Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters in Wuxiang

Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters in Wuxiang

The Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters in Wuxiang is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a classic red tourism attraction.

Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters in Wuxiang

Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters in Wuxiang (First Batch of National Protected Sites)

Era: 1938

Location: Zhuanbi Village and Wangjiayu Village, Wuxiang County

Wangjiayu Village is 45 kilometers from Wuxiang County town and located in a narrow valley on the southern bank of the Huanghe River, 10 kilometers southwest of Zhuanbi Village. The site is situated in three connected residential houses in the northern part of the village. Zhuanbi Village lies to the east of Wangjiayu Village. Both villages are situated on the mountainside of the Taihang Mountains, surrounded by rugged peaks and featuring a strategically challenging terrain. The historical sites are located within a complex of structures that include the Jade Emperor Temple in the eastern part of the village, as well as the surrounding Buddha Temple, Goddess Temple, and the Li Family Ancestral Hall. In August 1937, the Eighth Route Army marched to the front lines of the War of Resistance against Japan in Shanxi. The General Headquarters was successively stationed in Nannu Village in Wutai County and Beicun in Lucheng, among other places in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Anti-Japanese Base Area. Zhuanbi Village and Wangjiayu Village in Wuxiang County were the sites where the headquarters stayed the longest. Leaders such as [Name Redacted] and Peng Dehuai commanded anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare in North China from here.

In July 1939, the various offices of the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, led by Commander-in-Chief [Name Redacted], Deputy Commander-in-Chief Peng Dehuai, and Deputy Chief of Staff Zuo Quan, moved from Beicun in Lucheng through Xiazhuang in Licheng to Zhuanbi Village. In October, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters relocated to Wangjiayu Village, with some personnel remaining in Zhuanbi Village. In June 1940, the Headquarters returned to Zhuanbi Village. In November, it moved to Wujun Temple in Liaoxian County (now Zuoquan County). After the counter-"mopping up" campaign in May 1942, Peng Dehuai once again led the Headquarters back to Zhuanbi Village for the third time. Soon after, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters departed for the Taihang Military Region.

In July 1940, Peng Dehuai, Zuo Quan, Luo Ruiqing, Nie Rongzhen, and Lü Zhengcao directly deployed and commanded the "Hundred Regiments Offensive" here, delivering a heavy blow to the Japanese invasion forces. In September of the same year, the CCP Northern Bureau held a high-level cadres meeting in Zhuanbi Village to discuss issues such as the construction of base area governance and financial-economic development. [Name Redacted] and Peng Dehuai commanded the Taihang military and civilians in 135 battles from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, consolidating the anti-Japanese position in the Taihang Mountains.

The Former Site of the Eighth Route Army General Headquarters has been restored and underwent multiple renovations. A memorial museum of the former site was established in Wangjiayu Village. In Zhuanbi Village, remnants such as artillery positions, defense fortifications, bunkers, and sentry posts of the Headquarters can still be found.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units