Weishan Lake Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park and Railway Guerrilla Monument

　　    The Weishan Lake area has a glorious history of revolutionary struggle. It is not only the junction of four provinces—Jiangsu, Shandong, Henan, and Anhui—but also the connection between the two strategic regions of southern Shandong and western Weishan Lake. It borders the Tianjin-Pukou Railway to the east and faces the strategically important city of Xuzhou to the south, making its geographical location extremely vital.

　　　　        After the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Communist Party organizations successively launched armed uprisings in various places and formed people’s anti-Japanese forces. To support the two strategic regions of southern Shandong and western Weishan Lake, two anti-Japanese guerrilla bases were established in the areas north and south of Weishan Lake. The Communist Party committees of Pei-Teng Border Region and East Weishan Lake were set up, along with anti-Japanese forces such as the Southern Shandong Railway Detachment (also known as the Railway Guerrillas), Canal Detachment, Teng-Pei Detachment, and Weihu Detachment. These forces fought independently as well as in coordination with the main troops. They repeatedly inflicted heavy blows on the enemy along the railway lines and within the Weishan Lake region, ensured the smooth operation of secret transportation routes across the lake, and escorted numerous party, government, and military leaders—including Liu Shaoqi, Chen Yi, Luo Ronghuan, Xiao Hua, and Zhu Rui—to Yan’an by crossing the lake. Their actions gave rise to many moving and heroic stories, making immortal contributions to China’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan.

　　　　    In 1994, the people of Weishan County raised funds to build the Weishan Lake Anti-Japanese Martyrs Memorial Park and Railway Guerrilla Monument to commemorate the glorious achievements of revolutionary martyrs. Construction began in March 1994, and the main structure was completed by April 1995. The total investment for the first phase of the project was two million yuan. On August 6, 1995, coinciding with the 50th anniversaries of the victory in the World Anti-Fascist War and China’s War of Resistance Against Japan, a grand unveiling ceremony was held.　　

　　　　        The monument of the Railway Guerrilla Monument consists of the shape of a sailboat and figures. The sail is 30 meters high, the boat is 20 meters long, and it is constructed of reinforced concrete with red and white granite cladding. The late Vice President of China, [Name], inscribed the monument’s name: “Railway Guerrilla Monument.” The back features an inscription by Liang Buting, former Secretary of the Shandong Provincial Committee: “The glory of the Weihu Detachment, Canal Detachment, and Railway Guerrillas lives forever.” The text is inlaid with 24-karat gold leaf. Three bronze statues of Railway Guerrilla soldiers stand three meters tall—some cradling a pipa, others standing with rifles—depicting them returning victoriously from a mission, bathed in the serene and peaceful atmosphere of a setting sun. The entire memorial park is grand and solemn, filled with lush greenery and an elegant tranquility. It offers visitors the chance to honor the martyrs’ legacy and receive traditional education, while also enjoying the refined pleasure of exploring nature’s beauty.