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In memory of those who fought for us

High-ranking Chinese Nationalist Party army generals. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARMED FORCES MUSEUM

On Aug. 15 this year nations whose armed forces participated in the bloody Far East campaign of World War II commemorated the 60th anniversary of the surrender of the Japanese Army. From London to Suva, Fiji, government leaders and veterans of the conflict took time to stop and remember Victory in Japan Day (VJ Day).

In Taiwan, however, the day passed largely without notice.

It was on this same day that the Armed Forces Museum (國軍歷史文物館) re-opened its doors after a lengthy and costly refurbishment. Established in 1961, Taiwan's sole public military museum was, until August, a neglected public institute. The refurbishment, however, has meant that while it still pales in size to those in London, Beijing and Paris it is now clean, welcoming and reasonably well organized.

Sadly the millions of New Taiwan dollars spent on renovations went, much like VJ Day itself, unnoticed by the general public. With the exception of a handful of members of historical societies and some military brass, few turned out to see the museum's re-opening and the launch of a special exhibition entitled 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan (抗戰勝利六十週年).

General Xue Yue discusses strategy. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARMED FORCES MUSEUM

Running until the end of the year, the exhibition focuses on Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) forces in China and Burma and the allies who helped them in the fight against Japan. It also includes a special section about the allied prisoners of war who were imprisoned in Taiwan, the Flying Tigers and the struggle between the KMT and Communist forces for control of China during the war.

Belt and army manual. PHOTO COURTESY OF ARMED FORCES MUSEUM

It is a small exhibition and it's deplorable Taiwan's predominantly Aboriginal led anti-Japanese resistance forces have been ignored. But for those with a passion for military history, who can read Chinese, then the many photographs, maps and documents make for interesting and at times sobering viewing.

The exhibition is not organized in any particular chronological order and visitors are introduced to different aspects of the eight-year war that saw a total of 22 large scale campaigns, over 1,100 major battles and more than 38,000 skirmishes between the KMT and Japanese forces.

Along with the numerous print artifacts, weaponry, uniforms, insignia and a few oddities, like a sewing machine, are used to tell the story.

The only proper bilingual section is organized by the founder of the Taiwan POW Memorial Society, Canadian Michael Hurst, who, through the use of artifacts and photographs, has done a marvelous job of bringing the plight of the POWs to life.

In addition to the exhibition the museum has also published a glossy guidebook, with little English, but a few interesting anecdotes. For example, visitors learn about KMT war heroes like Gao Jhih-hang (高志航), who went to France to learn to fly, helped destroy several Japanese planes in dog fights on Aug. 14, 1937, was promoted to commander of the air force but was shot down and killed by enemy fighters on Nov. 21 that same year.

The exhibition is lacking in depth, but as Taiwan's sole exhibit in commemoration of the end of WW II it shouldn't simply be dismissed and if you've got a spare 20 to 30 minutes it is worth a visit.

More information:
What: 60th Anniversary of the Victory in the War of Resistance against Japan (抗戰勝利六十週年)
Where: Armed Forces Museum (國軍歷史文物館), 243 Gueiyang St., Sec 1, Taipei (台北市貴陽街ㄧ段243號).
When: Until Dec. 31.
Opening hours: The museum is open Mondays through Saturdays from 9am until 4pm.
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