers in both spiritual and material terms, aiming for ultimate victory.

  The leaders of the Huangpu Military Academy deeply felt that: The main component of the national revolution is the people. Among the people, the majority are peasants, so the only requirement for a successful national revolution is to win over the majority of peasants. If we do not want the national revolution to succeed, then let it be. Otherwise, we must first mobilize the peasants. While supporting the struggles of workers and peasants, the Huangpu military personnel genuinely implemented Sun Yat-sen's policy of assisting farmers and workers, and supported and assisted peasant movements. First, they established a Peasant Movement Training Institute to cultivate peasant movement talents. The school sent military and political instructors multiple times, training four cohorts of students from the Peasant Movement Training Institute, which rapidly improved the military and political qualities of the trainees. After returning to their villages, these trainees led peasants in rural revolutions, providing strong support for the revolutionary army's battles. Second, the Political Department of the Military Academy sent personnel to provide political and military training to the Dongguan Peasant Self-Defense Corps. Third, the Military Academy dispatched more than 30 graduates from its fourth class to a special training institute for peasant movement cadres to study the basic theories and methods of peasant movements. After completing their studies, these trainees were sent to various key counties to lead the training of model teams for peasant self-defense armies, promoting peasant movements in those areas.

  In short, the students of Huangpu Military Academy participated in real anti-imperialist and anti-feudal struggles during their school days, applying what they learned in school to practice, and accelerating their progress towards becoming the revolutionary army that Sun Yat-sen had hoped for.

  Thirdly, manage the school in accordance with the law and strictly enforce discipline, so that the entire school management is on a track of legalization and standardization.

  The Huangpu Army was able to sweep away the warlords despite being outnumbered, not only because of its implementation of the ideology of building a strong army through powerful political education, but also because it implemented the rule of law in school management, using strict school rules and military discipline to manage all levels of officers and soldiers as well as various affairs, making school management characterized by legalization and regularization.

  The leaders of the Whampoa Military Academy believed that to establish an invincible army and maintain high morale, strict military discipline was necessary. To this end, the academy promulgated five sets of military laws:

  1. The "Revolutionary Army's Collective Responsibility Law", which stipulated that if a squad retreated together, only the squad leader would be killed; if a platoon retreated together, only the platoon leader would be killed; and so on up to the division level.

  2. The "Revolutionary Army's Criminal Code" was divided into ten articles for rebellion, five articles for abuse of power, ten articles for dereliction of duty, one article for disobedience, two articles for insult, four articles for plunder, two articles for fraud, and three articles for desertion. Punishments ranged from imprisonment to execution depending on the nature and severity of the crime.

  3. The "Revolutionary Army's Punishment Code" was applicable to personnel who committed crimes that were not serious enough to warrant criminal punishment. It stipulated three types of punishments: heavy, light, and detention.

  4. The "Trial Code" and the "Army Prison Rules" regulated the trial and imprisonment of personnel who violated military laws.

  Although these regulations inherited some of the old army's military laws and had a fascist flavor, they played a positive role in the historical context of the time, especially during the cruel war years. In practice, these laws motivated the Whampoa Military Academy soldiers to charge forward without fear, and their sacrifices were not in vain.

  In addition to these military regulations, the Whampoa Military Academy also formulated the "Student Corps Student Code of Conduct", which stipulated the discipline that cadets should follow during their studies, such as: students gathering and dispersing with bugle calls, no matter what time or occasion, upon hearing the bugle call, they must quickly assemble at the designated location, and are not allowed to delay or avoid; students having accidents, only report to the directly responsible officer or the duty officer of the star district, and do not jump levels to appeal. The regulations also stipulated that after completing their studies and graduating, students should take a graduation exam. Those who pass will be assigned to various armies as probationary officers, and after completing their term, they will be granted the rank of junior lieutenant in the army. Those who fail will have their term extended for further study. The graduation exam is organized by the National Government or by the school itself. The Whampoa Military Academy placed great emphasis on cultivating revolutionary sacrifice among its students, and in this code, guided the development of students' style: respect, strength, determination, integrity, diligence, unity, obedience, purity, as well as following orders, fulfilling duties, maintaining reputation, and being a good soldier.

  The rule of law in the Huangpu Military School is also reflected in the regulations on organizational structure, functional departments, powers and responsibilities of officials, and specific activities. In terms of organizational structure, functional departments, and personnel powers, the school has made strict regulations. The school formulated and implemented the "Organizational System Table of the Central Military and Political School of the National Revolutionary Army", including: under the military department, there are general affairs section, personnel section, military law section, secretariat, etc., as well as teaching department, training department, political department, management office, military medical office, etc. The responsibilities of each department were clearly defined, ensuring the smooth operation of various aspects of the school's teaching and management. Each department also formulated service details, specifying the powers and responsibilities of officials at all levels. In terms of student recruitment, the school specially formulated a recruitment brochure, which detailed the qualifications and examination content of applicants, and established operational standards to ensure fairness and impartiality in the admission process.

  The Huangpu Army won the respect and admiration of the people during the war because it was a revolutionary army with strict discipline. The Huangpu Army was different from the old army, and whether it was an officer or a student, they were not allowed to pull carts, rob, extort, or occupy houses during the march. Those who violated this rule would be punished according to the criminal code of the revolutionary army. In "Reconquering Dongjiang's Admonition", it emphasized the importance of strictly following military discipline, obeying orders, and remembering the collective punishment law of the revolutionary army. The lyrics of "The People's Song" also reflected the strict discipline of the revolutionary army: "Don't take doors from people's homes, don't dismantle houses to move bricks and stones, don't trample crops and destroy property, don't beat ducks and chickens in the villages."

