Former Site of the Founding of the Leping People’s Anti-Japanese Armed Vanguard Team

Former Site of the Founding of the Leping People’s Anti-Japanese Armed Vanguard Team

On October 15, 1944, the Leping People’s Anti-Japanese Armed Vanguard Team was established in Xikengtan, Zeji Village, Lingdi Township, Leping, with 13 members. The team leader was Zhou Pizhen, and the political instructor was Qiu Qinghua. This was the first anti-Japanese armed force established in Leping under the leadership of the Communist Party. In order to remove obstacles and secure the right to resist Japan, this team, from the very beginning of its formation, targeted the Kuomintang salt police, grain conscription teams, and “rural pacification” squads that neither resisted Japan nor protected the people but instead harmed civilians. The team achieved four consecutive victories in areas such as Shang’ao Ridge, Lvjiatian, Dang??, and Gang’ao. Among them, the Battle of Gang’ao completely wiped out over 30 members of the KMT Leping County Independent Guard Unit, captured more than 20 rifles and handguns, and also took prisoner key figures including Ni Zijing, secretary of the KMT Leping County Party Committee, and Wang Zhong, a squad leader. By December of the same year, the team had grown to over 50 members and was renamed the Leping People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Unit. Zhou Pizhen continued to serve as team leader, while Qiu Qinghua concurrently acted as political commissar. The unit was divided into four rifle squads and one handgun squad. Subsequently, the Leping County Committee openly raised the banner of armed resistance against Japan and established the Leping–Yongjia Border Area Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Base in the enemy’s rear, centered on Lingdi Township. They also formed mass organizations such as the Peasants’ Salvation Association.

The Former Site of the Founding of the Leping People’s Anti-Japanese Armed Vanguard Team is located at Xikengtan, Zeji Village, Lingdi Township, Leping City. Covering an area of approximately 80 square meters, the site is built with brick and tile structure. Originally a temple, it was burned down by the Kuomintang army during their “encirclement and suppression” campaign against the base. After the founding of the People’s Republic, it was reconstructed as a residence for villagers. The site can be directly accessed via a simple road, surrounded by forested mountains, and there is a small stream not far from the front gate, offering a beautiful environment.

Source: Party History Research Office of the CPC Wenzhou Municipal Committee