War Horse

War Horse

War Horse

During the 40-Day Defense Battle of Yiwu, the North Mountain bunker was always a focal point contested by both enemy and friendly forces. Whether the soldiers holding the North Mountain bunker could be supplied—especially with water—was key to winning the battle. The terrain on North Mountain is steep and the roads rugged. At the most difficult moments of the battle, the rebel bandits launched intense firepower against the main peak (at an altitude of 2,11

1 meters) held by the Second Company, completely cutting off their supplies, with water being the most urgent need. Faced with this dire situation, the Second Company conducted a special study on how to supply the main peak and decided to have Wu Xiaoniu lead a bay horse to carry out this critical mission. The bay horse not only delivered water to the North Mountain main peak bunker but also transported urgently needed food and ammunition. Thanks to the war horse’s repeated outstanding performance, it was awarded a Third-Class Merit at the victory celebration after the battle, becoming a “war merit horse.” Additionally, the military made the decision that it would “not be retired,” and the bay horse was entrusted to Yiwu County to “live out its days in peace.” It passed away from illness in 1967 and was buried at the foot of Victory Peak. In 2006, during the expansion of Yishuiyuan Cemetery Park, a grand ceremony was held on September 24 to relocate the War Horse from the foot of Victory Peak to the South Mountain Battle Site Area.