After a fierce battle throughout the morning, both sides suffered casualties, and the Eighth Route Army retreated.
Japanese 11th Army Headquarters.
A Japanese staff officer walked in quickly and reported to Yokoyama Yongton: "General, the Eighth Route Army attacking group on the right has been repulsed!"
Yokoyama's expression changed, and he raised his binoculars to look at the battlefield on the right.
The battlefield on the right flank was covered in smoke, but the sound of gunfire had become sparse.
As in the past few days, the 6th Field Heavy Artillery Brigade and the artillery regiments of the 11th Japanese Army were all in hibernation for fear of being bombed by Eighth Route Army aircraft.
There was no air support, no artillery fire support.
Facing the Eighth Route Army's attack, the troops of the Japanese 11th Army could only rely on infantry to carry the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery shells, aerial bombs and tanks.
"Your Majesty Commander, have you noticed?"
The chief of staff, Major General Zhongshan Zhenwu, said in a deep voice:
"The heavy artillery firepower of the Eighth Route Army today is significantly smaller than the previous two days. The Eighth Route Army's mortar, mountain artillery and tank gun firepower are also obviously sparser than the previous two days."
"Of course I discovered it." Hengshan Yong nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, "If it were the kind of firepower yesterday, it would be difficult for our soldiers to repel the Eighth Route Army's attack."
Isamu Yokoyama also served as the division commander of the 1st Division.
There is no need to say much about the tactical command ability.
Being able to judge the caliber and quantity of enemy artillery by listening to the sound of artillery is just a basic skill for veteran Japanese like them.
Deputy Chief of Staff Futashi's eyes lit up slightly when he saw Colonel Akisaburo: "Your Excellency, Commander, Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, what do you mean...the Eighth Route Army does not have much ammunition left?"
"That's right!"
Major General Zhongshan Zhenwu nodded and said:
"The Eighth Route Army learned the tactics of the Locust Army in their attack. After the artillery bombarded the infantry, they charged forward. After the infantry charged, the artillery bombarded them."
"But the Eighth Route Army's artillery firepower is obviously at least a quarter smaller than yesterday."
"Moreover, after the Eighth Route Army's infantry and tanks retreated, the Eighth Route Army's artillery did not continue to fire."
"This shows that the Eighth Route Army's ammunition is already running low."
All the Japanese staff officers, including Futami Akisaburo, were shocked, and their morale suddenly recovered.
Facing the fierce firepower of the Eighth Route Army's aircraft, heavy artillery, tanks, and infantry, nearly 10,000 elite soldiers were killed in two days.
At this time, the morale of the entire Japanese 11th Army was relatively low.
There were even rumors among the troops that the Osaka 4th Division was going to run away with the barrels.
Hengshan Yong stared at the map and said: "The distance from southeastern Shanxi to Xuzhou is more than 600 kilometers. In addition, the 129th Division fought all the way, and a lot of ammunition and food were consumed on the way. The Eighth Route Army's logistics supply line is too long, and the ammunition
It's normal to be in a hurry. If my guess is correct, the Eighth Route Army doesn't have much food left."
"Your Excellency, Commander." Colonel Akizaburo Futata's eyes lit up, "This is the opportunity for the Locust Army to defeat the main force of the Eighth Route Army!"
After the failure of the Third Battle of Changsha, the morale of the Japanese 11th Army has been in a low state.
Isamu Yokoyama had just taken over the 11th Army, and before he had time to rectify his morale, he was sent to North China by the base camp and the dispatched army headquarters to support the Japanese North China Front.
Hengshan Yong looked thoughtful when he heard this, and his eyes soon lit up slightly.
Immediately, Yokoyama Isamu issued a combat order:
"Order the Locust Alliance troops around Xuzhou to assemble, put on the clothes of the Locust Army, and harass and attack the Eighth Route Army troops at night."
"Let these cannon fodder consume the Eighth Route Army's ammunition."
"When the Eighth Route Army's ammunition is exhausted, the Locust Army will be able to turn defeat into victory."
Hundreds of heavy artillery are indeed powerful, but a heavy artillery shell can weigh dozens of kilograms.
To fire so many heavy artillery, the number of heavy artillery shells required is not a small amount.
The 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army went on an expedition and must not have carried many heavy artillery shells.
When your Eighth Route Army's ammunition is almost exhausted, that's when the Locust Army will turn defeat into victory!
Thinking of this, Yokoyama suddenly felt confident.
Wait until there are no shells in the Eighth Route Army's cannons, no bullets in the barrels, and no food in the pots.
Let’s see what the Eighth Route Army will use to fight the locust army?
"Hi."
Nakayama Sadatake and Futami Akiyamaro both bowed their heads.
"Your Excellency, Commander, is wise." Colonel Akizaburo raised his head and said, "I admire you very much!"
"Report to the Commander!"
But at this moment, a staff officer walked in quickly and reported to Yokoyama Yonghui:
"I just received news that the transportation lines behind the Locust Army were bombed by enemy planes, and some railway and highway bridges were blown up by Eighth Route Army aircraft."
Yokoyama Yuichi waved his hand and said: "I understand."
"Hi."
