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Japanese Hinomaru Yosegaki Flag Captured During the Salween Campaign and Presented to Colonel John Hart Caughey by...
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Sold on Sep 21, 2023 for:
$7,500.00
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Description
Japanese Hinomaru Yosegaki Flag Captured During the Salween Campaign and Presented to Colonel John Hart Caughey by Chinese General Wei Li-Huang. 33" x 29", silk, remnants of fabric-reinforced corners at the top, silk tie strings, hand-stitched lower hem. Inscriptions in Chinese characters with English translations appear from top to bottom: "TO COL. PAUGHTY [sic] / TROPHY CAPTURED AT SALWEEN / FROM WEI LI-HWANG [Wei Li-Huang] / GENERAL CHINESE ARMY / C.O. CHINESE EXPEDITIONARY FORCES 2-22-45." Along the right side is an inscription in Kanji that reads: "May your military fortunes be long lasting." This inscription was written by a Japanese person who is wishing the original recipient of the flag good luck in battle. There is a second inscription alongside it in Chinese that reads: "This flag is a trophy/booty of 67th group army 228 regiment burning with righteous ardor, during their 7th battle at Red Rock Mountain." This latter inscription was likely written by one of the Chinese soldiers who captured the flag.Accompanied by an autograph letter with transmittal envelope from General Li-Huang on his General Headquarters Chinese Expeditionary Forces letterhead, written in Chinese characters, dated February 22, 1945, which reads in full: "Dear Col. Paughty. [sic] With reference to Lt. Eng's telephonic conversation with General K. M. Zau of C.E.F. at Chunking, I am now sending you attached herewith, in a separate cover one Japanese flag captured in the campaign of Salween. It is expected that you will estimate it as a valuable souvenir of this victory. Sincerely, Wei Li-hwang General, Chinese Army, Commanding." A contemporary hand-written English translation, likewise on the General's letterhead, is included. Framed to the overall size of 40.5" x 37".
John Hart Caughey (1911-1994) was a staff officer attached to General Albert C. Wedemeyer's China-Burma-India command in Chungking, China. During the Salween Campaign General Wei Li-Huang attacked the under-strength Japanese 56th Infantry Division, which had little more than 11,000 men, north and east of the Salween River. In late May, the Japanese garrison at Tengchung was wiped out. On June 10, 1944, Chinese troops captured Lungling, which was in a strategic location for the eventual re-opening of the Burma Road, but a Japanese counterattack recaptured the town a week later. The 56th Division held on against the 300-kilometer front until late June 1944 before withdrawing forward positions. Lungling was again captured by the Chinese by end of August, 1944. The Japanese were then reinforced by a division and mounted a counterattack to halt the Chinese advance. In November, 1944, the Chinese renewed their attacks, taking Mangshih, Mengka, and Wanting. The Chinese pushed across the Burmese border and Chinese-American-Kachin Allied force linked up at Muse, Burma, marking the successful conclusion of the campaign. Wei Li-Huang (1897-1960) was one of China's most successful military commanders, known as "Hundred Victories Wei." He was one of Chiang Kai-shek's least corrupt generals; he had a modern education and was considered to be pro-American.
In November 1945, Colonel Caughey was personally selected by General George C. Marshall to accompany him to China, under the orders of President Truman, to attempt to resolve issues drawing China toward a Civil War. Colonel Caughey's participation in the Marshall Mission are well documented in The Marshall Mission to China, 1945-1947. The Letters and Diary of Colonel John Hart Caughey, edited by Roger B. Jeans, Lanham [MD]: Rowman and Littlefield, 2011.
Condition: A few minor holes and modest staining to the left side recto. Letter has minor stain and is creased along folds. Envelope exhibits toning, staining, and creasing.
Auction Info
2023 September 21 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6272 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
September, 2023
21st
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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