Re:THE POSTHUMOUS WRITINGS OF MY FATHER-IN-LAW---recollection from the end of World War II to 1953

＜Part 7＞

In February 1948, the largest conflict ever in Anshan broke out between the Koumintang and Communist forces. When we heard the gunshots getting louder outside, we ran into the basement. After about two days of fierce battle, Communist forces occupied the entire city. We were arrested and, running across the Taishou Avenue under the rain of bullets, taken to their top officers. I feared I might possibly be shot on the street.

I couldnt run so fast as the others due to the pain in my feet, but managed to reach the building which was occupied by the commander of the force. He didnt even try to question us, just glancing at us, and he told us to go back.

We left the building for our lodging house. The gunfire had become a lot fiercer. We ran discretely across the streets while the gunfire had ceased. Because of my feet trouble, I was left alone on that side of the road. I decided to take a chance running to the other side. When I made it, I was relieved to have somehow survived.　After the battle ceased, to see what had happened, we went to the area where the Japanese used to live. Some bodies were still left on the ground. We couldnt tell to which side the bodies used to belong.

Some time later, all the Japanese were ordered to relocate. On February ninth. with our luggage loaded on horse-carriages, we left Anshan. We were not informed of where we were heading. My horse-carriage and two others passed Kyuchorei and reached Honkeiko the next afternoon. But after that, the other members on their carriages did not follow us.

After three days, one after another, the main groups finally arrived at their destination. They turned out to have taken a different road than us, having trouble with bad security as well as trouble with carriages breaking down. They took three more days because they had to walk, pulling the broken carriages behind them.

We made it to Anton by railway, which, at the time, had been repaired between Honkeiko and Anton. We settled down in an old dormitory, which used to be run by the Japanese Mantetu corporation. Our new life in Anton began. We were slightly paid, although we had no specific jobs to do at that time. On pay days, we went to the flea markets to buy things which had been sold by some Japanese before leaving for Japan. By collecting necessities for traveling at the market, we were preparing for our journey home.

Sometimes we were educated on Communism.
We might have looked to be leading easy lives, however, it was actually mentally-demanding time. We were not informed of any exact plan to go home. One time we even talked about the possibility of going to Korea on boats by crossing the Yalu River. But no one actually followed it through.

We discussed how to make these difficult times more pleasant. We made some activity groups like chorus class and, Yohkyoku, a traditional Japanese style of singing stories.
They came to be a great comfort to us.

The people living with their families were concerned about their childrens education. We had only two teachers for elementary school and none for junior high. So some of us started to teach them, depending on the academic knowledge they had. I was in charge of chemistry for seven or eight junior high students.

I wanted to give them at least a basic knowledge of chemistry, hoping they could go home someday, well-equipped with my subject. After graduating from top-ranking universities in Japan later, most of the students are now doing well in this society. I am proud of them.





The factory under revival

by Anmitsuhime

To be continued to Part 8