Research on the Protection of Battlefield Sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province, China: A Case Study of She County

Abstract

This study is based on the Taihang Mountain Area in Southern Hebei Province, focusing on battlefield sites in She County. Interdisciplinary theories and methods such as field investigation, architectural typology, and GIS spatial analysis are used to establish the protection roadmap and geographic information database for battlefield sites. The aim is to reveal the architectural characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution patterns of battlefield sites, evaluate its current status and constraints, and propose targeted protection strategies and restoration measures. Research has found that battlefield sites combine the characteristics of traditional dwellings and village temples, presenting the characteristics of clear clustering distribution and low altitude with a system near the water in the spatial and temporal dimensions, with good natural adaptability and unique rural cultural landscapes. At the same time, in response to the constraints and challenges still faced by protection work, a protection strategy framework has been constructed from six aspects: strengthening daily maintenance, reducing human and natural damage, optimizing the property rights system, unifying responsibility subjects, comprehensive development and utilization, and international legislation and cooperation. Repair and protection guidelines have been established from five technical links: timber structure, joinery work, roof, wall, and ground. This study can lay the foundation for the cultural inheritance and sustainable protection of battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province, and provide theoretical references and practical examples for similar research.

1. Introduction

1.1. Worldwide Research Progress on Battlefield Sites

Research and conservation practices focusing on battlefield sites started earlier in countries such as the United States and Canada. In 1895, the United States gradually carried out efforts to protect the battlefield sites of the Independence War and the Civil War, and designated them as national parks. Canada also established The National Battlefields Commission in 1908 to protect important battlefield sites in Quebec City, and the sites are opened to the public. After World War II, an international network for heritage protection centered around international organizations such as UNESCO, ICOMOS, and ICCROM was gradually established, and the resulting conventions, charters, declarations, and other documents became international consensus in the field of heritage protection. The various battlefield sites left behind after World War II bear witness to the history of war. The international community’s recognition, protection, and utilization of battlefield sites began during this period. For example, in 1979, the important historical site of World War II, “Auschwitz Concentration Camp”, was included in the World Heritage List. In 1991, The Battlefields Trust was established in the UK to protect battlefield sites. In 2021, the issuance of “ICOMOS Guidelines on Fortifications and Military Heritage” provides guidance for the protection and display of military urban defense heritage [1].

In recent years, with the increasing attention to battlefield sites, related academic achievements have become increasingly abundant, primarily focusing on the study of their intrinsic characteristics, value analysis, protection and utilization, and tourism development. Firstly, in terms of intrinsic characteristics, it mainly includes two parts of research contents. One is the analysis of typological characteristics, studying the origin, layout, style, and decoration of battlefield sites [2,3,4]. The second is to analyze the structural characteristics of materials, focusing on the construction techniques and structural materials of battlefield sites, and exploring the protection and repair techniques for their defensive fortifications [5,6]. Secondly, in terms of value characteristics, it mainly focuses on the historical culture, social economy, site environment, and science and technology of battlefield sites to analyze and evaluate their value characteristics [7,8,9]. Thirdly, in terms of protection and utilization, it mainly includes relevant methods and strategies for protection and utilization, as well as analysis of their influencing factors [10]. Fourthly, in terms of tourism development, battlefield tourism or dark tourism is a hot research topic in the academic community. The research content mainly includes the study of the value and motivation of tourism development, the analysis of tourists’ emotional effects and satisfaction evaluation, the game analysis among stakeholders in the process of tourism development, and empirical research on the mode of tourism development [11,12,13,14,15,16,17].

1.2. Research Progress on Chinese Battlefield Sites

Focusing on the Chinese battlefield sites, a large number of researchers have conducted studies from the perspectives of architecture, planning, tourism, and cultural relics, including the following six aspects. Firstly, in terms of basic investigation, it mainly focuses on the classification, distribution characteristics, and current situation analysis of battlefield sites. The research scope is mostly based on the division of administrative districts, covering macro level national regions, meso-scale city and county areas, and micro level single villages and towns. Among them, type classification often summarizes and extracts a specific object in battlefield sites within a regional scope, obtaining type classification with regional or object characteristics, and further refining the branch types of battlefield sites [18]. The distribution characteristics are mainly described qualitatively, but with the application of GIS technology, there has been a shift towards a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods that combine data statistical analysis to explore the overall spatial distribution and distribution characteristics of each period [19]. Based on field investigation, the current situation analysis summarizes the problems faced by the battlefield sites, such as quality, overall style and policy management, and further analyzes the influencing factors [20]. Secondly, in terms of value characteristics, it mainly revolves around the value composition of battlefield sites, including basic values such as historical, scientific, artistic, and social values, and further enriches the value composition of battlefield sites by combining specific regional and object characteristics [21]. Thirdly, in terms of evaluation system, based on the different characteristics of the research object, there are different focuses on the indicator system and weight setting. The research methods mainly include the Delphi Method, AHP, and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation. The evaluation content mainly includes the value evaluation of battlefield sites, protection and utilization evaluation, post-use evaluation, and tourism evaluation [22,23,24,25]. Fourthly, in terms of protection research, relevant scholars have conducted rich theoretical explorations on the principles, methods, and strategies of protecting battlefield sites [26,27], and carried out a detailed analysis of repair techniques such as disease causes and repair principles [28]. Gradually, the development has shifted from the protection of battlefield sites itself to the improvement of the overall vitality of battlefield memorial sites, forming a regional and holistic protection concept [29,30]. Fifthly, in terms of exhibition and utilization, based on the core area of battlefield sites, a profound analysis has been conducted on the design methods and planning utilization of museums (memorials) [31,32,33], achieving a centralized display of relevant cultural relics. At the same time, specific optimization strategies have been proposed for the exhibition and utilization of battlefield sites themselves [34,35]. Sixth, in terms of tourism development, the focus is mainly on the coordinated development of battlefield tourism and other tourism resources, proposing experiential and immersive tourism practice modes [36,37].

1.3. Analysis of the Type Characteristics of World Battlefield Sites

Countries around the world have accumulated rich experience in the protection and utilization of battlefield sites, which is not only a witness to history, but also carries profound cultural and emotional values. Due to differences in historical background, cultural characteristics, and the nature of war, the architectural features of battlefield sites exhibit diversity and uniqueness. This study summarized and compared the main battlefield sites characteristics of China, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany.

Firstly, Chinese battlefield sites are mainly concentrated in the period of modern revolutionary history, especially during the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War. It can be mainly divided into ancient military defense buildings, architectural heritage of modern warfare, and commemorative buildings. Firstly, as an outstanding representative of ancient military defense engineering, the Great Wall includes defensive works such as city walls, gates, fortresses, barracks, and watchtowers forming a complete defense engineering system and military defense line. In addition, the moat structure of the Banpo site in Xi’an and the ancient city site of Chengtoushan in Li County, Hunan are also representatives of China’s early military defense engineering. Secondly, the architectural heritage of modern warfare has two types of stylistic features: traditional Chinese style and a combination of Chinese and Western styles, represented by the Yan’an Revolutionary Site and the Residence of Mr. Zhou. Thirdly, commemorative buildings mainly include martyr cemeteries, monuments, memorial halls, and other types. For example, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in the Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders and the Monument to the People’s Heroes are not only important places for commemorating martyrs and expressing grief, but also important bases for patriotic education.

Secondly, American battlefield sites are closely related to historical events such as the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War, mainly including military facilities and defense works, national parks, and historical sites. Since the late 19th century, the United States has incorporated many important battlefield sites into its national park system, forming comprehensive protection and display areas such as National Battlefields, National Battlefield Parks, National Battlefield Sites, and National Military Parks, such as Gettysburg National Military Park and Arlington National Cemetery. The war history is presented to the public through the preservation of battlefield relics, historical exhibits, landscape design, and monumental architecture.

