Liu Zhuang "March 1st" Massacre Memorial Site

Liu Zhuang "March 1st" Massacre Memorial Site

The Liu Zhuang "March 1st" Massacre Memorial Site is a cultural relic protection unit of Shanxi Province.

Liu Zhuang "March 1st" Massacre Memorial Site (Fifth Batch Provincial Protected Site)

Era: 1943

Address: Liuzhuang Village, Shangzhai Town, Lingqiu County, Datong City

The Liu Zhuang "March 1st" Massacre Memorial Site covers an area of approximately 1,125 m². In the early hours of March 1, 1943, over 80 Japanese puppet troops stationed at the Shangbeiquan outpost suddenly surrounded Liuzhuang Village, forcibly herded the villagers into the east and west rooms of the Liutan Courtyard, then blocked the doors, piled firewood around, poured gasoline, and set them on fire. Most of the villagers were burned alive, and militiaman Liu Guiquan as well as some villagers who managed to escape were also shot dead by machine guns set up by the enemy. On May 9, 1946, the villagers of Liuzhuang buried the remains of the victims together in the western part of the village and erected a memorial archway with a stone stele inside, recording the details of the massacre and the names of the victims. In 1971, the villagers and stationed troops renovated the archway and built a new memorial pavilion south of it, housing a white marble replica stele. The "March 1st" Massacre claimed the lives of 243 victims, serving as irrefutable evidence of the atrocities committed by the Japanese invaders.

The site of the March 1st Massacre bears witness to the various crimes committed by Japanese militarism against China. This site is irrefutable evidence of their slaughter of innocent Chinese people. It exposes the atrocities of Japanese militarism and serves as a base for patriotic education.

Source: Shanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units in Shanxi Province