822 One battle determines the outcome and stabilizes the situation in Zhongtiao Mountain (1)
Wang Shoucheng has the confidence to say such things, and of course he has his reasons.
This time, the first company of the armored corps led by Wang Shoucheng was a specially reinforced armored corps company under the order of Kong Jie.
Compared with other armored units, the 1st Armored Company, under the arrangement of Kong Jie, took the lead in transforming its tanks and installed the first batch of 75mm howitzers obtained from John.
Since the American M1 75mm howitzer was produced, it has basically been in the embarrassing situation of no one paying attention.
But Kong Jieshen knew the huge role this type of artillery could play in the war against Japan.
Due to the excellent performance of the gun itself, as a precision combined artillery, this American 75mm howitzer can be broken down into nine parts, and even the artillery can be transported.
Able to cope with various complex combat environments such as mountains, hills, plains, etc.
In addition, the actual operation is simple, and at least three people can conduct effective operations.
No matter in terms of power, range or accuracy, it is no less than the Type 92 Infantry Cannon, the proud product of the Japanese army.
In addition, throughout the entire anti-Japanese battlefield, in fact until the end of the war, the appearance of this 75mm howitzer was very rare.
If the enemy doesn't have it, but you have it, that's an absolute advantage.
So Kong Jie has always been thinking about this 75mm howitzer.
And through a gambling agreement, he finally persuaded John to purchase a batch of 75mm howitzers from other arms companies.
Then together with the assembled parts, they were transported to the base of a team.
After slight modification of these assembly parts, the 75mm howitzer can be directly installed on tanks, armored vehicles, and even military vehicles with high-speed mobility.
As follow-up artillery, it provides mobile artillery support at any time on the battlefield.
Give tanks and armored vehicles powerful artillery combat capabilities in complex environments.
At present, the first batch of 75mm howitzers delivered are basically installed on the tanks of the 1st Armored Company.
Eight tanks, 12 armored vehicles, plus four military vehicles, and a full 20 75mm howitzers.
An armored force with such a powerful artillery strike capability, even Wang Shoucheng was not sure what kind of amazing combat effectiveness it would be able to exert after the battle broke out.
Han Feng, who was accompanying him, saw tanks, armored vehicles and cars from the rear driving out of the ravine while covered in camouflage.
As someone who has also seen a lot of people, his attention was quickly attracted by the 75mm howitzers installed on tanks, armored vehicles and cars.
"Are these American Qiwu Mountain Cannons?" Han Feng asked with a surprised look on his face.
With the help of some equipment and weapons provided by the US military to support the national army, there are occasionally 75mm howitzers.
This artillery is called the American 75 Mountain Cannon, or the small steel cannon and the 75 Field Cannon by the Chinese army.
Han Feng has obviously seen this type of artillery before.
Wang Shoucheng nodded with a surprised look on his face, "As expected of the fourth battalion commander, this experience is different. I can recognize the 75mm howitzer at a glance."
Han Feng no longer cared about being modest. Seeing the howitzers equipped on these tanks and armored vehicles, he no longer had any doubts in his heart:
"With these howitzers here, there will be absolutely no problem breaking the Japanese encirclement this time!"
Then, Han Feng, who had a better understanding of the terrain in the Zhongtiao Mountain area, formulated the next joint operation plan.
He chose a certain place in the Japanese encirclement as a breakthrough point.
"This place is called Shanfengkou by the locals."
"The Japanese army deployed a defensive position in the west during this encirclement. It is generally located in a mountainous area, but the surrounding terrain is not very steep, which is conducive to our tank troops' operations."
"In addition, I have arranged for troops to attempt several feint attacks at the west wind entrance, but on the surface they all ended in failure."
"Under such circumstances, the Japanese army will relax their vigilance. If we suddenly launch a fierce attack at this time, we will definitely be able to capture the mountain pass in one fell swoop and break the Japanese encirclement."
Having said this, Han Feng continued to add: "Before the battle begins, we first get in touch with the regiment headquarters, report the matter to the regiment leader, and then cooperate internally and externally."
"At that time, the regiment commander and the others will attack Shanfengkou from the inside of the Japanese encirclement to attract the Japanese army's attention, and then we will launch a surprise attack from the back of Shanfengkou."
"Here, here!"
Han Feng drew a sketch on the ground: "This is the north and south of Shanfengkou, where the Japanese troops are stationed respectively.
Once the battle breaks out at Shanfengkou, the Japanese troops in these two places will definitely quickly reinforce Shanfengkou."
"So we have to arrange reinforcement troops. I plan to place one company in the north and the south to block the advance of Japanese reinforcements along the way and buy time for the main force of our regiment to break through the mountain wind mouth."
"Fourth Battalion Commander, how many Japanese reinforcements do you expect from the north and south?" Wang Shoucheng asked.
Han Feng said: "The garrison originally stationed by the northern and southern Japanese armies had at least one brigade of troops. If it was reinforcements, there would be at least one squadron."
"Then I suggest leaving one company to assist our armored forces in attacking Shanfengkou, and leaving one and a half companies each for the reinforcement troops from the north and south!" Wang Shoucheng said after thinking for a moment.
"Is it possible?" Han Feng asked.
"Please rest assured, Commander Fourth Battalion, there will definitely be no problem!"
