Seeing that they could not catch up with the 108th Division, the 683rd Brigade did not immediately return to the front line to face the 16th Division.
Because when it comes to fishing in the river, one fish often escapes, and there are others. If you want to catch them all in one net, it is something that even gods can't do.
In the morning, they waited for Tang Dao, who led the reconnaissance company and guard platoon to arrive. Except for the necessary security troops, the three regiments of the brigade were hiding in the mountains waiting for news from the front lines of the 17th Division and the 104th Division.
Japanese reconnaissance planes have passed over this area at low altitude more than four times during the day, which shows that the Japanese military headquarters is concerned about the whereabouts of the elite troops of the 683rd Brigade.
It's a pity that the 683 brigade, which is accustomed to fighting ambushes, has already disguised itself as a whole army. It wears a hat made of branches and leaves on its head, and its backpack is also covered with branches and leaves broken from the mountain. As long as it lies down in the grass, let alone still there
Reconnaissance planes at an altitude of 300 meters cannot see it. Even if people are 30 meters away, if they don't pay attention, they may not be able to find thousands of soldiers hiding in the grass.
Finally, in the evening, Lei Xiong reported that the 2nd Mixed Brigade stopped advancing and began to occupy the high ground left by the 17th Division and the 104th Division.
"Yamashita has three choices. One is to turn around the entire army immediately. No matter how many of our troops are on the rear wing, break through with all our strength. Even if the breakthrough fails, throw away all the baggage and equip the entire army lightly. The mountainous area is vast and the trails are crisscrossed. Just rely on the established
It cannot be completely blocked by blocking the defense line.
Secondly, the entire army is based on the positions abandoned by our army. The highlands are easy to defend and difficult to attack. If we want to swallow them up, we will fall into the same predicament they were in before. Every time we take down a highland, we will pay an unimaginable price;
Third, the entire army went against the grain and moved forward resolutely. Before our army's encirclement was formed, we jumped out of the encirclement to avoid being besieged."
In a cave, under the dim light of the horse lantern, Tang Dao helped Yamashita, who was covered in cold sweat, to set three options, and raised the previous question to the brooding Brigadier Cheng and the two colonels.
"In my personal opinion, Yamashita would choose the second path and defend according to danger. It may seem like a dead end, but it may be the only way to survive.
Because, looking back, Yamashita doesn't know how many troops our army has on the rear wing. If our army's lurking troops are as high as 20,000, then if his second mixed brigade wants to break through in a short time, he can only
The delusional idea is that when the 17th Division and the 104th Division catch their breath, they will also surround him. 40,000 people will defeat him but less than 10,000 people. Even if he abandons all his baggage and escapes with light equipment, it will probably be too late.
Commander Tang just said to move forward. It seemed that he was jumping out of the encirclement of our army before it was closed, but in fact the risk was even greater than the risk of going backward.
Because, even if Yamashita knew that our 3rd Army had an additional 30,000 people in the southeastern Shanxi region, he could not accurately judge where these 30,000 people were placed. What if these 30,000 people were placed on his way forward?
?Coupled with my 683rd Brigade that has disappeared and the Four Lines Regiment that has never left, as well as the two infantry divisions that were ordered to evacuate and repair, nearly 70,000 people may be able to surround him into a small mixed brigade in less than a day.
It's so watery that it can't drain out.
The tragic defeat of the Japanese army in the Battle of Taierzhuang that day is still vivid in our minds. After 20,000 Japanese troops were surrounded by more than 100,000 troops from our three infantry corps, they were helpless to resist. Yamashita probably would not have made this mistake.
On the contrary, we are defending based on danger. Even if our troops reach 50,000 or even 67,000, it will not be easy to capture these highlands that they will have to spend great efforts to conquer.
The Japanese army can also mobilize aircraft to support the battle. It is probably no problem to defend for seven or eight days. But even if the Japanese reinforcements cannot arrive, we will have to pay terrible battle losses if we want to eat them.
To be honest, I least want an old devil like Yamashita to choose this path, but this may be his most correct choice." Captain Xu threw away the cigarette butt in his hand and said with a solemn expression.
As the oldest commander of the 683 brigade, Captain Xu may not be a strong soldier, but he is definitely calm enough. It can be seen from his expression that if Yamashita chose the second path as he expected,
, that is definitely a headache.
It's gratifying to be able to rely on pre-war planning to surround tens of thousands of Japanese troops, but when you think about attacking the high ground under the defense of Japanese troops who are good at field fortifications, the casualties paid may be the most painful since the 80th Army entered the war.
.