  The Whampoa Military Academy is a new-type school that truly cultivates revolutionary armies since modern times, guided by the Three Principles of the People. It combines ruthless military discipline and humanized political work to run the school in a legalized and regular manner. The school has produced numerous talents and achieved impressive battle records. With its unique approach to education, it has cultivated a large number of military and political talents, becoming a renowned institution that has influenced the development of China's revolution. It occupies an important position in the history of modern Chinese military academy construction and development. The educational characteristics of Whampoa Military Academy also have profound implications for the management of our country's military academies today.

  Whampoa Military Academy Alumni Introduction

  March 27, 1924: The military school held the entrance examination for the first batch of new students. April 28: The list of admitted students was announced and they were divided into four teams. November 30: The first batch of students completed their exams. June 25, 1925: A supplementary graduation ceremony was held, with a total of 645 graduates.

  August 14, 1924: The military school held the second phase of new student entrance exams. November 19: 158 students from the Xiang Army's Lecture Martial Hall were incorporated into the school and formed the sixth team. September 6, 1925: Graduation ceremony was held with a total of 449 graduates.

  The third term began on July 1, 1925, with a total of 9 squads and 1 cavalry squad, without division by subject. Graduation took place on January 17, 1926, with a total of 1233 people.

  The fourth period began on March 8, 1926, and was divided into five departments: infantry, artillery, engineering, logistics, and politics. A total of 2,645 people graduated on October 4.

  The fifth period began on April 1926, with the same subjects as the fourth period. On July 20, 1927, it was relocated to Nanjing for study and graduated on August 15, with a total of 1,480 people.

  The sixth term was divided into two locations for study: Guangzhou Huangpu and Nanjing

  In August 1926, the Huangpu district opened school, after Chiang Kai-shek's betrayal of the revolution, only over 800 of the original 4400 people remained. On February 24, 1929, 718 graduated. After opening in Nanjing, it absorbed students from Wuhan branch school, Changsha branch school and Fujian Army Officer School to study together. On May 15, 1929, a total of 3634 graduated.

  The seventh period was also divided into two locations for study: Guangzhou's Huangpu and Nanjing.

  The seventh period of Whampoa was interrupted once due to Chiang Kai-shek's retirement. Classes resumed in May 1928. Graduation took place on September 26, 1930, with a total of 666 people. The Nanjing branch opened on March 16, 1929, and was divided into four departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, and engineering. Graduation took place on December 28, 1929, with a total of 852 people.

  In May 1930, the eighth recruitment was enrolled. In 1931, German-style education was adopted. In March 1932, after the students of the Wuhan branch school were incorporated into the eighth period, they were divided into two general teams (the students of the Wuhan branch school belonged to the second general team). On May 20, 1933, the first general team graduated with 305 people. On November 25, the second general team graduated with 1240 people.

  March 6, 1931: The ninth batch of students enrolled (from this period on, recruitment began in the south and north of the Yellow River and border areas). Graduated in May 1934, with a total of 654 people.

  The tenth period students were divided into two batches, with five departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering and transportation. The first batch graduated on June 16, 1936, totaling 940 people. The second batch graduated in January 1937, totaling 621 people.

  The 11th term began in September 1934, organized into two battalions. Divided into five departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering and transportation. On August 28, 1937, the first battalion graduated with 605 students. On October 25, the second battalion graduated with 664 students.

  September 28, 1935, the twelfth period of students entered school. November 11 merged with Fort Cannon School students. Divided into infantry, artillery, engineering, and communications four departments. Due to the needs of the War of Resistance, this period of students graduated early on January 20, 1938, totaling 740 people.

  Enrolled 13th batch of students in Nanjing in August 1936. Graduated on September 16, 1938, in Tongliang, Sichuan, with a total of 1,412 people.

  The 14th batch of students entered the school in autumn and winter of 1937, divided into three main teams. The first team graduated from Tongliang, Sichuan in November 1938, with a total of 669 people. The second team graduated from Tongliang, Sichuan in September 1939, with a total of 1510 people. The sixth team graduated from Chengdu in January 1939, with a total of 1520 people.

  In January 1938, the 15th batch of students entered school. On July 21, 1940, 1,559 people graduated in Chengdu. In addition, 272 air force students were trained.

  The 16th period students were divided into three main teams. The first team entered school in October 1938 and graduated in December 1940, with a total of 1597 people, including 97 air force students who received training. The second team entered school in January 1939, trained at Tongliang, and graduated at Tongliang in October 1939, with a total of 1629 people. The third team entered school in the spring of 1939 and graduated at Chengdu North School Field in April 1940, with a total of 1165 people.

  The 17th student group was divided into three general teams. The first general team started school on April 15, 1940. Graduated from Chengdu North School Field in April 1942, with a total of 1527 people. The second general team started school on May 6, 1940. Graduated from Tongliang on November 20, 1941, with a total of 1374 people. The third general team started school on July 13, 1940, and graduated from Chengdu North School Field on February 15, 1942, with a total of 1030 people.

  The 18th period students were divided into two general teams. The first general team enlisted on April 1, 1941. Graduated from the North Campus of Chengdu in February 1943, with a total of 1600 people. The second general team enlisted on November 25, 1941. Graduated from the South Campus of Chengdu on October 8, 1943, with a total of 1237 people.

  The 19th batch of students enlisted in May 1942 and were divided into seven departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, special class, logistics, and communications. They graduated on April 14, 1945 at the West Campus in Chengdu, with a total of 902 people.

  The 20th student enlisted on March 20, 1944, and was divided into six departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, communications, logistics, and engineering. In the spring of 1946, students from the Guangxi branch school joined the school. On December 25, 1946, a total of 1,116 people graduated at the Chengdu North Campus.

