WWII veterans from the US and the former Soviet Union were in
Beijing for two separate gatherings yesterday to mark this year's
60th anniversary of the end of the war.
Chen Haosu, president of the Chinese People's Association for
Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the government of the
former Soviet Union helped Chinese people fight against the
Japanese invasion even at the early stage of the war.
Li Xiaolin, the organization's vice-chairwoman, told US veterans
that "Chinese people will never forget the great contributions you
have made to the peace of this land."
As over 80 Chinese and former Soviet veterans reunited, Chen
said the support from the then Soviet Union included "a large
quantity of military equipment and materials, military staff
training and dispatching experts as well as voluntary pilots to
China."
Basil Ivanov, an 84-year-old veteran, said he still vividly
remembered an attack on the Japanese troops that he joined on
August 9, 1945.
"The Japanese soldiers at the sentries were all asleep. Our
troops crossed the Heilongjiang River and promptly took over the
sentries," Ivanov said. "We won the battle without firing a
shot."
Over 100 American veteran pilots and their relatives also met
officials in the capital.
"We feel we have contributed something to the history of China
and it's really been a great deal for all of us to come back once
more," Alfred J. Gardner, a US Flying Tigers pilot, told Xinhua
News Agency.
Li also met Glen Beneda for the first time, a former captain of
the 23rd Fighter Group's 76th Squadron whose life he said was saved
by her father, former President Li Xiannian.
"I was shot down by Japanese fighters and crashed in the
mountains, but fortunately I was found by the Chinese people and
well looked after by General Li," Beneda said.
(Xinhua News Agency September 1, 2005)