Finally, the battlefield sites of Britain, France, and Germany in Europe are associated with multiple wars in their history, such as the Napoleonic Wars, World War I, and World War II, mainly including castles and fortresses, war monuments, and museums. Firstly, castles and fortresses have a long history, sturdy structures, and diverse styles. They are not only symbols of a monarch’s power, but also important facilities for military defense such as Britain’s Windsor Castle, France’s Versailles Palace, Germany’s Hohenzollenburg, and the defense facilities include moats, walls, towers, and suspension Bridges. Secondly, war memorials and museums are established to commemorate and honor historical war events, fallen heroes, and suffering people. The Imperial War Museum in London, the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, and Berlin Jewish Museum provide public spaces for commemoration and contemplation through unique architectural styles and landscape narrative techniques, promoting reflection, commemoration, and dialogue on the history of war.

1.4. Implications for China from the Worldwide Study of Battlefield Sites

The research results related to battlefield sites in various countries around the world provide valuable experience references and diversified enlightenment paths for the protection and development of Chinese battlefield sites, promoting their development and inheritance in the new era.

The first reason is to draw inspiration from protection concepts and models. The protection of battlefield sites emphasizes comprehensive and dynamic protection, including the site itself, surrounding environment, historical atmosphere, and other aspects. At the same time, protection measures and strategies are constantly adjusted according to the actual situation of the site and changes in the external environment. This has played a positive role in promoting the development of the comprehensive protection concept and dynamic protection mechanism for Chinese battlefield sites. In the research on Chinese battlefield sites, through the study of protection concepts and models, the comprehensive protection concept has been established, which not only protects the heritage itself, but also includes the surrounding historical buildings, traditional styles, and natural landscapes in the protection scope. On the other hand, research has begun to focus on dynamic conservation strategies, combined with regular monitoring and evaluation of heritage, as well as the needs of social development, to adjust the protection measures and utilization methods of heritage appropriately, gradually forming a complete protection system.

The second reason is the transformation and application of research methods and technologies. Battlefield sites typically involve interdisciplinary research, including architecture, history, geography, archaeology, and other fields of study. With the continuous development of digital technologies such as 3D scanning, virtual reality, and big data, digital means have begun to be widely applied in heritage protection and research. In the study of Chinese battlefield sites, the transformation and application of technological methods are being improved. Through interdisciplinary cooperation and the comprehensive use of various research methods and technological means, the depth and breadth of heritage research have been expanded. For example, combining architectural typology and spatial analysis methods of geography to study the geographical distribution and morphological characteristics of heritage; using archaeology and virtual reality technology to recreate historical battlefield scenes; exploring the historical information and value of heritage through historical and big data analysis methods.

The third reason is the expansion of social education and public participation. Battlefield sites play an important role in social education, educating and guiding the public through showcasing the history of war and promoting the spirit of peace. Their related research results often focus on public participation and feedback, establishing a sound mechanism for public participation. In the study of Chinese battlefield sites, deepening the social education function and improving the public participation mechanism have also become hot topics in current research. By delving into the cultural connotations and values of battlefield sites, paying attention to the needs and expectations of the public, we can attract them to participate in protection and research work, and better play their educational and social values.

1.5. Aim of the Research

The battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province, as an important component of Chinese cultural heritage, are significantly influenced by multiple natural and historical cultural factors such as natural resources, climate conditions, topography, and social culture, resulting in distinctive regional architectural characteristics. During the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation, She County in Hebei Province, as the heartland and capital county of the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region, was an important liberated area and base area, which came early in terms of liberation time, party establishment time, and political establishment time. Located at the eastern foothills of the Taihang Mountains and at the junction of Hebei, Shanxi, and Henan provinces, She County is an important node in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province. Its geographical location is dangerous, its strategic position is prominent, and its numerous battlefield sites, which are concentrated and distributed in contiguous areas, have been preserved, making it a typical representative of the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province (Figure 1).

Currently, the research results on battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Hebei Province mainly focus on basic investigation, value characteristics and evaluation, protection strategies, and development and utilization. Wang Xiaodong’s team focused on the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region and conducted beneficial discussions on the architectural characteristics, current situation analysis, protection and repair, and virtual visualization of battlefield sites [38,39]. Zhao Yong’s team focused on the Shanxi–Chahar–Hebei Border Region, focusing on the evaluation system for the protection and utilization of battlefield sites and the potential evaluation of tourism development [40,41]. In addition, some scholars have conducted research on the value connotation, protection and utilization, and tourism development of battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Hebei Province from different disciplinary perspectives [42,43,44,45]. However, most research results focus on one or two aspects of the research content, with weak correlation between them and a lack of systematic and holistic framework to connect them. Research methods are often discussed from a single disciplinary perspective, and tend to focus more on qualitative analysis. Furthermore, there is less discussion on the value characteristics, protection, and utilization of battlefield sites from a quantitative perspective. The research subjects mainly focus on typical cases of battlefield sites with high protection levels and relatively complete preservation, with less attention paid to the large number of battlefield sites scattered in remote rural areas. There is also an imbalance in the study areas, most of which are concentrated in Hunan, Guangdong, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Anhui, and other regions, while there are few studies on the battlefield sites in North China, especially the Taihang Mountain Area of Hebei Province.

Therefore, this study has always focused on academic exploration and analysis, taking battlefield sites in She County as the research object, attempting to establish a basic idea and roadmap for holistic protection, mainly including “resource investigation—database construction—characteristic recognition and extraction—analysis of current problems—establishment of protection mechanism”, revealing the inherent value and protection needs of battlefield sites. By adopting a multidisciplinary approach, using a combination of quantitative and qualitative analysis, the geographic information type and spatiotemporal database is constructed to discover the type characteristics and spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of battlefield sites. The current problems and constraints faced by its protection and development are sorted out, and the protection strategies and restoration techniques for battlefield sites are systematically elaborated. This study enriches and improves the resource investigation and database construction of battlefield sites in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province, while filling the gap in the overall protection research of battlefield sites in the region, achieving a close integration of theory and practice, and providing a reference paradigm for similar research.

2. Materials and Methodologies

The original research data for this study came from field surveys, historical books and archives, and oral history interviews. The terrain and elevation data used in the study were sourced from Geospatial Data Cloud with a resolution of 30 m. The data on river systems, transportation, and administrative divisions were sourced from the National Geomatics Center of China. The construction of the protection path for battlefield sites is a systematic and comprehensive technological integration (Figure 2), including database construction, characteristic system excavation, analysis of current problems, proposal of protection strategies, and repair technical measures. It adopts multidisciplinary theories and methods such as literature analysis, field research, architectural typology, GIS analysis, and system analysis, and conducts empirical research in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei. The methods were applied as follows:

(1) Literature analysis: The information related to the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei Province was summarized and sorted out, including natural environmental conditions, and social and historical development, as well as the collection of architectural historical information on the development history and functional evolution of battlefield sites.

(2) Field investigation: Through field investigations and surveys of battlefield sites, the surrounding environment, and villages, as well as oral history interviews with stakeholders such as heritage owners, veterans, war witnesses, cultural heritage workers, and local villagers, first-hand data related to battlefield sites were obtained, including environmental information such as location, topography, climate, cultural geography, as well as sample attributes such as type characteristics, spatiotemporal information, and contextual information. This complements the research methods in the literature analysis.

(3) Architectural typology: With typology as the core, combined with morphological and graphic analysis, the architectural characteristic elements of battlefield sites were identified and extracted, and their typological rules were summarized from three levels: spatial layout, construction technique, and decorative art.

(4) GIS analysis: With the help of the ArcGIS platform, sample information such as nature and humanity, type characteristics and protection levels obtained were input to build the battlefield sites database. The nearest neighbor index method and kernel density estimation method were used to reveal the evolution and development laws of battlefield sites in different historical periods. The overlay analysis and buffer analysis were used to summarize the spatial distribution characteristics with terrain, elevation, and river.