  The 21st student enlisted in Chengdu on January 3, 1945, and was divided into seven departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, logistics, communications, and armored vehicles. The armored vehicle department was established later and extended for one semester to graduate. Graduated on December 25, 1947, with a total of 2,219 people.

  The 22nd batch of students enlisted in Shuangliu on July 7, 1948, and were divided into six departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, logistics, and communications. They graduated on February 12, 1949, with a total of 1,538 people.

  The 23rd class of students entered school in early 1949 and graduated on December 4, ahead of schedule, as the People's Liberation Army approached Chengdu by the end of the year. Except for a small number of teachers and students who were airlifted to Taiwan, the rest were annihilated.

  Total: 41,386 people, more than 20,000 martyrs in the war of resistance against Japan.

  Whampoa Military Academy Student Situation Overview (1924-1979)

  For a retrospective overview of the Whampoa Military Academy from its founding in 1924 to the present, this article describes the historical ups and downs of students from different periods. Based on the "22nd Classmate Record" of the Chengdu campus; the "Whampoa Military Academy Classmate Record" compiled by the Hunan Provincial Archives; the "Brief History of Whampoa Military Academy" compiled by the Shanghai Whampoa Alumni Association; and Taiwan's "Brief History of the 60th Anniversary of Whampoa's Founding", this article selects the main points, makes adjustments and supplements to form a comprehensive text. It is divided into four stages: 1. The Whampoa period, 2. The Nanjing period, 3. The Chengdu period, and 4. The Fengshan period. This provides readers with a reference for in-depth research on the history and current status of Whampoa Military Academy.

  The Huangpu Period

  The First Period

  Entered school on May 5, 1924, held the opening ceremony on June 16, and graduated on November 31 of the same year. The number of students was over 500 when they first entered the school, and later, more than 120 students from the Military Affairs Department's Lecture Hall were also merged into this school, with a total of 645 graduates. Only one infantry course was set up for study. At that time, it was only half a year to learn. Most students came from all over the country, mainly representatives who participated in the Nationalist Party's "First Congress" entrusted by the Military Academy Preparatory Committee, including Nationalist Party members and Communist Party members. After the meeting, they returned to their hometowns and were recommended by local organizations of both parties, party members, and progressive young people. They took a preliminary examination at their original location before participating in the final re-examination in Guangzhou, and then formally entered school.

  During their school days, they followed Sun Yat-sen to Shaoguan for the Northern Expedition and then returned to Guangzhou to participate in the war of suppressing the Merchants' Corps. After graduation, most of them stayed in the teaching group of the military school or were assigned to the workers' inspection team, peasants' self-defense army, and naval vessels of the revolutionary government. Later, they won victories in the first and second Eastern Expeditions of the Guangdong Revolutionary Government and the subsequent battles to unify Guangdong, growing stronger with each battle, eventually becoming an important backbone of the Party Army and the National Revolutionary Army, and the core and mainstay of the early revolutionary armed forces.

  The Second Phase

  In August to October 1924, students were enrolled in batches, with many coming from various places, totaling 449 people. The subjects of study expanded from infantry to include artillery, engineering, logistics and political science. The original planned duration was six months, but due to the needs of military combat training, they did not formally graduate until September 6, 1925.

  This period of students entered the school not long, coincided with the military school began its first Eastern Expedition, was ordered to follow the school department Eastern Expedition team set out to East River, in practice border combat while attending classes, in actual combat quickly grew. After occupying Chaozhou, and set up Chaozhou branch school opened classes on the spot. In June returned to Guangzhou, participated in the suppression of Yunnan-Guizhou army rebellion and Sha Ji anti-imperialist demonstration. After graduation, most were assigned to the First Army or participate in the worker-peasant movement, serving as backbone.

  The Third Stage

  In the winter of 1924, students from various places including Shanghai and Guangzhou were enrolled, with a total number of over 1,300. Graduation took place in January 1926. After a selection examination, there were actually 1,233 graduates. The curriculum was divided into two departments: infantry and cavalry. After entering the school, students first received three months of military training, and only after passing the exam could they be transferred to student status, marking the beginning of the system of enrolling students as soldiers.

  During the first Eastern Expedition of this school, the students of this period formed a total team of new recruits to stay in school due to their initial entry into the school. They were stationed in urban areas, Huangpu and Humen, responsible for security, duty and alert tasks. During the Yang Liu rebellion, they were ordered to concentrate from various places back to Huangpu Changzhou Island, coordinating with the Eastern Expedition Army to launch a general attack. Then participated in the "June 23" Guangzhou all walks of life to support Shanghai's "May 30th" anti-imperialist procession. When passing through Shaji, they were again subjected to gunfire and killing by imperialist troops, resulting in 22 deaths and 53 injuries among school officers and soldiers, including 16 new recruits from this period who died. After the assassination of school party representative Liao Zhongkai, they also directly participated in the supervision of prisoners related to the "Liao case". After graduation, most students were assigned to work in the First Army of the National Revolutionary Army, and some dedicated themselves to local peasant movements, worker movements, or were sent to the northern warlord-controlled areas to engage in underground activities within the enemy's internal. They played an active role in the Northern Expedition.

  The fourth period

  Entered school in batches from July 1925 to January 1926, initially as recruits. In March 1926, after passing the recruit promotion exam, they were converted to students and held a grand opening ceremony. The subjects studied included infantry, artillery, engineering, politics, and management, with five majors. Graduated in October of the same year. There were 2654 students.

