Yes, according to common sense, the four-pronged regiment that broke through all the defense lines on the Japanese rear flank should be able to chase the remaining Japanese soldiers bravely and not give another chance to the hundreds of Japanese remnants who were in retreat.
However, the Fourth Army Regiment did the opposite. Not only did they not intend to pursue the victory, but they fought steadily. The entire forward army only advanced less than 1,000 meters before stopping the pursuit.
Not only did it give the remnants of the retreating Japanese army a chance to survive, it also gave Yamashita time to remobilize his forces and redefine the rear flank.
The 683rd Brigade, which was located on the frontal battlefield, basically did not use infantry except for attacking Japanese positions with artillery and heavy machine guns from the flanks.
In this proactive attack, the entire Second Mixed Brigade lost its main force on the rear flank and the artillery brigade was attacked, but it seemed that it had not yet completely collapsed.
After all, they seem to still have more than 3,000 imperial officers and soldiers. Even if the Chinese want to devour them all, it will not happen overnight.
But Yamashita knew that this was actually the viciousness of the Chinese people.
If the Chinese gathered all their main forces and violently attacked the remaining 3,000 Imperial Japanese officers and soldiers, it would be like fighting an injured wild boar with a knife. Although the wild boar was destined to become a dead pig, it resisted desperately
Under this situation, the Chinese people will not feel much better.
Therefore, the vicious Chinese wanted to kill this ferocious big wild boar, but also did not want to be too injured, so they gave up the knife and used a rope.
Yes, now the Chinese have not only severely damaged the artillery brigade, but also continue to compress the tactical maneuver space of the Second Mixed Brigade. It is like a rope that is constantly tightened. When the Second Mixed Brigade wants to fight again, it is because of reality.
We can only watch helplessly as the enemy's rope tightens, and eventually the entire army is destroyed.
But for Yamashita, who was sitting in a chair, even if he saw the Chinese people's vicious plan, what could he do?
Unless he orders the entire army to abandon their baggage and break out into the mountains now.
You don't even need to look at the steep mountains on the right wing, you can tell by the foot of the mountain that perhaps the Chinese are eager for him to do this.
That large mountainous area is difficult to navigate, and there may be an unknown number of Chinese elites ambushed. As long as the opponent seizes the high ground, they can block a large area with just one infantry squad. It is difficult to climb such high ground with bare hands.
Not to mention having to brave a hail of bullets to capture it, there is almost no solution.
Then we can only take a detour, but in such a big mountain, how easy is it to find a new way out? Maybe we can wander around for a whole day, and we will only cross a cliff.
In such a large mountain, the march is slow and there is not much food. Perhaps the Chinese can starve to death by dragging them without any attack.
For Yamashita, who still has some sense, the current battlefield is a desperate situation. If it drags on, it is destined to be a situation where the entire army is annihilated. However, the mountain that seems to be able to escape is more like a trap and a real place of death.
If you abandon all heavy weapons and enter it, you won't even have a chance to wait for reinforcements.
Even though Yamashita had actually completely despaired of the 108th Division that was coming for reinforcements.
Yes, the 108th Division had already called in the morning. The Chinese had deployed at least two infantry divisions on the road that the 108th Division must pass through, blocking the 108th Division from both directions of Liaocheng and Licheng.
Regiment two infantry brigades.
Even if the 108th Division attacked furiously regardless of casualties, it would probably take at least 2 days to arrive.
Two days? Yamashita knew that was just the 108th Division's comforting statement. I'm afraid they themselves didn't dare to take this guarantee. Even if they arrived as promised, two days would be enough for the Chinese to tighten most of the ropes.
There are only about 3,000 people left in his second mixed brigade. I don’t know how many are left, but that is a hope after all, isn’t it?
Yamashita sat blankly on the chair and did not speak for ten full minutes.
In the distance, Tang Dao, who had walked out of the mountain headquarters, arrived at the third battalion position accompanied by Ye Chenghuan.
"Leng Feng, what are the casualties of the first battalion in this battle?" Tang Dao glanced at the battlefield where Japanese corpses lay scattered everywhere. He did not ask about the number of enemies killed, but first asked about his own casualties.
"Sir, our battalion suffered a lot of casualties in the first wave of counterattacks due to Japanese artillery and infantry raids. I asked the regiment headquarters for disciplinary action." After winning the victory, Leng Feng did not look happy at all.
heavy.
