Iron Bones · Huangpu (1)

  The Evolution of Whampoa Military Academy

  A mighty wave surges, the party flag flies high, this is the revolutionary Whampoa! The Whampoa Military Academy, born in the 1920s when the Kuomintang and Communist Party first cooperated, is one of the world's four major military academies. It can be said that a history of the Whampoa Military Academy condenses the history of China's revolution in the 20th century. Some people say: Without the Whampoa Military Academy, there would be no armies of the Kuomintang and Communist Party, and thus no great development for these two parties! Indeed, the Whampoa Military Academy cultivated a large number of renowned political giants and brave military leaders in modern Chinese history. For over half a century, the cooperation and division between the Kuomintang and Communist Party were not only the ups and downs of the Whampoa military men's careers but also closely linked to the rise and fall of the Chinese nation and the changes in Chinese society. As time passes, 80 years have passed since the Whampoa Military Academy was established, from the Nationalist Army Officer School, Central Military and Political School, National Revolutionary Army Whampoa Officer School, Central Army Officer School to the Army Officer School.

  The fermentation, preparation and establishment of the Whampoa Military Academy are inseparable from the reorganization of the Kuomintang and the first KMT-CPC cooperation. As early as October 1923, the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang passed a proposal to establish a military academy, which was later tentatively named "National Revolutionary Army Officer School". On January 24, 1924, during the First National Congress of the Kuomintang, Mr. Sun Yat-sen decided to rename the preparatory officer school as "Chinese Kuomintang Military Academy", and appointed Chiang Kai-shek as the chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Military Academy. The site of the academy was initially selected at the original location of the Guangzhou Huangpu Island Army Political Department Lecture Hall and the Navy School. On February 1, Sun Yat-sen appointed Li Jisheng, Wang Boling, Lin Zhenxiong, Shen Yingshi, Yu Feipeng, Song Rongchang, and Zhang Jiaren as members of the Preparatory Committee. On March 1, the Whampoa Military Academy New Student Entrance Examination Committee was established, with Chiang Kai-shek as chairman, and Deng Yanda, Wang Boling, Yan Chong, Qian Dajun, Song Rongchang, and Zhang Jiaren as members, preparing for the entrance examination. During the preparation of the military academy, Mr. Liao Zhongkai did a lot of effective work, successively leading and presiding over the renovation of the school buildings, formulation of school rules, recruitment of teachers, formulation of teaching plans, design of school emblems, and uniforms.

  On May 3, 1924, the leadership organization of the Whampoa Military Academy was formally established. Sun Yat-sen served as the president of the Whampoa Military Academy, Chiang Kai-shek as the principal, and Liao Zhongkai as the party representative. The three formed the school's headquarters, directly under the Kuomintang Central Executive Committee, which is the highest leadership organization of the school. Under the headquarters were six major departments, a principal's office, and a general instructor's office.

  In January 1946, the Central Army Officer School was renamed "Army Officer School", with Chiang Kai-shek as its president and Wan Yao-huang as its education director. Soon after, the position of education director was taken over by Kwan Lin-ching, a graduate of the first class of Whampoa Military Academy. In July 1947, Chiang Kai-shek announced that he would no longer serve as the school's president, and Kwan Lin-ching took over the position, marking the first time a Whampoa alumnus held this important post. During his tenure, the school recruited two classes of students, namely the 22nd and 23rd classes. The 24th class had just been enrolled when the whole country was liberated. Among the graduates of the 22nd class were Huang Hsing-chiang, who later became the "Commander-in-Chief of the Army" in Taiwan, Lo Pen-li, who became the "President of the National Defense University" in Taiwan, Tsao Ssu-chi, who became the "Chief of Staff of the Army" in Taiwan, and Wang To-chih, who became the "Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Army" in Taiwan.