The staff officer who came to report suddenly lowered his head, turned around and left quickly.
The logistics supply line was bombed by Eighth Route Army aircraft, which was expected by Isamu Yokoyama.
If he had air support, he would definitely send planes to bomb the Eighth Route Army's logistics supply lines.
But it is a pity that the Locust Army aviation unit in central China was defeated by the Eighth Route Army's air force.
However, Xuzhou is an important military town, and the Japanese army has hoarded a large amount of food and ammunition here.
Even the Eighth Route Army planes bombed the Japanese logistics supply lines.
The Japanese army will not have to worry about food and ammunition problems in the short term.
…
at the same time.
Sengge Temple.
Eighth Route Army Headquarters.
Commander Liu held a temporary combat meeting.
The brigade commander and column commander of the main brigade came to participate.
"After a morning's attack, heavy artillery shells with a base of 0.25 ammunition were fired, but the Japanese positions were not yet captured."
"This heavy artillery is really a big eater of ammunition, and not something that ordinary people can afford."
"Li Yunlong is more comfortable. He can call for airdrops of supplies at any time. He doesn't have to worry about ammunition consumption. He can have as much as he wants."
"When will our 129th Division be able to fight as prosperously as Li Yunlong?"
A heavy artillery brigade commander sighed.
The brigade commander asked: "How many heavy artillery shells do we have left?"
As the first-class main brigade of the Eighth Route Army, the 386th Brigade fought head-on with the Japanese 3rd Division and achieved impressive results.
"There are not many left," the chief of staff said. "Heavy artillery shells only have 1.25 base points left, and they are about to run out. There are still some ammunition for infantry, tank troops, and mortars. But if we continue to fight like this, we will only have 1.25 shells left."
If we don’t advance, the troops will run out of ammunition in a short time.”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! The faces of the main brigade commanders and column commanders suddenly became a little solemn.
Modern warfare is all about logistics.
Especially battles with heavy artillery, tanks and air support rely even more on logistics.
Without artillery shells, heavy artillery and tanks are just decorations, not even as powerful as bayonets.
"Don't you just want logistical supplies? Isn't this simple?" Brigadier Chen said, "Look for Li Yunlong. This guy is extremely rich."
All the leaders nodded in agreement.
As the richest man in the Eighth Route Army, Li Yunlong, who is richer than the headquarters, still lacks heavy artillery shells?
"We're looking for Li Yunlong." Commander Liu said with a solemn expression, "This time, Boss Chen won't let Li Yunlong command our 129th Division, not even in name."
"It worked the first two times." Brigadier Zhang, the main force, asked, "Why can't it work this time?"
This main brigade commander initially opposed the placing of the 129th Division under the command of Li Yunlong.
Isn't it chaos to let a regiment commander command a reinforced division?
I, Brigadier Zhang, was killed by enemy bullets and Japanese artillery shells on the battlefield, but I would never let Li Yunlong lose a single artillery shell or bullet.
But since I tasted the benefits of airdrop supplies.
With endless shells and bullets, this main brigade commander felt what it meant to be really good.
"If it were before the war and Li Yunlong was allowed to nominally command our 129th Division, there would be no problem at all."
Commander Liu then said: "But in the middle of the battle this time, I remembered to ask Li Yunlong to take command and ask for other people's ammunition. They would definitely not agree. Their weapons and ammunition were not blown by strong winds."
The leaders nodded and thought there was nothing wrong.
They thought it was too easy to get ammunition before, so they thought Boss Chen would agree this time.
Obviously, the leaders also made the mistake of appropriation this time.
But from the leader's point of view, after all, all the leaders want to do is kill more Japanese soldiers and sacrifice fewer Eighth Route Army soldiers.
"Then the remaining shells can only be used sparingly."
"Back when we were very poor, we could still fight with the Japanese with bayonets. Now that we have heavy artillery, planes and tanks, are we still afraid of the Japanese?"
A member of the heavy artillery brigade nodded and said.
"Yes! When you run out of ammunition, fight with the bayonet!"
"My ghost machete, I haven't drank oriental blood for a long time."
"We have more troops than the Japanese, so we have an advantage in hand-to-hand combat!"
All the leaders spoke to each other one by one.
In a word, even if you don’t have ammunition, you have to fight the Japanese!
The Eighth Route Army was not cowardly.
Seeing the murderous spirit of the main brigade commanders and column commanders, the division commander nodded with satisfaction, smiled slightly and said, "Don't worry about the ammunition problem, Li Yunlong has already found a solution."
"What solution?"
Brigadier Chen asked hurriedly.
Other brigade commanders and corps commanders also looked at the division commander.
The division commander raised the telegram in his hand: "Li Yunlong just sent me a telegram, saying that airports will be built in Baoding and Xuzhou battlefields, and a route will be established. Li Yunlong will apply for airdrop supplies in Baoding, and then use heavy strategic transport aircraft to transport the combat materials.
When you come to Xuzhou, Li Yunlong will be responsible for the materials to build the airport."
As soon as the teacher said these words, everyone's eyes lit up slightly.
In this way, the main force of the 129th Division can fight a rich battle like the New Regiment.
