Song Xilian

Song Xilian (宋希濂; April 9, 1907－February 13, 1993) was a Kuomintang general from Hunan. He was last in charge to moving remaining KMT troops to Xikang Province. He was captured and tried as an enemy of people and was finally released in the 1980s. He spent his remaining years in retirement in the United States and wrote about his military years and affiliation with Huangpu Academy.

Song Xilian
Song Xilian
Native name	宋希濂
Born	(1907-04-09)April 9, 1907 Xiangxiang, Hunan Province, China
Died	February 14, 1993(1993-02-14) (aged 85) New York City, United States
Allegiance	Republic of China
Service/branch	National Revolutionary Army
Years of service	1923–1949
Rank	Lieutenant General
Battles/wars	Northern Expedition Second Sino-Japanese War Battle of Shanghai Battle of Nanking Battle of Lanfeng Battle of Wuhan Battle of Northern Burma and Western Yunnan Chinese Civil War

Early life

In 1920, Song Xilian tested into Changjun High School in Changsha, Hunan Province. In January 1924, he left his family and, with Chen Geng from the same county, traveled to Guangzhou where they enlisted in Huangpu Military Academy's first class, and Song Xilian would be that class's youngest graduate. He Joined the Kuomintang in June of that year, and in 1925 he would take part in the National Revolutionary Army's first Eastern Punitive Expedition. After the expedition he was promoted to vice commander of the 4th company and by early June was company Commander.

In 1927 he left for Chiba, Japan to study at the local military academy.

Return to China

In 1930, following the breakout of the Central Plains War, Song Xilian returned to China, becoming a staff officer in the National Revolutionary Army's 1st division. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1931 the division was reformed into the 87th division, and Song Xilian led the 261st brigade. In 1932 he took part in the January 28 Incident.