  This period of school name from the original called Army Officer School, Chinese Nationalist Party Army Officer School, renamed Central Military and Political School. Due to the large number of revolutionary youths from all over the country and neighboring brother countries who applied for this school, they were organized into two teams, Team One and Team Two, with a special department set up to manage them. During their time in school, it was just when the military academy began its second Eastern Expedition and Northern Expedition, and the tasks they undertook were unprecedentedly heavy. From the beginning of their studies, they were assigned to guard Huizhou, defend Guangzhou, guard the Constitutional Gate, and take charge of various warships and the custody of "Liao case" suspects. Until March 1926, when the military academy expanded and reorganized, students' political and military learning courses became more regularized, and their participation in social labor movements and political propaganda practices was also very frequent, with many gains. Before and after the Northern Expedition oath-taking ceremony in July, students of this period were successively assigned to serve as company commanders, party representatives, platoon leaders, squad leaders or combat backbone members in eight armies of the National Revolutionary Army. Excellent students were appointed to serve in the General Command of the Northern Expeditionary Army and its affiliated units such as the Guard Regiment and the Supplement Regiment. They played an active role in the Northern Expedition War and made outstanding contributions.

  The Fifth Issue

  After March 1926, they were admitted to school in batches and initially became enlisted students, stationed in places such as Shahe and Yantang. In November, they converted to formal students after passing the promotion exam. The subjects of study were divided into five categories: infantry, artillery, engineering, politics, and management. At the end of the year, they received orders to take the artillery, engineering, and political science courses north with the Northern Expeditionary Army, advancing to Wuhan to teach, and together with the newly recruited male and female enlisted students' total team, were known as the Wuhan Branch School. Due to the split between the Wuhan government and the Nanjing government in 1927 within the revolutionary camp, the graduation ceremony for this period of students was also held separately in Wuhan and Nanjing. The graduates in Wuhan had their commencement ceremony presided over by Yu Daqing; the graduates in Nanjing had their commencement ceremony presided over by He Yingqin. The graduating students who participated in the Nanjing ceremony were those who had been ordered to come from the Huangpu headquarters in Guangzhou. According to statistics from the Nanjing school, there were 2418 graduates this period.

  This term, when students entered Guangzhou, there were over 3,300 people, forming the first and second battalions of new recruits. During the Northern Expedition, students from the artillery and engineering departments formed an artillery regiment, an engineer battalion, and a mortar battalion to participate in battles in Hunan, Jiangxi, Hubei, and other provinces, achieving military merits. Students from the political department also participated in propaganda and combat along the way. The infantry and logistics departments' students who stayed behind guarded the school and were responsible for local defense and security tasks. After April 1927, the open split between the KMT and CPC and the confrontation between the Wuhan and Nanjing governments led to intense struggles between the two parties. Many fifth-term students in school suffered persecution and dispersed. As a result, there was a difference of over 800 people between the number of students who entered the school and those who graduated.

  Nanjing Period

  The Sixth Issue

  This term has two divisions: the Huangpu headquarters and the Nanjing headquarters. The situation of the two is different: Huangpu's sixth term, first renamed National Revolutionary Army Military Academy by Li Jishen in May 1928 under the name of Central Political Conference Guangzhou Political Branch. Students originally enrolled in October 1926, with subjects including infantry, artillery, engineering, and management, totaling over 4,400 students. The source of these students was widespread, including Myanmar, Vietnam, Korea, and Southeast Asia. However, like the fifth term, these six-term students were also scattered due to the split and struggle between the KMT and CPC, as well as local forces' destruction. Only 718 students remained at Huangpu headquarters until graduation in February 1929. To distinguish it from Nanjing's sixth term, this term is called Huangpu Sixth Term Second Headquarters.

  Nanjing Sixth Period, end of 1927, the original plan was to establish a Central Military and Political School in Nanjing, which was renamed the Central Army Officer School in March 1928 as a continuation of the Huangpu Headquarters. The original students of the Huangpu Headquarters were changed to be the preparatory students of the Nanjing Headquarters. The first batch of students came from the sixth period of recruits recruited by the Huangpu Headquarters. Due to the split between the KMT and the CPC, the school was once suspended and dispersed in various places. In early 1928, they successively responded to the call of the Nanjing Headquarters and the Alumni Association and gathered in Hangzhou for training, with a total of 1026 people. Soon after, they were transferred to Nanjing for training, hence the name "Nanjing Sixth Period Students". There were also some students who took the new entrance exam in Nanjing, as well as students from the Changsha Branch School, Wuhan Branch School, Student Soldier Team, Fujian Army Officer School, and the 14th, 44th, and 26th Military Officer Training Schools, etc., all of whom successively joined the school and were divided into infantry battalions 1-4, artillery battalion, engineering battalion, transportation battalion, and logistics battalion, etc. They were incorporated into the sixth period student ranks, increasing the number of students to 3534. The school officially opened in March 1928 and graduated in May 1929. A total of 3252 graduates were counted, known as the Nanjing Headquarters Sixth Period First Corps, with a total of 3970 graduates from the Huangpu Headquarters Sixth Period Second Corps, collectively referred to as the Sixth Period Students of the school, all of whom were sent to serve in various National Revolutionary Army units.

  The Seventh Issue

  Like the sixth period students, there are also divisions between Whampoa's main campus and Nanjing's main campus students:

  The 7th term students of the Whampoa Military Academy, on August 15, 1927, with the original student army and military instructor team members, took the entrance examination and were admitted to the school, totaling 1,400 people, known as pre-college students. In the fall of 1928, the students of the 8th Route Army Cadre School also merged into this school as enlisted students, totaling 800 people. Both types of students took the promotion exam in December 1928 and became formal students. The subjects were divided into infantry, artillery, engineering, and logistics, and a foreign language class was continued, with four classes taught in English, French, German, and Japanese according to the students' wishes and levels. Initially, the school started at the Shahe Yan Tang campus, but moved back to the Whampoa campus in April 1929. On September 10 of the same year, Chiang Kai-shek ordered that the name of the school be changed to "National Revolutionary Army Huangpu Military Academy" by adding the two characters "Huangpu" to the original name "National Revolutionary Army Military Academy". The graduation exam was held in August 1930, and the graduation ceremony was held on September 26. A total of 666 students graduated after passing the exam, known as the Second General Team of the 7th term.

