More than 80 years have passed, and it is located in the former site of Pingxingguan Street in Baiyatai Township, southwest of Lingqiu County, Datong City, Shanxi Province. The smoke and dust are dispersed, the environment is beautiful and the climate is pleasant, and tourists come to visit in an endless stream.
On September 25th, 1937, the Eighth Route Army 1 15 Division fought bloody battles and won the first great victory in Pingxingguan since the Anti-Japanese War.
Mao Chuntao introduced that after the "Lugouqiao Incident", Beijing, Tianjin and Zhangjiakou successively fell, and the 5 th Division of the Japanese Invaders and the Chahar Dispatching Corps of the Kwantung Army continued to March westward. 1In mid-September, 937, the Japanese army occupied Yangyuan, Yuxian, Guangling, Hunyuan and Lingqiu, and captured Yanggao, Tianzhen, Datong and Huairen, reaching the front line of the Inner Great Wall, clamoring for "China's death in March". On the night of September 22, the Japanese army launched an attack on Pingxingguan, Xingwaliangguan and Tuanchengkou at the same time, and the campaign of Pingxingguan officially started. For three days in a row, the Japanese attacked wave after wave. Aircraft and artillery bombed in turn, and tanks and infantry continued to impact. When the Japanese firepower advantage was very obvious, the Eighth Route Army soldiers rushed to the bottom of the ditch and launched a fierce battle with the Japanese army.
Mao Chuntao said: "How can we win this battle when the enemy's weapons and equipment are very different? It depends on the determination of the Eighth Route Army soldiers not to be afraid of strong enemies, dare to sacrifice, dare to show their swords, and defend their country. "
1At 7: 00 am on September 25th, 937, an infantry brigade of the 2nd1brigade of the 5th Division of the Japanese Army, with more than 100 vehicles in front, followed by more than 200 wagons full of munitions, followed by a cavalry detachment, entered the first-line canyon highway in Qiaogou. The 685th Regiment, 686th Regiment and 687th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army 1 15 Division, which had already concealed and ambushed, entered the ambush position in the rain at midnight on September 24th according to the mission requirements of "cutting off the head", "cutting off the waist" and "cutting off the tail". The Eighth Route Army, which was backward in equipment, took advantage of the dangerous terrain of the bridge ditch to open fire on the Japanese army on the road at the bottom of the ditch, and then rushed down the road to divide and surround the enemy and start hand-to-hand combat. After more than six hours of fierce fighting, more than 1000 Japanese troops who finally entered the front line of Qiaogou were all annihilated.
Talking about the influence of Pingxingguan, Mao Chuntao said that after the Lugouqiao Incident, the whole military situation in China was: the war of resistance continued, and the national war situation was very unfavorable. In the context of the loss of a large area of land, the Eighth Route Army took the initiative to attack, not only dared to fight, but also won the battle. The victory of Pingxingguan broke the myth that the Japanese army was invincible, enhanced the confidence and determination of the military and civilians throughout the country to persist in the war of resistance, and at the same time enhanced the prestige of the China * * * production party and the Eighth Route Army. At the same time, it strongly supported the world anti-fascist war. To some extent, the political significance of closing the main street in Xing Ping far exceeds its military significance.
Mao Chuntao, who has been engaged in explaining for 7 years, hopes to convey a spirit to the people who come to visit-the national disaster is the first, the country is supreme, the nation is supreme, not afraid of strong enemies, United as one, United against Japan, and dare to sacrifice. "The spirit conveyed in a battle needs to be passed down continuously. No matter what historical period we are in, we should remember the sacrifices made by the soldiers of Pingxingguan in those days for today's peaceful, beautiful and happy life. The spirit of Pingxingguan they left us will always be our precious wealth. I hope everyone who has visited the ruins of Pingxingguan Street can focus on the overall situation and unite and cooperate in their daily work. When I encounter difficulties, I have the determination and confidence to overcome them. " Mao Chuntao said.
It is understood that from 2008 to now, the number of visitors to the Pingxingguan Dajie site is over 600,000 every year, and it is increasing year by year. As a national demonstration base for patriotism education and national defense education, people from all over the country come to receive patriotism education. Mao Chuntao and her colleagues will continue to interview the descendants of those who have experienced the war, enrich their archives, study historical events and pass on the spirit displayed in Xing Ping Guanjie to more people.
Guangming Daily (August 6, 2020 10 Edition)