In the vast history of China's Red Revolution, there is such a general, although his deeds are not well known to most people, his bravery and sacrifice are the most vivid footnotes of that era. Dong Zhentang, a Red Army general on the same level as Peng Dehuai, was brutally killed by the enemy after the victory of the Long March, and his head was hung in public for decades. It wasn't until 2015 that his second son retrieved his father's remains, ending a 78-year longing. Doesn't this kind of story shock you?
Dong Zhentang, whose name is not as well-known as some great generals in modern Chinese history, is no less shocking in his story. Dong Zhentang, who was born in a military family, graduated from the Baoding Military Academy in his early years and became an artillery officer. Under Feng Yuxiang, he was promoted all the way to lieutenant general and division commander by virtue of his outstanding military talent. But the turning point of fate began with the reorganization of the Kuomintang.
After the Battle of the Central Plains ended and Feng Yuxiang was defeated and captured Maicheng, the Kuomintang quickly reorganized the defeated army and organized its troops into the Kuomintang 26th Route Army. Although Dong Zhentang retained his military position, he was only a little-known commander of the 73rd Brigade. From a general to a member of the miscellaneous army, Dong Zhentang's heart is depressed.
In 1931, Chiang Kai-shek mobilized the 26th Route Army south to Jiangxi in order to exterminate the Red Army. Afraid of becoming cannon fodder on the battlefield, the soldiers of the 26th Route Army had no fighting spirit. At this time, the 918 Incident broke out, and the threat of the Japanese army in the north intensified, which made the 26th Route Army, which was already panicked, even more homesick and demoralized.
Dong Zhentang saw the opportunity and sent a shocking joint telegram with other high-ranking generals, demanding that the north withdraw to resist the Japanese. It is conceivable how Chiang Kai-shek could agree to such a request, he not only refused, but also tightened his control over the 26th Route Army, and even sent military commanders to closely monitor it.
Just when everyone thought that the situation would calm down, a bigger change was quietly fermenting within the 26th Route Army. Zhao Bosheng, a secret member of the CCP, learned of the situation and immediately got in touch with the Red Army to plan an uprising. On December 14, 1931, the Ningdu Uprising broke out, and more than 17,000 soldiers led by Dong Zhentang and Zhao Bosheng, carrying light and heavy equipment, threw themselves into the red torrent together.
This uprising was not only a powerful counterattack to Chiang Kai-shek's rule, but also injected new strength into the Red Army. At that time, the total number of the Red Army was only more than 30,000 people, and this uprising directly greatly increased the strength and equipment of the Red Army. Dong Zhentang's fate came to a tragic end.
After the uprising, Dong Zhentang was appointed commander of the Red Fifth Army, and he led his troops to participate in countless difficult battles and performed well. During this time, he not only showed outstanding military talent, but also won the love and respect of the soldiers. But the good times did not last long, after the victory of the Long March, Dong Zhentang was captured by the enemy in a battle, and died tragically in the final massacre.
To add insult to injury, his head was cut off by the enemy and hung at the city gate for public display. This cruel behavior is not only an insult to Dong Zhentang, but also a contempt for the heroes of the anti-Japanese war. For decades, Dong's family could not know his exact whereabouts, and it was not until 2015 that his second son finally found his father's head, a discovery that not only allowed the family to rest in peace, but also allowed the veteran general's heroic soul to return.
Dong Zhentang's life can be said to be full of war and glory, and he has grown from an ordinary military academy graduate to a hero on the battlefield of resistance against Japan. His experience reflects the joys and sorrows and helpless choices of Chinese soldiers in that era. His sacrifice shows the cruelty of history and the tragedy of war.
We review the story of Dong Zhentang today, not only to remember the sacrifice of a warrior, but also to learn from his life trajectory the spirit of fearlessly moving forward and giving everything for his ideals. This spirit is urgently needed by the people of our time. Especially in the current complex and volatile international situation, the enlightenment given to us by Dong Zhentang's story still has important practical significance.
His story is not only a record of history, but also a mirror that reflects the suffering and struggle of the people of that era. When his head was buried 78 years later, it was not only a consolation to a hero, but also a question of history. In this day and age, Dong Zhentang's story reminds us that no matter how the environment changes, those stories of faith and sacrifice are always worth being told.