Moreover, the most commendable thing is that the Yunnan army that went out to fight against Japan is well-equipped and has strong combat effectiveness. Almost all French weapons and equipment are more advanced than most anti-Japanese troops and even weaker than the Central Army. Therefore, the Dian army has also become the most elite group of troops in the Anti-Japanese War.
Yunnan army
As early as the early days of the Anti-Japanese War, Wang Longyun of Yunnan used the foreign exchange of 28 million Hong Kong dollars held by the Yunnan provincial government to purchase a large number of advanced weapons and equipment made in France, Czech Republic, Belgium and other countries through the French Longdong Company. This batch of weapons and equipment is equipped with 40 infantry regiments of Yunnan Army.
But we know that Yunnan is located in the southwest border, with fewer mountains and more land. It is a famous minority gathering area in China, and its economy is not developed. As far as the whole country is concerned, Yunnan's economy is not excellent, so why is the anti-Japanese equipment of Yunnan army so good?
Yunnan Wang Longyun
First, during the Republic of China, the political situation in Yunnan was relatively stable compared with most provinces in China, which also provided convenient conditions for Yunnan's economic development. Since 1927, when the four governors and envoys jointly overthrew the Tang Dynasty and Long Yun came to power as the third king of Yunnan, Yunnan has been under the rule of Long Yun.
Until the fall of Long Yun in 1945, Long Yun ruled Yunnan in 18. The real development of Yunnan's economy was during the reign of Long Yun. After maintaining a relatively stable situation, Long Yun has carried out political, economic, military, cultural and educational reforms, and Yunnan's economy has also developed by leaps and bounds.
Yunnan map
Before the Anti-Japanese War, Long Yun reorganized Yunnan's finance, which greatly increased Yunnan's income. For example, by abolishing exorbitant taxes, adding new taxes and commercializing finance, during the period from 193 1 to 1938, the special consumption tax in Yunnan alone earned more than S $88 million. With money, we naturally have enough confidence and strength to better equip the Yunnan army.
Secondly, through the operation of Longyun and the large number of coastal industrial enterprises moved to Yunnan during the Anti-Japanese War, Yunnan's industrial strength developed unprecedentedly. During the Anti-Japanese War, Yunnan's industry was in the forefront of all provinces in China. Yunnan has created many firsts in China's industrial history, such as the first assembled car in China and the first electric furnace steel in China.
Yunnan army
At the same time, by encouraging reclamation, intensive cultivation, hard production and other means, Yunnan provided a huge amount of agricultural products to the frontline troops during the Anti-Japanese War, becoming the second largest province after Sichuan. Moreover, through the management of several generations of Yunnan warlords, Yunnan's own arsenal has already had the ability to produce weapons and ammunition. In addition, the 53 Arsenal moved inward during the Anti-Japanese War made the anti-Japanese Yunnan army always get timely weapons and equipment supplies, which also became an important aspect of the strong combat effectiveness of the Yunnan army.
Third, the anti-Japanese Yunnan army has received strong support from the people of Yunnan. Although it is located in the rear area, the people of Yunnan have spared no effort to support War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. In addition to actively paying taxes on production, Yunnan has also organized many field service groups to donate money for this activity. They made great contributions to War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression's victory.
French helmet of Yunnan army
For example, young students from high schools and middle schools in Kunming have formed field service groups for many times and went to the front to carry out military activities such as propaganda and cultural performances. According to the statistics of Yunnan Daily, during the eight-year Anti-Japanese War, the total number of cotton-padded clothes donated by Yunnan people for the army exceeded 2 million.
194 1 initiated in the anti-enemy support club? Donate money to buy a plane? In the anti-Japanese activities, Yunnan ranked first in the country by donating 30 planes. Other military activities are even more. It is the strong support from the rear that makes the China army, including the Yunnan army, have both material and spiritual support.
Yunnan army
Fourth, income from other sources. Yunnan has been in a semi-independent position during the whole Anti-Japanese War, and its finance is relatively independent, which makes Yunnan's economy relatively rich. At the same time, Yunnan's fiscal revenue has been at the forefront of all provinces in China through various means, such as monopolizing tobacco and alcohol, planting and selling opium, exporting mineral resources, setting up banks and issuing Yunnan new currency. These financial revenues eventually became a strong support for the Yunnan army.