Memorial Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign

Memorial Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign

The Memorial Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign is a cultural relic protection unit of Shandong Province, as well as a base for patriotic education and national defense education.

Covering an area of 123 mu, the Memorial Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign has a total construction area of over 6,000 square meters, and is divided into two parts: the Exhibition Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign and the Panoramic Painting Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign. Utilizing modern technologies such as sound, light, and electricity, it presents the entire process of the Southwest Shandong Campaign, from the daring crossing of the Yellow River by the Liu-Deng Army to the victorious conclusion marked by the Battle of Yangshan.

The Memorial Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign houses many precious historical photos, telegrams, letters, and other revolutionary relics. These include a handwritten telegram from Chairman Mao Zedong to Liu and Deng, a group photo of Comrades Liu Bocheng and Deng Xiaoping after crossing the Yellow River, photos from the march into the Dabie Mountains, and inscriptions by over fifty veteran generals and leaders who participated in the Southwest Shandong Campaign, such as – and –. There are also historical materials related to the campaign, including books, military history records, photo albums, audio recordings, and videos. The newly built Panoramic Painting Hall within the museum stands 19.47 meters high, symbolizing the year 1947 when the campaign took place. Constructed to the standards of the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japan, it employs advanced modern technologies such as sound, light, and electricity, and features a 360-degree panoramic projection to recreate the battle scenes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the atmosphere and travel back to the summer of 1947 in Yangshanji.

To commemorate the thousands of revolutionary martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the Southwest Shandong Campaign, the memorial hall was expanded and renovated in 2009. The name of the hall was inscribed by Liu Huaqing, former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, who had participated in the Southwest Shandong Campaign.

The Battle of Yangshan was the most important battle in the Southwest Shandong Campaign and marked the prelude to the strategic offensive of the People's Liberation Army. After the Southwest Shandong Campaign, Commander Liu Bocheng happily composed a poem:

Victory at Langshan, then triumph at Yangshan;

Amid thunderous artillery and roiling smoke.

Thousands of civilians cheer with joy,

Delighted to see our soldiers seize the town.

The Exhibition Hall of the Southwest Shandong Campaign is divided into east and west exhibition areas, consisting of a foyer, the pre-campaign situation, the advance into Southwest Shandong, and the fierce battle at Yangshanji, among other sections. The venue displays over 2,000 precious historical photos, telegrams, letters, and other revolutionary relics, recreating the intense and dramatic scenes of the battles during the Southwest Shandong Campaign, and showcasing the unity and courageous fighting spirit of the military and civilians.