Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery

Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery

Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination and a patriotic education base.

The Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery in Suyu County is a county-level protected revolutionary martyrs' memorial site.

Historical Background

After the victory of the War of Resistance against Japan, Chiang Kai-shek, in an attempt to seize the fruits of the people’s victory, tore up the "Double Tenth Agreement" and launched the civil war in 1946. On the northern Suqian battlefield, he deployed his reorganized 61st and 69th Divisions to launch a major offensive. On December 14, the headquarters of the enemy's reorganized 11th Division occupied Caoji, sending one brigade straight down the Su-Shu Highway toward our Lailong’an position, while the headquarters of the enemy's 69th Division occupied Renhewei and then dispatched forces to occupy Shaodian, Zhangshan, and Xiaodian. Our defending forces at Lailong’an dealt a heavy blow to the invading enemy, killing and capturing part of their troops, and recaptured Lailong’an that very night. On the 15th, our main forces maneuvered around to Jing’ertou, killing and capturing some enemies and quickly cutting off the retreat route of the enemy’s 69th Division, isolating them from the 11th Division. On the afternoon of the 16th, our 8th Division launched an attack on the enemy entrenched at Zhangshan. The defending enemies fled toward Xiaodian, and by that night, we had taken control of Zhangshan Town. On the 16th, the enemy’s 69th Division fought with us for the dominant high ground, launching multiple counterattacks on our Zhangshan positions with two regiments, all of which were repelled by us. Our forces successfully encircled the remaining enemy forces of the 3rd Brigade at Xiaodian. On the 17th, our main forces launched a fierce assault on Xiaodian, completely annihilating the enemy’s 3rd Brigade. That night, our forces surrounded the headquarters of the enemy’s 69th Division at Renhewei. On the 18th, we cleared the surrounding enemies of Renhewei and then launched a general assault on the position. By that night, we had completely wiped out the headquarters of the enemy’s 69th Division. The division commander, Dai Zhiqi, was killed. Meanwhile, another part of our forces pursued and eliminated the fleeing remnants of the enemy. By the evening of the 19th, the battle was entirely over. This campaign resulted in the killing or capture of over 26,000 enemies, including the capture of the deputy commander of the 69th Division, Yao Shaowei.

This is the famous "Northern Suqian Campaign." As the main battlefield, Lailong’an Xiaocaiji witnessed seven days and nights of fierce fighting, during which the entire reorganized 69th Division of the Kuomintang was annihilated and their elite 11th Division was severely damaged, marking a new chapter in the Liberation War. To commemorate the revolutionary martyrs, the Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery of the Northern Suqian Campaign was built on the blood-soaked land of Lailong Xiaocaiji. In March 1948, local residents such as Li Yongchang and Wu Liangshan raised funds to build the "Xiaocaiji Cemetery Primary School" here, hiring teacher Wu Changwei to manage and teach.

Through several expansions and renovations, the Xiaocaiji Martyrs' Cemetery now covers an area of 68 mu, surrounded by walls, with tombstones erected, lush pine trees, and flowers blooming in all seasons. It also features exhibition rooms and display halls, with over 20 rooms currently in use and six management staff permanently stationed. A high-standard memorial monument is currently under renovation.

Visiting Guide

Admission: Free

Opening Hours: 9:00 – 17:00