Genglou Martyrs' Cemetery

Genglou Martyrs' Cemetery

Genglou Martyrs' Cemetery is a classic red tourism destination.

Genglou Martyrs' Cemetery is located in Hougenglou Village, Wangfeng Town, Shen County. The cemetery faces south and covers an area of 15 mu. Its main structures include the main gate, two memorial halls, a square, a monument, and a domed tomb; to the north of the square are 25 martyrs’ graves, surrounded by pine and cypress trees, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere. The Revolutionary Martyrs Monument stands in the center of the square, inscribed with seven gilded characters reading “Revolutionary Martyrs Monument.” Surrounding the monument is a square area where people come to pay their respects. The memorial halls are built on either side of the cemetery, displaying relics from the battles and recreating the scene of the Genglou defensive battle.

Genglou Village was one of the central villages of the northern anti-Japanese base area. In June 1940, Shi Qincheng, the political commissar of the 22nd Regiment of the New 8th Brigade of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, led over 300 soldiers from the 2nd Battalion to carry out guerrilla warfare in the Genglou area. At dawn on June 25, after battling the enemy throughout the night, the 2nd Battalion arrived in Genglou and was preparing to set up fortifications when more than 800 Japanese troops and 1,200 puppet troops suddenly launched an attack from Liaocheng and Guan County. The enemy infantry, cavalry, and artillery, supported by over ten tanks, quickly surrounded Genglou. The battalion fought tenaciously, shifting from village-head defensive actions to street fighting, courtyard combat, and hand-to-hand combat. The battle lasted over seven hours, during which more than 200 Japanese and puppet troops were killed. Aside from over 100 soldiers who managed to break through the encirclement, 128 officers and soldiers, including Political Commissar Shi Qincheng, sacrificed their lives heroically and were buried east of Genglou Village.