The Battle of Menglianggu was an extremely important turning point in China's modern history, a veritable military miracle with few victories and more victories, and a key victory that Chen Yi called "the first rank of general in a million troops".
In this battle, the East China Field Army of the People's Liberation Army showed its unswerving revolutionary will and the great spirit of indomitable sacrifice, and many heroes who regarded death as a homecoming emerged, among which the "Six Warriors of Huangya Mountain" can be said to be the most well-known one.
Located at the foot of Menglianggu Mountain in Mengyin County, Shandong Province, the Menglianggu Martyrs' Cemetery is home to 2,859 revolutionary fighters who died in the Battle of Menglianggu.
The green mountains are buried with loyal bones, and the blossoms are dedicated to the souls. During the Qingming Dynasty, people come to the Menglianggu Martyrs' Cemetery to commemorate the revolutionary martyrs.
Looking back on the past, drinking water and thinking about the source. Although the years of war are far away, standing in front of the Monument to the Heroes of the Revolution, the once-loud cannon fire still seems to echo in our ears. It is always a reminder to people that today's peaceful era of abundant food and clothing, the splendid rivers and mountains with splendid flowers, were bought with precious lives by countless revolutionary martyrs.
Among the people who came to visit the grave, there was a white-haired old man who was particularly special. He always wore an old-fashioned military uniform from the War of Resistance, and even if he was faltering, he would do his best to stand upright and perform a military salute in a dignified manner. Then I touched the names on the monument with my fingers, and the old tears on her face that had been through the vicissitudes were all over her face. These were all comrades who had fought alongside him, brothers who had slept in a trench with him.
Once someone was curious to ask who he was, and the old man pointed to the tombstone of the martyr and said, There is my name on it, my name is Han Chengshan.
The most tragic battle of the Battle of Menglianggu was the Huangya Mountain Blockade
From March 1947 onwards, the Kuomintang army changed its original method of warfare, integrated more than 450,000 troops from 24 divisions, and launched a fierce attack on the Luzhong area.
Among them was the 74th Division of the Kuomintang Army led by Zhang Lingfu, which was extremely well-equipped and was a veritable ace unit of the Kuomintang Army, claiming to be the first of the five main forces of the Kuomintang Army.
In order to defend the Shandong Liberated Area, the East China Field Army led by Chen Yi and Su Yu followed the instructions of the Party Central Committee and encircled the 74th Division of the Kuomintang Army in the Menglianggu area and concentrated on eliminating them.
Upon learning the news, Chiang Kai-shek ordered the 10 divisions operating around Menglianggu to fully support the Nationalist 74th Division, in a vain attempt to make the 74th Division and the reinforcements encircle inside and outside and annihilate all the East China Field Army.
In order not to let the enemy's plot succeed, Chen Yi ordered the 1st Column, 4th Column, 6th Column, 8th Column, and 9th Column of the East China Field Army to block the breakthrough of the 74th Army from five directions at the same time.
Han Chengshan was the deputy squad leader of the 7th Company of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Company of the 70th Regiment of the 24th Division of the 8th Column, and his 7th Company was responsible for blocking enemy reinforcements at the Huangyashan position, buying more combat time for the main forces in the rear, and covering the transfer of local people.
Huangya Mountain is only less than six kilometers away from Meng Lianggu, the terrain is dangerous, easy to defend and difficult to attack, is the last natural barrier between the Nationalist 74th Division and the troops who came to reinforce, if the enemy successfully crosses the Huangya Mountain, then the East China Field Army's plan to encircle and annihilate the 74th Division will be in vain, and the enemy will fiercely counterattack.
Therefore, even if you know that there are wolves before and there are tigers after you, Huangya Mountain must not be lost!
In the early morning of April 26, 1974, Han Chengshan's unit received an order from his superiors to seize the position of HuangyaShan, ran for more than 20 kilometers overnight, and finally arrived at Huangyashan before the enemy and laid out his position before dawn. At this time, all the warriors knew very well in their hearts that after dawn, there would be a deadly battle.
The Kuomintang army was very well prepared for this battle, and its weapons and equipment were more than one step higher than that of the East China Field Army. Two artillery battalions of the Kuomintang army, together with four aircraft, carried out a series of bombardments on Huangya Mountain, and the soldiers of the 7th Company had to hold the main peak while dodging the artillery fire and knocking the kuomintang troops who rushed up down the hill.