"The unexpected surprise attack by the Japanese army was not expected by not only your third battalion, but also by the regiment headquarters. You just asked for punishment, instead of setting me, Director Ye, and Chief of Staff Gu on the fire! Just say everything
How many casualties have there been in the camp so far?" Tang Dao frowned slightly and criticized.
"Reporting to the two officers, as of ten minutes ago, 136 people from our battalion died, and more than 80 seriously injured people are being rescued. There are no statistics on minor injuries for the time being." Leng Feng lowered his head and said.
"Then how many enemies did you kill?" Ye Chenghuan asked in surprise with a sharp twitch in his face.
This battle is not small in scale, but it is definitely not the first time for Ye Chenghuan, who has experienced hundreds of battles. However, this is the first time that Ye Chenghuan has led his troops since he came to the Sixings Regiment as the Director of the Political Department.
Go to war.
Ye Chenghuan, who already had a certain understanding of the strength of the Four Elements Regiment, was confident enough to win this battle, but he still had concerns.
Previously, as the commander of the main force of the 683rd Brigade, he had fought hard against the Japanese army, and he was also very familiar with the strength of the Japanese army. Even with the current military quality and firepower of the Si Xing Regiment, it was an attack with both sides well-positioned.
, it would be great to achieve a 1:2 battle loss.
To be honest, Tang Dao ordered three infantry battalions to attack the three defense lines of the Japanese army. The offensive and defensive forces were roughly equal. Ye Chenghuan was very opposed to it. He even clearly pointed out at a senior military meeting at the supervisory level attended by the three battalion commanders that Tang Dao was
Playing with the lives of the officers and soldiers under his command.
This is because Tang Dao knew Ye Chenghuan's upright personality. If it were any other army, the third-in-command would have said that the first-in-command was not responsible for the lives of the brothers under his command, and he was afraid that he would not fall out on the spot, so the account was recorded.
But what surprised Ye Chenghuan was that Tang Dao really managed the Si Xing Regiment like a monolith. Even if he was so opposed to it, and this was also true, from Lei Xiong to Gu Shaoxun to the other two infantry battalion commanders, they actually
They all raised their hands and agreed with Tang Dao's tactics.
This made Ye Chenghuan somewhat discouraged, but as a soldier, he had no intention of giving up his career. Last night, he even persuaded Tang Dao to let him personally lead all the remaining combat-ready soldiers in the secret service battalion as a reserve team to deal with the enemy.
Three infantry battalions provided support.
However, Tang Dao still refused.
Ye Chenghuan, who was forced to stay at the regimental command post, had almost no sleep all night. He was even more anxious this morning when he heard the news that the Japanese troops were actively attacking on the front line. However, this time he did not complain about Tang Dao.
In the past two months of working with Tang Dao, he actually had a very good impression of Tang Dao, a commander who was several years younger than him. Except for yesterday's order, which was a little irrational, everything else was perfect enough.
The Japanese army's proactive attack caught everyone by surprise, and so did he. If there were any problems, the higher-ups would hold them accountable, and Ye Chenghuan had already decided to advance and retreat together with Tang Dao.
Fortunately, none of the three infantry battalions and artillery battalions disappointed. Not only did they block the Japanese attack, they also launched a general attack on the Japanese rear flank defense line according to the time set by the military meeting and successfully broke through the Japanese defense line.
This was a good thing. The only thing that worried Ye Chenghuan was that his own side suffered too many casualties.
When I heard that more than 130 people had been killed, this was a subversive impact to Director Ye who had already made all kinds of psychological preparations, so he ignored the presence of Tang Dao, the chief officer, and took the initiative to inquire about the number of Japanese troops annihilated.
"We haven't had time to count the corpses of the Japanese yet. Director Ye, as you know, the Japanese have always been stubborn and there are very few deserters or surrenders. The Japanese in this position are probably all here!" Leng Feng hesitated and replied.
."About a thousand people."
"Including serious injuries, there are only more than 200, and a thousand of the enemy defenders were completely wiped out, with a battle loss of 1:5." This data comparison instantly appeared in Ye Chenghuan's mind, and his head was buzzing for an instant.
In fact, this is a battle-loss ratio that he never dared to dream of.
Even if he had fought against the weakest Bai Gouzi before, he had always used defense to attack, which was more or less the same. When it came to ambushing the Japanese invaders, he had led the 772nd Regiment and fought them no less than five times before. They always used superior troops and advantageous terrain to ambush them.
