WWII photos tell of US-China friendship

The historical photos capturing heartfelt moments even in the crucial battlefield of World War II, such as Chinese children presenting Christmas cards to Gen Claire Lee Chennault and Chinese and American soldiers shaking hands onboard a Hump airplane, are being displayed at the Caesars Palace Hotel in Las Vegas till Nov 28.

The photo exhibition, entitled For Justice and Peace: China-US cooperation in World War II, bring to life the unique and little known camaraderie that existed between Chinese and the US soldiers as well as the underappreciated friendship between the two peoples as their countries joined force during the war.

The exhibit, organized by Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC), is a "testament" to the cross-pacific alliance of China and the US that was forged in defeating their common enemy; and it is also a "tribute" to the spirit of the Chinese and American people who endured the brutality and headships in their quest for justice and peace, says the exhibition's preface.

"Remembering history is to open up a better future," said Li Xiaolin, president of CPAFFC, at the exhibition's opening on Nov 20. "By learning this part of the history, we hope that we could pass along China-US friendship from generations to generations."

"We've heard this wonderful story told with this exhibit of photographs," said Mark Alan Hutchison, lieutenant governor of Nevada, at the opening reception. "And then our next generation will learn about this extraordinary friendship and extraordinary heroism that the Chinese shared with our grandfathers."

The 94 photos on display, which were collected from various sources including museums, private foundations and non-profits, are mostly devoted to both China and the US' war efforts, the American war heroes in Chinese eyes, and the friendship between Chinese and US soldiers and civilians.

Visitors at the exhibition also have a chance to view the replicas of the rare posters encouraging Chinese civilians to rescue American soldiers.

A poster, with the tagline "As you sow, so will you reap", depicts two Chinese farmers carrying a wounded American soldier with a makeshift stretcher. Another one, saying "The Americans will never forget those who helped them", teaches the Chinese to recognize the US national flag.

Among the many stories of rescued American soldiers was Glen Beneda, who was sent to China as Flying Tiger pilot at the age of 18 in 1943. After his plane was shot down by Japanese, he was rescued by the Chinese civilians and the 5th Division of the New Fourth Army led by Li Xiannian, the father of Li Xiaolin.

Beneda later returned to the US military base under the protection of the Chinese who risked their own lives during the nearly 60 days of journey of hardships and dangers.

Beneda and Li Xiannian established friendship during that time. A signed photo of Li presented to Beneda by himself was included in the exhibition.

"My father said saving a pilot means sowing a seed of friendship," said Li Xiaolin. "The Chinese had rescued over 200 American pilots during the war."

In May 2011, the family of Beneda, according to his will, buried part of his ashes in the Li Xiannian Memorial Garden in Hubei province.

During the World War II in the Pacific, a number of American military leaders were seen as heroes, among whom, Gen Joseph Stilwell and Gen Chennault are the most famous to the Chinese people.

Gen Stilwell, who served as the Chief of Staff in China Theater under the Allies and the commanding general of US Forces in China-Burma-India Theater from 1942 to 1944, was captured in the photos planning on Burma counter-offensive, addressing the Chinese troops during the first Burma campaign, inspecting the combat readiness before launching a battle, and speaking to the Chinese veterans in a rehabilitation camp.

As a token of gratitude, the Chinese government named a 1,800-km-long road "Stilwell Road", which was completed in January 1945 and helped break through the Japanese land blockade to China.

Some photos show the road's famous section of "24 curves" and Chinese civilians helping construct the road as well as Chinese people welcoming the first convoy in Stilwell Road.

Gen Chennault was well known to the Chinese for forming the "American Volunteer Group of Chinese Air Force", or Flying Tigers, in 1941. With the outbreak of the Pacific War, the team was brought into the active-service system of the US Air Force and then enlarged to be the US 14th Air Force.

During the operations against the Japanese in China, the Flying Tigers destroyed over 2,600 Japanese planes and 44 warships, at the cost of losing 563 planes and over 1,500 lives of crew members.

"The wonderful pictures represent the phenomenal allies between China and the US in the early part of World War II, even before the US officially entered into the war," said Gary Selesner, president of Caesars Palace, co-sponsor of the exhibition. "Thanks to Madam Li, we know a little bit more about the history."

"Today, we are glad that the exhibition has come to Las Vegas, offering a chance for people on the west coast to enjoy these valuable photos describing the history of China-US cooperation during the war," Li said.

liazhu@chinadailyusa.com