Prior to the September 3rd military parade, President Xi Jinping made a special visit to review the foot soldiers of the Yangmingbu Battle Company. Under the cover of darkness, the Yangmingbu Battle Brigade trains its night attack skills. It is a tradition dating back over 70 years ago, when it was named a "model unit" for its night attack on Japanese forces at Yangmingbu county, in Shanxi Province.

Spirit of Yangmingbu Battle Brigade lives on

Zhang Xing, company commander of Nanjing Military Region said:"Despite the poor visibility and more dangerous and difficult environment, night attacks have become our company's expertise, which we cannot suffer to lose." Every newcomer to the company is first assigned to its "achievements hall" to learn the revered history of the Yangmingbu Battle.

"The first lesson is the story of Yangmingbu Battle. On October 19th, 1937, we attacked the Japanese airport in Yangmingbu county. Our soldiers shot down 24 enemy fighter planes using cluster grenades and rifles that became a classic example of 'rifle against fighter' battles," said Huang Jingfeng, political instructor of Nanjing Military Region.

The battle has also remained deeply embedded in the consciousness of local residents in Yangmingbu county. Hu Cunhou, Yangmingbu County resident said:"Chang Xilian, the company commander back then, saw the grounded fighter planes and led his troops to the airport. The battle lasted for half an hour. It was a fierce battle."

The victory in the Yangmingbu Battle was a medal on the wall of fame for Chinese troops in their War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. However, some 70 years later, theses troops are delivering a message centered on maintaining world peace and stability.

While still holding onto their proud history, the troop has also transformed into a modernized branch of the Nanjing military region, ready to answer any call to serve their nation.

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