In November 1985, the 3rd Division of the Naval Air Force was disbanded. Although the decision was officially announced as part of efforts to modernize, optimize the troop structure, and enhance combat efficiency and cooperation, the decision was met with widespread discussion among the soldiers. The disbandment of a division number is not merely a bureaucratic shift; it is a reflection of a unit's identity, history, and honor. Military unit numbers are assigned based on the unit’s nature, organization, and order of creation, and they are an integral part of a division’s legacy. For the soldiers, particularly those who had seen battle, the removal of a number was a heavy blow. During wartime, such a disbandment typically occurred only after devastating losses, such as the complete destruction of the unit or the capture of its commanding officers. It was seen as a serious form of punishment.
展开剩余89%The 3rd Division of the Naval Air Force, however, had a proud and storied history. Originally part of the 131st Division of the 44th Army from the Fourth Field Army, it had been a unit full of military elites. Known for their high combat enthusiasm, resolute execution of orders, and toughness in battle, they became a spearhead in urban siege and breakthrough operations. Over time, the unit earned its reputation as one of the leading divisions, particularly during the revolutionary wars. After the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, the division was restructured into the 3rd Naval Air Force, primarily responsible for bombing and fighter aircraft operations, including reconnaissance missions over the Nansha Islands and East China Sea. The division had earned its stripes, contributing to the glorious history of the navy's air force.
When the number was removed in 1985, the soldiers who had served there were naturally filled with sadness. The disbandment stirred much speculation, particularly because of an incident that had occurred a couple of months earlier in August 1985, when Lieutenant Colonel Xiao Tianrun, a deputy squadron leader, defected during a mission. Xiao Tianrun, born in 1952 in a rural family in Jiangxi, was the son of peasants. Growing up in a poor environment, he developed a strong desire to improve his life through education, but the era of the Cultural Revolution hindered his academic opportunities. Nonetheless, his rural background and laboring life built his physique and discipline. At the age of 19, he enlisted in the army, leaving behind his difficult past.
After joining the military, Xiao's life took a turn. He left behind the poverty of his village, which was nestled between mountains with limited arable land, and his family, who were mostly farm laborers. The family’s struggle was evident: his father worked as a farmhand, earning a meager income. Yet, after Xiao enlisted, his family's living conditions improved, and their reputation in the village grew. By the early 1970s, military service was seen as a source of pride in rural China. Xiao’s family, once struggling, now received congratulations and recognition from local officials. Xiao himself quickly adapted to military life, excelling in training and becoming a model soldier, both in physical fitness and academic pursuits.
Recognizing his potential, Xiao was selected for further training at the Navy’s Aviation School, a prestigious institution designed to produce top-tier naval aviation officers. The school was equipped with a variety of aircraft and had a team of experienced instructors who would go on to train many future leaders of the navy’s air force. Xiao excelled at the academy, finishing his studies with flying colors and receiving a posting to the 3rd Division of the Naval Air Force. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming deputy squadron leader in record time. His rapid ascent in the military was admired by his peers, and his success was celebrated by his family and village.
However, as Xiao gained more recognition and praise, he began to change. Initially driven by ambition, his growing sense of entitlement led to arrogance and self-indulgence. He began ignoring military discipline and engaged in a reckless lifestyle, spending money lavishly on alcohol, entertainment, and gambling. His behavior grew more erratic, and he started borrowing money from his comrades, only to repay them late or not at all. As his debts piled up, tensions in his personal life grew, especially with his wife, who was initially supportive but became frustrated by his behavior. At work, Xiao’s passion for his career waned, and he became disillusioned with the military.
In 1984, during a trip home to Jiangxi for the Chinese New Year, Xiao’s behavior worsened. He spent most of his time with old friends and drinking buddies, neglecting his family. His wife, frustrated by his behavior, argued with him, but Xiao paid no heed. During this time, a contact brought a man who claimed to be a “Taiwanese businessman” into Xiao’s circle. The man painted a picture of a life of luxury in Taiwan, describing lavish parties and opportunities for wealth. Xiao, seduced by the promises of a better life, began to entertain the idea of defecting.
By August 1985, Xiao made the fateful decision to defect. On the day of the mission, after completing a target practice exercise, Xiao suddenly changed course, turning the plane toward South Korea. His crew, including navigator Sun Wuchun and radio operator Liu Shuyi, quickly realized what was happening. They attempted to confront him, but Xiao ignored them. As the plane entered South Korean airspace, there was no response from Korean forces. Xiao, unfamiliar with the terrain, had difficulty finding a place to land. Eventually, the plane was forced to make an emergency landing in a rice field, resulting in a crash. Xiao’s crew members suffered injuries, with Sun dying in the crash, while Liu sustained lighter injuries. The crash also killed an innocent farmer who had been in the field.
In the aftermath, Xiao’s defection became a major political issue. Taiwan celebrated his arrival with a grand ceremony, awarding him a military rank and lavish gifts, including 3,000 taels of gold. However, Xiao’s newfound fame was fleeting. His marriage to a woman named Zhang Defen, who was later revealed to be a spy monitoring him, was more about propaganda than romance. As time passed, Xiao's usefulness to the Taiwanese government diminished, and his life took a turn for the worse. His reputation as a traitor followed him, and his family, once proud, suffered from the shame of his actions. Xiao later expressed regret for his defection, lamenting the loss of his military career and the pain he caused his loved ones.
His story serves as a grim reminder of the consequences of betrayal and the fleeting nature of fame. Xiao’s legacy is one of shame, and his name will forever be associated with the disgrace of his actions.
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