Kong Jie finished arranging the battle arrangements, and the monk’s eyes lit up after hearing this.
The monk is well aware of the effectiveness of shotguns in close combat and night combat. Within a distance of twenty meters, the projectiles are shot out like splashing ink, sweeping away a large area and killing or injuring any enemy.
If we add follow-up grenades and shell guns to supplement the firepower, won't there be as many Japs in the trenches as there are to kill as many Japs?
"This latent mission is very difficult, but the guard company is the elite unit of our independent regiment. If the guard company cannot complete the mission, I don't know which other unit can complete this mission."
Kong Jie said.
The monk swore that he would complete the task and then took orders to make preparations.
According to Kong Jie's suggestion, the monk will first gather the soldiers of the guard company and inform them of the specific combat mission and combat deployment, so that the soldiers can be mentally prepared.
As the sky gradually fades away from the mountain, the monk gathers the soldiers from the guard company here.
After describing the mission of this latent operation.
The monk said loudly: "Comrades, this latent mission is extremely difficult and requires high combat effectiveness and quality of the troops performing the mission."
"As for the most elite company of our independent regiment, besides our guard company, who else can we have? It can be said that this mission must be ours."
"The leader has said that if this mission is successfully completed and the Ishii regiment is killed, there is no doubt that the first victory will be ours."
"How is it? Do you have confidence?"
"Yes, yes——"
The soldiers of the guard company responded in unison.
The monk nodded happily and emphasized again and again that during the execution of the latent mission, absolute silence and concealment must be maintained.
"During the march, no one is allowed to say a word, and even the steps are gentle for me."
"Comrades, you must realize the seriousness of being exposed. It will not only be your exposure, but you will even drag all the brothers in our company to die with you."
"So I have recorded it all. During the lurking process, every comrade in our security company, including Wei Dayong, was accidentally hit by a Japanese bullet, and the incendiary bomb was ignited.
If it explodes, even if you die, you have to grit your teeth and hold it in for me. You have to think clearly. If you endure it, you will die. But if you can't help it, it will be the death of more than 100 members of our entire company.
Warrior!"
"This is the absolute discipline and order for carrying out latent missions. Do you all hear it clearly?"
Although the words were cruel, the monk had to vaccinate the soldiers in advance.
"Listen clearly——"
The soldiers felt the severity of the task from the words of the company commander who suddenly became serious, and responded one by one with solemn expressions.
After completing the pre-war mobilization work, the monk began to distribute equipment for this battle to the soldiers.
The guard company is also nicknamed the pistol company. Each person has two shell guns. This has long been standard. This time, they are equipped with a large number of grenades, some incendiary bombs, and double-barreled shotguns.
In addition, each two combat teams are equipped with a fire cover team, equipped with a light machine gun, a grenade launcher, and six grenades.
This is to ensure that this latent team can suddenly burst into powerful firepower after quickly rushing into the Japanese position.
You can take the opportunity to seize the Japanese third-line fortifications, or at least the forward fortifications, to cover the main force's attack.
At around 6:30, Kong Jie's order was conveyed to each company.
Soldiers from the three main battalions including Shen Quan who returned to the Zhangjiazhuang area will serve as the combat force for the attack on the Shijing Regiment.
Ding Wei and Li Yunlong, who were approaching Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang respectively, soon received news from the communications corps that the independent regiment was preparing to attack the Ishii unit.
"Lao Kong is finally going to take action on the fat piece of Shijing." Li Yunlong said.
The first battalion commander Zhang Dabiao came over and said: "Commander, the Shijing Regiment is currently entrenched in danger, but it is a hard nut to crack. Commander Kong is going to attack the Shijing Regiment. Should we rush over and help?"
Li Yunlong looked towards the mountainous area where the Shijing Regiment was stationed, shook his head and said, "You underestimate Lao Kong. Since Lao Kong is planning to attack the Ishii Regiment, he probably has thought of a way to deal with the Japanese."
"If we get together now, we won't even be able to drink soup."
"What is the purpose of the Japs' mad increase in troops to Xi Village and Zhangjiazhuang this time? The purpose is to rescue the Japs in Xi Village and Zhangjiazhuang. Now that the Shijing Regiment is under attack, if it cannot withstand it, the Japs' reinforcements will definitely not be able to sit still and will have to fight desperately. Advance in the direction of Zhangjiazhuang."
"If we really want to help, we can help out here."
"The fighting probably broke out in the middle of the night. It was all in the dark, and the Japanese didn't dare to advance indiscriminately, so the task of calling for reinforcements would be relatively simple."