(5) System analysis: By applying system thinking, comprehensive analysis was conducted on factors including the value characteristics, current problems, degree of damage, and causes of diseases of battlefield sites, in order to propose targeted macro protection strategies and specific repair measures.

3. Results

3.1. Type Characteristics of Battlefield Sites

Based on field investigation results [46] and statistical data from relevant cultural relics protection units, a total of 132 battlefield sites in She County were found, of which 12 were registered as cultural relics protection units, including 3 national key cultural relics protection units, 4 provincial cultural relics protection units, and 5 municipal cultural relics protection units (Table 1). The battlefield sites mainly come from renting, requisition, and self-build, which can be divided into three types according to the original functions: traditional dwellings, village temples, and self-built houses. In the specific historical period, these buildings bear the wartime use in eight fields of military, party, and government, finance and economics, culture and education, medical and health care, accommodation and office, industrial production, and commercial service (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

In addition, based on the statistical analysis of the construction period and property rights relationship of battlefield sites, it was found that the battlefield sites in She County were built in the Tang Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, early period of the Republic of China, and the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and War of Liberation (1937–1949), including two types of property rights relationships: public property and private property. Among them, the battlefield sites built during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and War of Liberation (1937–1949) are mainly distributed in Wangbao Village, Henan Dian Town, Shahe Village, Xixu Town, and Xida Village, and Xida Town in She County, all of which are public property (Figure 5).

3.1.1. Battlefield Sites of Traditional Dwellings

The battlefield sites of traditional dwellings were mainly built in the late Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, inheriting the characteristics of quadrangle dwellings in northern China. They not only reflect the natural adaptability of traditional construction wisdom in terms of site selection, material selection, courtyard space, architectural form and other aspects, but also present cultural characteristics of orderly hierarchy, distinct priorities, and clear boundaries [47], and have a strong sense of safety and defense.

In terms of spatial layout, single courtyard layout and multiple courtyard layout are common forms. The single courtyard layout consists of the main house, wing house, and reversely-set house. The main house is mostly in the form of a five-bay room or seven-bay room, and the “Liangshuaixiu” form is often used [48]. The wing house is mostly in the form of a three-bay room with one door and two windows, and there is also the form of a four-bay room with two doors and two windows. The multiple courtyard layout is developed vertically or horizontally on the basis of the single courtyard layout, forming a series or parallel pattern. The former utilizes halls or walls to create multiple vertical courtyard spaces, while the latter consists of two or more groups of courtyards arranged side by side.

In terms of construction techniques, wood, brick, stone, and adobe are the main building materials. The brick (stone) wall load-bearing system and the brick (stone) wood mixed load-bearing system are used to form construction methods such as the wall with outer brick and inner adobe, adobe brick wall, stone wall, and wooden partition wall. The roof is mainly in the form of flush gable roof and flat roof. Post-and-lintel construction is adopted for the flush gable roof, which is mostly used for the main house. The flat roof is formed by overlapping beams, purlins, and rafters in sequence. It is covered with bricks, wheat straw mud, and carbon burning dregs, which is convenient for drying grain and stacking farm tools.

In terms of decorative arts, architectural details are the focus of decoration. The bricks, tiles, and beam frames on the roof are carved with animal images such as dragons, tigers, lions, and elephants, as well as plant and flower themes such as lotus, orchids, and peonies. The courtyard gate includes two types of the traditional Chinese styles and the combination of Chinese and Western styles. It features brick, stone, and wood carvings with auspicious characters, immortals and sacred animals, as well as colorful paintings such as figure paintings and landscape paintings. In addition, due to the defensive characteristics of the heritage, doors and windows are often set up facing the courtyard, using horizontal wooden lintels and brick arch lintels to form rectangular, arched, circular, and other forms of openings. Brick carvings are used above the door and window openings to provide shelter from rain, and wooden carvings in styles such as checkered patterns and swastika are decorated at the center of the door and window grids, meeting the harmonious unity of functional needs and spiritual pursuits.

3.1.2. Battlefield Sites of Village Temples

The battlefield sites of village temples are not only secular religious architecture that show polytheistic worship linked by geographical relationships, but also a central place for local cultural exchange, hosting important collective activities such as opera singing and discussions, while also carrying rich historical memories and cultural spirit.

In terms of spatial layout, due to the dual influence of traditional temples and dwellings [49], there are two forms of layout: temple style layout and residential style layout. The central axis of the temple style layout is clear, with the mountain gate, incense burner, front hall, and rear hall arranged from south to north. There are side halls on both sides of the axis, and the second floor of the mountain gate is usually a stage facing the courtyard, forming a theater space enclosed by the side halls and front hall. The residential style layout inherits the basic spatial pattern of traditional dwellings, usually including two forms: single courtyard layout and vertical layout of two courtyards. The building scale and material selection are larger than ordinary traditional dwellings.

In terms of construction techniques and decorative arts, the load-bearing system and construction methods are influenced by traditional dwellings, traditional crafts, and materials, forming a mixed load-bearing system of brick (stone) and wood. The roof forms of post-and-lintel construction are more diverse, including the flush gable roof commonly seen in traditional dwellings, overhanging gable roof, round ridge roof, the gable and hip roof, providing a diversified functional space. The overall decorative art style can be divided into two types: the traditional Chinese style and the combination of Chinese and Western styles. The decorative themes and techniques of the former show strong correlation and similarity to traditional dwellings from its influence, while the latter reflects the organic integration of Chinese and Western architectural cultural elements, regional construction techniques, and materials.

3.1.3. Battlefield Sites of Self-Built Houses

In addition to renting and requisitioning traditional dwellings and village temples to solve wartime housing needs, the battlefield sites were also built through self-construction, forming creative large-span buildings and cave dwellings at that time, ensuring the safe production of military equipment, as well as the functional needs of major activities, accommodation, and offices.

The auditorium of the Political Department of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army, as a typical representative of the self-built and large-span battlefield sites, was built in 1943 and was the largest building in the Taihang Mountain Area at that time. It was an important venue for party, government, and military organs to hold meetings and carry out activities. The auditorium is a single-storey building with a flush gable roof, and without many decorative elements and molding, focusing on the true performance of the material structure. Its rectangular plane has a width of about 8.50 m from north to south and a length of about 17.80 m from east to west. Twelve wooden columns with a diameter of approximately 300 mm are half wrapped in north and south eaves walls with a thickness of approximately 660 mm, supporting the six-bay post-and-lintel construction, enhancing the stability of the wooden columns while ensuring that the “wall collapses and the house does not collapse”, forming a performance space with a net span of about 7 m from north to south. The indoor space is column free, spacious and bright.

The Xida Arsenal of the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Military Region, as a typical representative of the battlefield sites of self-build and cave dwelling type, had its cave dwelling factory built in 1947 and was once the only arsenal in the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region that produced 75 mm mountain artillery shells. The scale of the cave dwellings is grand, with a total length of 115 m, a width ranging from 2.30 m to 3.00 m, a height ranging from 3.75 m to 4.80 m, and a total area of 528.5 square meters. Adopting the parabolic arch structure, the main body of the cave dwelling is built with stones, with two openings at the front and back. Inside the arsenal, there are four workshops (in branch holes) and one club connected by the main road, providing strong safety and concealment.

3.2. Spatiotemporal Evolution Laws

3.2.1. Historical Evolution Characteristics

Based on the time, location, and quantity of the formation of battlefield sites in She County, the development process can be divided into three stages: early (1937–1939), middle (1940–1944), and late (1945–1949), and the historical evolution of their distribution is analyzed (Figure 6). It is found that the battlefield sites are concentrated in all historical periods, and the degree of agglomeration increases first and then decreases with time. The gathering area evolved rapidly from dense distribution at the county border area in the early stage, to linear spatial distribution in the middle stage, and then gradually differentiated into the main and secondary core areas in the later stage.