  On September 12, 1949, Chiang Kai-shek, then the Director-General of the Kuomintang, arrived in Chengdu by special plane "Zhongmei No." and immediately entered the Huangpu Building of the Military Academy. Chiang's trip was to make major adjustments to the leadership of the military academy. Guan Linzheng, the principal, was promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the Army, and Zhang Yaoming, a graduate of the first class of Huangpu, took over as principal; Wu Yunzhou remained in charge of education at the military academy; and Wu Qiwu, a graduate of the fourth class of Huangpu, took over as head of the training department. At that time, there were nearly 14,000 students and faculty members at the Army Military Academy, with 5 departments, 11 sections, and the "Huangpu Daily" newspaper office. In addition to the officer training class, the officer teaching group, and the guerrilla training class, there were three battalions of students from Huangpu's 23rd class, totaling 3,452 people; about 1,120 people were recruited into the army for Huangpu's 24th class, forming a student battalion, with Xu Youchang, a graduate of Huangpu's fifth class, as the battalion commander.

  In late 1949, the Second Field Army and the 18th Corps of the First Field Army of the People's Liberation Army, under the command of Liu Bocheng, Deng Xiaoping, He Long, Zhou Shidi and others, swept across the southwest with a "big flanking" strategy. By December, the PLA had completed its strategic encirclement of Chengdu and its surrounding areas. At the end of the road, school principal Zhang Yaoming, education director Wu Yunzhou, deputy officer-in-charge Wu Lichuan and others fled to Taiwan one after another. Under the efforts of our underground party members, Li Yongzhong, Wu Qiwu, Xu Youchang, Xiao Pingbo and others led more than 10,000 students and teachers in a mutiny. These mutineers were later assigned to various units of the PLA's Southwest Military Region or local government departments. Many excellent students and teachers later joined the Communist Party of China. Thus, Mr. Sun Yat-sen's "Whampoa Military Academy", which was founded to save China and its people, finally returned to the people's embrace from the hands of the Kuomintang reactionaries. From then on, Whampoa Military Academy ended its history of running schools in mainland China forever!

  After Chiang Kai-shek's defeat and retreat to Taiwan in 1950, the Republic of China Military Academy was re-established in Fengshan, Kaohsiung, on the basis of the original Fourth Army Officer Training Class. Luo Yonglun was appointed as the principal of the military academy, and the following year, the military academy recruited students from the Whampoa 24th class to study. In June 1954, the military academy underwent a large-scale reform, modeled after the United States Military Academy at West Point: The school system was changed to four years, with the first year focusing on general education and emphasizing English language skills. Students who excelled in their studies could be sent to study at American military academies. In addition, students were taught about the importance of mechanization in modern land warfare. From the second year onwards, students began to choose a department related to their future development. The military academy had nine departments: Chinese literature and history, politics, foreign languages, mathematics, physics, mechanics, electrical engineering, military engineering, and surveying. In the third year, students learned about leadership and defense, while in the fourth year, they focused on thinking and practicing. The military academy also implemented a university education system for science and technology, where graduates received both a diploma from the Republic of China Military Academy and a bachelor's degree in science and technology. The military academy was under the supervision and guidance of Taiwan's Ministry of Education. In addition to graduating from the military academy, students had to attend other branch schools, and officers above the rank of lieutenant colonel had to further their studies at universities such as the National Defense University of Taiwan to be eligible for promotion. In 1975, the military academy's education system was revised again, with the school term extended to four years and three months from the Whampoa 47th class onwards. From the Whampoa 48th class onwards, graduates could also receive a bachelor's degree in literature. The military academy had departments for specialized students, short-term training classes, preparatory officer training classes, and supplementary training regiments. The military academy placed great emphasis on physical education, adding training programs such as rock climbing, martial arts, and hand-to-hand combat. The principal of the military academy held the rank of major general and was appointed by active-duty generals, with a term of generally two years. Since the re-establishment of the military academy in 1950, principals have included Luo Yonglun, Xie Ruzhi, Xu Rucheng, Ai Yunxiang, Zhang Lifu, Lu Guangyi, and Huang Xingqiang. The original site of the military academy was a two-story brick-and-concrete building that was formerly the Huangpu Customs Office in Guangdong Province. Sun Yat-sen had rested and worked there several times during the 1924 revolution and when he founded the military academy.

