Former Activity Sites of the Western Fujian Detachment and the Southwestern Fujian Guerrilla Unit in Zhangtai

Former Activity Sites of the Western Fujian Detachment and the Southwestern Fujian Guerrilla Unit in Zhangtai

The former activity sites of the Western Fujian Detachment and the Southwestern Fujian Guerrilla Unit in Zhangtai are recognized as a classic red tourism destination.

The former activity sites of the Western Fujian Detachment and the Southwestern Fujian Guerrilla Unit in Zhangtai are located in Dongliao and Lianggangshan Sandong in Shiming Village, Yanxi Town, Zhangtai County.

In early 1944, the Western Fujian Guerrilla Detachment—under Chen Shulian, the underground Communist Party secretary—dispatched underground party members Zhang Wencai and Zhang Yuanfang disguised as herbal medicine–collecting doctors to Zhangtai County to prepare for the development of guerrilla forces. They found that the terrain around Lianggangshan was favorable for guerrilla activities and set up base in Shangcaiyang Mountain Community. Wu Sandi, who was progressive and open-minded, was identified as a key development target. In August 1945, he was admitted as a member of the Chinese Communist Party. By early 1948, the Eighth Detachment of the First Column of the Fujian-Guangdong-Jiangxi Border Area officially appointed Wu Sandi as the Commander-in-Chief of the guerrilla forces stationed in Zhangtai. In February of the same year, his wife, Liang Huaying, was arrested and imprisoned. The Kuomintang attempted to use her to force Wu Sandi to surrender, but he vowed never to give in and resolved to fight to the end, which led to an attack by the newly established Zhangtai County National Construction and Pacification Committee. After a series of engagements, the guerrillas retreated to natural caves in Lianggangshan such as Shihoudong, Bolongdong, and Shanyangdong. They frequently harassed enemy forces in the villages at the eastern foot of Lianggang Mountain. The Kuomintang troops ultimately retreated without success, falling back to the Yanxi puppet police station and the county seat. From July to August 1948, Wu Sandi held multiple secret guerrilla meetings under the guise of praying at Dongliao Longxing Temple to discuss plans such as attacking the Yanxi police station, expanding the guerrilla forces, and raising operational funds. After the meetings, the guerrillas secretly coordinated with Lin Chunfeng, the deputy commander of the County Civilian Self-Defense Force, to jointly attack the Zhangtai Township Government on August 8. However, due to betrayal by a turncoat, Lin Chunfeng’s uprising failed, and he was tragically killed. Outnumbered, the guerrillas retreated to the mountainous area around Shangcaiyang. The County National Construction and Pacification Committee pursued them relentlessly into Yangshan with a large force but still failed to eliminate the guerrillas. Wu Sandi attempted to persuade Wu Zongcheng, head of the County Militia Department, to defect, but Wu Zongcheng instead invited him to a trap banquet on the evening of September 28 and killed him. The guerrillas were forced to disband. After the liberation, Wu Zongcheng was executed by our side.

The natural caves at Lianggangshan such as Shihoudong, Bolongdong, and Shanyangdong served as the former activity sites of the Western Fujian Detachment and the Southwestern Fujian Guerrilla Unit; Longxing Temple, due to years of neglect, has a front wooden wall that has decayed and appears rather dilapidated.

Source: Party History Research Office of the Zhangzhou Municipal Committee