Lin Wang

Lin Wang (Chinese: 林旺; pinyin: Lín Wàng; January 18, 1917 – February 26, 2003) was an Asian elephant that served with the Chinese Expeditionary Force during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937–1945) and later relocated to Taiwan with the Kuomintang forces. Lin Wang lived out most of his life in the Taipei Zoo and unquestionably was the most popular and famous animal in Taiwan. Many adults and children alike affectionately called the bull elephant "Grandpa Lin Wang."

After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Sino-Japanese War, which began in 1937, became a part of the greater conflict of World War II. When the Japanese proceeded to attack British colonies in Burma, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek formed the "Chinese Expeditionary Force" (中國遠征軍) under the leadership of General Sun Li-jen, to fight in the Burma Campaign. After a battle at a Japanese camp in 1943, Lin Wang, along with twelve other elephants, were captured by the Chinese. These elephants were used by the Japanese army to transport supplies and pull artillery pieces. The Allied forces also used these elephants to do similar tasks. At this time, Lin Wang was named "Ah Mei" (阿美), meaning "The Beautiful".

In 1945, the Expeditionary Force was recalled back to China. The elephants and their handlers marched through the Burma Road and six elephants died during the difficult trek. By the time they arrived in Guangdong, the war ended. However, the elephants' service with the army was not over. They participated in building some monuments for the martyrs of the war, and in the spring of 1946, they also performed for a circus to raise money for famine relief in Hunan province. Later, four elephants in the group were sent to the zoos of Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing and Changsha. The remaining three elephants, including Lin Wang, were relocated to a park in Guangzhou.

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