As the howling wind whipped the snow from the treetops, the night sky seemed suddenly edged with silver. This was the winter of the Xing’an Mountains, where temperatures could plunge to an unforgiving -40°C or -50°C. It was cold enough to bring even the strongest wills to a swift and glorious end. Many former guerrilla leaders in the Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army (Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces) recall how their close comrades, exhausted by the harsh conditions, would pause for just a moment, only to quietly transform into ice sculptures in the frigid wilderness.

To survive in such an environment, the Anti-Japanese guerrilla fighters had to find a lifeline deep within the snowy forests—a place that could offer them shelter and survival. That lifeline was the “secret camp”—or “密营” (Mi Ying).

The Birth of the Secret Camp: A Sanctuary in the Wilderness

The “secret camp” was precisely what its name implied: a hidden, well-guarded shelter where Anti-Japanese soldiers could rest, regroup, and strategize. Although the exact origins of the term “密营” remain unclear, many believe the first secret camp was established in 1933 by the First Independent Division of the Northeast People’s Revolutionary Army in the remote area of Nǎhóng in the Mǒngjiāng region—today’s Jingyu County. The dense mountains and forests here offered a perfect location for secret activities. These camps were built with natural resources from the surrounding forest, often using local timber to construct basic, yet effective, shelters.

These “earth shelters” (地戗子) were simple structures made by laying long wooden stakes in a “V” or “A” shape, which were then covered with thatch and bark. The design could be as humble as a simple lean-to or as complex as a sturdier structure with walls made from mud and grass. The beauty of these shelters was their adaptability: they could be as basic or as elaborate as the circumstances required, providing shelter from the harsh elements while remaining hidden from enemy forces.

Secret Camps as a Lifeline

The secret camps became crucial to the survival of the Anti-Japanese forces, especially as the war intensified. The region was vast, with long, brutal winters and sparse human presence. This natural isolation made it an ideal place for guerrilla fighters to operate, but it also posed challenges. The need for secrecy and security led to an increased emphasis on finding and establishing these hidden shelters.

By 1934, the situation had grown more dire, with Japanese forces and their puppet regime increasing their “search and destroy” operations. It was then that General Yang Jingyu, a key leader of the guerrilla forces, called for the creation of more secret camps that were better equipped for survival. This led to the construction of “earth cellar” camps (地窨子密营), which included a dug-out pit under the structure to protect from the cold and allow for heating, a necessity in such a harsh environment.

The secret camps not only offered shelter but also served as bases for the soldiers’ operations, including storage for food and supplies, and occasionally medical facilities. In some cases, the camps even included small-scale manufacturing facilities for making ammunition and repairing weapons, providing an essential supply chain for the guerrillas.

The Evolution of the Secret Camp Network

By 1936, the Japanese forces had begun to realize the strategic importance of these secret camps. In response, the Anti-Japanese forces expanded their network of camps, which were spread across the entire northeast region—from the western Liaoning corridor to the Ussuri River in the east, and from the Changbai Mountains in the south to the Heilongjiang River in the north. The scale of the secret camp network was truly remarkable, with camps dotting the landscape like stars in the sky.

These camps were not just places to hide—they became central hubs of guerrilla activity. They provided logistical support, served as bases for training, and housed various facilities such as hospitals, printing presses, and even schools for soldiers. In some cases, like the “Monk Hat” camp near Benxi, the camps were so well-established that they functioned as self-contained mini-bases, capable of supporting hundreds of fighters.

The Legacy and Modern Connection

Despite their importance, the secret camps could not fully protect the guerrilla forces from the brutal realities of war. The harsh winter conditions, diseases, and constant pressure from Japanese forces took a heavy toll on the soldiers. Many, like the legendary Zhao Shangzhi, suffered severe frostbite or died from the cold. The story of one guerrilla fighter who lost all his fingers and toes to frostbite yet remained determined to continue the fight is a testament to the grit and resilience of these soldiers.

Yet, the legacy of these secret camps lives on. Not just in the history of China’s fight for independence, but in how modern guerilla tactics and survival strategies are taught today. The ingenuity of the Anti-Japanese fighters—crafting shelter and sustenance in such an unforgiving environment—continues to inspire military strategists and survivalists.

In a world where technology often replaces the necessity for basic survival skills, the story of the secret camps serves as a reminder of the power of human resilience, ingenuity, and the will to survive against overwhelming odds.