"Yes, what Captain Xu said makes sense, and I don't want him to choose this option." Tang Dao nodded. "If that is the case, the casualties of our army compared with the Japanese army will be at least 1:1, or even more."
Brigadier Cheng and the two regiment leaders both looked solemn. They knew that Tang Dao might have underestimated.
Tang Dao's battle loss ratio was not obtained out of thin air. It was calculated based on the current strength and weapons and equipment of both sides.
If the Fourth Line Regiment were not equipped with a large number of infantry artillery and 37mm combat defense artillery, mortars, and mountain artillery, the 683 brigade currently also has 4 mountain artillery and 30 mortars. Tang Dao's estimate could even reach 2 to 2.
1.
The level of Japanese field fortification construction is so high that it is undoubtedly the first in Asia and at the forefront in the world.
The most representative battle that reflected the level of the Japanese army's field fortification construction was the Battle of Guanjianao that took place two years later in time and space.
In that battle, the Japanese army was an unsatisfied infantry brigade, the Okazaki Brigade, with a total strength of only more than 600 people. They used tens of thousands of Japanese troops to attack the lone army in the Taihang Mountains and penetrated deep into Dakouzi Town in an attempt to launch a sneak attack on the 80th Army's arsenal here.
As a result, the only defense group of the arsenal fought back bravely, and the Japanese army was repulsed after three days and two nights of fierce fighting. However, the huge losses it caused to the arsenal made the boss of the Eightyth Group Army furious.
He personally went to the headquarters of the 921st Division, convened a meeting with the division and brigade commanders, and dictated the headquarters combat order, requiring the 921st Division to completely annihilate this Japanese army.
The defeated Okazaki Brigade did not flee quickly towards Licheng, but hid in a stronghold they had occupied for a long time - Guanjianao.
Guanjianao is located in the center of the Taihang Mountains. The terrain is difficult and easy to defend but difficult to attack. After long-term construction, the Japanese army formed a complete fortification system based on cave dwellings.
Each cave dwelling can not only constitute a firepower point on its own, but can also cover and support each other with other cave dwellings to form a cross fire network. Moreover, a bulletproof trench is dug in front of the cave dwelling. If the grenade is not thrown accurately enough and falls into the trench, it will be difficult to attack the Japanese army.
To pose a threat, the Japanese army also dug cave dwellings into each other to form a network-like fortification system.
The 921st Division mobilized its main brigade, the 683rd Brigade, to encircle the entire Guanjianao. The strength ratio was at least 8 to 1. According to common sense, it was a win.
However, the battle process was jaw-dropping. The 683rd Brigade lacked anti-fortification artillery and had no choice but to take down those fortifications. The only option was to sacrifice human lives. Rows of brave soldiers fell down on the way to the charge.
At that time, the main force of the 1st Battalion under the 772nd Regiment of the 683rd Brigade had only more than 80 people left after two days of bloody battles. There was an infantry company with 164 people. After the war, only 15 people could still stand and walk out of the battlefield. Through these casualties, it is enough to see that
This shows the brutality of this offensive and defensive battle.
In the end, before the Japanese reinforcements arrived, by digging tunnels, the 921 Division finally broke through Guanjianao and killed more than 400 Japanese invaders. Only 60 people were left to resist. However, the 2,000 Japanese reinforcements had already arrived 3 kilometers away, and the 921 Division could not
They did not give up their plan to annihilate this Japanese army and finally retreated.
This battle was not the one in which the 80th Army killed the most enemies in the Taihang Mountains, but it was definitely the most brutal one. It suffered more than 2,000 casualties and directly injured the 921st Division. Even so, it was not completely wiped out.
A remnant army of no more than 500 people.
If you say that without these fortifications, with the combat power of the 921 Division, thousands of people could fight against hundreds of Japanese troops in less than three hours. However, with the support of these fortifications, the Japanese army held on for two full days.
Of course, it is not a myth about the strength of the Japanese army's field fortifications. The main reason is that the 921st Division has too few artillery. If they are equipped with infantry artillery that can counter fortifications, they don't need 10 or 20 guns, just give them two or three.
I'm afraid the Japanese won't even be able to guard the door for a whole day.
However, it is not equipment that determines victory or defeat on the battlefield, but people. Even with artillery, it is also impossible to win without making enough sacrifices.
The current strength of the Second Mixed Brigade is at least 7,000 to 8,000 people. Even if the battle loss ratio is 1:1, that is still 10,000 casualties, which means that thousands of fresh lives have been lost.
When a commander thinks of this number, his heart will suddenly twitch!