  This period of students was recruited from 1927 and 1928, and graduated in September 1930. During these three years, the school experienced many changes in the political climate and local factional struggles, leading to repeated conflicts between teachers and students, resulting in a significant number of students dropping out. As a result, the number of graduates was more than 1,400 fewer than the original number of students recruited. In September 1930, when the graduates were assigned to various units, the Whampoa Academy received an order from Chiang Kai-shek on September 7: "After the seventh period, the academy will be closed immediately." Therefore, some faculty and staff members returned to Nanjing, while others were dismissed with two months' pay. By October 24 of the same year, the Whampoa Academy in Guangzhou had completely ceased operations.

  In the 7th term of Nanjing, among the Whampoa students who were summoned to Hangzhou for training in early 1928, there were two groups: those who had enlisted and those who were preparatory students. Except for the 6th term enlistees who went to Nanjing earlier to take exams and become formal students of the 6th term, the remaining preparatory students trained together with students from the Second Army Officer School in Hangzhou. In December 1928, after completing their preparatory studies and passing exams, they were transferred to Nanjing to become formal students of the 7th term. The subjects studied included infantry, cavalry, engineering, and logistics. During their studies, in October 1929, they were ordered to form a student mixed brigade in Wuhan and were stationed in various places for guard duty, causing their education to be suspended. They returned to school in November of the same year to make up for lost time and graduated after passing exams in December. A total of 852 students graduated, known as the First Brigade of Nanjing's 7th term. After graduation, they were mainly assigned to serve in various National Revolutionary Army units.

  The Eighth Issue

  In May 1930, the school was established in Nanjing with an enrollment of 712 students. The organization and curriculum were similar to those of the original Huangpu period, but with the addition of a lieutenant colonel as class leader, and the length of study was extended to three years. During this time, students were required to learn one of three foreign languages: English, German, or Japanese. New admission regulations required applicants to hold a high school diploma, ensuring that students had a certain level of cultural quality and educational background. In March 1932, the Wuhan branch campus was reopened, and its students were merged with the Nanjing campus. The original Nanjing campus students were divided into five departments: infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, and communications. They graduated in May 1933, with a total of 505 graduates, known as the First Battalion of the Eighth Class of Nanjing. The Wuhan branch campus students graduated later, in November, with a total of 1240 graduates, known as the Second Battalion of the Eighth Class of Nanjing. The combined total number of graduates was 1745 or 1774 people.

  During this period, students were studying during a critical moment when the country and nation were facing internal worries and external threats. The struggle between the KMT and CCP, the civil war between local warlords, and Japan's imperialist invasion of China, which led to the September 18th Incident in Northeast China and the January 28th Incident in Shanghai, all broke out one after another. Although students had not yet interrupted their studies, they began to show a patriotic enthusiasm for stopping the civil war and resisting Japanese aggression among teachers and classmates.

  The Ninth Issue

  This period of students, expanded to Heilongjiang and the Yellow River Basin, including Henan, Shandong, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Liaoning and other provinces respectively recruited. Implemented a one-year system for new recruits, two years for undergraduate students. For new recruits, continued to implement strict new soldier education, upper-level soldier education, and lower-level officer education. In addition to the original English, German, and Japanese classes in the eighth period, Russian and French classes were also added. Entered school in March 1931, started school in May 1931. Set up an infantry regiment, divided into three battalions: Infantry Battalion 1, Infantry Battalion 2, and Infantry Battalion 3, with one battalion each of cavalry, artillery, engineering, transportation, and armored vehicles. Completed the training period in April 1934, held a graduation ceremony on May 8, with 654 graduates.

  After graduation, except for a small number of students who stayed in school, most were assigned to serve in the National Revolutionary Army units in Northwest China, Northeast China, Suiyuan, Qinghai and other places. From then on, graduates from this school spread throughout the troops under the jurisdiction of the National Government.

  Issue 10

  This term of students, since the spring of 1933, was conducted twice by the provincial education departments and public security bureaus across the country. After being selected by each province, they were re-examined in Nanjing and a total of 1,118 students were admitted, entering school in September 1933 and forming the new student battalion. To accommodate the enthusiasm for military service and patriotism, an additional preparatory class was established for reserve students. The latter extended their study period by half a year, mainly to supplement natural sciences and foreign languages. Both the new students and the preparatory class were converted into formal students after passing exams. A total of 940 new students were converted into students, divided into infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, transportation, and other departments, graduating in June 1936 as the First General Team of the Tenth Term; 621 reserve students were also converted into students, similarly divided into infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineering, transportation, and other departments, graduating in January 1937 as the Second General Team of the Tenth Term.

  At that time, Japanese imperialism, following the "January 28" incident in Shanghai, attempted to further invade North China by force of arms and demanded control over North China from our country. This led to the Beijing students launching the "December 9th" patriotic anti-Japanese movement, with students across the nation responding enthusiastically. The students of this period also joined forces with the Nanjing Student Union to participate in the propaganda campaign against Japan, upholding the slogan "Stop the civil war, unite to resist Japan".

