The Northern Tumen Battle Site in Xiong'erzhai

The Northern Tumen Battle Site in Xiong'erzhai

Pinggu was the central area of the western part of the Ji-Dong Anti-Japanese Base.

In 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident triggered the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan. Chairman Mao proposed the strategic suggestion: "A portion of the Red Army can be deployed to the enemy's rear in Ji-Dong, using Wuling Mountain as a base to conduct guerrilla warfare."

By the end of May 1938, the Song Shilun Detachment and the Deng Hua Detachment were reorganized into the Eighth Route Army's 4th Column. They attacked Changping, captured Xinglong, took control of Pinggu, and moved their main forces to the areas of Kao Shanji, Jiangjun Pass, and Xiaying (now part of Jixian County) along a frontline. They cooperated with the Ji-Dong resistance efforts to establish an anti-Japanese base. The 34th Brigade, led by Battalion Commander Yi Yuecai, was stationed in Taopeng and Yuzishan villages to promote resistance, mobilize the masses, and organize anti-Japanese guerrilla forces.

In April 1940, the Ji (County)-Ping (gu)-Mi (Yun) United County was established. In July, the 13th Regiment was formed, with Bao Sen, the deputy commander of the Ji-Dong Military District, serving concurrently as its commander and political commissar. In July, the Northwest Office was established in Taopeng and Yuzishan villages. In September, the first Party branch in Pinggu County was set up in Taopeng Village, while Party members were developed and Party organizations were established in surrounding mountain villages.

On August 20, the Hundred Regiments Offensive began. The 13th Regiment and anti-Japanese forces from the western region launched attacks against Japanese puppet troops, eliminating over 300 enemies and capturing more than 350 pieces of equipment. Among these, Bao Sen commanded the 13th Regiment in the Shuiyu Village battle, repelling the Japanese forces and pushing all the way to the outskirts of Pinggu City. They then fought in the Fangguang Village battle, capturing one mountain cannon, which greatly inspired the local people. In November, the Special Administrative Commissioner of the 13th Regiment, Jiao Ruoyu, along with Bao Sen and Li Ziguang, inspected the Northwest Office in Taopeng and Yuzishan villages. It was decided to divide the Ji-Ping-Mi United County into two parts: the southern part of Panshan became the Ji-Bao-San United County, and the northern part centered around Pinggu formed the Ping-Mi-Xing United County, thus completing the formation of the western Ji-Dong base. As the situation evolved, it was later restructured into the Ping-San-Mi and Ping-San-Ji United Counties. The county government once operated in Dongchangyu Village, Xiong'erzhai Township, leaving behind sites such as the former government offices, an arms factory, and a detention house.

On October 1, 1943, the 13th Regiment and the Second District Team fought battles in Gan Ying and Wangmatai, annihilating the Gongqi Garrison and a small squad of Japanese troops from Shentian.

In June 1944, two Japanese companies along with four raiding teams totaling over 1,100 Japanese and puppet troops swept along the Great Wall and lodged overnight in Xiong'erzhai and Beitumen villages. The Eighth Route Army’s 13th Regiment occupied the surrounding hills of both villages. Regimental Commander Shu Xing directed operations from Jiulishan Mountain in Beitumen, while Chief of Staff Chen Yunzhong and Director of the Political Department Wang Wen commanded from the eastern hill of Xiong'erzhai. At dawn on the 3rd, the battle commenced. The 13th Regiment launched a fierce assault, firing down on the enemy from higher ground. The Japanese and puppet troops, caught off guard while asleep, scrambled to respond. The Eighth Route Army stormed into the villages, engaging in intense street fighting and hand-to-hand combat. The battle continued until 2 p.m., when the enemy called for air support and reinforcements from nearby strongholds. The 13th Regiment then strategically withdrew. During this engagement, 6 Japanese soldiers and 492 puppet troops were killed, 62 puppet troops were wounded, and 3 were captured. The Regiment seized 2 machine guns, 13 rifles, 2 pistols, 22 bayonets, over 4,200 rounds of ammunition, and various other military supplies. The Regiment also suffered casualties, with 71 soldiers killed and 92 injured. This battle was the largest and most lethal in the western Ji-Dong region, severely weakening the arrogance of the Japanese and puppet forces and safeguarding the anti-Japanese base and the lives and property of the local population.

On February 1, 1945, a U.S. 14th Air Force B-29 heavy bomber, returning from a mission to bomb the Anshan Showa Steel Plant, experienced mechanical failure and crashed over Dongchangyu in Xiong'erzhai Township, Pinggu. Eleven pilots parachuted to safety and were rescued by Pinggu military personnel. Troops from the military sub-district escorted them to Yan'an.

In 1985, the People’s Government of Pinggu District erected a monument at the “Northern Tumen Battle Site in Xiong'erzhai” inscribed with the words “Eternal Glory to Revolutionary Martyrs.” The inscription was penned by Comrade Li Yunchang (former commander of the Ji-Dong Military Sub-district) and the text composed by Comrade Li Yuezhi (former Party Secretary of the Ping-San-Mi United County).

In 1995, following the passing of General Chen Yunzhong (former Chief of Staff of the 13th Regiment of the Ji-Dong Military Sub-district, promoted to Major General in 1964), his ashes were interred on the northern hill of Xiong'erzhai Village in accordance with his wishes.

Former Deputy Director of the 7th Research Institute of China State Shipbuilding Corporation.

Comrade Chen Yunzhong was born on June 1, 1917, in Xiaping Town, Jinggangshan City, Jiangxi Province (formerly Yongxin County). He joined the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army in April 1932, became a member of the Communist Youth League of China in August 1932, and was admitted to the Communist Party of China in April 1934. During the Red Army period, Chen Yunzhong served successively as a signalman in the 4th Division of the 5th Army of the 3rd Red Army Corps and as an operational staff officer in the 28th Red Army. He participated in the 4th and 5th counter-encirclement campaigns in the Central Soviet Area and the famous Long March. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, he held positions such as... [Chen Yunzhong – More Info]

Wang Wen (1919–1989), originally named Song Mingbo, was from Jizhou County, Tianjin. In 1938, he joined the Ji-Dong resistance and the same year became a member of the Communist Party of China. During the War of Resistance, he served as political commissar of a battalion in the 16th Regiment of the Ji-Dong Anti-Japanese Allied Forces, political instructor of the Jizhou Guerrilla Detachment, political instructor and director of the political department, and political commissar of a regiment in the 13th Regiment of the Ji-Dong Military District.

Biography

During the Liberation War, he served as deputy political commissar and director of the political department of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Column of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military District, deputy political commissar of the Rehe South Military Sub-district of the Rehe Military District, and... [Wang Wen – More Info]