In the early stage of the development of battlefield sites, it was in the stage of opening up and establishing anti-Japanese base areas behind enemy lines in She County. The degree of heritage aggregation was low and the overall quantity was small, with a dense distribution in the county border area. The battlefield sites were mainly concentrated in the northwest of She County, adjacent to Liao County (now Zuoquan County) in Shanxi Province, and in the southeast of She County, adjacent to Ci County in Hebei Province. The terrain at the border of these counties is complex and varied, with significant undulations, making it a remote area where the Japanese army and the reactionary rule of the Kuomintang are relatively weak. Between 1937 and 1939, the Communist Party of China (CPC) flexibly used these gaps to establish an independent regime through armed struggle, and the battlefield sites were formed here and continued to develop.

With the victory of “Ci County-Wu’an County-She County-Lin County Campaign” in 1940, She County was liberated and became the only complete county of the CPC in Taihang Area. A large number of government agencies and organizations in the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region were stationed or established in She County, marking the middle stage of the development of battlefield sites. The overall number of heritages surged, and the degree of aggregation reached the highest level during this period. The gathering area has rapidly evolved from the northwest and southeast of She County in the previous stage to the central and western regions. A large number of party, government, and military administrative buildings were concentrated in the villages along the Qingzhang River, with Chi’an Village, Wangbao Village, Tanyin Village, and Suobao Village as the core, forming a highly concentrated linear spatial distribution characteristic.

After the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, in order to further defend the fruits of the victory, the Central Bureau, Military Region, and Border Region Government of Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan were ordered to leave She County at the end of 1945 according to the development needs of the situation, and some of the related supporting institutions were also transferred out, and more than 40 institutions were moved out in that year alone. At the same time, the number of newly added battlefield sites in the late stage decreased sharply compared with the middle stage, and the degree of core agglomeration in the previous stage decreased significantly. Only the sub-core areas represented by the Taihang Party Committee, the Taihang Administrative Office and the Taihang Military Region were formed in Chian Village and Xiawen Village. After the outbreak of the War of Liberation, with the relocation of Handan Xinhua Radio Station, Shanbei Xinhua Radio Station and Xinhua News Agency Headquarters to Shahe Village, Xixu Village and other places. The incident marked that the distribution center of the battlefield sites began to shift to the northeast of She County, forming the location of the core organ of the CPC journalism, and the main gathering area of the battlefield sites in the late stage.

3.2.2. Spatial Distribution Pattern

In terms of topographic pattern, the battlefield sites cover the main terrain and landforms of She County, such as Medium High Mountain Canyon, Low Mountain Canyon, Loess Basin, and River Valley, with a focus on the Qingzhang River Valley and Medium High Mountain Canyon areas, accounting for 59.85% and 21.97% of the total, respectively. At the same time, the distribution of various types of heritages in the Qingzhang River Valley and Medium High Mountain Canyon accounts for over 75% of their respective total numbers, which is basically consistent with the overall distribution pattern (Figure 7), further confirming the clear directional distribution of battlefield sites in the Qingzhang River Valley and Medium High Mountain Canyon. On the one hand, the formation of the directional characteristics is due to the flat terrain, better agricultural and transportation conditions in the Qingzhang River Valley, which is conducive to the development of production and life in the base area. At the same time, most of its two sides are close to the mountains, relying on each other, and the troops stationed here can advance and retreat freely [50]. On the other hand, the Medium High Mountain Canyon, due to its mountainous barriers and steep cliffs, has good defensiveness and concealability, promoting the distribution of battlefield sites in the Medium High Mountain Canyon.

In terms of elevation pattern, the distribution quantity of battlefield sites presents a trend of first increasing, then decreasing, and then increasing with the increasing altitude, mainly concentrated in the relatively low elevation areas with altitude ≤ 600 m, and the elevation distribution of all types of battlefield sites is basically consistent with the overall distribution law (Figure 8). In other words, in the range of altitude (200, 600] m and (1000, 1600] m, the distribution quantity is positively correlated with the elevation, and reaches its peak in the range of altitude (400, 600] m. In the range of altitude (600, 1000] m, the distribution quantity is negatively correlated with the elevation. Firstly, the range of altitude (200, 400] m covers the riverbed and local valleys along the coast. Because the riverbed area cannot meet the needs of security requirements for construction, and the elevation range is vulnerable to the invasion of the Japanese army and the Kuomintang Army, the distribution quantity of battlefield sites is relatively small. Secondly, the distribution quantity of various types of heritages is the highest in the range of altitude (400, 600] m, which benefits from its superior natural and human geographical conditions. In addition, high-altitude areas, especially mountainous areas with elevations above 800 m, have complex and changeable terrain. Compared with lower altitude areas, high-altitude areas are relatively disadvantaged in terms of natural resources, transportation, and industrial and agricultural production. This explains the significant decline in the amount of battlefield sites starting from an altitude above 600 m. When the altitude is above 800 m, there is no other heritage distribution except for the banknote printing factory and gun manufacturing factory set up at an altitude of more than 1000 m for the purpose of concealment and confidentiality.

In terms of river system pattern, the battlefield sites show the characteristic of being distributed near water sources, mainly distributed in the villages along the Qingzhang River, and the river system distribution of various types of battlefield sites is basically consistent with the overall distribution law. By overlaying the river system data of She County with the distribution map of battlefield sites, and setting a river buffer zone with a radius of 1.5 km, it is found that a total of 96 heritages are distributed linearly along the river system, accounting for 72.72% of the total, of which 94 are located within the 1.5 km buffer zone of the Qingzhang River, reflecting their distribution pattern near the water sources, especially along the Qingzhang River basin. The formation of this distribution pattern is closely related to the survival and development of troops and the construction of base areas. Firstly, rivers provide ample water sources and abundant resources, with numerous traditional villages scattered along the coast, laying a solid material foundation for the stationing of troops. Secondly, in the process of constructing base areas, in addition to overcoming basic survival problems, the development of paper making, textile, and other industrial and sideline production, as well as agricultural production such as the construction of water conservancy and land reclamation, also relies on water resources. Therefore, a large number of battlefield sites were built near water sources.

3.3. Existing Issues of Protections

3.3.1. Lack of Daily Maintenance

Battlefield sites were mainly built during the Ming and Qing dynasties and the Republic of China period. Due to the lack of daily maintenance and the fact that the Taihang Mountain Area in Southern Hebei Province is located in a temperate continental monsoon climate, they are constantly affected by the alternation of hot, cold, dry, and wet in the four seasons and face severe natural aging phenomena (Figure 9).

The first issue is the damage to the main structure and detailed components of the building, including corrosion, weathering, subsiding, cracking, deformation, and insect infestation. These diseases directly damage the carrying capacity and durability of the heritage, causing irreversible impacts on the historical style and cultural value.

The second issue is the damage to the building floor, including wear, cracking, crushing, and corrosion caused by differential settlement, temperature and humidity changes, long-term loads, and other factors. This not only affects the functional use of the floor, but may also pose a threat to the overall structural safety of the building.

The third issue is the damage to building walls. Under the long-term effects of natural environments such as foundation settlement and rainwater erosion, the walls gradually lose their original performance and appearance, resulting in tilting, hollowing, alkali cracking, swelling, cracks, and weathering, which reduces the strength and service life of the walls and damages the aesthetics and overall integrity of the building.

The fourth issue is the damage to the building roof. Under long-term natural erosion such as wind and sun exposure and rain erosion, grass grows on the roof and the roof tiles begin to become loose or break, leading to leakage, which corrodes the beams and frames, aggravates the water damage and infestation inside the building, and weakens the safety and stability of the overall structure of the building.

The fifth issue is the damage to building doors and windows. Due to factors such as material decay, external force damage, and poor maintenance, doors and windows may experience aging phenomena such as twisting, deformation, and mullions missing. This not only weakens the integrity of the door and window structure, but may also exacerbate the damage to the building structure.

