Zhao-Hong Wenguo (originally Hong Wenguo, 'Zhao' is her husband's surname) was a Heilongjiang native. During the Sino-Japanese war, Zhao-Hong, her husband and their children were guerillas in the anti-Japanese resistance. Zhao-Hong continued to fight battle after battle after her husband and eldest son were both killed in action.¹ She was close to 60 when she fought on the Great Wall frontlines, charging into battle with a gun in each hand. When Kuomintang leader General Jiang heard of her heroism, he honored her with the title "Mother of the Guerillas", and even swore siblinghood with her.² The war hero's name spread throughout China and inspired a generation.³

After WWII, hostilities broke out between the Communists and the Nationalists. The Nationalist leader Jiang Jieshi made Zhao-Hong the Commander of the Anti-Communist Troops over three provinces. Commander Zhao-Hong led 20,000 troops in a prolonged war against Communist forces. In 1949, the Commander was captured in an ambush and sentenced to death. In the light of Zhao-Hong's national popularity, her execution was not publicized.⁴

X.T.

Notes

1. Covert Activities (Chinese article)
   Kuomintang's Mother of the Guerillas
2. Covert Activities (Chinese article)
   Kuomintang's Mother of the Guerillas
3. Kuomintang's Mother of the Guerillas (Chinese article)
4. Kuomintang's Mother of the Guerillas (Chinese article)