  Issue 11

  This term of students were mainly recruited from Beiping, Luoyang, Hankou, Nanjing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. More than 10,000 young people came to take the exam, and those who were admitted entered school in Nanjing in September 1934. After the examination, more than 700 people were enrolled as regular students, forming the First Brigade of the Eleventh Term, also known as the First Battalion; those who were enrolled as reserve students were called the Reserve Class of the Enrolled Students and formed the Second Brigade of the Eleventh Term, with an extended study period of half a year for supplementary courses. The First Battalion completed their study period in November 1935 and were assigned to various units for three months of internship, becoming regular students in January 1936, and graduating in August 1937, with 605 graduates in cavalry, artillery, engineering, transportation and other fields; the Reserve Class graduated in October 1937, with 664 graduates in infantry, artillery, transportation and other fields.

  This period coincided with the peaceful resolution of the Xi'an Incident in 1936, realizing the slogan "Stop the civil war and unite against Japan". However, Japanese imperialism launched the "July 7th Lugou Bridge Incident" and the "August 13th Shanghai Incident" in 1937. The whole nation was outraged and demanded to go to war with Japan. The anti-Japanese national united front of the two parties also formally took shape, triggering a wave of national resistance against Japan. The students of the First Squadron held their graduation ceremony at Linggu Temple during the critical moment when enemy planes were bombing Nanjing and the school, and then dispersed to the front lines to participate in the Battle of Shanghai and the Defense of Nanjing. The students of the Second Squadron were ordered to withdraw with the school and relocate to Jiujiang before holding their graduation ceremony, also rushing to the anti-Japanese front line.

  The Twelfth Issue

  This period of students, on September 28, 1935, entered the school in Nanjing, with a total of 652 people; another 103 students from the fortress artillery school were transferred to this period for study, and together formed the new student battalion. The following year, on September 9, they were divided into specialties: four infantry companies, one artillery company, one engineering company, and one communications platoon. On January 28, 1938, they advanced their studies, becoming the Twelfth Period Student Corps, with a total of 740 people. They graduated in Wuchang.

  In 1937, the "July 7th" Anti-Japanese War broke out in full force, and Shanghai fell. Nanjing was in a precarious situation. The military school's students from various periods were ordered to relocate and continue their education. They moved west along the Yangtze River, advancing by land and water, and successively relocated to Wuhu, Jiujiang, and Wuhan, where they persisted in their studies. Due to the turmoil of war, their learning experience differed greatly from that of students who had been enrolled in Nanjing previously. The original three-year curriculum was not completed on schedule, and it wasn't until January 28, 1938, when they arrived in Wuhan, that they were able to resume their studies formally. However, in order to meet the needs of the anti-Japanese front line and strengthen the grassroots backbone, they quickly held a graduation ceremony in Wuhan and dispatched students to join the anti-Japanese forces on the front lines. Another group of students from the Guangzhou branch campus entered school in Guangzhou and graduated in Deqing, Guangdong Province in February 1938, and were included in this period's student roster.

  Issue 13

  Enrolled on September 1, 1936 in Nanjing, with a total of 1490 people. Promoted to study on November 11, 1937, as the thirteenth batch of students. After branching out, there were six infantry teams, one cavalry team, two artillery teams, two engineering teams and one communication team. Graduated from Tongliang, Sichuan in September 1938, with a total of 1412 graduates.

  This semester, students were scattered in Tongguangying, Xiaoying and Paobiao to attend classes after studying in Nanjing. During the period of relocation from Nanjing to the west, they passed through Wuhu, Jiujiang, Wuhan, Changsha, Changde, and moved along the Sichuan-Xiang highway to Tongliang, Sichuan. They marched and studied at the same time, with patriotic songs against Japan echoing every day. During the relocation, they traveled over 4,000 kilometers, experiencing the hardships of migration life along the way. More than 60 students died due to illness or injury during this period. To meet the urgent need for personnel in the war of resistance, the school system was shortened from three years to two years, and most graduates rushed to the front line against Japan after graduation.

  Chengdu Period

  Issue 14

  This period, in 1937, successively recruited students from all over the country in Wuhan and Chengdu. The students who directly belonged to the Chengdu campus were divided into three general teams: The first general team took the entrance exam in Wuhan in the winter of 1937, and most of those admitted were high school graduates, college students who had received military training, and public servants, with a relatively high cultural level. There were 669 people, known as the 14th period, first general team. They graduated from Tongliang, Sichuan in November 1938. The study time was only one year; The second general team entered school in Wuhan in October 1937 and then moved to Tongliang, mainly recruiting patriotic students who were eager to join the army and save the nation from crisis. There were 1510 people, known as the 14th period, second general team. They graduated from Tongliang in 1939. The study time was two years. Another batch of students entered school in Chengdu in September 1937, originally belonging to the Chengdu branch school's recruitment. After the Nanjing headquarters moved to Chengdu, they were merged into the main campus for unified teaching, known as the 14th period, sixth general team, with 1520 people admitted. They graduated in January 1939 and were the first batch of students to enter and graduate from the main campus in Chengdu. The total number of students in the three general teams of the main campus was 3700. There were also students recruited and trained by branch schools all over the country, who were included in this period's sequence, known as the third, fourth, fifth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth general teams of the 14th period graduates. The number of students is unknown.

  This period, since the relocation of Nanjing at the end of 1937, has finally confirmed that the original Chengdu branch school will be changed to the main campus department. All students from each branch school have been ordered to unify teaching with the requirements of the Chengdu main campus. At this time, the northern relatively field, western relatively field, southern relatively field, imperial city site and outer western Caotang Temple, Qingyang Palace and other places in the Chengdu area were all residences for students of this school. In addition to expanding the political department and strengthening political education, teaching organizations also added a military officer education team, restored higher education classes, set up tactical research classes, school lieutenant research classes, shooting training classes, technical training classes and special duty training classes, etc., and military education was also improved accordingly. By this time, after nearly two years of hardship and wandering, the students began to live, study and train in a regular manner in the rear of the anti-war effort. During the eight-year war, a large number of military talents were transported. After graduation, most students were also assigned to the front line against Japan.

