Former Training Site of General Zhang Zizhong

Former Training Site of General Zhang Zizhong

The Former Training Site of General Zhang Zizhong is a cultural tourism attraction.

Located in Group 4, Suhe Village, Balin Subdistrict, Dangyang City.

Zhang Zizhong (1891–1940), from Linqing, Shandong, courtesy name Jinchen. Starting in 1916, he served successively as platoon leader, company commander, battalion commander, regimental commander, and division commander in Feng Yuxiang’s Northwest Army. In 1933, he was the frontline commander of the 29th Army at Xifengkou, participating in the Xifengkou resistance. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, he became the commander of the 59th Army. In March 1938, during the Battle of Taierzhuang, he led troops to reinforce Linyi, achieving a major victory. In October of the same year, he was appointed commander-in-chief of the 33rd Army Group. In May 1939, the 33rd Army Group was stationed in Dangyang, with its headquarters set up at Qijia Courtyard and Commander Zhang Zizhong residing at Zhao Guoguang’s home in Zhaojiayuan Garden. In October 1939, they moved to the Xianghe frontline. He died heroically in fierce battle against the Japanese army in eastern Xiangyang in May 1940. Both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party posthumously honored him as a martyr.

In July 2007, the Balin Subdistrict erected a memorial stele on the original site.

Zhang Zizhong, courtesy name Jinchen, was born in August 1891 in Linqing County, Shandong Province. Influenced early on by Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s revolutionary ideals, he joined the Tongmenghui (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) while studying at Tianjin Political and Legal School. Later, he gave up his studies to join the military. In September 1917, he entered the service of General Feng Yuxiang. Due to his diligence in learning and bravery in battle, he earned Feng’s high regard and was promoted step-by-step from soldier to commander of the 38th Division and concurrently commander of the Zhangjiakou garrison, chairman of Chahar Province, mayor of Beiping (now Beijing), and mayor of Tianjin. After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, he was promoted to commander of the 59th Army, corps commander of the 27th Army, commander-in-chief of the 33rd Army Group, and fifth... More details about Zhang Zizhong++