1946 The old photo of Zhengxian County, Henan Province The renovation project of the bank breach at Huayuankou of the Yellow River

In 1946, the old photo of Zhengxian County, Henan, was taken on the site of the renovation project at the Huayuankou breach of the Yellow River

Zheng County here is Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou changed its name several times during the Republic of China. In 1913, Zhengzhou was changed into Zheng County. In 1928, Zheng County was changed to Zhengzhou. In 1931, it was removed from the city and changed to Zhengxian County. In 1933, it was the residence of the Office of the First Administrative Inspector of Henan Province. Zhengzhou was liberated on October 22, 1948. Zheng County was divided into Zhengzhou City and Zheng County. In 1953, Zheng County was abolished and called Zhengzhou. In 1954, the People’s Government of Henan Province moved from Kaifeng to Zhengzhou, and Zhengzhou became the capital of Henan Province

From late May to early June 1938, after occupying Xuzhou, the Japanese army moved westward along the Longhai Road to seize Zhengzhou and attack Wuhan. In order to stop the Japanese army from advancing, on June 9, Chiang Kai shek ordered to blow up the Yellow River levee at Huayuankou in the northeast of Zhengzhou. Although the breach of the bank at Huayuankou broke the Japanese army’s battle plan, it bought time for the defense of Wuhan. But at the same time, it also flooded a large area of land in more than 40 counties in Henan, northern Anhui and northern Jiangsu, causing great disaster to the masses of the people. More than 800000 people were drowned, millions of people were displaced, and the Yellow River flooded area was formed due to years of famine

The following photos were taken by the reporter of Life magazine in 1946. At that time, the Yellow River Huayuankou dike was being repaired. The following photos were taken on site:

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，小孩为他的爸爸赶驴车在搬运物资填补这决口。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处整治工程现场，八个民工正在打夯，每一处堤岸都必须填实加固。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，帆船靠岸为打桩机运送物资。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，花园口整治工程美方项目经理Oliver J. Todd。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，民工们在翻填土地以便整修决口处，其时，民国的重建工作已经开始。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，民工用独轮车运送水泥，仅仅数周后整个缺口将被填平。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，日夜忙碌的民工们。

1946年，河南郑县。黄河花园口决堤处，光着身子的小孩为他的爸爸拉一堆谷草前往工地。