Dai Anlan was born in Wuwei, Anhui Province in 1904. In January 1924, he was enrolled into the Huangpu Military Academy. After his graduation, he successively took the posts of platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander and regiment commander in the National Revolutionary Army. In 1933, he participated in the battle against Japanese aggressors in Guibeikou area. He also took part in several major campaigns such as the Tai'erzhuang Campaign, the Wuhan Defense Campaign and the South Guangxi Campaign, etc. In Feb. 1942, he joined in the Chinese Expeditionary Force and went to Burma to support operations of the allied force.

　　In April 1942, after the unilateral withdrawal of the Britain troops from Burma, the Chinese Expeditionary Force was forced to make a strategic withdraw, as it could not hold on single-handedly there. Where to withdraw? The American and British sides suggested that the Chinese Expeditionary Force withdrew to India, and demanded them to apply for entry in the capacity of refugees, and then be collected by the British troops. Dai Anlan, commander of the 200th Division, replied categorically: "I am a Chinese soldier when alive, a gallant Chinese spirit when dead. I would rather die on the battlefield in the fight against Japanese invaders than live an ignoble life. "

　　Dai Anlan climbed over mountains after mountains with his 6,200 officers and men, carrying with them all their weapons. On the night of May 18, when they were about to cross the Mogu Road, they were suddenly under fierce attack by two Japanese groups armed with armored vehicles. Dai Anlan went to the battlefront to direct the battle himself. Eventually they managed to make a breakthrough of enemy's ambush. But in this battle, his chest and stomach were hit by enemy bullets, and bleeding could not stopped.

　　On May 26, the 200th Division arrived at Maobang Village in north Burma, which is only several days' journey away from China. Dai Anlan was then in critical condition, as inflammation and ulcerating occurred on his wounds due to lack of proper medical treatment. On that day, he came to from coma and looked towards the north with the help of his men. He murmured: "Counterattack, counterattack! Long live China!" Dai Anlan, a famous anti-Japanese general died in a remote mountainous area in Burma, and he was only 38.