Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign

Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign

The Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign is a Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit, a classic red tourism attraction, and a patriotic education base.

The Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign is located in Beiwang Village, Hanwang Town. This site consists of three ancient residential buildings, also known as the "Hao Family Courtyard." Covering a total area of over 900 square meters, it originally comprised more than 100 buildings from the Qing Dynasty, with over 60 still standing today. The main structures of the site have been well preserved and have been recognized by architectural historians as the largest existing ancient building complex in the rural areas of Xuzhou. Between February and March 1949, senior proletarian revolutionaries such as -, -, Chen Yi, Su Yu, Tan Zhenlin, and Zeng Shan strategized here, researching and formulating the plans for the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign, and left behind precious group photos. The Beiwang Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign is an important red tourism resource in Xuzhou.

On January 10, 1949, the Huaihai Campaign ended in victory, and the headquarters of the East China Field Army moved from Xiaoxian County’s Nancaiwu Village to Beiwang Village in Tongshan. In accordance with the order issued by - on January 12, 1949, “Regarding the two-and-a-half-month rest and reorganization of the East China Field Army and Central Plains Field Army, and the completion of preparations for the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign,” the East China Field Army was reorganized into the Third Field Army on February 9. Subsequently, the East China Military Region was established, and the Central Committee’s East China Bureau was adjusted. The Central Committee’s East China Bureau and the East China Military Region arrived in Beiwang on February 12, and on February 15, the General Front Command members -, -, Chen Yi, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin also arrived in Beiwang. By this time, the four major institutions had gathered in Beiwang, where they researched and formulated the operational plan for the Jinghu-Hang Campaign, also known as the famous Yangtze River Crossing Campaign. On February 20, Chen Yi, Su Yu, Tan Zhenlin, and Zhang Zhen jointly issued the “Preliminary Order for the Jinghu-Hang Campaign” — also known as the “Jing No. 1 Order” — to the Third Field Army. Soon after, the Political Department and Logistics Department of the Third Field Army respectively issued the “Political Work Directive for the Great Advance to the South of the Yangtze” and the “Notice on Logistics Work for the Jinghu-Hang Campaign.” On March 17, Chen Yi, Su Yu, Tan Zhenlin, and Zhang Zhen telegraphed the various corps of the Third Field Army to deploy for the river crossing operation. On March 18, Chen Yi, Rao Shushi, -, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin sent a telegram to the Party Central Committee and - regarding the deployment of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign and the preparation work, during which - personally presided over the formulation of the “Implementation Outline for the Jinghu-Hang Campaign” at the Third Field Army Command. On March 21, members of the General Front Command, including -, Chen Yi, and Tan Zhenlin, set out from Beiwang as planned, traveled south through Xuzhou, and arrived at Sunjiaxu in Bengbu. The departure of the four major institutions from Beiwang marked the completion of the deployment and preparation for the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign.

The gathering of numerous generals from the four major institutions in Beiwang Village, Tongshan, to strategize and deploy the river crossing operation — achieving victory from afar and shocking the world — was a major event in the history of the Chinese revolution and even world military history. It stands as a source of pride and honor for the people of Tongshan. The Former Site of the General Front Command of the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign in Hanwang’s Beiwang Village serves not only as a patriotic education base but also as a significant red tourism destination.

Beiwang Village: Located 3 kilometers northeast of Hanwang Town. … More details about Beiwang Village ++

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units