My Chief and My Regiment (2009)
A sweeping Chinese war drama chronicling the Chinese Expeditionary Force's brutal Burma campaign through the eyes of one unforgettable soldier.
My Chief and My Regiment - Series Information
- Original Title: 我的团长我的团
- First Air Year: 2009
- Last Air Year: 2009
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, War, Politics
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 45 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 43
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- Networks: Jiangsu Television 江苏卫视, Dragon Television 东方卫视
- Alternative Titles: My Chief and My Regiment (US), Soldiers And Their Commander (UK), 我的團長我的團 (CN)
- Production Companies: Huayi Brothers Pictures 浙江华谊兄弟影业, 浙江天意影视有限公司
- Production Countries: China
My Chief and My Regiment - Plot
The series is about the Chinese National Revolutionary Army Expeditionary Force in Burma fighting the Imperial Japanese Army during the 1942 Battle of Yunnan-Burma Road at the Second Sino-Japanese War. The Chinese troops landed in Burma to support the British allied forces operations. The aim was to protect the road since it served as an important supply route after China's ports fell under Japanese control. When the British forces withdrew their support and surrendered, part of the remaining Chinese troops was forced to abandon their heavy equipment and retreat in loose formations through the harsh Burmese jungles, experiencing constant enemy pursue and ambush. Of the 100,000 strong Chinese Expeditionary Force sent to fight, only around 40,000 returned home. The story follows a small group of soldiers being refuged in Yunnan, and is narrated through the eyes of a limping young Beiping student-turned-soldier named Meng Fanliao.
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My Chief and My Regiment - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Duan Yihong
- Zhang Yi
- Zhang Guoqiang
- Xing Jiadong
- Luo Jingmin
- Wang Dazhi
- Liu Weiwei
- Wang Wang
- Jerry Lee
- Jonathan Kos-Read
Writers
- Lan Xiaolong
Executive Producers
- Wang Zhonglei
My Chief and My Regiment - FAQs
What is My Chief and My Regiment about?
Set during the 1942 Burma campaign of the Second Sino-Japanese War, the series follows a ragged band of Chinese soldiers stranded in Yunnan after a devastating retreat. The story unfolds through the eyes of Meng Fanliao, a limping student-turned-soldier, capturing themes of brotherhood, sacrifice, and survival against overwhelming odds.
Is My Chief and My Regiment based on a true story?
The series is rooted in real historical events. It dramatizes the Chinese National Revolutionary Army Expeditionary Force's harrowing Burma campaign, during which roughly 100,000 soldiers were deployed and only around 40,000 returned home — a largely overlooked chapter of World War II history.
Who are the main actors in My Chief and My Regiment?
The series stars Duan Yihong as Long Wenzhang, Zhang Yi as narrator Meng Fanliao, and Zhang Guoqiang as Mi Long. The ensemble cast also includes Xing Jiadong, Luo Jingmin, Wang Dazhi, Liu Weiwei, Wang Wang, Jerry Lee, and Jonathan Kos-Read as American officer Alger Collins.
How many episodes does My Chief and My Regiment have?
My Chief and My Regiment consists of 43 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 45 minutes, making it an expansive and immersive war drama that gives the story and its characters plenty of room to breathe and develop.
Why is My Chief and My Regiment considered a landmark Chinese war drama?
The series broke new ground in Chinese television by portraying the Expeditionary Force's Burma campaign with rare emotional honesty and moral complexity. Rather than glorifying war, it dwells on the psychological toll on ordinary soldiers, earning widespread critical praise and a devoted audience across China upon its 2009 broadcast.
Who wrote My Chief and My Regiment?
The series was written by Lan Xiaolong, who also authored the acclaimed novel on which it is based. Lan drew on extensive historical research into the Chinese Expeditionary Force to craft a narrative that balances authentic military detail with deeply personal character portraits.
What network aired My Chief and My Regiment?
My Chief and My Regiment originally aired on Jiangsu Television (江苏卫视) and Dragon Television (东方卫视) in China in 2009. Its simultaneous broadcast on two major satellite channels reflected the high expectations surrounding the production and helped it reach a massive national audience.
What shows are similar to My Chief and My Regiment?
Fans of this series may enjoy Masters of the Air (2024), World on Fire (2019), and Women at War (2022) for their immersive WWII storytelling. The Tattooist of Auschwitz (2024) and Shōgun (2024) also offer compelling historical drama with strong ensemble casts and period authenticity.
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