Unfortunately, there was a shortage of domestic bus drivers and mechanics. The government sent a telegraph to ask for assistance. Tan Kah Kee, who heeded every call, initiated the campaign to round up mechanics from among the Chinese of Southeast Asia to go back and join the resistance. Altogether, the young mechanics who returned amounted to about 3000.
無奈國內汽車司機和修理工人缺乏，政府一通電報請求支援，對祖國有求必應的陳嘉庚，於是又發起「南僑機工回國抗日」的號召，前後返國的青年機工達到三千多人，整船整批地回國受訓，加入抗戰後援行列。