T32 - Learn from the Hard-boned Sixth Company

On January 22, 1964, the Department of Defence of the People' s Republic of China awarded the sixth company of one infantry battalion of People's Liberation Army the honorary title "Hard bones the sixth company" (硬骨头六连).  "Hard bones" or "tough" attributes such as battle mentality, battle strategy, battle tactic and discipline.

This sixth company was formed in 1939, and was involved in the anti-Japanese and later the liberation battles in Jizhong (冀中) and Jinsui (晋绥).  In the early 1950's, participated in Chinese People's Volunteers Army in Korean War.

On the Army Day, August 1, 1978, (in commemoration of the Founding of Chinese People's Liberation Army), a set of three stamps was released to commemorate the past contribution of the sixth company and to encourage other units to learn from the sixth company.  The set of three stamps are as follows:

(3-1) 8 fen, Be the iron fist to oppose and prevent revisionism  反修防修的铁拳
(3-2) 8 fen, Carry forward the revolutionary tradition  发扬革命传统
(3-3) 8 fen, Training strenuously to master military skill in wiping out the enemy
                       苦练杀敌本领


(3-1)【Be the iron fist to oppose and prevent revisionism】The stamp design used the propaganda poster "Be the iron fist to oppose and prevent revisionism" by artist Chen Qi.  The design showed ordered rows of liberation army soldiers in the background, with a clear iron fist warrior image in the foreground.

(3-2)【Carry forward the revolutionary tradition】 The stamp design used the propaganda poster "Carry forward the revolutionary tradition" by artist Zhao Guangtao.  The design showed the sixth company soldiers charging in battle in the background, and leading to new generation revolutionary warrior in the foreground.

(3-3)【Training strenuously to master military skill in wiping out the enemy】 The stamp design used the propaganda poster "Training strenuously to master military skill in wiping out the enemy" by artist Cheng Jian.  The design showed the army, navy and air force soldiers use sixth company as a role model, learning their tough attributes in defeating the enemy.

T32 – Learn from the Hard-boned Sixth Company  向硬骨头六连学习 Issue Date: 1978.8.1
Serial Number:	T32
Scott No.:	1420-1422
Michel No.:	1430-1432
Number of stamps in Set:	3
Denomination:	8 fen for stamp 1, 2, 3
Quantity of Issue:	15,000,000 for stamp 1, 2, 3
Perforation:	P11½ X 11
Sheet Composition:	50 (10 X 5)
Size of stamps:	30 X 40 mm
Original Artists	Stamp 1 - Chen Qi  陈其 Stamp 2 -- Zhao Guangtao  赵光涛 Stamp 3 -- Cheng Jian 陈坚
Designer:	Wan Weisheng  万维生
Printing Process:	Photogravure
Printing House:	Beijing Postage Stamp Printing Works