"Very good!"
All the leaders suddenly looked happy and confident.
Almost all the leaders came from poor times.
Nowadays, each brigade and each column actually has some financial resources, but if there is no logistical supplies, these financial resources will be reluctant to use them.
If there are sufficient logistical supplies, then we can start building.
"In the past few days, the ammunition in everyone's hands should be used sparingly."
Mr. Liu smiled broadly:
"When the airport is repaired in a few days, let's stock up on more ammunition and send a big one to the Japanese 11th Army."
"yes!"
All the leaders shouted in unison.
"The meeting is dismissed!"
…
Huailai County.
Northern Front Battlefield.
After half an hour of heavy artillery and tank fire, the indicated positions were cleared.
The gunfire stopped.
In a Japanese tunnel.
"The tanks and infantry of the Eighth Route Army began to attack. All soldiers immediately entered the position!"
"Kill everyone!"
Just as the gunfire stopped, the voice of Major Kawada Kyoji, captain of the 6th Battalion of the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the 27th Division, rang out hysterically.
Following the order from Major Kawada Kyoji.
The Japanese soldiers came out of the tunnel one after another with rifles and light machine guns and entered the position.
At this time, the Japanese army's demonstrated position had been blown up beyond recognition by the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery shells.
If you grab a handful of soil, you can feel the thick and hot heat in your palms, and there are a lot of shrapnel in the soil.
This is the third time the Eighth Route Army has attacked this position.
More than half of the more than 1,000 soldiers under Kawada Kyoji's command have been killed or injured.
According to regulations, the Japanese 27th Division should retreat at this time.
but!
The retreat of the 27th Division has been blocked by the troops of the New Regiment of the Eighth Route Army.
Moreover, the North China Front ordered the 27th Division to defend this place.
Therefore, all soldiers, including the commander of the 27th Division, can only fight to the death here.
Fortunately, there were tunnels to protect them, otherwise these Japanese soldiers would have suffered heavy casualties under the shelling of the Eighth Route Army.
The remaining Japanese soldiers had just entered the dilapidated position.
As the smoke filled the air, the tanks and infantry of the Eighth Route Army rushed towards the position.
As the battle progressed, these Eighth Route Army infantry and tanks became more and more skillful in cooperating.
All the Eighth Route Army infantrymen followed the tanks.
The rifles and machine guns of the Japanese army could not penetrate the tanks of the Eighth Route Army.
Not to mention rifles and machine guns, even anti-tank guns were ineffective against Eighth Route Army tanks.
Although the mountain artillery of the 27th Mountain Artillery Regiment can knock down or even destroy the tanks of the Eighth Route Army.
But our own mountain artillery regiment has not fired for a long time.
"Kill me..."
Seeing that the tanks and infantry of the Eighth Route Army were less than 50 meters away from the forward position, Kawada Kyoji could no longer bear it and gave the order to fire.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Da da da..."
Following his orders.
The Japs opened fire one after another, and dense rain of bullets poured towards the Eighth Route Army's attacking troops.
Ding ding ding——
But unfortunately, most of the bullets hit the Eighth Route Army tanks, making a crisp clanging sound.
The soldiers of the Eighth Route Army did not use the three-by-three system in their attack, but were all behind the tanks.
The Japs lack anti-tank weapons, so this tactic can effectively reduce casualties.
As for the task of firing during the attack, it can be left to the tank crew in the tank.
The tank gun and the M2 large-caliber heavy machine gun that comes with the tank can effectively suppress the enemy's firepower.
However, stray bullets still hit the Eighth Route Army soldiers behind the tanks from time to time.
The Eighth Route Army soldier who was hit by bullets fell to the ground with a muffled groan.
"Boom-boom--"
"Da da da--"
The Eighth Route Army's tank guns and tank machine guns opened fire violently.
There was a violent explosion, and the enemy and the machine gun could be seen flying into the sky together.
The large-caliber heavy machine guns also suppressed the enemy's machine gun fire.
This set of tanks guides the infantry's offensive movements. The infantry and tank soldiers of the New Second Regiment and the Independent Regiment are already very skilled and consummate.
Soon, although there were still many machine guns and rifles on the Japanese position, the gunfire became sparse.
"what happened?"
Major Kawada Kyoji, the captain of the battalion, immediately noticed that his own firepower was weakening.
He hunched over and came behind a Type 92 heavy machine gun, and angrily asked the machine gunner: "Baga, why don't you fire?"
"Report to the captain!"
The machine gunner replied with an ugly face: "The machine gun ammunition has been used up."
"I don't have any bullets either!"
"I don't have any bullets either!"
"I still have three bullets!"
The Japanese riflemen around him said one after another.
"Nani?"
Kawada Kyoji's face suddenly turned ugly.
…
(Brothers, I have been updating my health for a while, and my condition is getting better again. However, I have been quite busy these two days. After these few days, I will resume updating 2 chapters a day. Some brothers said that the writing is good, to be honest,
Sometimes the plots I write seem pretty good, but there’s nothing I can do about it. This genre is in its later stages, and I’m also very good at writing. I’m careful in everything, and I understand everything.)
This chapter has been completed!