In addition, natural and human-induced disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and fires also pose a serious threat to the protection of battlefield sites in She County, affecting the stability and safety of their building structures. Among them, summer floods may directly erode and inundate battlefield sites, causing damage to their building structures, wall cracking, unstable foundations, etc. The vibrations caused by earthquakes may lead to cracks, collapses, and other damages in structural parts such as walls and roofs of battlefield sites. The building structures of the battlefield sites in She County are mostly made of combustible materials such as wood. Fires caused by lightning strikes or human activities can quickly spread, causing damage to the main load-bearing components such as beams, columns, and purlins, and even collapse as a whole.

3.3.2. Severe Artificial Transformation

The artificial transformation of battlefield sites is quite common, which is one of the main reasons for their damage in recent years. The transformation behavior can be summarized as excessive decoration, house addition, demolition, and reconstruction (Figure 10).

Firstly, excessive decoration and building additions mainly exist in the battlefield sites of traditional dwellings. Local residents often build simple houses around the original architectural heritage to improve their living conditions and convenience, in order to add modern living necessary ancillary spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, and carry out modern decoration and renovation of the original living space, such as demolishing traditional doors and windows and replacing them with modern styles, and extensively using modern decorative materials such as tiles and coatings to cover the original walls and floors. Although such excessive decoration and disorderly addition improve the comfort and beauty of living to a certain extent, it ignores the historical value and cultural connotation of the architectural heritage, resulting in serious damage to the original layout and style of the heritage.

Secondly, demolition and reconstruction, as an extreme form of architectural renovation, covers both total reconstruction and partial reconstruction, both of which pose severe challenges to the protection of battlefield sites. Among them, total reconstruction refers to completely demolishing the original building, restoring and rebuilding it according to the historical style on the original site, or completely abandoning historical elements and building houses; partial reconstruction is the selective removal of certain parts of a building, followed by the design and construction of new building structures on the original site based on new design concepts and functional requirements. The above-mentioned demolition and reconstruction not only change the material spatial form of the heritage, but also to some extent alter its historical memory and cultural information, violating the principle of authenticity in cultural heritage protection.

3.3.3. Complex Property Rights Relationships

The property ownership of battlefield sites is not only related to the inheritance and protection of history and culture, but also directly affects the physical maintenance and functional activation of heritage. Field survey results show that the ownership of battlefield sites is clearly divided into public and private categories, of which private battlefield sites account for a large proportion, about 57% of the total, highlighting the core position of private property rights in the protection of battlefield sites (Figure 5), and the complexity of its property rights relationship is mainly reflected in the following aspects.

The first issue is the decentralization of property rights. In the early days of the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, many heritages were allocated to multiple families for shared living and ownership. The protection of private heritage requires consensus and support from all property owners. In addition, the lack of professional protection personnel and insufficient protection funds have increased the difficulty of heritage protection and utilization in the decision-making process. As a result, protection work often only stays at the level of surrounding environmental remediation, making it difficult to touch upon the substantive protection and restoration of the heritage.

The second is the complex history of property rights transfer, which has lasted for decades. The property rights of some heritages may have undergone multiple transfers or inheritances, making the property rights chain unclear and further exacerbating the complexity of protection.

The third is the contradiction between the demand of residents to improve their living environment and the regulations for the protection of battlefield sites. The functional quality and environmental conditions of the private battlefield sites generally show a downward trend, but residents have no right to update and transform the listed battlefield sites without authorization. Although the integrity and authenticity of the heritage are ensured, it to some extent limits the ability of residents to improve their living environment according to their own needs, which is contrary to the urgent vision of improving the living environment.

3.3.4. Chaotic Protection Subjects

The current responsible subjects for the protection and repair of battlefield sites are relatively scattered and chaotic, mainly covering multiple levels such as villagers, village committees, and local cultural relics protection departments. However, there is still a lack of an authoritative and professional unified protection and repair body with the participation of all stakeholders to systematically plan and efficiently promote the protection and repair of battlefield sites.

Firstly, as direct stakeholders of the private battlefield sites, villagers, although responsible for daily maintenance, are often limited by insufficient professional knowledge, weak protection awareness, and economic conditions, making it difficult to implement scientific and effective protection measures.

Secondly, the village committee is responsible for the daily maintenance of the battlefield sites of public property rights in the village. However, due to limited resources, lack of management experience and professional knowledge, basic maintenance can often only be carried out, making it difficult to carry out in-depth repairs and restoration.

Furthermore, local cultural heritage departments, as professional institutions, can invest more resources and professional strength in the systematic protection and repair of battlefield sites with higher protection levels. However, many low- to medium-level battlefield sites cannot receive equal attention and protection, and their preservation status is worrying, with their historical and cultural values gradually disappearing.

Finally, there are significant differences among the responsible subjects in terms of professionalism and the availability of human, material, and financial resources, resulting in uneven preservation quality, current appearance, and authenticity and completeness of historical information for battlefield sites with different types of property rights, heritage types, and protection levels.

4. Discussion

4.1. Protection Strategies for Battlefield Sites

4.1.1. Strengthening Daily Maintenance

Strengthening the daily maintenance and upkeep of battlefield sites is the key to ensuring the continuation of its historical, cultural, and social value. It not only involves technical maintenance, but also includes social participation and protection of regional characteristics.

Firstly, in terms of architectural repair, the focus is on ensuring the structural safety and functional integrity of battlefield sites, mainly including conducting inspections and minor repairs to form a comprehensive management file. (1) As the primary step, inspections can be divided into three types: daily, regular, and specialized inspection. Daily inspection is conducted at least once a month to carefully observe and record every detail of the heritage, especially those components that are easily affected by the natural environment, such as roofs, walls, doors, and windows, in order to grasp the development of diseases. Regular inspection is comprehensive seasonal checks, conducted at least twice a year, aimed at assessing the overall quality of heritage preservation and the effectiveness of protection and repair measures, while also paying attention to the potential impact of changes in the surrounding environment on the heritage. Special inspection is conducted to quickly assess the damage to heritage in response to sudden natural disasters such as rain, snow, and lightning. Emergency protective measures are formulated and implemented to prevent further expansion of damage. (2) Minor repairs, as an important component of daily maintenance, are routine maintenance measures taken for minor damages discovered during inspections. This includes cleaning and repairing the roof to ensure its waterproof performance; simple repairs on doors, windows, and floors to restore their functional use; simple reinforcement of walls, beams, and columns to improve their structural stability; dredging the drainage system inside and outside the courtyard to prevent damage to the heritage caused by accumulated water; and tidying up the yard clutter to maintain the cleanliness and beauty of the heritage environment.

Secondly, at the level of disaster warning, battlefield sites are vulnerable to floods, earthquakes, fires, and other natural and human-induced disasters. In order to strengthen protection, effective disaster warning and prevention measures need to be taken. First, in terms of flood prevention, it is necessary to strengthen the construction of drainage systems, set up flood prevention facilities such as levees and flood walls, establish flood monitoring and early warning systems, grasp flood information in time, and prevent floods from washing away the battlefield sites. Second, in terms of fire prevention, it is necessary to strengthen the construction of fire-fighting facilities, strictly control fire source management, conduct regular electrical inspections, and improve personnel fire awareness to ensure that they can be quickly and effectively disposed of when a fire occurs. Third, in terms of earthquake early warning, seismic reinforcement should be carried out to improve the seismic capability of the battlefield sites, and early warning systems should be established, emergency plans should be formulated, and emergency drills should be organized regularly to improve the awareness of earthquake prevention and the self-rescue ability of the heritage-related personnel.

Finally, at the socio-cultural level, a series of social supports such as community participation, cultural inheritance, and social identity are needed, as well as consideration of the regional characteristics and ecological environment of battlefield sites: (1) By strengthening community education and raising residents’ awareness and their sense of responsibility for the protection of battlefield sites, we encourage them to participate in the daily maintenance and upkeep of the heritage. (2) By organizing various cultural activities such as history lectures and exhibitions of cultural relics, the public’s cultural identity and emotional connection with battlefield sites can be enhanced, and their enthusiasm and consciousness for heritage protection can be stimulated. (3) Preserve the regional characteristics of heritage, avoid excessive commercialization or homogeneous transformation, establish ecological buffer zones, and improve the ecological environment quality of heritage and their surrounding areas through measures such as ecological restoration and landscape enhancement.

