Old Photos

Once upon a time, Western Hunan had deep mountains, dense forests, criss-crossing ravines, barren land, frequent natural disasters, and a very backward economy and culture. In the decades after the Republic of China, bandits were particularly harmful. Many bandits took advantage of the dangerous mountains, rivers, and caves to separatist power, claiming lordship and hegemony. They killed people in the dark of the moon, set fires when the wind was high, robbed homes, raped and looted, bringing endless disasters to the people of Xiangxi. .

In order to liberate the suffering people of Xiangxi, in September 1949, the Fourth Field Army of the Chinese People's Liberation Army ordered the 47th Army, which was assembled in Changde and Cili, Hunan, to enter Xiangxi, first to conquer Dayong and eliminate Song Xilian. The 122nd Army completely eradicated the banditry in western Hunan.

This is the prelude to the suppression of bandits in Western Hunan...

In order to commemorate the heroes who sacrificed on this land, inspire the people of Western Hunan to work hard, and let today's people understand Western Hunan During the turbulent years of blood and fire when the bandits were suppressed, this issue of "Ode to Jiazi·Xiangxi Major Events" specially publishes a group of precious images collected by veteran photographers. Each photo seems to vividly tell us about that tragic period. The historical story...

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In September 1949, the stationed troops went to the battlefield to suppress bandits in western Hunan.

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The 38th Army of the Second Field Army of the People's Liberation Army marched into western Hunan.

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The militia cooperated with the People's Liberation Army to suppress bandits.

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In 1950, PLA soldiers posted leaflets to suppress bandits: Unless the bandits are eliminated, the army will not retreat.

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The People's Liberation Army suppressed bandits and searched the mountains.

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The People's Liberation Army suppressed bandits in the mountainous areas of western Hunan.

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The 419th Regiment of the 140th Division of the Chinese People's Liberation Army held a mobilization meeting to suppress bandits in Jingxian County.

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Suppress the heinous bandit leader.

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People's Liberation Army soldiers wrote slogans in bandit activity areas: Resolutely eliminate the bandits and liberate Xiangxi.

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Capture the bandit chief of staff Zheng Huaqing alive.

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Cheng Qian, the governor of Hunan Province who had peacefully revolted in the early days of liberation, sent a letter of persuasion to surrender to Qu Boping, the bandit leader in Longshan, western Hunan, prompting Qu to surrender to the People's Liberation Army.

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Xiang Guangrong, the hero who captured two bandits with one sword.

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The bandits were arrested for their guns. The bandits surrendered their guns and surrendered under the persuasion of their relatives.

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In October 1949, the Yongshun Military Division held a mass meeting to liquidate the crimes of the bandits.

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In September 1950, Li Lanchu, the temporary commander of the first brigade of the Yongshun County public trial bandits.

The process of suppressing bandits in western Hunan can be roughly divided into five stages, namely the prologue battle (including the elimination of the remnants of the Kuomintang bandits entrenched in 12 counties including Yuanling, Chenxi, Huaihua, and Zhijiang in Huaihua City today) , conquered Dayong and Sangzhi counties in present-day Zhangjiajie City, liberated present-day Xiangxi Prefecture), carried out spring campaigns, campaigned in central areas, campaigned in peripheral areas, and eliminated the remaining bandits.

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The commemorative photo of "Glory Belongs to the 47th Army" presented to the 47th Army by the people of western Hunan.

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Bandit Suppression Hero Wuchang Tiger (the prototype of the Siberian Tiger in the TV series Wulong Mountain Bandit Suppression Chronicles). In 1950, Wuchang Hu followed the army south to suppress bandits in western Hunan and served as the director of the Longshan County Public Security Bureau. He was responsible for the suppression of bandits in Longshan County and was powerful in northwest Hunan.

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In April 1950, Xie Qirong went into the cave alone during the "suppression of bandits and establishment of government" and seized 3 bandit rifles and more than 2,000 kilograms of grain. He was given priority Pistol reward. (Provided by Xie Qirong)

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Some PLA generals who participated in the suppression of bandits in western Hunan.

Epilogue

Over a period of more than two years (September 1949 to the winter of 1952), the commanders and fighters of our 47th Army and 39th Army fully mobilized the masses, organized the masses, relied on the masses, and *** In the same battle, the Communist Party of China annihilated 92,081 Kuomintang bandits and local reactionary armed forces in western Hunan, and achieved a complete victory in the suppression of bandits in western Hunan. Since then, the people of Xiangxi have made a complete turn over politically and economically, and have lived a life of peace and contentment. The hard-working and brave people of Xiangxi have begun to build a new socialist Xiangxi with their own hands...

Old in this group Photos collected and contributed by Chen Tingmao.

Editor of this issue: Long Yao

Content source: United News