  Issue 15

  In October 1937, the military school authorities were based in Wuchang and continued to recruit a large number of patriotic anti-Japanese youths. On January 1, 1938, 1559 people enrolled. They first received training as new recruits in Wuchang for three months. At that time, due to the Japanese army's preparations to besiege Wuhan, the situation was tense. The students were ordered to relocate to Chongqing and then proceed to Chengdu to study at the main school. There were infantry battalions, artillery battalions, engineering battalions, logistics battalions, and communications battalions that received specialized training, known as the 15th term's first general team, which also trained air force student battalions, totaling 272 people. They graduated on July 21, 1940, with a total of 1831 graduates. The study period was approximately two and a half years. Additionally, there were second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth general teams belonging to local branch schools that received training and successively graduated, but the total number is not seen in the cumulative count.

  Although the Chengdu campus was initially established and traditional teaching systems began to recover, facilities for food, accommodation, and study were still in a difficult period. Except for a few original old military barracks that were brick houses, most classrooms, canteens, and dormitories were still mud-covered grass houses. However, during the intervals of anti-Japanese warfare on the front lines, top military and political leaders, school affairs committee members, and anti-Japanese generals would often come to visit and give military and political speeches, inspiring students to inherit the revolutionary spirit of Huangpu's pioneers and establish the confidence to defeat Japanese invaders and recover their homeland. Therefore, most graduates of this period rushed to the front lines without delay, and many participated in the expeditionary forces, fighting deep into India and Burma, achieving meritorious deeds in the anti-Japanese war.

  The Sixteenth Issue

  This period of enrollment consisted of three main teams: The first team, which entered school on October 10, 1938, was stationed at the South Jiaochang Stadium in Chengdu and had a total of 1,597 people. It was divided into infantry battalions one, two, and three, an artillery battalion, an engineering battalion, a cavalry squadron, and a logistics battalion, each receiving specialized training. The team graduated on December 25, 1940, with a total of 1,693 graduates, including 97 air force students who were trained in place of others. The study period was two years.

  The second team was recruited on January 17, 1939, and trained at Tongliang, Sichuan. It consisted of the first, second, and third battalions, mainly training infantrymen. The team graduated in October 1939 with a total of 1,629 graduates.

  The third team entered school in the spring of 1939 and was stationed at the North Jiaochang Stadium in Chengdu. It consisted of the first, second, and third battalions, primarily receiving political education and infantry training to meet the needs of the war effort. The team graduated on April 1940 with a total of 1,165 graduates. The study period was one year.

  In total, the three teams had 4,287 graduates.

  Apart from the three corps directly under the school, there were also the fourth to twentieth corps trained at the same time in various branch schools. Although there is no detailed statistics on the total number of people in these twenty corps, it shows that the scale of the school during the War of Resistance against Japan was expanding day by day, with many teachers and students, and has restored the prosperity of the Whampoa Academy and Nanjing Academy in the past. In fact, it became a major base for training anti-Japanese youth officers in the rear. The graduation ceremony held in May 1940 was particularly grand. Chiang Kai-shek presided over it personally, fired salute guns, held a military parade, and presented students with diplomas and swords. High-ranking officials from the party, government, and military, as well as the three Soong sisters, all attended the grand ceremony and watched the parade together. This lineup became a symbol of national unity against Japan, playing an important role in inspiring graduating students to rush to the anti-Japanese front line and having a profound impact.

  The Seventeenth Issue

  This period began in 1940, with three main teams at the Chengdu campus: The first team started on April 15, 1940, and was stationed at the West Stadium of the Chengdu campus, with a total of 1527 people. It was divided into infantry, artillery, cavalry, engineering, and logistics units. The study period was two years, graduating on April 12, 1942; The second team started on May 6, 1940, and was stationed in Tongliang, Sichuan, with a total of 1374 people. It was divided into three battalions and twelve companies, mainly receiving infantry education, graduating on November 2, 1941; The third team started on July 13, 1940, and was stationed at the North Stadium in Chengdu, with a total of 1030 people. It was divided into three battalions and nine companies, graduating on February 15, 1942. A total of 3931 graduates from the three teams.

  This term, in addition to the three main teams belonging to our school, there were as many as 28 teams recruited from various branch schools, divided into the fourth to twenty-eighth teams. The branch schools are located in Sichuan, Shaanxi, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Yunnan, Xinjiang, Hunan and Jiangxi, with teachers and students spread far and wide. At that time, in December 1941, the Japanese aggressors launched the "Pearl Harbor Incident", which led to the full-scale outbreak of World War II between the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers. China's war zone has been losing ground since the early days, but later joined forces with British and American allies to fight against Japan, and the situation has been improving day by day. After graduating from this term, many students went to the front line to participate in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

  The Eighteenth Issue

  This period began to recruit students in batches from the beginning of 1941, and there were two general teams directly under the school: The first general team enlisted on April 1, 1941, with a total of 1600 people. Due to the insufficient original campus, they were divided into Caotang Temple, Qingyang Palace and other places. It wasn't until the next year after promotion that the infantry battalion, engineer battalion moved to Beijiao Stadium, and the special battalion moved to Xijiao Stadium. In February 1943, 1215 graduates graduated; The second general team officially enlisted on November 25, 1941, stationed in Chengdu Nanjiao Stadium, with a total of 1237 people, divided into six infantry teams, one cavalry team, two artillery teams, two engineer teams, one logistics team and one communication team. Graduated on October 8, 1943. This period, together with the graduates of various branch schools, formed a total of fourteen general teams, seven independent battalions and three independent companies, including infantry, cavalry, artillery, engineers, logistics, communications and other types of troops urgently needed for anti-war. The total number of graduates from the branch schools has not been seen in accurate statistics.