4.1.2. The Elimination of Artificial Destruction

Firstly, at the level of technical management, based on the actual situation of the use and property ownership of battlefield sites, the protection model combining rectification and temporary retention is proposed to gradually eliminate the adverse effects of human destruction in response to issues such as excessive decoration, house addition, demolition and reconstruction: (1) The rectification work refers to the cleaning and restoration of the heritage style, dealing with the adverse style caused by excessive decoration, addition and reconstruction, including using the same materials and techniques to repair damaged parts, removing improperly added decorative elements, and restoring the original building outline and proportion relationship. (2) The temporary retention strategy is a temporary preservation of the current status of the heritage, which is a temporary measure constrained by funding, property rights, and other conditions. However, it is not equivalent to permanent or reasonable retention, but rather requires ensuring that the heritage will not suffer further damage during the temporary retention period, and maintaining its current status as much as possible to reserve space for future remediation work.

Secondly, at the cultural and geographical level, based on the protection model of rectification and temporary retention, the following stages are proposed: fully considering the participation and opinions of community residents, using research methods such as oral history interviews and historical data retrieval to collect heritage samples and their environmental data, establishing the model information database, and realizing the digital protection and inheritance of battlefield sites. This is not only a compensation for the damage to material heritage, but also a virtual representation of its physical space, which is the transformation and application of geographic information technology in the field of cultural heritage protection, and helps to maintain social memory and cultural landscapes.

4.1.3. The Optimization of Heritage Property Rights System

Optimizing the property rights system of battlefield sites is achieved through property rights conversion, which transforms heritage resources into driving forces for local tourism, cultural education and rural revitalization, achieving optimal allocation and protection of heritage resources. Through conference interviews, questionnaire surveys and other methods, we aim to understand the actual situation and willingness of different residents, find the best balance between respecting history, protecting residents’ rights and promoting local development, and design flexible and diverse compensation plans, such as direct economic compensation, replacement of new houses, or continued enjoyment of usage rights.

Firstly, the design of direct economic compensation should be evaluated and recognized by experts organized by relevant government departments to ensure that the repurchase and compensation plan can reflect the actual market value of the heritage and reasonably evaluate its cultural, artistic, and historical value, avoiding underestimation or excessive commercialization tendencies caused by a single economic value evaluation.

Secondly, the plan to replace new houses mainly includes two stages: resettlement and relocation of residents, and promotes property rights recovery and heritage protection under the premise of fully considering the coordination of new and old architectural features and the improvement of residents’ quality of life.

Thirdly, the plan to continue enjoying the right to use is achieved through a flexible economic incentive mechanism that preserves residents’ right to use. This not only protects the stability of residents’ lives, but also achieves a smooth transition of heritage from private to public ownership, and solves the issue of property rights conversion and compensation to a minimum extent.

4.1.4. The Unification of Repair and Protection Subjects

Unifying the responsible subject for the protection and repair of battlefield sites is a key measure to realize the effective protection and sustainable utilization of battlefield sites, which can not only improve the professionalism and efficiency of protection work, but also enhance social consensus and cohesion, and promote the inheritance and development of regional culture.

At the technical management level, by promoting the protection work led by government cultural heritage departments or battlefield site management agencies, hiring qualified design and construction units, and using modern technology such as geographic information systems (GIS), comprehensive research and statistics on the basic information of battlefield sites such as geographical location, natural environment, transportation conditions, as well as sample attributes such as quantity, type, and preservation status are conducted. According to the characteristics of heritage in different geographical regions, such as mountain areas, waterfront, urban, and other heritage in different contexts, differentiated protection planning and measures are carried out to achieve regional and integrated promotion of protection work.

At the project management level, the battlefield sites repair projects, as a complex system, and involve multiple stages and multi-party collaborative participation. At the beginning of the project initiation, the responsibilities and division of labor of all parties should be clearly defined. Firstly, the project approval is the responsibility of relevant government departments or battlefield site management agencies, and the bidding work is the responsibility of designated bidding agencies. Secondly, the repair design and construction work are respectively undertaken by the winning design and construction units. Thirdly, the supervisory unit shall supervise the entire repair process, and the battlefield site management agency shall strengthen the supervision, acceptance, and management of the construction process through regular inspections, irregular spot checks, and other methods. During the project process, measures such as introducing third-party evaluation, strengthening public participation and supervision, establishing feedback mechanisms, and improving laws and regulations are needed to address protection issues caused by the lack of control by the responsible stakeholders in the field, ensuring the smooth progress of battlefield sites protection and repair and the achievement of expected goals.

At the level of social participation, a unified protection and restoration entity led by the cultural heritage department can more effectively mobilize the forces of all sectors of society, establish a feedback mechanism for joint participation, and collect and process suggestions for heritage protection and utilization from various parties including local governments, non-governmental organizations, scholars, and local residents. This not only helps to avoid protection stagnation or destructive behavior caused by conflicts of interest, but also enables timely detection and improvement of problems, creating a good atmosphere of common concern for the whole society.

4.1.5. Comprehensive Development and Utilization

The comprehensive development and utilization of battlefield sites is an interdisciplinary practice that respects and inherits historical memory. It mainly includes two aspects: tourism development and the display and utilization.

Firstly, regarding the tourism development related to battlefield sites, three types of tourism development routes can be created based on policy guidance and the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of battlefield sites: (1) Explore tourism routes that integrate “nature and culture” along the Qingzhang River, actively respond to the planning and construction of the Taihang Red River Valley Cultural Tourism Economic Belt, utilize the geographical characteristics of battlefield sites distributed along the water system, link a large number of natural and cultural landscapes along the line, and achieve harmonious coexistence between natural landscapes and cultural history. (2) Construct the comprehensive tourism route with a timeline, using geographic information systems to take the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of battlefield sites as important clues, and trace the spatial trajectory of heritage styles and war activities in different historical periods, providing data support for creating a comprehensive tourism route with a timeline. (3) Designing specialized tourism routes, taking into account the geographical distribution, functional types and other characteristics of battlefield sites, and establishing specialized tourism routes based on spatial distribution or historical use according to local conditions, can help to achieve balanced development of the regional geographic space and comprehensive progress of social economy.

Secondly, the exhibition and utilization of battlefield sites mainly includes the exhibition of architectural interior space at the micro level and the exhibition of street courtyard space at the middle level. Both should pay attention to the design of social interaction, encourage the participation of tourists and local residents, and form the dialogue and resonance between history and modern, individual and collective. On the basis of ensuring “authenticity” and “integrity”, the former should reasonably allocate the cultural relics related to the exhibition theme, which can be integrated into digital technologies such as AR and VR to display the original appearance of the interior space of the building. The latter should, on the basis of the protection of the above surrounding features, echo the theme of indoor display, and expand the outdoor display space such as streets and courtyards by introducing historical objects and small installations.

4.1.6. International Legislation and Cooperation

As a regional case practice, the protection of battlefield sites in She County can provide strategic and model references for international legislation. From the perspective of international legislation and cooperation, the protection and utilization of battlefield sites can be emphasized in the following aspects.

