Liberation Monument of Linqing

Liberation Monument of Linqing

The Liberation Monument of Linqing is a cultural relic protection unit of Linqing City, a classic red tourism site, and a patriotic education base.

The Liberation Monument of Linqing is located in Dazhong Park in the urban area of Linqing City.

In August 1945, after Japan announced its surrender, the puppet garrison stationed in Linqing continued to resist. The Fourth Sub-district, Seventh Sub-district of the Jinnan Military Region, and the First Sub-district of the Jiluyu Military Region organized and launched the Battle to Liberate Linqing. The puppet garrison forces—over 1,500 troops under Xiao Ziyu, over 600 under Wu Lianjie, over 1,000 under Zhang Jingzhai, and over 500 under Zheng Yanshao—were deployed in areas such as the West Gate and South Gate of Linqing. Wang Laixian led about 500 troops stationed at Hongfangzi (now the office building of the Transportation Bureau). On August 31, the Eighth Route Army surrounded Linqing City. The battle commenced at 10:00 p.m., with the 19th Regiment of the 7th Brigade of the Jinnan Military Region, the 11th Regiment of the 4th Sub-district of Jinnan, the Eastward Advance Detachment (composed of the county militias of Qingjiang, Hongyi, and Qizhi), and the Westward Advance Detachment (made up of the county militias of Qiuxian, Pingxiang, Weixian, and Guangzong), attacking the West Gate and South Gate of Linqing City along three routes. Wang Hongkun, Deputy Commander of the Jiluyu Military Region, personally led the main assault on Tushan (now Longshan) by the 19th Regiment, then advanced directly toward Qianguan Street and Jindehui. Xu Guangyi, Commander of the 4th Sub-district of Jinnan, along with Deputy Commander Hu Chaolun and Political Department Deputy Director Feng Zihua, led the 11th Regiment and the Westward Advance Detachment to attack enemy strongholds west of the Wei River, then crossed the river eastward to eliminate the enemy at Wuxun Primary School. Hu Daigeng, Director of the Martial Arts Committee of the Fourth Administrative Office of Jinnan, led the Eastward Advance Detachment and an independent battalion to cross the river north of Tawan, then moved south to eliminate the puppet troops at the West Gate before attacking the brick city. The Dawangzhuang Militia surrounded the enemy stronghold at Daxinzhuang, cutting off reinforcements. The Westward Advance Detachment first captured Tushan, taking control of the highest point in the city. By dawn, all enemy forces southwest of the city had been annihilated. On the morning of September 1, the 19th Regiment of the 7th Brigade broke into the city and cornered Wang Laixian’s forces in Hongfangzi. At 17:00 that day, the remaining forces of Wang Laixian fled toward Yucheng. Thus, the battle ended in victory. The Battle to Liberate Linqing killed over 3,000 enemies, captured figures including Wu Lianjie, Xiao Ziyu, Zheng Yanshao, and Wu Zuoxiu, and seized 30 light and heavy machine guns, 3 mortars, 60 grenade launchers, over 4,000 rifles, over 170 warhorses, and two automobiles.

The original "Liberation Monument of Linqing" was a "Celebration Plaque" presented by local residents during the liberation of Linqing in 1945. The current stone monument was erected in 2005 by the Linqing Municipal People's Government to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the city's liberation. The entire monument consists of three sides: one side bears the inscription "Liberation Monument of Linqing" by Hei Bolii, while the other two sides are inscribed with a brief history of the liberation of Linqing.

Today, this site has become an important place for Linqing City to carry out patriotic education, revolutionary tradition education, and education on the history of the Communist Party of China, with thousands of visitors coming here each year to receive patriotic education.

On October 27, 1986, the Liberation Monument of Linqing was designated as a county-level cultural relic protection unit.