"Da Biao, ordered the troops to immediately set up fortifications at various intersections, preparing to block the Japanese reinforcements from advancing towards Zhangjiazhuang."
"Yes!" Zhang Dabiao responded.
On the other side, Ding Wei naturally saw the key point of the independent regiment's attack on Ishii United.
"Lao Kong, this guy, turned himself into the protagonist at the beginning of this counter-mopping operation. He was the first to break through the Japanese army's siege, hit the Japanese rear area, and even broke through Yangquan in one fell swoop."
"Lao Li and I were following behind, and we hadn't eaten a few pieces of meat yet! We finally turned around and came back, but the result was bad, and we had to work part-time for this guy again."
"At the beginning of the independent regiment's attack on Ishii United, Lao Li and I could only assist Lao Kong."
"No, after the battle, Lao Kong must give me and Lao Li an explanation. If we don't say anything, we will get some short-time wages, right?"
After talking and laughing, when it came to business, Ding Wei never lost his temper and said: "Zhenguo, prepare to arrange for comrades to send reinforcements tonight!"
Sun Zhenguo also saw through the situation in front of him and immediately responded: "Yes!"
Looking towards the mountainous area where the Zhangjiazhuang Shijing Regiment was stationed, Ding Wei sighed: "Old Kong, Old Kong, you and I have been mobilized to provide reinforcements to you, but the rest will depend on your independent regiment." "Right now, the surrounding Japanese troops are continuing to reinforce Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang. From the direction of Yangquan, there are even two Japanese brigades that are continuing to advance."
"Right now, if your independent regiment wants to capture the Ishii Regiment, it must do so before dawn. Once dawn, the Japanese reinforcements can quickly advance with their superior strength and firepower. If your independent regiment does not withdraw by then, our new regiment will also have to retreat.
Got it!"
Sun Zhenguo said: "Captain, I don't think you need to worry. Commander Kong also sent news before that our regiments will switch from offense to defense before dawn.
Now that the Independent Regiment is preparing to launch an attack on the Ishii Regiment, it shows that Commander Kong is confident, otherwise why would he be wasting his efforts?"
Ding Wei smiled and said: "That's the truth. I also want to see how he, Lao Kong, plans to win the Ishii United Team in one fell swoop."
7pm to 8pm.
Li Yunlong led the 1st Battalion of the New 2nd Regiment, and Ding Wei led the 1st Battalion of the New 1st Regiment, and successively launched intermittent confrontations with the Japanese reinforcements.
The sky ends and enters the dark night.
With the help of their familiarity with the surrounding terrain, a certain amount of moonlight, and the use of mountainous areas for defense, this dark night was not a big obstacle for the Eighth Route Army soldiers.
The Japanese reinforcements arriving near Zhangjiazhuang, considering that it was difficult to detect the specific strength and firepower of the Eighth Route Army on the opposite side under the dark night, did not dare to attack rashly, and were forced to fall into a confrontation across the mountainous area.
At this time, the battle in the direction of the Ishii Regiment had just begun. Kong Jie sent his troops to launch feint attacks against the Ishii Regiment from time to time.
However, it is obvious that the battle situation is not enough to threaten Ishii United's defense.
Therefore, in the two-way communication, the Japanese commander Ishii Haraichi said that they could continue to hold on to the danger and the reinforcements could wait until dawn before launching an attack.
Night, around 8:30.
Under the command of Shen Quan, Wang Leihu, Wang Huaibao and other three battalion commanders, more than 300 soldiers of the Independent Regiment approached the fortifications of the Ishii Regiment and opened fire on the Japanese troops on the fortifications in the dark.
Interspersed with occasional shelling from the 50's small artillery.
Halfway up the mountain, under the command of Ishii Haraichi, the Japanese army built three lines of defense fortifications. Each of the defense fortifications was dug very delicately. They could even use the original special structure of the mountain to provide trenches, foxholes, and protection.
Along with the artillery and machine gun fortifications, they cooperated with each other.
You can imagine that if the Japanese army is given enough time, the Japanese are determined to defend this place for a long time. They can even hollow out the mountainside halfway up and use it to build strong defenses.
The overall military quality of the Japanese troops is excellent. Coupled with superior artillery fire, they have strong offensive capabilities. Once a defensive war begins, they can be even more airtight.
Inside the temporary headquarters, news came one after another.
"Report to the captain, the Eighth Route Army has launched an attack again!"
"Our frontline fortifications are being bombarded by the Eighth Route Army."
"The Eighth Route Army launched a surprise attack from both wings, trying to break through our army's forward fortifications."