  The club was built in November 1926 and is quite large, capable of holding thousands of people. It has been the venue for gatherings of teachers and students, lectures, holiday celebrations, and cultural performances. The building suffered damage from Japanese air raids during the war and underwent repairs and renovations after liberation. After a restoration in 1993, it has returned to its original appearance.

  Swimming Pool: In 1926, to meet the needs of troops fighting in southern water network areas, the military school converted two small docks for building wooden boats into a swimming pool and built a dressing room. After maintenance, it has been initially restored to its original historical appearance.

  Dongzheng Martyrs' Cemetery: It is the cemetery where the remains of 516 martyrs who died in battles such as Dongzheng are buried. Located on Pinggang Hill southwest of the military school, it covers an area of over 50,000 square meters and has a grand atmosphere. Completed in June 1926, the cemetery was expanded in 1936 with the addition of the Dongzheng Martyrs' Memorial Archway and pier at its main gate, earning it the nickname "Little Huanghuagang".

  Northern Expedition Memorial Monument: It was built in 1929 to commemorate the martyrs who died in the Northern Expedition. The monument has an inscription written by He Sui, a military school student, which reads: "The stone teeth of Pinggang are strong and firm, the waters of Huangpu are clear and pure; standing tall for all eternity, it will be remembered forever." The front of the monument is inscribed with "National Revolutionary Army Military Academy Students Who Died in Battle During the Northern Expedition Memorial Monument". The east, west, and north sides of the pedestal have the names of 355 Whampoa Military Academy students who died during the Northern Expedition, including Cao Yuan, the commander of the First Regiment of the Independent Brigade. After multiple repairs in 1984, it was restored to its original appearance.

  Ji-Shen Park: Construction began in November 1928, named after Vice President Li Ji-shen. The lush forest remains unchanged from years ago. The gate pillars on both sides of the entrance still exist, and one can still faintly recall its former elegance.

  Huangpu Park: Built in the Guangxu period, the gate has a plaque written by Liangguang Governor Zhang Zhidong "Huangpu Park". In 1926, it was rebuilt into Chungzheng Park, and its old appearance still remains.

  Dapodi Battery, Bahegang Battery: Built in 1884 by Zhang Zhidong, Governor of Guangdong and Guangxi, it is part of the Cheung Chau Fortress. The Bahegang Battery is the largest in scale among all batteries on Cheung Chau and serves as the command centre for the commander.

  The Whampoa Military Academy has a rich history, with mountains and rivers separating it. It has initially restored its former charm and is a great place to visit, as well as a good place for patriotic education.

  The Whampoa Military Academy was located on Changzhou Island, Guangzhou. It was founded in 1924 by Sun Yat-sen with the help of the Soviet Union and the Communist Party of China. Sun Yat-sen served as the president of the academy, while Chiang Kai-shek and Liao Zhongkai served as the principal and party representative respectively. The academy's motto was "to create a revolutionary army to save China from danger". It formed a school spirit of "loyalty, unity, cooperation, national defense, and people's livelihood, without fear of sacrifice". The students and teachers of the academy fought bravely in the Eastern Expedition, Northern Expedition, and Anti-Japanese War, achieving great victories and making important historical contributions to the independence and liberation of the Chinese nation. Many military and political talents graduated from the academy, including Zhou Enlai, Nie Rongzhen, Ye Jianying, Xun Deyi, Chen Geng, He Yingqin, and Gu Zhutong, earning it the reputation as the "cradle of Chinese generals". In 1938, the Japanese air force bombed Changzhou Island, destroying the academy's main building. In 1984, the Whampoa Military Academy Memorial Museum was established. In 1996, the main building of the academy was rebuilt according to the principle of "original location, original size, and original appearance" as stipulated by the State Cultural Relics Bureau, restoring the living and learning environment of the students and teachers at that time. The current scenic spots in the old campus include the main building, Sun Yat-sen's former residence, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Monument, club, swimming pool, tomb of martyrs who died in the Eastern Expedition, and the White Crane Ridge Battery. In 1995, the Whampoa Military Academy Memorial Museum was rated as one of the patriotic education bases in Guangzhou City. In 2000, it was rated as one of the first batch of patriotic education bases in Guangdong Province.