Politics · China · 2 days ago
Village in Guangdong preserves memory of Red Army rear-guard fighters
In 1934, the Red Army’s 34th Division was cut off while covering the main force’s crossing of the Xiang River in southern China.
After heavy losses, the remaining fighters withdrew into the mountains along the Hunan-Guangdong border.
In January 1935, six soldiers were killed in a battle at Qianniu Ridge, in what is now Tianxin village in Guangdong’s Lianzhou city.
Villagers buried the unnamed soldiers and have continued to honor them; they hold a ceremony at the grave each year and call the day their “Red Army Festival.”
In 2017, residents repaired the grave and built stone steps leading up the mountain.
Lianzhou is also developing a cultural park linked to the Long March, bringing together historic sites, local scenery and Yao culture.
The village has added visitor facilities and turned an unused house into a themed guesthouse, while local crafts are being promoted to visitors.
The remnants of the Red Army’s 34th Division fought in the mountains near Tianxin village in Guangdong after being cut off during the 1934 Xiang River battle.
In January 1935, six Red Army soldiers were killed in a battle at Qianniu Ridge, and villagers buried them there.
Villagers repaired the soldiers’ unmarked grave in 2017 and continue to hold an annual ceremony in their memory.
Tianxin village has designated the ceremony date, the ninth day of the fifth lunar month, as “Red Army Day.”
Recent development work in the area includes a memorial exhibition hall, visitor paths and displays about the Red Army.
- Who
- Villagers in Tianxin village commemorate six Red Army soldiers killed at Qianniu Ridge.
- What
- The village preserves the soldiers’ memory through grave upkeep and an annual ceremony.
- When
- The battle took place in January 1935. The village holds its ceremony on the ninth day of the fifth lunar month.
- Where
- Qianniu Ridge, near Tianxin village in Yao’an Yao ethnic township, Lianzhou, Guangdong.
- Why
- The villagers commemorate the soldiers who died fighting there and pass on their story.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The remnants of the 34th Division, later called the “Death-defying Rear Guard Division,” fought the enemy repeatedly in these deep mountains and forests, and finally broke through toward the mountainous areas of Hunan in the spring of 1935.
The village also designated this day as “Red Army Day”; besides paying tribute, everyone gathers for a meal and lion dancing, celebrating warmly and passing the red stories down from generation to generation.
Visitors have come from far away in successive groups, bringing more activity to the village, and life for local people is getting better.
The 34th Division was cut off and surrounded after helping the main Red Army forces cross the Xiang River.
The division’s remnants fought enemy forces at Qianniu Ridge, where six Red Army soldiers were killed.
Tianxin village group leader Li Liuwang found the grave and led villagers in repairing it.
Villagers hold a ceremony at the soldiers’ grave.
- Division
- Red Army 34th Division, part of the 5th Army Corps
- Battle site
- Qianniu Ridge, Tianxin village, Yao’an Yao ethnic township
- Battle date
- January 1935
- Soldiers killed
- 6
- Grave repair
- Villagers repaired the grave in 2017
- Commemoration
- Red Army Day” is held on the ninth day of the fifth lunar month
Sources
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