Former Site of the Second Branch of Whampoa Military Academy – Yin Clan Ancestral Hall

Former Site of the Second Branch of Whampoa Military Academy – Yin Clan Ancestral Hall

The Former Site of the Second Branch of Whampoa Military Academy – Yin Clan Ancestral Hall is a cultural relic protection unit of Hunan Province.

After the State Council designated Dongkou County in Hunan Province as a revolutionary base area of China, the county’s revolutionary achievements have drawn special attention from patriotic individuals both at home and abroad. During the Anti-Japanese War, in the autumn of 1938, the Second Branch of the Central Military Academy of the Kuomintang was relocated from Wuchang to Wugang, commonly referred to as the “Whampoa Military Academy Wugang Branch.” The main campus of the Second Branch of the Whampoa Military Academy was located in Wugang County, while some officer training units were set up separately in the Yang Clan Ancestral Hall, Zeng Eight Branch Ancestral Hall, and Yin Clan Ancestral Hall in Dongkou County. Over six years, a total of 23,052 officers at various levels were trained here and sent to the front lines of the anti-Japanese war, contributing to decisive and great victories. This added a glorious chapter to the annals of China’s revolutionary history.

The Yin Clan Ancestral Hall is situated in the center of Yanmen Village, Shanmen Town, Dongkou County, surrounded by the picturesque and resource-rich foothills of the Xuefeng Mountains. With a long history, this site is not only the former location of the 14th Officer Training Unit of the Second Branch of the Whampoa Military Academy but also one of the gathering places for descendants of the Yin Clan. Here, visitors can admire the demeanor of Whampoa Military Academy generals and explore the history of the Yin Clan.

The Yin Clan Ancestral Hall was originally built in the first year of the Daoguang reign during the Qing Dynasty and expanded in the 28th year of the Guangxu reign. It consists of a central memorial archway, an opera stage, a central hall, an ancestral shrine, and side wings, forming a large quadrangle compound covering an area of 2,618 square meters.

Shanmen is the hometown of Cai E, a general who fought to overthrow Yuan Shikai and protect the republic. Cai E was born in Daba, Shuidong, Shanmen, and spent his childhood there with his parents. The officer training unit stationed in Shanmen once specially invited Cai Songchi, Cai E’s younger brother, to share stories of the general’s patriotic deeds. Mr. Cai Songchi encouraged the trainees to study diligently and hone formidable combat skills, just like General Cai E, in order to resolutely drive the Japanese invaders out of China.

To the left of the Yin Clan Ancestral Hall lies a large karst cave that can accommodate thousands of people. It served as a natural air-raid shelter and one of the best teaching bases during the Anti-Japanese War, as well as a storage depot for weapons and ammunition.

From 1938 to 1944, the Whampoa Military Academy Dongkou Branch ran classes from the 14th to the 19th sessions. In the Dongkou region, these classes—scattered across ancestral halls and temples and organized by “units” such as training squads, officer training classes, field-grade officer training classes, technical training classes, tactical research classes, and supplementary training units—graduated a total of 23,052 students, including 2,839 officers. Due to the branch’s nationally renowned education at the time, military commanders from various war zones frequently requested the dispatch of students for service. These students, having repeatedly honed their skills and strived for excellence during their training, were highly welcomed upon joining their units.

Further Reading:

· Ninth Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units in Hunan Province