Ask anybody about the Special Forces, otherwise known as the Anti-Communist National Salvation Army, and they may not know what you are talking about. Then say that you mean the commando and guerrilla forces which have cast a pall of fear over the enslaved defenders of Red China. People will nod understandingly and smile proudly but a little mysteriously. Everybody knows at least a little of the heroic record of the commando and guerrilla forces in the fight against Communism.
Actually, there is nothing especially secret about many of the free Chinese operations against the mainland. They have been going on since 1949—the year the National Government moved its seat to the province of Taiwan. But beginning in October, 1962, these activities took on a new look. Up to that date the emphasis was on information gathering and the planning of underground organizations. Now the information is being used and the plans are being carried out.
Many groups of commandos have conducted probing attacks along the mainland coastline during the last two years. Operational purposes are seven in number: (1) to escort secret agents into inland China and to make contact with existing groups and work to strengthen their capabilities, (2) to organize resistance where none exists, (3) to send in ammunition and supplies to mainland guerrillas, (4) to destroy Communist military installations along the coast, (5) to support the people in their resistance to Communism, (6) to collect military information, and (7) to carry out psychological warfare. The overriding psychological objective has been to offer renewed hope of liberation to the people and to stimulate fear and doubt within the ranks of the Chinese Communist cadres and military.
In the first year of the campaign, progress was noted in a number of ways, two of which were revealed by the Chinese Reds themselves. Among captured Communist Party documents were detailed organizational records for setting up commune militias to repel guerrilla attacks, as well as appeals to the citizenry to be on guard against the free Chinese agents. As time has passed, the pace of commando attacks has been accelerated and the target area enlarged.
Between December, 1962, and March, 1963, a dozen raids were mounted, but between June and October, 1963, the number shot up to 44 and the tempo has continued to increase. Five provinces along the coast and strategic inland locations have felt the blows of guerrilla and commando bands. The Anti-Communist National Salvation Army has units for both kinds of warfare.
Message to People
Guerrillas are usually landed on the mainland by sea or air to become members of permanent military or quasi-military organizations fighting Communism. Commandos at tack from bases under control of the National Government and return with intelligence information and prisoners.
No matter what the assignment, each landing group has the mission of giving the people on the mainland the feeling of "pien tien", meaning that the "weather is changing," a euphemism for the approaching revolution.
In March of last year, commandos raided Lienkiang county of Fukien. Many documents were captured. The Communists admitted in one of them that many people of mainland cherish the idea of "pien tien". Rumors of counterattacks by the free Chinese armed forces are prevalent in many parts of the mainland and anti-Communist activities are increasing. Some who previously dared not say anything against the Communists have changed their attitude and are criticizing the Red regime and its brutal acts.
Because of steadily increasing anti-Communism, minor Communist cadres have had to bow down to the people and make some concessions. Some junior cadres even secretly returned goods they had extorted from the people. They feared their victims might take revenge at the time of counterattack.
Recent commando raids have shown changes in the attitudes of the Red militiamen.
On September 30, 1962, a commando force landed at Chia Tzu Cape, Lufeng, Kwangtung, and proceeded toward Ta Nan Shan. Communist soldiers were encountered and fierce fighting erupted. Because of their small number and limited firepower, commandos suffered heavy losses and only a few reached the agreed area of retreat. Militia at that time were either hostile or took a neutral attitude, fearful of commando intentions.
Red Admissions
On June 20, 1964, a commando detachment disembarked at Shan Men, Lufeng, Kwangtung, and quickly bumped into six Communist militiamen. As soon as they found out the identity of the commandos, the militiamen offered their services as guides and provided information on the disposition of Communist troops. Three militia members voluntarily accompanied the commandos to Taiwan.
On June 1, 1964, commandos attacked Lungshanchien on the tip of Shantung province 700 miles north of Taiwan to destroy Communist military installations and collect information. In a 35-minute fire fight, the commandos lost one killed and three wounded compared with more than thirty casualties on the Communist side.