"On the contrary, I think that old devil Yamashita will choose the third way. I don't have as many reasons as Old Xu, it's just intuition." Comrade Wang Xiaoqiang took a long puff of cigarette and looked at the map with burning eyes.
"Eh? You, the kid, usually talk the most. Why do you just make an intuitive prevarication when you are analyzing?" Brigadier Cheng glanced at his capable subordinate in surprise.
It is true that Wang Xiaoqiang has a fiery temper, but this man is definitely smart enough. Although his words are a little rude, many things he talks about are on point. Otherwise, with Brigadier Cheng Da’s cleverness, how could he be transferred from the Four Elements at Ye Chenghuan?
After the regiment, he was used as the commander of the most powerful infantry regiment under his command. Bravery and strategy were the only criteria for being the commander of the 772nd Regiment.
"Hey, brigade commander, didn't you notice? Commander Tang just answered Lao Xu without a grimace like Lao Xu when he talked about the battle losses. From what I know about him, not to mention the casualties of 10,000 officers and soldiers.
Even if it's a thousand, he will frown in distress, so I judge his judgment and Yamashita will definitely not choose the second option." Wang Xiaoqiang grinned.
"Haha!" Hearing what Wang Xiaoqiang said, Brigadier Cheng and Tang Dao looked at each other and couldn't help laughing.
Although it was a joke, this man's ability to observe words and emotions was really good, and he was telling the truth.
If there were really so many casualties, Tang Dao's expression would probably be so indifferent.
Besides, if this is the case, why did the 17th Division and the 104th Division retreat? Wouldn't it be better to hold on for another day or two and wait for reinforcements to arrive?
Thinking of this section, Captain Xu, who guessed that the Japanese army would definitely choose the second route, also felt that he seemed to have overlooked some important factor.
"Haha, let me tell you my point of view. Yamashita, an old devil, will definitely choose what he thinks is the best strategy and move forward. Moreover, they will march all night. Tonight, they will march along the road towards Li City and Shecheng City.
" Brigadier Cheng smiled and expressed his opinion.
"The main reason why from Yamashita's perspective, moving forward is the best strategy is that the 17th Division and the 104th Division took the initiative to abandon the high ground and evacuate.
Think about it, our troops have been moving on a large scale on the rear wing. Our 683rd Brigade and the Fourth Army Regiment are nowhere to be seen. There is also the rumored 30,000 extra people from the 3rd Army, who are secretly surrounded by a large army.
The 17th Division and the 104th Division have been resisting for so long. It makes no sense that they can't hold on for even one or two days. As long as they hold on for two more days, with the army surrounded like this, where will they run? Not only do they have no place to run, they even have no place to run.
There are not many decent positions, and it is almost a desperate situation.
But what is unreasonable is that the 17th Division and the 104th Division withdrew, leaving them with a position where they could stand firm and wait for reinforcements.
As the saying goes, there must be monsters when things go wrong. If it were you two, would you dare to stay here for a long time? Our Chinese army is not like Scud. It will go where it says it will. It also takes time to reach the combat area, especially
It was when there were Japanese reconnaissance planes in the sky all the time.
If this is just a bait, a bait to tempt them to stay."
"I understand what the brigade commander means. Yamashita will definitely think that this is intentional by our army, just to make him feel that it is safest to stick to it and wait for reinforcements. In fact, it will take some time for our army to complete the deployment of this encirclement. Therefore, it is best to stay.
It's extremely stupid." The words woke up the dreamer, and Captain Xu woke up as if he was dreaming.
"No wonder even the Japanese shouted the slogan: If you want to fight, fight the 683rd Brigade. Sure enough, Brigadier Cheng is worthy of being our number one general in the southeastern Shanxi region. You can clearly understand the thoughts of this old devil Yamashita." Tang
Dao shook his head and sighed, but he clearly flattered him.
"Get out of here, you kid, stop wearing your hat on me." Brigadier Cheng rolled his eyes. "Your son is a typical conspirator. Yamashita's current situation is not all due to your son's design.
Yes, now I can even guess his final decision clearly, who is more cunning than you?"
"Brigadier, please tell me what Commander Tang planned!" Wang Xiaoqiang looked eager.
His military rank is the same as that of Tang Dao, but he is not qualified to be a member of the theater staff. He is not qualified to know the plans of those big bosses.
"Do you think that his Fourth Army Regiment has been hiding and is just eating dry food? The main force of their regiment, Chen Bing, was mixed into the rear wing of the second brigade. Not only did he destroy a convoy, he also killed seven of his reconnaissance squads.
Seven or eighty-eight, doesn’t that mean you tell Yamashita if you want to live your life from now on?
