Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Martyrs' Cemetery in Huaibei

Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Martyrs' Cemetery in Huaibei

The Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Martyrs' Cemetery in Huaibei is a national AA-level tourist attraction, a cultural heritage site of Anhui Province, a classic red tourism destination, and a patriotic education base.

The Shuangduiji Martyrs' Cemetery is located south of Shuangduiji in Suixi County, covering a total area of 106,000 square meters, stretching 368 meters from east to west and 292 meters from north to south, with an area of 10.6 hectares. The cemetery was planned in 1976, and the Huaihai Campaign Martyrs Monument was completed in October 1981. The Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle Memorial Hall was completed in October 1988. The main gate of the cemetery faces east, with two ponds of 1,250 square meters on either side inside the gate. A wide and straight main road leads to the monument. The pointed Gujiu mound in the south is a Neolithic cultural site and also a strategic high ground fiercely contested by both sides during the Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle of the Huaihai Campaign. The cemetery is planted with landscaping trees such as cedar, dragon juniper, and boxwood, and includes flower beds and orchards. In December 1995, the cemetery was approved as one of the first patriotic education demonstration bases in Anhui Province. In 2000, it was designated as a provincial-level key martyrs' memorial building protection unit. In June 2001, it was listed by the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee as one of the second batch of 100 national patriotic education demonstration bases. In August 2009, the Provincial Development and Reform Commission included the cemetery in the fourth batch of central budget investment plans for infrastructure development of red tourism scenic spots to expand domestic demand, with an investment of 12.83 million yuan. Construction included tourist roads, a memorial square, a tourist reception center, east and west gates, a Generals’ Pavilion, and walking paths. The cemetery now has office buildings, a monument, a memorial hall, public burial areas, single graves, east and west gates, and pavilions. It is one of China’s 100 classic red tourism scenic spots, open to the public free of charge, with an annual reception capacity of about 500,000 visitors. It is a 2A-level tourist attraction.

Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Martyrs Monument

The Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Martyrs Monument is located in the central part of the cemetery. Its construction began in May 1980 and was completed on October 1 the following year. The monument stands 22.5 meters tall and is built from white granite. The base consists of two levels: the first level is 31 meters long and 31 meters wide from north to south and east to west respectively; the second level is 25 meters in both length and width. There are 18 steps on each of the four sides, surrounded by pine trees. The front of the monument base is inscribed with the memorial text, while the front of the main body bears the handwritten inscription by Comrade Deng Xiaoping: “The martyrs of the Huaihai Campaign will live forever!” The top and bottom are adorned with laurel patterns. The apex of the monument features a bas-relief of the Huaihai Campaign Victory Commemorative Medal. In front of the monument is a cement-paved square covering approximately 2,100 square meters.

Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle Memorial Hall

The Huaihai Campaign Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle Memorial Hall is located in the southeastern part of the cemetery, facing north. It was completed in October 1988, measuring 32 meters in length and 28 meters in width, covering an area of over 900 square meters. The name of the memorial hall was inscribed by Comrade Zhang Aiping. The building features an elegant design, with traditional-style eaves covered in golden glazed tiles, a light yellow exterior wall, and 44 round-top high windows distributed around the structure. The open central hall is 14 meters wide, 6.8 meters high, and 10 meters deep. The east, south, and west halls are interconnected, forming a unified space. The central courtyard spans 98 square meters. The entire structure is bright in color, generously proportioned, combining classical architectural art with modern style. The exhibition hall displays over 300 precious historical photos, more than 200 cultural relics, over 20 battle maps, charts, and artworks, along with one electric sand table model. These exhibits vividly and historically reflect the full picture of the Huaihai Campaign. The displayed content is divided into eight sections, with emphasis on the annihilation battle in the Shuangduiji area. Sections one through seven cover the campaign itself, with eight exhibition rooms. Section eight is the Martyrs Remembrance Hall, showcasing the deeds, portraits, and belongings of 27 martyrs.

Inscription on the Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle Martyrs Monument of the Huaihai Campaign

The Chinese People's Liberation Army’s East China Field Army and Central Plains Field Army, along with local armed forces from the East China, Central Plains, and North China Military Districts, under the wise decision-making of the Central Military Commission of the CPC and Comrade Mao Zedong, and under the correct leadership and command of the General Front Committee composed of Comrades Deng Xiaoping, Liu Bocheng, Chen Yi, Su Yu, and Tan Zhenlin, fought in the great and world-shaking Huaihai Campaign from November 6, 1948, to January 10 of the following year. This campaign took place across a vast area centered on Xuzhou, extending east to Haizhou, west to Shangqiu, north to Lincheng, and south to the Huai River. The Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle was the second stage of this campaign.

After the Huaihai Campaign commenced, our forces swiftly encircled and annihilated the Huang Baotao Corps of the enemy in the Nianzhuang area. The main force of the enemy, which had gathered in Xuzhou, was left isolated, while the Huang Wei Corps of the enemy hurried eastward from southern Henan for reinforcement. Our Central Plains Field Army first used part of its forces to resist the Huang Wei Corps step by step, hindering their advance and covering the concentration of our main forces, which then formed a pocket formation. Subsequently, a full-scale offensive was launched, encircling the enemy and compressing them into the narrow area around Shuangduiji. Then, with overwhelming momentum and continuous fierce attacks, our forces fought. This operation began as mobile warfare and ended as positional warfare. From November 23 to December 15, our Central Plains Field Army, in close coordination with the East China Field Army, battled fiercely for 23 days and nights. Aside from the defection of the 110th Division, we completely annihilated four armies, eleven divisions, and one fast-moving column—totaling 114,000 elite troops of the Kuomintang’s Twelfth Corps. We captured alive the corps commander Huang Wei and deputy commander Wu Shaozhou, laying the foundation for the complete victory of the Huaihai Campaign.

The victory at the Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle is a brilliant manifestation of Comrade Mao Zedong’s great thought. All officers and soldiers of our participating forces feared neither hardship nor death; they braved bitter cold and charged through flames, fighting relentlessly and demonstrating an indomitable heroism that overwhelmed the enemy. The local armed forces of the Central Plains, East China, and North China Military Districts, along with millions of militia and laborers, worked arduously and provided full support, making tremendous contributions to the victory of the battle.

In the Shuangduiji Annihilation Battle, many outstanding sons and daughters of the Chinese people sacrificed their precious lives for the cause of people’s liberation, achieving immortal merits. We will forever hold high their banner, carry forward their aspirations, and strive to build a modern socialist motherland and realize the great goal of communism. The heroic deeds of these martyrs shine as brightly as the sun and moon, and their revolutionary spirit will endure for thousands of years.