In a broadcast on June 29, 1964, the Communist "Ministry of Public Security" admitted nine commando raids. Landing places were identified as Wenling of Chekiang; Huanyen on Tachen island; Wanning on Hainan island; Lufeng of Kwangtung; Amoy, Pingtang, Shapu, Changlow, and Lienking of Fukien. The Reds also said five groups of guerrillas had landed along the coast of Kwangtung, Fukien, and Shantung. The National Government special forces were charged with "attempts to send in armed military personnel to establish guerrilla bases and carry out disturbance and sabotage." The Communists appealed to civilians and military personnel to "speed up precautions" and wipe out the invading enemy".
Obviously, not all guerrilla and commando assignments are carried out successfully. One heroic failure was that of a force landing at Tungkushan in Chih Chi county, Kwangtung, November 1, 1962. The guerrillas fought their way into a mountainous area where they were besieged by 4,000 Red soldiers. They held out for 19 days, killed 160 Red troops, and wounded many more. The guerrillas were not overrun until their ammunition was exhausted.
Mountains must be climbed by night (File photo)
Generally speaking, guerrillas use as much cover as possible and avoid direct confrontation with Communist forces. Once they get to their target area, the guerrillas help direct existing resistance groups and the many members of the populace who secretly hate the Communists and went to fight them. They set up secret organizations where none exist. Many such groups are already established, awaiting the signal to expand their activities. Some freedom fighter groups were organized when the Communists were seizing power in 1949. Most of them operate in the mountains or hinterland of the mainland. Their strength has been increasing.
The first guerrilla groups sent to the mainland were very small. As successes mounted, and bases were established, size was enlarged—but 20 to 40 is still a large number. Small groups have less difficulty once they have penetrated coastal defenses. Larger groups have the advantage of carrying better communications equipment for radio contact with bases of the National Government.
Unrest Increases
The Communists have desperately tried to suppress resistance. From 1949 to 1951, they killed some 20 million people but without breaking the back of the anti-Communist movement on the mainland.
In 1958, as "One Hundred Flowers" bloomed and withered and the communes were brought into being, violence and disturbances erupted throughout the mainland. More than 56,000 riots and other anti-Communist acts were counted. By 1961, the number of incidents of resistance was 249,000 and there were more than 600,000 in 1962 and the first seven months of 1963.
In 1963 alone, Communist armed forces had to be mobilized 29,679 times for suppression of riots, other anti-Communist acts, commandos, and guerrillas. Of course, many of these anti-Communist incidents are not at the instigation or direction of the National Government. They arise from mounting mainland desperation and hatred of Communist tyranny.
Arduous Training
All members of the Anti-Communist National Salvation Army are volunteers, although some are especially recommended. They must pass a tight screening before acceptance. Training is tough and strict, usually in small groups. Programs are planned according to missions and include guerrilla tactics, demolition, hand-to-hand combat, collection of information, methods of survival, political education and the psychology, organization, and training of resistance groups. Participants are skilled in swimming, mountain climbing, shooting, rowing, and other combat techniques. They are well briefed on the latest information from the mainland. Special training takes from three to six months. Equipment is the best and includes anything that may be required.
Every commando has to go through an arduous course of physical training (File photo)
Personnel of the Anti-Communist National Salvation Army can be divided into two groups—those now operating on the mainland and those at bases of the National Government. On the mainland are guerrillas, secret agents, and technicians who have been sent to join an existing group or to help start a new one. Many return to their native places; others may elect another area of operations. Anti-Communist elements also are moving around more than before. Most of them are young people and farmers.
Trained and waiting to strike at the enemy are young men from various provinces of China. They come from all walks of life. For security reasons, their strength and number and location of their bases are withheld. But among them are refugees, overseas Chinese, members of the regular forces, native-born Taiwanese, and seasoned guerrillas who have come through the bamboo curtain.
They are fighting men whose specific names may not be recorded by history—but whose great courage, intrepid spirit, and willingness to accept any hardship and even death are preparing the way for counterattack and massive mainland uprising. They are the vanguard of the struggle for a free and peaceful China, and of a victory that must be won before the Chinese Communists can spread nuclear devastation across the earth.