Martyr Cao Yafan's Place of Death

Martyr Cao Yafan's Place of Death

Martyr Cao Yafan's Place of Death is located near Tanjiafangchang in Jinchuan Village, Jinchuan Town, Huinan County.

Cao Yafan, also known as Cao Qingshan and Cao Junsheng, was born in Beijing in 1911. He once served as the Political Commissar of the 2nd Regiment of the 2nd Division of the Northeast People's Revolutionary Army, the Political Commissar of the 3rd Division of the 2nd Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, the Commander of the 2nd Division of the 1st Division, and the Commander of the 1st Front Army of the 1st Route Army. On April 8, 1940, he died a heroic death near Tanjiafangchang (now part of Jinchuan Town, Huinan County) in Xiaojinchuan Village, Jinchuan County, at the young age of 29. His remains were buried on the shore of Dalongwan.

In May 1935, the 2nd Division of the Northeast People's Revolutionary Army was established, and Cao Yafan was appointed as its Political Commissar, marking the beginning of his military career in the anti-Japanese armed struggle. In March 1936, the 2nd Division of the Northeast People's Revolutionary Army was reorganized into the 2nd Division of the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army, which expanded into three regiments, and Cao Yafan was appointed as the Political Commissar of the 3rd Regiment. In July, the Provincial Committees of the Chinese Communist Party in East and South Manchuria were merged into the Southeast Manchuria Provincial Committee, and Cao Yafan was elected as a committee member. In early 1937, Cao Yafan became the Commander of the 2nd Division of the 1st Division of the Anti-Japanese United Army. He led his troops in activities across Linjiang, Fusong, and other regions. After the “August 1st Incident,” Cao Yafan followed the arrangements of the 1st Route Army leadership and focused his combat operations in the southern part of Tonghua. In late 1938, he was appointed by the 1st Route Army leadership to take charge of the overall combat operations in the southern part of Tonghua. He employed flexible guerrilla tactics to actively resist the Japanese invaders.

After the death of Yang Jingyu in February 1940, Cao Yafan continued leading his troops in anti-Japanese operations across Tonghua, Antu, and other regions. On April 8, 1940, Cao Yafan died in an ambush while operating in the mountainous areas of Tonghua. In the spring of 1940, when Cao Yafan and over 20 soldiers from the Anti-Japanese United Army passed through the southern Tianfugang area of Xiaojinchuan Village, Jinchuan County, they encountered two local farmers, Gong Yunsen and Zhang Fengshan, from Xiaojinchuan Village. Cao Yafan asked Gong and Zhang to buy some food supplies. Zhang agreed and returned to the village, while Gong was kept on the mountain as a hostage. In the evening, when Zhang Fengshan had not returned, Gong Yunsen smoked a cigarette and also gave one to the platoon leader (referred to by the alias “Platoon Leader Quan”). It was while Platoon Leader Quan was lighting his cigarette that Gong Yunsen allegedly took the opportunity to kill him with an axe. This account is based on the discovery of a seal belonging to Cao Yafan in the pocket of the man known under the alias “Platoon Leader Quan.” However, this is a historical misconception. Cao Yafan was only 29 years old at the time of his death.

Source: Party School of Liuhé County Committee

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