, won the final victory, and the battle loss ratio was mostly maintained at around 1 to 2 or 3 to 3.
No wonder Tang Dao was so determined to fight like this yesterday! It turned out that he was confident.
"The casualties are still quite high. Leng Feng, the commanders of your three battalions, including the company commanders, must take this as a warning. After the war, they will personally write a detailed report, stating their own advantages and shortcomings in this battle.
Hand over to the regiment department." Tang Dao nodded and said.
"Sir, it's okay to talk about the advantages and disadvantages, but those big bosses have trouble writing their names. Let them write their own reports..." Leng Feng was a little embarrassed.
"Te Liang's people are already company commanders and can't even write. You, the battalion commander, have the nerve to cover for them." Tang Dao frowned and couldn't help being furious. "In the past few months, haven't you?
Do college students give tutoring to these bastards? The bastard Li Jiujin must have given me another sloppy look. Tell them for me, if they can't write the words, they will draw circles for me. When the time comes, I will ask Director Ye to take it to the Youth League Headquarters
A reading from the previous military meeting."
Damn it! Ye Chenghuan twitched the corner of his mouth fiercely. Captain Tang must be retaliating for his objection yesterday! At the level of Li Jiujin and others, other than their names, they must be full of traps!
"I'm going to play ball, I'm waiting to be scolded!" Li Jiujin, who was running all the way from the trench, happened to hear Tang Dao scolding "bastard Li Jiujin", and immediately turned around and ran, dragging himself along the way.
A passable guard.
Li Jijin knew Tang Dao's personality very well. I'm afraid his cold-faced battalion commander happened to say something that Tang Dao was extremely unhappy about, otherwise Tang Dao wouldn't have named him and scolded him, Lao Li.
As expected of a Tang Dao die-hard, Li Jiujin’s guess was so right.
Tang Dao is actually quite satisfied with his group of captains and company commanders, most of whom were promoted from lower-level sergeants. Although they have different personalities, they all possess the necessary bravery and wisdom of a soldier. Regardless of Li Jijin and others who followed him from the beginning,
Wei Donglai, Cai Yongguan, etc., who joined later, can be regarded as the outstanding mid-level officers of the Si Xing Regiment.
But they also carry an extremely stubborn characteristic of this era. More than 60% of them are illiterate. Just like Li Jijin, when he writes the Jin in his name, it is written vertically so crookedly that it makes people uncomfortable.
TV; Cai Yongguan, the bandit-born company commander of the Sichuan Army, is even more awesome. He can’t read or speak, and his father chose to get his name with very complicated strokes. Every time this guy signs his name, it’s a big cabbage plus two circles, and he says
My cabbage paintings are very unique and difficult for anyone to imitate.
Well, ugly is actually a characteristic. Tang Dao must admit that what he said makes sense.
Thinking that there happened to be such a group of top students on the road, Tang Dao specially arranged some male students to give tutoring to these companies and platoon leaders.
Girls don’t dare to arrange Tang Dao. Since ancient times, red makeup has loved heroes. Although those guys don’t have much culture, they are murderous and wild after coming off the battlefield. In modern terms, they are walking hormones. Once something happens, something will happen.
What, Tang Dao was afraid that his future father-in-law would draw his sword and chop him.
'What the hell, I asked you to send the elites of the nation to defend the nation where they are needed, not to find wives for your subordinates.'
Tantai Yunshu didn't need to say it, Tang Dao could figure it out with his butt.
Men and men may still find resonance on the battlefield, but when it comes to reading and writing, it’s really almost meaningless.
This group of poor students, headed by Li Jiujin and Cai Yongguan, are fully prepared with pens and paper. If there is something going on at the company headquarters, the battalion headquarters, or there is a meeting at the regiment headquarters, it has been two months since they even learned their names.
There is a lot of stationery, but the truth is clearly revealed.
Tang Dao actually took this opportunity to remind himself, Director Ye, that these rough guys should learn more about culture, so that they can be more understanding when talking about various principles, lofty ideals, and drawing grand blueprints for the future.
ah!
Otherwise, what do they know about the evils of capitalist comprador and imperialist hegemony? At this time, they only know that if they don’t drive away the Japanese, their parents, wives, and children will be bullied, and their brothers who follow them will be treated like cattle by the Japanese.
Sheep, pigs and dogs are generally killed.
"Haha, regimental commander, don't blame Battalion Commander Leng and Company Commander Li. This is all a problem for me, the director of the Political Department. After this battle is over, I will immediately ask the teaching brigade to organize a captain-level cultural training class when I return.
