Chinanews.com, Ningxia, Zhongning, September 9th, title: Remembrance of the 90-year-old veterans who resisted US aggression and aid Korea: insisted on returning to the battlefield "comrades in arms are still waiting for me"

　　China News Service reporter Yang Di

　　"I shed tears when I saw the coffins of those comrades on TV." Recently, the remains of the eighth group of Chinese People's Volunteers in South Korea returned to China. Talking about this, 91-year-old veteran of the Korean War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, Wei Tianlu, could not hide his excitement.

Wei Tianlu, a ninety-year-old veteran of the Korean War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

Photo by Yang Di

　　Wei Tianlu now lives in Zhongning County, Zhongwei City, Ningxia. Recently, a reporter from Chinanews.com came to Wei Tianlu's home and listened to him telling the dusty past more than 70 years ago.

　　In June 1950, the Korean War broke out.

In October of that year, the Chinese People's Volunteers entered the Korean War one after another. Wei Tianlu became one of them and served as a health worker in the 579 regiment of the 193 division of the 65th Army.

　　In early February 1951, Wei Tianlu rushed across the Yalu River with the troops to the Korean battlefield.

　　When they first arrived in the Korean battlefield, the troops concealed themselves in the forest during the day and marched hurriedly at night with a load of 60 or 70 kilograms per person. There were bombardments from enemy planes along the way.

　　"Finally, the instructor and company commander decided: If you (Wei Tianlu) come out and collect those who are left behind, none of them can be lost." Wei Tianlu said, before the army left, he gave him a flashlight and a picture with a purpose. The small map, "I also bought a compass before, and I used all these things."

　　As a result, Wei Tianlu led the soldiers who fell behind and began to follow the large troops in front of him.

"Some of the soldiers who left behind were sick and needed water and medicine. After learning a few words in Korean with the translator who accompanied the team, we went to the local village to find water." Wei Tianlu recalled, "The North Korean fellow was very enthusiastic, and they gave it to me. I brought water and asked us, "Have you eaten?", I answered, "I have eaten.""

　　Facing the unfamiliar geomorphic environment in North Korea, the compass and minimap alone are not good, so Wei Tianlu uses trees and stars to identify directions.

"Later I heard the sound of airplanes and artillery, and I knew it was coming soon." Wei Tianlu said, "It took more than 20 days in the end. I didn't lose a single soldier and brought them all to the (large) army."

　　In April of that year, Wei Tianlu followed the army and participated in the Battle of Linjin River that he will never forget.

　　"On the opposite side of the Linjin River is the 29th British Brigade, with landmines buried on the shore, electric wire nets pulled from the water, power grids pulled from the water, and planes strafing the sky." The fighting was extremely fierce.

"The water in Linjin River is clear. After some comrades sacrificed their lives, a red blood sprinkled in the water. It's too pitiful!" Talking about this, Wei Tianlu choked for a while, "The TV series "Across the Yalu River", watch it. I dare not look at it."

　　After crossing the Linjin River, Wei Tianlu and others were attacked by an enemy air force on a hill.

"The enemy came by eight planes and threw napalm bombs down." Wei Tianlu was injured by the bombing of an enemy plane and was forced to return to China to recover.

　　In September 1951, after recovering from injury, Wei Tianlu insisted on returning to the Korean battlefield.

"The hospital said it could give me a Level 3 Disability Certificate and let me go home. I said I won't go back. I'm a hygienist. My (injured) arm doesn't hurt. I can carry stretchers and back injured people. I want to go. North Korea, my comrades-in-arms are still waiting for me."

　　After returning to the Korean battlefield, Wei Tianlu once again served as a health worker in the 579 regiment.

Because of his outstanding performance, he has won third-class merits many times and was awarded a military medal by the North Korean government at that time.

When the Korean War ended in September 1953, Wei Tianlu returned to China with the troops.

　　In the home of the old man Wei Tianlu, the medals and the uniforms of the Chinese People's Volunteers were carefully kept in packages by him.

"My honor and my medal are not mine, but sacrificed by comrades in exchange for their blood." In peaceful times, Wei Tianlu would often think of his former comrades in arms. "I once published a missing person notice in the newspaper. Comrades, none of them contacted, but the photos are still there."

　　Recalling his experience on the Korean battlefield, Wei Tianlu had no regrets: "As soon as we cross the Yalu River, (everyone) regards death as home. If there is no fear, we will not be in North Korea." After retiring, Wei Tianlu also talked to teenagers about his resistance to U.S. Aid Korea from time to time. Experience, teach children to remember history, "As long as I have a breath, I will continue to work." Wei Tianlu said.

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