The New Fourth Army

In October 1937, the Communist Party of China reached an agreement with the Kuomintang whereby Red Army soldiers and communist guerrillas active in the eight provinces of southern China would join the expanded New Fourth Army of National Revolutionary Army, a unit that symbolized the united CPC-KMT resistance to the Japanese.

Two veteran communists led the unit: Ye Ting as commander and Xiang Ying as his deputy. Under their leadership, the New Fourth Army developed into one of the most effective opponents of the Japanese troops. In March 1938, the army opened up anti-Japanese bases in Jiangsu and the surrounding provinces, engaging in guerrilla warfare to the north and south of the Yangtze River. Later, the unit became a leading force in the fight against Japanese strongholds in central China.

- Dong Fangyu