Former Site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters in Shicheng

Former Site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters in Shicheng

The former site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters in Shicheng is a cultural tourism attraction and a classic red tourism site.

The former site of the Red Fourth Army Headquarters is located in the ancestral hall of the Lai family in Hongjialong, Qiuxi Village, Hengjiang Town, Shicheng County, Jiangxi Province. Built in 1908, it is a two-courtyard earthen and wooden structure. In September 1931, after the victorious conclusion of the Red Army's third anti-encirclement campaign, the Central Revolutionary Base expanded to 50,000 square kilometers, with a total population of about 2.5 million. At that time, the remnants of reactionary armed forces, such as local tyrants and evil gentry, retreated to fortified earthen fortresses and steep mountain strongholds in an attempt to preserve their strength, await opportunities, sabotage the revolutionary government, and hinder the consolidation and development of the base area. In early October, the First Front Army of the Red Army deployed its main forces to eliminate the scattered white strongholds within the Central Soviet Area and eradicate the reactionary armed forces. In early October, the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions of the Red Fourth Army were ordered to advance on Shicheng from Ningdu and Ruijin via three routes, with the army headquarters stationed here.

In September 1931, after the victorious conclusion of the Red Army’s third anti-“encirclement” campaign, the Central Revolutionary Base expanded to 50,000 square kilometers, with a total population of about 2.5 million. At that time, the remnants of the reactionary armed forces retreated to fortified earthen fortresses and steep mountain strongholds in an attempt to preserve their strength, await opportunities, sabotage the revolutionary government, and hinder the consolidation and development of the base area. In October, the First Front Army of the Red Army deployed its main forces to eliminate the scattered white strongholds within the Central Soviet Area and eradicate the reactionary armed forces. In early October, the 10th, 11th, and 12th Divisions of the Red Fourth Army were ordered to advance on Shicheng from Ningdu and Ruijin via three routes, with the army headquarters stationed here. The army commander was [name omitted], and the political commissar was Nie Rongzhen. After the Red Fourth Army Headquarters was stationed here, Chairman Mao Zedong, [name omitted], and Zuo Quan specially came from Ruijin to Hongjialong to preside over a military meeting. The meeting analyzed the then-current political situation and pressing tasks, and also discussed the reorganization of the forces from the Ningdu Uprising.

The Red Fourth Army’s efforts to eliminate the white strongholds were concentrated in the southern part of Shicheng. Major battles included the siege of Yangdi Sankengzhai, the victory at Pingshan, the capture of the Hengjiang Yanfang earthen fortress, and the battle at Hongshi Fortress. The Red Fourth Army’s campaign to eliminate the white strongholds in southern Shicheng began in early October 1931 and ended on January 1, 1932, lasting over two months. In total, more than 200 enemies were killed or wounded, nearly 3,000 were captured, and large quantities of weapons and ammunition were seized. The elimination of the white strongholds in southern Shicheng eradicated the local reactionary forces in Shicheng, removed a major threat to the heart of the Central Revolutionary Base, and consolidated and defended the revolutionary government. It connected the revolutionary base areas of southern Jiangxi and western Fujian, forming the largest revolutionary base area in the country. At the same time, the victory of the battles strengthened the revolutionary resolve of the people of Shicheng and inspired more to join the revolutionary cause. Thereafter, various local revolutionary armed forces were established.

The site is currently inhabited by local farmers, with poor sanitary conditions. The walls have not been repaired for years and are quite dilapidated.