Its origin can be traced back to the Jiangnan anti-Japanese volunteers' Army(lang-zh:江南抗日义勇军) formed in May 1939.
[1] The 59th Division attacked Fox Company, 7th Marines north of Sinhung-ni at Toktong Pass during the Battle of Chosin Reservoir.
[2] Underestimating U.S air and artillery power, the 59th Division experienced over 1,000 killed in its attempt to dislodge Fox Company from its position, while inflicting 182 casualties.
[3] In October 1952 it pulled back to China with the 20th Corps and stationed in Zhejiang province.
In the 1960s it maintained as a middle division, Northern unit, which was fully equipped but not 100% manned.