Classes are held at night and will not affect the normal work of the army. Give me half a year, no, three months, and ensure that each company chief can write a report normally." Ye Chenghuan said quickly in a good mood.
"For Director Ye's sake, let's not mention this." Seeing Ye Chenghuan taking the initiative to take the job, Tang Dao's expression no longer serious.
"Sir, in the next step, we will continue to do what you arranged at the meeting. Instead of killing the Japanese one by one, we will press forward step by step?" Leng Feng changed the subject to the subsequent battlefield.
"Hehe, this! It wasn't me who suggested it, it was Director Ye's idea. You have to ask him." Tang Dao smiled slightly and pushed Ye Chenghuan out.
When Ye Chenghuan arrived at the Si Xing Regiment, he was still a little reserved and serious. Perhaps Brigadier Cheng and Commander Liu had specifically told him not to steal the spotlight from Tang Dao, the chief officer, so they rarely expressed strategic and tactical opinions at military meetings, that is,
Yesterday, I may have been extremely worried about the insufficiency of troops for a strong attack, so I finally stood up and stopped holding back.
This tactic of killing the Japanese army like a gradually tightening rope was also proposed by him. He probably did not want to fight the Japanese invaders who were still trapped in the beast, and wasted the strength of the Fourth Army Regiment and the 683rd Brigade. Both Tang Dao and Brigadier Cheng accepted it.
took his advice.
Seeing that the final victory was about to be won, more than 3,000 Japanese troops fought hard and had to take away at least 1,500 Chinese soldiers. This was something neither commanders Tang Dao nor Brigadier Cheng wanted to see.
It's not that I don't dare to sacrifice, but it's not necessary.
The 108th Division didn't lie. Seeing that the Second Mixed Brigade had crashed into the trap set by the 683rd Brigade and the Fourth Army Regiment, the boss of the 80th Group Army immediately adjusted the strength of the troops. Not only did he dispatch the infantry division of the Third Army, but also
He sent all his reserves, the newly established independent regiment of the 683rd Brigade, the two new regiments of the 921st Division, and a main regiment of the 511th Division to intercept the 108th Division.
The military order received by more than 20,000 Chinese soldiers was that not a single Japanese aggressor would be allowed to cross the defense line unless the entire army was exhausted.
"Fight to the death without retreating" is almost completely contrary to the 80th Army, which has summed up the essence of guerrilla warfare.
This shows that the boss and the entire second theater are determined to eat up the Shan Cultural Tour Group.
If we fight like this, let alone two more days, if we multiply this number of days by five, it is estimated that the 108th Division will not be able to reach here. The only support the Japanese army can get is from the air.
In yesterday's battle, half of the incoming Japanese fighter formations were killed. Do they still dare to come? Even if they dare to come, the air defense position composed of 27 anti-aircraft guns and more than 20 anti-aircraft machine guns has been readjusted and is in the mountains.
With.
The Japanese planes would either come to bayonet at low altitude, or drop bombs at Xia Jiba at an altitude of 2,000 meters. The threat was no longer that great.
The second mixed brigade is already the turtle in the pot, ready to stew.
It depends on whether it is cooked over high heat or simmered over low heat!
"But I still have a question. What should I do if the Japanese jump over the wall and flee into the mountains? Our troops cannot cover the entire mountain range, and there will inevitably be fish that slip through the net." Leng Feng hesitated for a moment, but still asked.
"That's what we want!" Facing the straightforward Leng Feng, Ye Chenghuan and Tang Dao looked at each other and replied with a smile.
"What you, Commander Leng, want, do you think Director Ye would never think of it! The reconnaissance company under Director Ye had already gone on a mission yesterday." Tang Dao turned to look at the mountains and rivers in the distance with a cold gaze.
"The trap has been dug a long time ago, and the hunters are already in place. It depends on how the sick tiger Yamashita will choose. Should we hang him with a rope? Or should he try hard and keep jumping around!"
In silence, Yamashita was also trying his best to make his own choice.
For the generals of both sides, when the battle has reached this point, they no longer retain any strength, including their intentions, which are already known.
All that's left is to see how each of them plays their cards.
If the cards are played in the wrong order, the cards that seem to be a sure winner may not necessarily lead to the last laugh.
Vice versa, in a situation of steady defeat, there is also a glimmer of hope!
This chapter has been completed!