In just one day, the enemy organized more than 20 chargeouts, but 7 companies held the high ground and repelled them again and again. The Kuomintang army suffered heavy losses and became more and more annoyed, and its strength gradually increased from one platoon to a battalion, hoping to take advantage of the large number of people to take down the Huangya Mountain.
But even so, the top of the mountain is still far away, and it is impossible to get close.
The soldiers of the 7th Company showed a tenacious and indomitable fighting spirit, as long as they could still move, they would get up and continue fighting, hoping to give the main force even one more minute and a second. They bought valuable combat time for large troops with several times or even more than a dozen times the number of enemy troops.
When the superior finally gave the order to retreat, everyone in the 7th Company was relieved in their hearts, and their task was completed! In order to cover the departure of the other teams, Han Chengshan's platoon was completely surrounded by the enemy on the main peak of Huangya Mountain.
There were fewer and fewer people in the row, and the bullets had long been finished. A platoon of fighters, under the command of platoon leader Zhu Jichang, tore down the fortifications and once again smashed the enemy off the hillside with stones. As long as they can destroy one more enemy, they all feel it is worth it!
Later, the stones were also thrown away, and only the last 6 warriors remained in a row. As the glorious People's Liberation Army, they vowed not to become prisoners of the enemy when they died! With less than 20 meters left to reach the Nationalists, they threw one last grenade.
There is only one thought left in everyone's mind, it is better to die than to bow to the enemy! They shouted "Long live the Communist Party!" Without hesitation, he jumped off a cliff more than 480 meters high.
In the Battle of Huangyashan, the 7th Company single-handedly blocked the strength of the two regiments of the Kuomintang Army from the battle circle, annihilated more than 600 enemies in total, bought enough time for the main force to annihilate all the 74th Division of the Kuomintang Army, completely smashed Chiang Kai-shek's plan to carry out a decisive battle in central Shandong, reversed the situation of passive defense of the Communist Party at that time, and laid a solid foundation for the final victory in the civil war.
Survived
After the Battle of Menglianggu, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China awarded the 7th Company the honorary title of "Glorious Company", a platoon was posthumously recognized as the "Combat Hero Platoon", and the six soldiers who jumped off the cliff such as Han Chengshan were affectionately known as the "Six Warriors of Huangya Mountain" by the common people.
In order to mourn the soldiers who died at Huangya Mountain, the East China Field Army held a solemn memorial service in Yishui County. Later, Han Chengshan's name was also engraved on the heroic monument of the Menglianggu Martyrs' Cemetery along with the names of other soldiers who died gloriously.
What everyone didn't know at this time was that Han Chengshan didn't die after falling off the cliff.
He was stopped by a tree growing on the mountainside during the fall, and he survived. When he woke up, it was already the next day, and he had multiple fractures on his body, and the injuries were so bad that it was difficult to move. With no water and no food, he couldn't hold out for a few days, but fortunately met Uncle Shi Zhenwen.
Shi Zhenwen was a local farmer in Menglianggu, and when he learned that Han Chengshan was the Eighth Route Army, he did not hesitate to carry him to a hidden cave and hide.
In the days of war, ordinary people's lives were difficult, they could not eat a full meal at all, and Shi Zhenwen's family was barely surviving. But even in such a difficult situation, Shi Zhenwen still took the little salt left in the house to disinfect Han Chengshan's wounds, and then came to bring him water and food every day, and used the herbs he collected to heal his wounds. Under the careful care of Uncle Shi Zhenwen, Han Chengshan's injuries got better day by day.
Once, Uncle Shi Zhenwen brought mutton soup to Han Chengshan to replenish his body, and Han Chengshan knew that the peasants' families could not see a little meat all year round, so they asked where the mutton came from. Uncle Shi Zhenwen smiled thickly and said that this was a small lamb raised by the family, he was now in a critical period of recovery, it was not okay not to eat something nutritious, these lambs were all given to him to eat, and the family did not move.