Firstly, formulate and improve international conventions. International platforms such as UNESCO can lead the development of specialized international conventions to clarify the definition, protection scope, protective measures, and international cooperation mechanisms of battlefield sites. In existing cultural heritage protection conventions, such as the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, special provisions on the protection of battlefield sites should be added, emphasizing its importance in the international protection system. Secondly, clarify the responsibility and obligation to protect. Through international legislation, the responsibilities and obligations of different entities such as countries, non-governmental organizations, and enterprises in the protection of battlefield sites, including preventing destruction, carrying out repair and providing funds for protection, are stipulated, and all sectors of society are encouraged to participate in the protection work. Thirdly, establish an international cooperation mechanism. Countries are encouraged to strengthen cooperation and exchanges in the protection and utilization of battlefield sites, and promote personnel training, information sharing, technical cooperation, and financial support through the establishment of the international information database and protection fund for battlefield sites. Fourthly, strengthen legal constraints and supervision. International legislation should be adopted to legally constrain the acts of destroying the battlefield sites, and stipulate the corresponding legal responsibilities and punishment measures. At the same time, an international regulatory mechanism should be established to supervise and evaluate the implementation of the battlefield sites protection work in various countries to ensure the effective implementation of international legislation. Fifthly, promote public education and awareness raising. Combining with themed publicity activities such as International Day of Monuments and Sites, strengthen the popularization of knowledge on the protection of battlefield sites, and enhance public awareness of its value and participation.

4.2. Repair Techniques for Battlefield Sites

In the protection and repair of battlefield sites, it is necessary to maximize the protection of valuable historical information in order to truthfully reflect historical relics. Repair needs to first follow relevant laws and regulations such as the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Protection of Cultural Relics, adhere to the principle of not changing the original state, and strictly maintain the original height, volume, materials, and color of specific architectural heritage. The core design principles and guiding principles mainly include the following:

(1) Strictly adhere to the principle of not changing the original state of battlefield sites and preserve the historical information of architectural heritage to the greatest extent possible. (2) Carefully analyze the historical, artistic, and other values of battlefield sites, and grasp the characteristics of the architectural era and structural features. Based on the existing condition and environment of the heritage, and with the existing physical objects as the main basis, a protection and repair plan is formulated on the basis of sufficient research. (3) Minimize intervention as much as possible during repair, and try to use non-replacement means such as adhesive reinforcement as much as possible if possible. Adhere to the principle of preserving the original components as much as possible, respecting traditional craftsmanship and practices, and maintaining the historical style. (4) Through the protection and repair of battlefield sites, the aim is to eliminate dangerous situations, hidden dangers, and diseases, effectively extend their service life, and present the partial living conditions of local people in specific historical periods.

4.2.1. Timber Structure Repair

The timber structure is mainly composed of columns, beams, purlins, and rafters. Through field investigation, it is found that the timber structures of battlefield sites mainly have the following problems: (1) Cracking and rotting caused by the alternations of wetting and drying; (2) corrosion caused by long-term disrepair, wind and rain erosion, and insect infestations; (3) deformation, cracking, etc., caused by receiving external forces or bearing excessive loads; (4) the non-standard use of materials due to artificial renovation and addition in the later stage. The above problems not only directly lead to uneven load-bearing capacity of the timber structure, such as subsiding, deformation, tilting, and collapse of roof structure, but also change the original spatial layout and appearance of battlefield sites. Based on the analysis of heritage characteristics and the current situation, the repair measures of the timber structure mainly include disassembling the structure for repair; partial restoration; and current situation correction (Figure 11). These repair measures can be applied to damages in different degrees.

Disassembling the structure for repair is based on the historical plane pattern of the battlefield sites and the position of the remaining components. It involves demolishing artificially modified facilities, repairing the damaged components one by one, replacing severely damaged components, and restoring the original timber structure form (Figure 12). The partial restoration is mainly based on the remaining foundation site, and the traces of beams, purlins, and rafters, while referring to the local traditional building’s component practices, re-fitting wooden components to restore the original structural form of the heritage. Current condition correction refers to that when the overall deformation of the timber structure and the rolling or disjointing of the components occur, under the premise of not disassembling the timber structure, the deformed and disordered components are restored, the artificially added components in the later stage are cleaned up, a small number of damaged components are repaired, and the cleaning and replacement records are made. In addition, during the repairing process, original wooden components that have been disassembled should be used as much as possible. Damaged components that can still serve their purposes after repair should not be replaced. The components that cannot be used in the initial positions should be used in other suitable locations as far as possible. The aim is to use materials efficiently, applying the principle of minimizing waste, using coarse materials for detailed work, and using large materials for simpler tasks, in a scientific and rational manner.

4.2.2. Joinery Work Repair

The joinery work mainly includes panel doors, window sashes, and paint decoration. Through field investigation, it is found that due to the disrepair of the joinery work for a long time and later artificial transformation of the battlefield sites, some doors and windows were missing, twisted, and deformed, their frames and wood carvings were cracked and broken, and the oil decoration had faded. The repair measures mainly include partial repair and overall replacement (Figure 13). The partial repair should be used as much as possible, which is carried out according to the principle of how much is missing and how much is needed, so as to preserve the historical information to the maximum extent.

Partial repair of panel doors is suitable for small and long cracks. Small cracks can be patched with putty and longer cracks can be repaired with wooden strips. When there are wider cracks, a whole piece of wooden board should be used for repair, and the specifications and dimensions should be the same as the original door panel. The partial repair of window sashes mainly involves correcting the frame and complementing the mullion. For the components that are severely damaged and cannot be restored or lost, they should be replaced as a whole according to the original condition. The repair of oil decoration should first remove the originally faded and peeled surface coating of doors and windows, clean it up, use putty to smooth it out, and then apply oil and color according to the different colors of the components to maintain the harmony between old and new.

4.2.3. Roof Repair

The roof forms of battlefield sites are divided into pitched roof (made of tiles) and flat roof (made of bricks, wheat straw mud, and carbon burning dregs). Through field investigation, it is found that the roofs mainly suffer from cracks, rain leakage, incomplete components, poor drainage, shrubs and weeds, disjointed and loose tiles, and other diseases (Figure 14).

To repair the pitched roof, the first step is to keep a record of the current information of the tiles. According to the specifications and damage degree, the removed tiles are stacked separately, and then classified, sorted, and counted. Subsequently, the roof tarpaulin should be cleaned and repaired comprehensively, and the wooden base and timber structure should be overhauled. The pitched roof tarpaulin should be constructed from bottom to top with the planks (or bricks) layer, protective board plaster layer, mixed plaster layer, the plaster layer mixed with chopped hemp ropes, and green plaster layer. Based on the original appearance of the roof and demolition records, tiles and ridges should be adjusted, while other components such as animal-shaped ornaments on the roof ridge should be installed.

The flat roof mainly consists of structural layers above the round rafters such as the planks (or bricks) layer, mixed plaster layer, carbon burning dregs layer, and the plaster layer mixed with chopped hemp ropes. When repairing, the plaster layers should be removed first, the planks or bricks layer should be repaired, and the mortar joints should be smoothed out. According to the original methods, the mixed plaster layer should be firstly laid with a thickness of approximately 50 mm, and then covered with the carbon burning dregs layer with a thickness of 80–130 mm, and the surface layer should be made of the green plaster layer mixed with chopped hemp rope to achieve a compact and smooth finish.

4.2.4. Wall Repair

The walls of battlefield sites mainly include types such as the wall with outer brick and inner adobe, adobe brick wall, stone wall, and wooden partition wall. To discuss the repair measures, certain cases, such as the wall with outer brick and inner adobe widely used in the Taihang Mountain Area of Southern Hebei, can be taken as a representative. This kind of wall is constructed with black bricks on the outer layer and adobe bricks on the inner side. The interior wall surface is covered with lime plaster and then finished with white lime. Through field investigation, it is found that the main problems of the wall are as follows: (1) the exterior walls are prone to damp, weathering, and crystalline bloom, due to the perennial accumulation of debris at the foot of the walls and the poor drainage of the roofs; (2) due to artificial transformation, long-term disrepair, local rain leakage, there are damages such as plaster peeling off, cement surface layering, and smoke marks on the interior walls. Based on the analysis of heritage characteristics and the current situation, the wall repair adopts the methods of brick removal and repair, wall masonry, and indoor plastering (Figure 15).

