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1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

Late one night in August 1941, in the Langya Mountains of Yi County in northern Shanxi, a team of the Eighth Route Army was quietly marching. The leader was Yang Chengwu, the commander of the first division, who looked solemn and stopped from time to time to carefully observe the surroundings. There was a tense atmosphere in the air, as if danger was about to strike at any moment. Where exactly is this team going? Why are they so cautious?

1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

The Japanese army attacked in a big way, and the Eighth Route Army struggled to deal with it

In 1941, the Japanese army launched a large-scale "sweep" operation against the anti-Japanese base areas in North China. The Eighth Route Army was inferior in terms of strength and equipment, and was forced to adopt the method of dispersed guerrilla warfare against the enemy. The 1st Subdivision of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region was the main force of the Eighth Route Army and became a key target of the Japanese army. Yang Chengwu was ordered to lead the personnel of a sub-district to transfer and start a thrilling escape journey.

The situation at that time was extremely unfavorable for the Eighth Route Army. After the Battle of the Hundred Regiments, the Eighth Route Army suffered heavy losses, and it was difficult to replenish its troops and ammunition. The Japanese army, under the command of Okamura Ninji, mobilized heavy troops to carry out an "iron wall encirclement" of the Jin-Cha-Ji base area. The abdomen and back of the first division are under attack, and the living space is constantly compressed.

The Japanese army carefully set up a situation, and the first division fell into an encirclement

1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

Yang Chengwu originally planned to lead a team from Yi County to the north to take refuge in the Pingxi area as usual. However, this time, the Japanese army had already prepared and imposed a strict blockade on the Yilai Highway. On August 23, the Japanese army advanced to the base area of the 1st Division in three directions. To the east is the 21st Division, to the north is the Independent Mixed Brigade, and to the south is the 110th Division. The encirclement on three sides has been completed, and there is only one gap left in the west.

Yang Chengwu realized that the situation was not good, and immediately ordered the troops to move overnight. They set out from Zhouzhuang, first pretending to march north, but in fact suddenly turned around and headed south halfway. Although this move temporarily shook off the Japanese troops who were trailing, it also put the team in greater danger.

The Eighth Route Army skillfully maneuvered, and the Japanese army pursued it relentlessly

The team led by Yang Chengwu tossed and turned, and first hid in a small mountain village called "Wannian Bing" in Laiyuan County. This remote mountain village, with only two families, has become a temporary shelter for more than 500 people. They stayed here for more than ten days, and finally temporarily shook off the pursuit of the Japanese army.

1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

But the good times did not last long, and the Japanese army soon caught up again. Yang Chengwu had to lead the team to continue to retreat south. On the way, they met the team of Zhan Caifang, the deputy commander of the 3rd Division, who was also hiding from the Japanese army. After the two forces converged, it was decided to move south together to the Huatashan area.

This decision seems wise, but in fact it is in the hands of the Japanese army. It turned out that the Japanese army had already set up an encirclement in the Huatashan area, and they were waiting for the Eighth Route Army to throw themselves into the net. Yang Chengwu and others were still in the dark, and they were moving towards greater danger step by step.

At the moment of life and death, the Eighth Route Army staged a thrilling escape

In late September, Yang Chengwu led a team into the territory of Mancheng County. At this time, they were already deeply encircled by the Japanese army, but they were not aware of it. It wasn't until they heard that the troops led by Qiu Wei and a large number of people were besieged on Langya Mountain that they realized how critical the situation was.

Yang Chengwu immediately made a decision and ordered the 3rd and 20th regiments to attack the Japanese army south of Langya Mountain, trying to open a way for the trapped people to survive. However, their own situation was precarious, and they had to continue their retreat south.

1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

At this time, the encirclement of the Japanese army had been closed. The team led by Yang Chengwu was surrounded by many people in the Huata Mountain area and was almost in a desperate situation. At the last moment, Yang Chengwu relied on his rich guerrilla experience to lead the troops to break through the siege continuously. Sometimes they scattered and lurked, sometimes concentrated and assaulted, and they fought their way out of the heavy encirclement of the Japanese army.

In this thrilling escape, many heroic deeds took place. The tragic jumping off the cliff of the five heroes of Langya Mountain bought valuable time for the transfer of the large army. The students of the Bethune Medical College were unfortunately captured, and they would rather die than give in. There are also countless ordinary soldiers and masses who have made great sacrifices for the anti-Japanese cause with their lives.

After more than two months of arduous maneuvering, Yang Chengwu finally led the remnants to break out of the encirclement and preserve the vital force of a division. Although this great escape caused huge losses, it also demonstrated the tenacious and unyielding spirit of the Eighth Route Army.

1941: A turning point, the shocking apocalypse of the "Great Sweep" of the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese army in summer and autumn

The sweep in 1941 was one of the most difficult periods in the course of the Eighth Route Army's War of Resistance. In the face of the well-equipped and large number of Japanese troops, the Eighth Route Army relied on its tenacious will and flexible tactics to survive in the cracks. This history teaches us that miracles can be created when we are united and never give up in extremely difficult circumstances.

Looking back at those eventful years, we can't help but ask: If it were not for the succession of countless revolutionary ancestors, where would today's peaceful and prosperous era come from? The wheels of history are rolling forward, but we must never forget those heroes who sacrificed their lives for the cause of national independence and the people's liberation. The magnificent songs they wrote with their blood and lives will forever inspire future generations to move forward.