  At the time of graduation, it was the fifth and sixth year of the eight-year anti-Japanese war, and the global war of aggression and counter-aggression had entered its final stage. As a result, all graduates were awarded the rank of junior officer, with the majority going on to fight in the War of Resistance against Japan.

  Nineteenth issue

  This period started in 1941, and students were recruited from various large cities. The purpose was to "rescue young intellectuals from occupied areas". School staff were sent to various war zones to select candidates. Young people who were selected arrived at the school in the spring of 1942. In May, two general teams were established at the Caotang Temple in Chengdu. On December 25, they began military training, and in March 1943, they received specialized training. The first general team was called the Infantry General Team, which was divided into seven teams, with an additional two artillery teams, for a total of nine teams with 998 people, still stationed at Caotang Temple. The second general team was called the Specialized General Team, which was divided into one cavalry team, three artillery teams, two engineering teams, one logistics team, and one communications team, totaling 902 people, stationed at Xijiao Field. In December of the same year, they were promoted to formal students for training, with a total of over 1,890 people. At the same time, local branch schools recruited students from this period, with seven general teams and one independent battalion, totaling nine general teams and one independent battalion, but the actual number of people is unclear.

  In the spring of 1945, in order to cooperate with the general counterattack against Japan, and to meet the needs of strengthening the front-line troops, the school was ordered to advance its graduation date several times. As a result, all exams were completed by early April, and the graduation ceremony was held on April 14th. Many graduates went to the Japanese-occupied areas that had been liberated to participate in reception and surrender ceremonies.

  The 20th Issue

  This period of students enlisted in March 1944 at the South Training Ground in Chengdu. Initially divided into ten teams, after being assigned to different departments in August of the same year, they were stationed at the West Training Ground and the South Training Ground of the main school in Chengdu, and reorganized into an infantry battalion with four companies (including one company from Guangxi Sixth Branch School); an artillery battalion with two companies; an engineering battalion with two companies; a communications battalion with three companies. The remaining cavalry and logistics troops were each organized into independent companies. Later, the infantry, engineering, and communications battalions moved to the North Training Ground, totaling six departments: infantry, cavalry, engineering, logistics, and communications, with 1,116 students in total. Graduated on December 25, 1946. Branch schools in various locations also ended around this time and returned to the main school.

  This batch of students graduated at the time of the victory in the War of Resistance, after Japan's surrender. The people across the country unanimously demanded the rebuilding of an independent, free, democratic, unified and prosperous new China. However, a domestic war broke out soon after. Unfortunately, from this batch of graduates onwards, many became tools for serving the civil war.

  Issue 21

  This period of students enlisted in May 1944 in Chengdu. There were eleven infantry battalions; three artillery battalions, each with five companies; two engineer battalions, each with five companies; one transportation battalion with four companies; and two signal corps battalions with four companies, as well as an independent armored vehicle company. Among them, the various battalions had been transferred back to this school from the Xi'an Supervision Office, totaling twenty companies, with a large number of people. Due to differences in enlistment and arrival times at school, their graduation dates also varied: six companies under the First and Second Infantry Battalions graduated on August 12, 1947; other battalions graduated on December 26, 1947; except for the Sixth and Eleventh Infantry Battalions, five engineer companies, five signal corps companies, and three armored vehicle companies, which were established later and did not graduate until June 16, 1948.

  A total of 6,038 students graduated this semester. The number surged, surpassing that of previous semesters. Coinciding with the school's reorganization, on New Year's Day in 1946, the Central Army Officer School was renamed "Army Officer School", restoring its original name when it was founded in 1924. Chiang Kai-shek, who had served as principal for over 20 years, became honorary principal. Guan Linzheng, the education director of the Chengdu campus, was appointed as the new principal. The goal of the reorganization was to make the school a "cradle" for training basic cadres of the national army.

  Thus this batch of students began to implement universal education experiments for various branches of the military, and also tried out comprehensive education for various branches of the military. After graduation, they were also assigned to serve in the army.

  The 22nd Issue

  At the time of graduation, it was October 1949, when the People's Liberation Army was winning victory after victory, and Chengdu was about to be liberated. The Sichuan military government and most students and teachers were in a state of panic, not knowing what to do, and had no heart to continue participating in the civil war. Within the school, there was a struggle between two factions of students and teachers: one determined to rise up peacefully, and the other determined to fight to the end. By December, when Chengdu was liberated, some students and teachers abandoned their old allegiance and joined the uprising, cooperating with the liberation of Chengdu; while others dispersed and fled, each going their own way.

  The 23rd Issue

  At the time of graduation, Chengdu was heavily surrounded by the People's Liberation Army, and the school was in a precarious situation. In early January 1949, Principal Guan Linzheng had already sent a group of students to Yunnan and Xikang, with General Zhang Yaoming taking over as commander, planning to relocate the school to those provinces. Chiang Kai-shek also secretly flew to Chengdu and ordered that Taiwanese students and children of high-ranking Kuomintang officials be airlifted to Taiwan, totaling over 200 people. At that time, Yunnan and Xikang were liberated before Sichuan, making the plan to relocate the school a pipe dream. Some teachers and students advocated for an uprising, while others opposed it. However, as the situation unfolded, the school eventually declared its support for the uprising. As a result, some teachers and students escaped, some went to Taiwan, and many followed the school's lead in joining the uprising, not graduating until spring 1950. Many later joined the People's Liberation Army and fought in the Korean War. With that, the Chengdu campus came to an end.