Han Chengshan's iron bones were strong, and he had always shed blood without tears, whether when he jumped off a cliff or when he was seriously injured, he never shed a tear. But at this time, holding the steaming lamb soup, his tears rolled down.
The Kuomintang reactionaries have been tracking down the traces of communists, not only frequently searching the homes of ordinary people, but also not sparing the mountains. In order not to let Han Chengshan be discovered, Uncle Shi Zhenwen joined forces with the villagers to fight a "guerrilla war" with the reactionaries. In the more than 2 months that Han Chengshan was recuperating, he was transferred to four places. Each time, he narrowly dodged the reactionaries' eyeliner.
Even if you don't go to the battlefield, you must serve the people
After Han Chengshan was able to move around, he bid farewell to Uncle Shi Zhenwen and the villagers, and he wanted to return to the army and continue to fight the Kuomintang army. But Han Chengshan searched for 7 days and 7 nights with the crutches that Uncle Shi Zhenwen had driven out for him, and he could not find any trace of the troops. In desperation, he could only return to his hometown of Zhao Jiawang Village in Kugou Township, Nan County, to continue to recuperate.
Han Chengshan
Han Chengshan never gave up contacting his troops, but at that time, the situation was tense, and the whereabouts of the East China Field Army were uncertain, and he never got a response from the troops.
Han Chengshan once studied military medicine in the army, and the medical conditions in the countryside are extremely poor, because there is no doctor, and many times a small illness and a small injury can also kill people.
Many people have also suggested that he report his situation to the local government, so that he can enjoy the treatment of disabled soldiers. But Han Chengshan resolutely refused, he felt that he could not contribute to the party and the army now, but he absolutely could not become a burden on the country. Here, he can still serve the people and does not violate the responsibilities and duties of a Communist Party member.
This is thirty years.
In the past thirty years, Han Chengshan has hidden his merits and fame deeply, and as long as the people need him, he will appear at the first time against all difficulties.
But after a long time, fewer and fewer people knew Han Chengshan's true identity, and doubtful voices began to appear around. Some people say that he once served as a soldier, but there was no demobilization certificate, and he must be a deserter.
Good things don't go out, bad things spread far and wide. More and more people questioned Han Chengshan, but no matter what kind of slander he faced, Han Chengshan never took the initiative to defend a word. For him, when he jumped from the Yellow Cliff Mountain, he never had the luxury of surviving, let alone that he could witness the day of the founding of New China.
He is not alone, he wants to use these eyes to seriously witness the great victory of the Communist Party of China on behalf of those dead comrades-in-arms, and carefully listen to the rapid development of the motherland with these two ears. When we meet again under the Nine Springs of the Next Day, tell them about it. In this way, he was already satisfied.
Old comrades-in-arms were unexpectedly reunited, and the "living martyrs" were unjustly exposed
One day in October 1977, Menglianggu Huangyashan welcomed two special guests.
Yellow Cliff Mountain
Liu Yanghou was the squad leader of the seventh machine gun squad of the 8th Column of the East China Field Army, and during the Battle of Huangya Mountain, he personally watched a row of six soldiers jump off the cliff. Even after all these years, that tragic scene is still clearly engraved in his mind.
Therefore, when the old comrade-in-arms Qi Li sent him to visit him and proposed that he wanted to return to the battlefield of Huangya Mountain to mourn the death of his comrades-in-arms, the two hit it off.
On the second day, the two put on their old military uniforms together, packed their bags, and set off for the Yellow Cliff Mountain. At this time, the Yellow Cliff Mountain was very different from what they had remembered, with endless fields on both sides of the road, farmers busy in the fields, and everyone's face was full of joy.
Seeing the two veterans, the peasants inquired curiously about the purpose of the two of them coming to Huangya Mountain. Hearing that they were all veterans who had participated in the Yellow Cliff Mountain Blockade War, the peasants put down their work, warmly greeted them, and invited them to their homes as guests.
The deeds of the six warriors of Huangya Mountain were widely spread among the local people, and those who lived here for a long time mentioned Han Chengshan, who was saved by Uncle Shi Zhenwen. Liu Yanghou was overjoyed to hear this, and came to the Shi family non-stop according to the guidance of his fellow villagers.