The brick removal and repair is suitable for repairing weathering, crystalline bloom, and other hazards. The measure is using a drill and a small shovel to gradually expand from the outside to the inside to remove the wall bricks. According to the chiseling size, brick processing and masonry are carried out to coordinate the connection and transition between the patching bricks and adjacent masonry, ensuring a firm fit between the new and old masonry. Wall masonry is suitable for repairing the collapsed wall parts. According to the original location scale and traditional practices of the walls, the bricks are cut and ground into the appropriate size, and the brick joints are kept straight and connected to the original wall during masonry. Indoor plastering is suitable for repairing the peeling of the plaster layer on interior walls and the cement surface layer applied on the interior walls in the later period. First, the original plaster layer should be removed and the wall should be wetted. Later, the brick joints are smoothened and compacted with plaster, then covered with an approximately 15 mm thick wheat straw mud layer and about 5 mm thick mixed layer of plaster and chopped hemp ropes.

4.2.5. Ground Repair

The courtyards and corridors of battlefield sites mainly use rough paving techniques, while the interior of the buildings mainly use refined paving techniques and trinity mixture fill. Through field investigation, it is found that the ground of battlefield sites mainly suffers from diseases such as cracking, damage, unevenness of bricks, and poor drainage of the ground (Figure 16).

For the maintenance of both roughly paved brick ground and finely paved brick ground, firstly the original damaged bricks should be removed and the original bedding should be cleaned. Secondly, compact the plain soil, and cover the ground with a 3:7 mixture layer of lime and soil. Then, lay the strip bricks or square bricks on the surface according to the original roughly paving techniques and finely paving techniques. And finally, tightly and evenly level the brick joints with lime plaster. After completion, the brick joints of finely paving brick ground are small, the surface is flat and smooth, and the edges and corners are both intact and straight. Regarding the repairing of traditional rammed earth ground, the material composition ratio of the original damaged ground should be firstly analyzed, and then prepare composite soil materials with higher strength for use. At the same time, the damaged original rammed earth should be cleaned up and then covered with improved composite soil materials to ensure that the ground is solid and flat.

5. Conclusions

As the core sample of the Taihang Mountain Area in Southern Hebei Province, the battlefield sites of She County have strong regional representativeness in terms of its type characteristics and distribution patterns, existing problems and constraints, protection strategies, and repair measures. The research findings are as follows:

(1) The battlefield sites of Taihang Mountain Area in Southern Hebei, represented by She County, inherit the dual characteristics of traditional dwellings and village temples in Southern Hebei. In order to meet the needs of different types of historical purposes, the spatial layout, construction techniques, and decorative arts show diversified characteristics. In addition, the self-built mode adapts to local conditions and uses local materials to construct large-span buildings and cave dwellings, meeting the special needs of safe production of military equipment and major events, demonstrating creative construction wisdom, and forming the good natural adaptability and rural cultural landscape.

(2) At the spatial dimension level, battlefield sites are concentrated in relatively low altitude areas, exhibiting distribution characteristics near water sources, with clear directionality of the Qingzhang River Valley and Medium High Mountain Canyon. At the time dimension level, the battlefield sites generally present the characteristics of agglomeration distribution, and the agglomeration degree increases first and then decreases over time. The gathering area changes from the dense distribution at the border of counties in the early stage to the linear spatial distribution in the middle stage, and then further forms two primary and secondary core areas in the later stage.

(3) The protection of battlefield sites still faces many challenges. It is necessary to form a unified and effective protection mechanism by strengthening daily maintenance, eliminating artificial destruction, and optimizing the property rights system, etc., so as to ensure proper preservation and inheritance of battlefield sites. In terms of specific repairing measures for heritage details, the principle of “minimum intervention” and “authenticity” should be adhered to, key historical information such as the original height, volume scale, building materials, and color texture should be retained, non-replacement means such as adhesive reinforcement should be given priority, and the components that must be replaced should be repaired as old according to traditional techniques to ensure the harmony and unity of the repaired parts and the whole.

This article establishes the path and sample database for the protection of battlefield sites through interdisciplinary theories and methods, and conducts comprehensive and in-depth research on battlefield sites in She County, providing a scientific theoretical basis and practical guidance for its future cultural inheritance and sustainable protection and development.

Firstly, this article selects the battlefield sites of She County as the research object, and uses interdisciplinary theories and methods such as architectural typology, GIS analysis, and system analysis to conduct in-depth field investigations and quantitative research on 132 typical cases and their distribution in 64 villages and communities. This systematic data collection and analysis work not only enriches the research materials on battlefield sites, but also provides a solid foundation for subsequent theoretical construction and practical guidance.

Secondly, at the theoretical research level, the article provides a detailed analysis of the typical characteristics of battlefield sites in traditional dwellings, village temples, and self-built houses from three dimensions: spatial layout, construction techniques, and decorative arts, revealing their unique value in architecture. At the same time, the article also discusses the historical evolution and spatial distribution characteristics of the battlefield sites from the two dimensions of time and space, which provides an important basis for understanding its cultural background and historical context.

Finally, at the practical application level, the article proposes specific protection strategies that include daily maintenance, artificial transformation, a property rights system, responsible subject, activation and utilization, and international legislation and cooperation, balancing the protection and development of battlefield sites and providing new ideas for the sustainable utilization of battlefield sites. In addition, the article systematically studied the repair techniques and construction skills of battlefield sites from five key technical aspects: timber structure, joinery work, roof, wall and ground, providing a scientific basis for repair work and the possibility of inheriting and promoting traditional architectural skills.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, F.Z. and Y.K.; methodology, F.Z., Y.K. and Y.H.; software, F.Z., Y.K. and Y.H.; validation, F.Z. and Y.H.; formal analysis, F.Z. and Y.K.; investigation, F.Z. and Y.K.; resources, F.Z. and Y.K.; data curation, Y.K. and Y.H.; writing—original draft preparation, F.Z. and Y.K.; writing—review and editing, Y.K. and Y.H.; visualization, F.Z. and Y.K.; supervision, F.Z. and Y.H.; project administration, Y.K. and Y.H.; funding acquisition, F.Z. and Y.H. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Data Availability Statement

The data presented in this study are available within this article.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Footnotes

Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content.

Figures and Table

Figure 1. Distribution of battlefield sites in She County.

Figure 2. The protection roadmap of battlefield sites.

Figure 3. Types of battlefield sites.

Figure 4. Typical decorative elements of battlefield sites.

Figure 5. Construction periods and property right types of battlefield sites in She County.

Figure 6. Kernel density estimation map of battlefield sites in different stages.

Figure 7. Terrain distribution characteristics.

Figure 8. Elevation distribution characteristics.

Figure 9. The natural aging phenomenon of battlefield sites.

Figure 10. The artificial transformation and destruction of battlefield sites.

Figure 11. Repair measures for timber structure.

Figure 12. Structural level and repair effect of timber structure.

Figure 13. Repair measures for joinery work.

Figure 14. Roof repair measures.

Figure 15. Wall repair measures.

Figure 16. Brick ground repair measures.

Table 1

Statistical table of cultural relics protection units for battlefield sites in She County.

Number	Location	Name of Battlefield Sites	Protection Level
1	Tanyin Village	The Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region Government	National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units
2	Chi’an Village	Command Headquarters of 129th Division of Eighth Route Army
3	Shangwen Village	Public Security Bureau of the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region
4	Xiawen Village	Taihang Administration Hall	Provincial Level Cultural Relics Protection Units
5	Wangbao Village	Political Department of 129th Division of Eighth Route Army
6	Xida Village	Xida Arsenal of the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Military Region
7	Yuanqu Village	The Taihang Sixth Branch School of Chinese People’s Anti-Japanese Military and Political College
8	Shahe Village	Handan and Northern Shaanxi Xinhua Radio Station	Municipal Cultural Relics Protection Units
9	Suobao Village	Transportation Bureau of the Shanxi–Hebei–Shandong–Henan Border Region
10	Pingshang Village	129th Division Printing Factory
11	Nanzhuang village	North Korean Volunteer Army Headquarters
12	Zhongyuan Village	Xinhua Daily Printing Factory

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