Former Site of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command

Former Site of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command

The Former Site of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The former site of the Nationalist Fortress Command was originally the residence of Mr. Wu Tinglu, a modern industrialist from Jiangyin City. Built in 1923, it covers an area of 3,820 square meters with a built-up area of 2,008 square meters.

In December 1937, when Japanese troops occupied Jiangyin, Wu Tinglu took refuge in the countryside but was abducted back to the city by the Japanese and pressured to serve as the “maintenance committee chairman.” He firmly refused and managed to escape to Shanghai. The residence was then occupied by the Japanese as their garrison headquarters in Jiangyin. After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, it was taken over by the Nationalist army.

In 1947, it became the headquarters of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command, with commanders including Kong Qinggui and Dai Rongguang. The underground Chinese Communist Party members at the Jiangyin Fortress, led by Tang Binglin, carried out ingenious and arduous struggles here. On April 21, 1949, during the Crossing-the-Yangtze Campaign, they successfully instigated an uprising of over 7,000 officers and soldiers of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command. On April 22, Jiangyin County was liberated, and the fortress command was subsequently taken over by the Third Field Army of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

On April 28, by order of the Central Military Commission, Zhang Aiping, Commander and Political Commissar of the East China Military Region Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, held the founding meeting of the People’s Navy here, making this site the location of the navy headquarters.

In mid-May, the PLA Jiangyin Fortress Command was officially established, with Liu Shixiang as commander and Tang Junzhao as political commissar. Later, both army and navy units were stationed here successively.

In 2003, the site was officially handed over by Unit 63680 of the PLA General Armament Department to the Jiangyin Municipal People’s Government for comprehensive restoration and protection. This is a building that integrates a former residence of a notable figure, outstanding architecture, and a revolutionary memorial site.

In May 2013, the State Council (State Council Document [2013] No. 13) announced the Former Site of the Nationalist Jiangyin Fortress Command as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Further Reading:

· Fourth Batch of Jiangsu Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units