Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District

Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District

The Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a classic red tourism destination.

Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District

Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District (Second Batch of Provincial Protected Sites)

Period: 1940–1942

Location: 7 kilometers southeast of Qinyuan County

The Taiyue Military District was formally established on June 7, 1940. Following the instructions of Commander Zhu, — led the 1st Column of the Decisive Death Brigade to establish an anti-Japanese base in southeastern Shanxi. After conducting guerrilla warfare in Qinyuan and smashing Yan Xishan’s “December Incident,” and in order to adapt to the new combat situation, it was reorganized and established according to the Licheng Conference. It was commanded by Chen Geng, commander of the 386th Brigade, with Wang Xinting as political commissar, Zhou Xihan as chief of staff, and Su Jingcheng as director of the political department. The military district was under the command of the 192nd Division and had three sub-districts under its jurisdiction.

Initially, the headquarters was stationed at the Cui Family Courtyard in Yanzhai. On November 18, 1940, after more than 7,000 troops from the Japanese 41st Division, 36th Division, and Independent Mixed Brigade launched the first sweep of Qinyuan, Yanzhai was reduced to ruins. The leaders of the Taiyue District called on soldiers and civilians to dig cave dwellings for shelter and continue the fight. The Party, government, and military leaders of the military district personally led officers and soldiers in digging over 170 earthen cave dwellings, some of which still remain at the site. In the autumn of 1944, the command and political organs moved southward.

The site consists of three parallel courtyards, with a total width of 60 meters and a depth of 22 meters. Ten cave dwellings were excavated into the mountainside, eight of which are the main structures facing south. These served as offices and living quarters for —, Chen Geng, the guard squad, and the staff headquarters. The total area of the caves is 215 square meters.

In May 2013, the Former Site of the Headquarters of the Taiyue Military District was listed as part of the Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units