……
The situation on the battlefield seems to be very critical, but at this moment, there is no sign of anxiety on the face of the Japanese commander Ishii Haraichi. Instead, there is a sense of confidence that he will sit firmly on the Diaoyutai.
The Japanese chief of staff on the side smiled and said: "Your Excellency, the commander, it seems that you are not in a hurry about the current attack of the Eighth Route Army."
Ishiihara smiled disapprovingly and said, "Don't you think that starting from about seven o'clock in the evening, the Eighth Route Army's attack on us has always been thunderous and rainy?"
The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, Captain, do you mean that the Eighth Route Army is just feigning an attack, and they will not launch an attack with all their strength?"
Ishiihara said: "Of course. From our several battles with the independent regiment, we can see that although Kong Jie is bold in using troops, he is also very cautious in specific deployments. He has been trying every means to avoid his own troops.
casualties."
"Since the launch of the big sweep, you can find in the confrontation with the Independent Regiment that the troops of the Independent Regiment have never launched a charge rashly in the face of the firepower of our army."
"Right now, our unit occupies a terrain that is easy to defend but difficult to attack. With the abundant firepower at hand, the independent regiment wants to break through our position unless it launches a charge regardless of casualties."
"But Kong Jie will never do this. If he really does this, what we have to do is very simple. We will set up the fortifications as a slaughterhouse. Even if our Shijing regiment is completely wiped out, we will definitely pull out the independent regiment.
Buried together, we will live up to the honor of the military and the trust of the emperor!"
The chief of staff said: "But, your Excellency, regimental commander, what is the purpose of the ongoing feint attacks launched by the Eighth Route Army right now?"
Ishiihara thought for a moment and said: "Currently, the imperial reinforcements have arrived at the outskirts of West Village and Zhangjiazhuang. Because of the darkness and the obstruction of the Eighth Route Army troops on the way, they did not dare to advance rashly, so they are temporarily stationed at the outskirts."
"When the sky gets brighter tomorrow, and with the arrival of our army's reinforcements, the situation in Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang will soon reverse. Now, the Eighth Route Army has launched a feint attack. It is obvious that Kong Jie cannot sit still."
"Maybe they want to use a feint to expose our flaws, or maybe they are brewing some other plan."
At this point, Ishiihara was awakened by the words he inadvertently said, and hurriedly walked towards the sand table built by the soldiers in the temporary headquarters made of wood.
This sand table was made by officers of the Ishiihara Kazuo General Staff in the past two days. It simulates the mountainous area where the Ishii Regiment is stationed and the surrounding terrain and features.
To ensure that the current defense is flawless.
On the sand table, a forest, a small river, and a ravine will be clearly and accurately marked around the mountainous area where the Ishii Regiment is stationed.
The Japanese chief of staff was flashing a flashlight at the side.
Realizing that tonight was unusual, and realizing that the motive of the Eighth Route Army's sudden feint attack was unknown, Haraichi Ishii looked at the map carefully and thought about it.
After a while, Ishiihara focused his attention on a few small points around the position.
"There is a forest four hundred meters away on the left wing. Why hasn't it been cleared away?"
The chief of staff said: "The mountains and forests are too far away, and the artillery fire from the Eighth Route Army is locked here. It is not easy to cut down these trees.
In addition, there is an open space in the middle, and it is difficult for the Eighth Route Army to rush into the fortifications despite our firepower, so we did not deal with it."
"What if it's at night? How about the Eighth Route Army hiding in these mountains and forests?" Ishiihara asked again and again.
"This..." the chief of staff was asked and was speechless.
"Now that reinforcements are coming, the more critical the moment, the more vigilant it is to be on guard. The Eighth Route Army cannot launch a feint attack aimlessly. There must be some hidden purpose."
"The ditches, weeds, mountain streams, and shrubs around the position must be guarded against. Any place where people may be hiding must be guarded against."
Realizing the deficiencies in defense, the Chief of Staff broke out in a cold sweat and responded quickly: "Yes, please rest assured, Wing Commander, I will order increased security in these areas. In addition, I will use machine guns and artillery shells from time to time to detect whether there are enemy troops lurking in these areas." "It is absolutely impossible for the Eighth Route Army to lurk quietly under our noses."
The lurking tactic is not a clever tactic, and military commanders on the battlefield tend to be wary of it.
It is not easy to quietly lurk a unit near the enemy's forward fortifications during the confrontation between the two armies.
After the chief of staff finished fixing the leak, Ishii Haraichi nodded, and finally said: "Thank you for your hard work, keep persisting. After the sky gets brighter and the crisis is over, it will be time for us to counterattack."