Former Site of the Longchuan County Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps

Former Site of the Longchuan County Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps

The Former Site of the Longchuan County Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps is located at Longchuan County Tuocheng Central Primary School.

In late 1938, Liu Rushen led the "Guangdong Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps Dongjiang District Team" to arrive in Laolong to carry out anti-Japanese propaganda work. Under the publicity and mobilization efforts of the Longchuan County Party organization and the anti-Japanese Dongjiang District Team, the enthusiasm of the people in Longchuan for resisting Japan, saving the nation, and protecting their homeland grew steadily. Many anti-Japanese salvation institutions and organizations were established, such as the Longchuan County Enemy Resistance Support Association, the Longchuan County Civilian Wartime Mobilization Committee and its political work team, the Longchuan Anti-Japanese Self-Defense Corps, among others. Anti-Japanese salvation organizations at the district and township levels were also successively formed, such as self-defense teams, peasant salvation associations, civilian anti-Japanese self-defense associations, youth salvation vanguard teams, and youth work groups. To unify the leadership of all anti-Japanese organizations and groups across the county and form a stronger popular anti-Japanese force, the Longchuan authorities decided to hold a conference on February 28, 1939, in the auditorium of the county town primary school (now Tuocheng Central Primary School), aiming to establish a unified youth anti-Japanese organization across the county—the Longchuan Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps. The decision was made for Liu Hongqin, the county head, to serve as the commander-in-chief, Zhang Keming as the secretary-general, and Wei Nanjin as the head of the organization department. The "Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps" had three district teams: the first district team commanded by Zhang Qichu; the second district team commanded by Fang Yunsheng; and the third district team commanded by Wei Zeming. The headquarters was located in the county town.

In April 1940, the Longchuan Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps ceased operations due to certain reasons. During the year and more of its existence, the "Anti-Japanese Vanguard Corps" actively mobilized the masses and used various methods to create an upsurge in anti-Japanese propaganda, playing a pioneering and exemplary role in the Longchuan anti-Japanese salvation movement. Its membership grew to over 3,000, producing many patriotic and progressive youths. The Longchuan County Party organization developed a number of party members from among them, who became key forces in local and military efforts during both the anti-Japanese war and the liberation war.

Tuocheng Town: Tuocheng Town is located at the southernmost end of Longchuan County and has a history of 2,221 years. It is one of the first batch of historical and cultural cities in Guangdong Province and has always been an important hub for political, economic, and cultural activities in Longchuan County. The town covers a total area of 218 square kilometers, governs 17 administrative villages and one neighborhood committee, with a total population of 43,218. In 2006, the town achieved a gross national product of 260 million yuan. The town has a long history and numerous historic sites. Its agriculture mainly focuses on developing the three pillar industries of "aquatic products, fruits, and vegetables." The area is rich in natural resources and also contains county-level cultural relics protection units… More details about Tuocheng Town++