Even if Yamashita is a fool, he knows that if he turns around and fights like the Northwestern Army and the Sichuan Army, he will most likely lose his life in this mountain. Do you understand? This is a clear threat.
Also, do you really think that the news about the 3rd Army's stealing and changing the pillars was because the Japanese spies suddenly became more powerful? That was deliberately leaked by the theater headquarters. Hehe, good guy, it's serious to let this go on purpose. The Japanese know it.
It's a trivial matter to be so fast. Commander Yan is probably numb. There are at least a few people around him who are questionable. His way of looking at people is real!
In addition, do you think that our 683rd Brigade is really going to fight the 108th Division after its urgent march? We can eat 10,000 Japanese troops, but 20,000 Japanese troops will really stretch our belly. Even if we really add the 3rd Army, the 16th Division will not do it.
The regiment has not yet exerted all its strength! The three infantry divisions of the 109th Division are also working very hard.
We are all here for the 2nd Mixed Brigade. An infantry division of the 3rd Army defended the 16th Division on our behalf, while the other infantry division was to guard against Japanese reinforcements from Liao County, Licheng and other places.
of.
And these are all the ideas of the big group in front of us.
I was not involved. Even I only connected it with the news that the 2nd Mixed Brigade had stopped marching, and thought about it thoroughly.
Here he is, patting my horse wildly. Even if I want to be patted, I don't dare to be patted by him! I'm really afraid that he will pat my face." Brigadier Cheng said with a sigh.
"Captain Tang, I'm really convinced by you. In terms of mind and eyes, both me, Old Wang and Old Xu, are far inferior to you!" Comrade Wang Xiaoqiang gave Tang Dao a thumbs up with sincerity.
"I said Commander Wang, what Commander Tang calls wisdom, what you call smart, and don't be too self-effacing. In terms of smart, your child is the number one in our 683 brigade. Who came to see you secretly this morning?
Brigadier, you volunteered to be the main attack group? Let me tell you, the 771st regiment has never served anyone in the war." Captain Xu curled his lips and exposed Wang Xiaoqiang's little thoughts.
"Hey, Lao Xu, our 772 and 771 are both good, they are both main attackers. Didn't I hope the brigade commander could give me more ammunition?" Wang Xiaoqiang was not embarrassed when his little mind was exposed, grinning.
Happy mouth.
"Bah! What do you mean by a little bit? Your child can open his mouth with 800 mortar shells. Do you think I have an arsenal or something?" When he mentioned this, Brigadier Cheng almost spat at his capable subordinate.
Face it.
"Brigadier Commander, our regiment fought an infantry regiment of the 16th Division for two days and nights at Heishankou. As you know, the inventory of artillery shells now will never exceed 200 rounds. If you do the math, our regiment has 8 mortars.
, the average is only 20 rounds per door, which is enough to fight not only the Japanese, but also the bandits." Wang Xiaoqiang called Chuangtianqu.
"Yes! Our regiment has less than 300 rounds left. No matter what the Japanese choose, this battle is not that easy to fight!" Speaking of the artillery shells, Commander Xu also began to sigh.
"Come on, don't be miserable, it's just artillery shells! Can our regiment support the 683rd Brigade with 1,000 rounds?"
Tang Dao is a smart person. When he saw the steady and honest old Captain Xu, he started to perform, especially the pair of thick eyebrows furrowed, which showed quite heavy traces of his performance. Over there, Brigadier Cheng Da smiled and looked like he was not me anyway.
He was ordered to do so, and it was obvious that he was here to fight against the local tycoons.
If he continues not to express his position, Comrade Wang Xiaoqiang will burst into tears and start talking about the casualties. Talking is not easy, and he will wipe his nose and head with snot.
There can be blood, but there can be no mucus. Tang Dao wisely 'surrendered'.
Even Tang Dao understands that even if there are no cannonballs, the name of Three Guns Tuba is not in vain. After three guns are fired, the rest will be hand-to-hand combat.
"Good brothers! In this battle, our 683 brigade risked our lives to fight the Japanese." The three chief officers of the 683 brigade clapped their chests loudly and laughed heartily.
Fighting against the rich people of Tang Dynasty and returning the result without bloodshed would not be a pleasant experience!
And Yamashita over there finally made his choice: "The whole army threw away unnecessary baggage and set off at about eight o'clock, marching overnight through this mountainous area."
...........
ps: Once again, I would like to recommend Feng Yue’s new science fiction book "I Can Burial All Things". It has 500,000 words. I hope everyone will support it. Thank you. I also recommend my friend’s new fairy tale book "I Have a Righteous Village". The results are not bad, everyone.
Also support it.
This chapter has been completed!