Uncle Shi Zhenwen has been dead for many years, but the Shi family still remembers the detailed address that Han Chengshan left when he left. After confirming the news that Han Chengshan was indeed still alive, Liu Yanghou and Qi Lifa still sat where they were, and immediately set off for Han Chengshan's hometown, the road was stormy and rainy, and the two did not finally arrive at Han Chengshan's house until the afternoon of the next day.
The three old comrades-in-arms who have been separated for decades are all old tears, and when they are separated, everyone is still in their prime, and Huangya Mountain thinks that it is yin and yang separated, and I did not expect to have a chance to see you again in this life.
Under Liu Yanghou's eager inquiry, Han Chengshan told the experience of surviving that year and the past of these thirty years. After liu Yanghou listened, his heart was not a taste, and he felt that he had the responsibility and obligation to justify the name of this unsung hero.
Liu Yanghou wrote a letter to the superior leaders to report in detail on Han Chengshan's situation, and the superior leaders were very surprised and attached great importance to this matter, but the Communist Party of China is a rigorous contingent, and to organizationally recognize Han Chengshan's identity, a series of materials and certificates are needed. Liu Yanghou said unshirkably: Please rest assured that he will handle this matter!
Liu Yanghou contacted Lu Qinzhi, the company commander of the Seventh Company at that time, and personally visited the insiders, sorted out materials, and accompanied the investigation team to the local area to verify the situation. The kung fu paid off, and the organization finally restored Han Chengshan's identity as a revolutionary hero.
When Liu Yanghou told Han Chengshan the good news, the veterans who were more than half a hundred years old burst into tears. For decades, he never had the luxury of returning to the organization and gaining the approval of the party and the state. At this moment, all the pain and grievances are gone.
Don't forget the original intention, keep in mind the mission
Han Chengshan lived up to the heroic name of "martyr"; in the decades since he left the army, he has always adhered to the revolutionary belief of serving the people; he dragged his crippled body and went from house to house to treat the townspeople, and many times he did not take anything.
The glorious deeds of this "living martyr" quickly spread among the soldiers in the army and among the masses of the people. As a revolutionary hero, Han Changshan was invited to give a speech for the soldiers of the army, and the scene was almost full, and he received extremely high recognition. Han Chengshan has given hundreds of lectures on revolutionary traditions, and the number of people who came to listen to them has reached 100,000.
In July 1992, the central leadership personally received Han Chengshan in Linyi, and the central leader shook Han Chengshan's hand and said kindly: "You are the hero of the country and the pride of the people of Shandong!" Be sure to take good care of your health, if you encounter any difficulties must be reflected with the organization, the government will do its best to meet you! ”
The chairman's words deeply touched Han Chengshan, and also made him more determined to "remember the revolutionary mission and not forget the original heart" in life.
Han Chengshan became a well-known "living martyr" and a revolutionary hero admired by everyone. But Han Chengshan never regarded himself as a hero, and he always maintained the fine tradition of thrift and thrift, and arduousness. He often visited the families of the martyrs and helped the needy families in the village.
Han Chengshan is not proud of his achievements, he has been hired by many schools as an ideological counselor, he combined his own personal experience, words and deeds to convey to the young generation what is the revolutionary spirit of perseverance, tell the children that today's life is not easy to come by, we must remember history, study hard, and contribute to the future of building the country.
He often said: The party and the state have given me too much, and I have no way to repay, but can only use all my life as a reward.
In February 2011, Han Chengshan died of illness at the age of 85.
In fact, in the historical process of the Chinese nation's struggle for national liberation and the realization of the great rejuvenation of the nation, there have been many unsung heroes like Han Chengshan who have hidden their merits and names. They are full of a patriotic heart, and without complaint or regret, they have carried the mission of defending their families and defending the country with their own backbones.
The moment they rushed to the battlefield, they had already put life and death aside. These people may have fallen on the way to the charge, or they may have fallen under the conspiracy and calculation of the enemy. Their names may not be known, but their spirit illuminates the way forward for future generations.
Later, they had a common name, called the People's Hero.
It is precisely these tens of millions of people's heroes who have poured out the glorious and splendid annals of revolutionary history with their own blood and lives, and their spirit has long been integrated into the blood of the Chinese nation and has grown into the soul of the entire nation.