The Site of the Battle of Guodaohezi Fought by the 16th Route Army of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army

The Site of the Battle of Guodaohezi Fought by the 16th Route Army of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army

The Site of the Battle of Guodaohezi Fought by the 16th Route Army of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army is a classic red tourism attraction.

The Site of the Battle of Guodaohezi Fought by the 16th Route Army of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army is located in Guodaohezi Village, in the eastern part of Hengde Village, Ermi Town, Tonghua County, about 3 kilometers from the village center.

After the “September 18th Incident,” the Japanese invaders rapidly extended their aggression across the entire Northeast. To defend Tonghua, on April 28, 1932, the 16th Route Army of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army, under the command of Commander Sun Xiuyan, entered Tonghua County and was warmly welcomed by people from all walks of life. Alarmed by the news, the Japanese invaders, under the pretext of protecting their consulate and nationals in Tonghua, dispatched 264 soldiers to advance toward the county. Tang Juwu, the overall commander of the Liaoning People’s Self-Defense Army, ordered Sun Xiuyan’s forces to launch a firm counterattack. On the morning of May 1, Sun Xiuyan led a team of over 300 men and more than 100 Big Sword Society members to Ermi Guodaohezi, 10 kilometers from the county seat, taking advantageous positions on the northern and southern hills and both banks of the Ermi River. At 10 a.m., the Japanese troops walked into the ambush. Sun Xiuyan ordered a fierce attack. The two sides engaged in intense fighting for seven hours. Surrounded from both north and south, the Japanese made several failed attempts to break through and then requested negotiations. Considering that the Japanese plot to occupy Tonghua County had been thwarted and that continuing the battle would be disadvantageous for the self-defense forces, they agreed to talks. The two sides eventually reached an agreement: the Japanese troops would not enter Tonghua County but would retreat to Zuomutai in Liuhe, surrendering all their weapons and ammunition to the self-defense army; once these conditions were met, the self-defense army would escort the Japanese consulate staff and Japanese nationals out of the city. This battle resulted in the deaths of 37 Japanese soldiers, including the company commander Kaisima, while 18 self-defense army soldiers were killed. On May 16, a celebration and memorial service for the fallen soldiers were held in the county seat. Commander Sun Xiuyan, representing all officers and soldiers, presented a memorial couplet to the martyrs, inscribed with the words: “Died for the country, immortal forever.” The victory of this battle greatly boosted the determination and confidence of the people of the county in resisting Japan.

Established in April 1932, utilized in the autumn of 1983. The site has no commemorative facilities and is underutilized. (Provided by the Party School of the Tonghua County Committee of the CPC)

Ermi Town: Ermi Town was formed after the reform of agricultural tax exemption and related adjustments in Jilin Province, through the merger of the former Ermi Town, Madang Town, Gangu Township, and Hulu Tao Township. The new Ermi Town is located in the northern part of Tonghua County, bordering Tonghua City to the east, just 16 kilometers from the city center; adjacent to Kuaimaomao Town and Jindou Township to the south, only 14 kilometers from the county center; bordering Sipeng Township and Liuhe County to the west, with the town area just 17 kilometers from the county boundary; and connected to Guanghua Town to the north, 34 kilometers apart. The Tongmei First-Class Highway and the Meiji Railway run through the territory, with two stations, and hardened national, provincial, and county-level roads providing access in all directions, district... More details about Ermi Town++