Liberation Memorial Park of Paitan

Liberation Memorial Park of Paitan

The Liberation Memorial Park of Paitan is a classic red tourism destination.

On October 12, 1949, the 131st Division of the Fourth Field Army of the advancing southern troops arrived in Yonghan, Longmen, and advanced toward Zengcheng via two routes—one through Zhengguo toward Zengcheng, and the other via Langba turning to Dutian, then directly striking Paitan before proceeding to Zengcheng. That night, the 391st Regiment of the 131st Division, which had directly entered Paitan, had already occupied surrounding villages such as Wei Yuan, Ma Cun, and E Dou around the Paitan market town, forming a pincer encirclement around the Nationalist Security Corps' Zhang Yi Battalion stationed in the Paitan market. At 9 p.m., the advancing southern troops launched an attack on the enemy stronghold. Initially, the enemy thought it was just harassment from “local communist forces” and continued to resist stubbornly. But after seeing signal flares lighting up the night sky and hearing artillery fire, they realized that the advancing southern troops had arrived and lost the will to fight, eventually surrendering their weapons. However, Battalion Commander Zhang Yi of the enemy force still led a group of soldiers to hold out stubbornly in the watchtower at Bo’ai Hall. Later, under fierce artillery bombardment by our troops, most of the enemy’s defensive fortifications were destroyed. Our forces launched an assault, leaving the enemy with no way out and forcing them to surrender. The battle ended in just half an hour, with Battalion Commander Zhang Yi of the Nationalist Security Corps, Company Commander Wen Ruiqin of the Militia Company, and all their soldiers captured.

At dawn, the advancing southern troops also dealt with the self-defense team in Dapu Village, and Paitan was declared liberated. In the battle to liberate Paitan, the advancing southern troops completely annihilated one Nationalist security battalion, one militia company, and one local self-defense team. For the liberation of the people of Paitan, 17 soldiers of the advancing southern troops sacrificed their lives. After the liberation, the Paitan People's Government built a martyrs’ monument in the Paitan market town to commemorate them. For over 50 years since the liberation of Paitan, the people of Paitan have never forgotten the 17 martyrs who bravely gave their lives for the liberation of New China. To ensure future generations always remember their deeds, the Paitan Town government decided to plan and construct the “Liberation Memorial Park of Paitan,” making it a base for patriotic education among youth and a highlight of red tourism in Zengcheng. The “Liberation Memorial Park of Paitan” covers an area of approximately 13,000 square meters. In addition to renovating the original martyrs’ monument, it will also include a martyrs’ memorial hall, statues of the martyrs, and a martyrs’ memorial forest.