Career
In 1928, Wu Huawen became Head of Training Department, Luoyang Junior Military Officer School of the North-western Army. After that came appointments as Chief of Staff and commanding officer of the Reconnaissance Regiment in the 25th Division of the 2nd Army Group (1928–1930), Deputy Head of the Higher Training Corps of the 3rd Route Army (1930–1931), commanding officer of the pistol brigade, 3rd Route Army (1931–1938), commanding officer of the 28th Independent Brigade, 3rd Route Army (1938–1939), and general officer commanding the 4th New Division (1939–1943). In 1943, a few years after the execution of his superior Han Fuju (in 1938), he defected to the Japanese, taking many of Han"s troops with him.
In the same year, he joined the Reorganized National Government of China, a puppet state under Japanese control.
From 1945 until 1948, he held several commands: general officer commanding the 5th New Route Army and general officer commanding the Southern Jin-Pu Railway Garrison (1945–1946), commanding officer of the 7th Column (1946), commanding officer 2nd Shandong Security Column (1946–1947), and general officer commanding the 84th Division (1947–1948). After his defection, he was given the post of general officer commanding the 35th Army in the People"s Liberation Army, which also incorporated the troops he had taken with him.