"Okay!"
Han Feng was not shy and agreed immediately, and the plan was finalized.
...Japanese Army Zhongtiao Mountain Headquarters.
The news soon came, and the Japanese officers learned that an Eighth Route Army unit suddenly appeared from inside Zhongtiao Mountain and attacked the edge stronghold.
This naturally aroused doubts among the Japanese officers.
"The main force of the Eighth Route Army in Zhongtiao Mountain is still encircled by our army? This Eighth Route Army that sneak attacked the edge stronghold is probably the Eighth Route Army unit that jumped out of the encirclement in advance."
"But they didn't want to deal with the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the encirclement, so why did they go to the edge of Zhongtiao Mountain?"
Once this doubt was raised, the Japanese officers all became vigilant.
Then a Japanese officer pointed out: "According to our consistent understanding of the Eighth Route Army, they are by no means a team that abandons friendly forces."
"The main force of the Eighth Route Army is still encircled by our army. It is unlikely that the Eighth Route Army that broke out will break through the edge strongholds and escape from Zhongtiao Mountain."
"Let's put it this way...no, is there an Eighth Route Army reinforcements entering the Zhongtiao Mountain area? Is this Eighth Route Army that raided the edge strongholds cooperating from within?"
"Your Excellency, Commander, I think the situation is not good. We should immediately communicate with all departments to encircle them, strengthen their vigilance, and be on guard against any surprise attack by the Eighth Route Army troops from the outside at any time."
This is the most pertinent analysis.
The Japanese commander nodded and immediately issued the order.
……
The other side.
After making a battle plan, Han Feng immediately contacted the headquarters of the Fourth Regiment, which was surrounded by the Japanese army, through radio equipment.
These American radio equipment gave the four regiments the ability to communicate at any time.
Although the Japanese army could detect it, they could not decipher the intercepted communication waves because there was no code.
Coupled with the judgment of the Fourth Regiment’s Communications Department that they intended to paralyze the Japanese army.
Communication between each other occurs from time to time.
Sometimes it is to convey some important news, but more often it is to convey some irrelevant content on purpose.
The Japanese army was helpless and couldn't figure out the situation at all.
When the news came, the cadres of the Fourth Regiment, who had been waiting eagerly for it, were all overjoyed.
The regiment leader Wang Huaibao immediately arranged the combat deployment: "It has been determined that the final breakthrough point this time is at the mountain wind mouth."
"The armored company of our detachment has arrived, and with the main force of the fourth battalion led by Han Feng supporting from the outside, it will not be a problem to break through the mountain vent in one fell swoop."
"But..."
He paused for a moment and continued: "Just in case, we cannot directly choose the mountain wind outlet when attacking from the inside."
"According to the time we agreed with the Fourth Battalion, there are still at least three hours left."
"That's enough. Let's attack the Japanese pass to the north of Shanfengkou first. The louder the movement, the better. We will take a posture to break through the pass in one fell swoop."
"Immediately afterwards, I sent my troops south as quickly as possible, quickly attacked the mountain wind outlet from the inside, and broke out in one fell swoop."
"Yes——"
Naturally, this exquisite plan was immediately recognized by all the cadres, who responded one after another.
Time passes so quickly.
At about two o'clock in the afternoon.
The Japanese rear command suddenly received news that the encircled Eighth Route Army troops had raided the northern pass.
According to communication sources:
The Eighth Route Army's firepower was fierce and their attacks were extremely fierce. They even organized five or six charges at once in an attempt to force a breakthrough through the pass and break out.
Let’s connect this to the previous analysis of the stronghold on the edge of Zhongtiao Mountain being raided by the Eighth Route Army.
The Japanese officers immediately believed: "The Eighth Route Army suddenly changed its normal behavior and violently attacked the northern pass. This was probably related to the raid on the edge stronghold a few hours ago."
"Maybe... outside the encirclement, the Eighth Route Army is waiting outside the northern pass to cope with the main force of the Eighth Route Army inside."
After analyzing this point, the Japanese officers did not dare to delay any longer and quickly issued an order to quickly reinforce the troops around the northern pass toward the pass.
At three o'clock in the afternoon, Wang Huaibao issued an order to cease fire.
Then an intervening company was left behind to continue to launch a feint attack towards the northern pass, while the rest of the main force quickly changed direction and set off towards the mountain wind pass.
As a result, the Japanese troops stationed at the northern pass seemed to easily repulse the attacks of the fourth regiment again and again.
Until two Japanese brigades quickly reinforced to the northern pass in accordance with the orders of the headquarters.
The Japanese who were stationed at the northern pass all breathed a sigh of relief.
At this time, the captain of the Japanese reinforcements, who was standing on the fortifications watching the battle, suddenly expressed doubts: "The situation seems to be a little wrong. Although the Eighth Route Army is still launching attacks, if you look closely, you will find that they do not seem to have much strength.
.
In addition, every attack collapsed immediately."
"If the Eighth Route Army really wanted to break through the pass in one fell swoop, why bother doing all this useless work?"
The Japanese captain who was originally stationed at the northern pass also hesitated and said: "It is true. The intensity of the Eighth Route Army's attack seems to have dropped sharply compared to an hour ago."
"Could it be that our army's reinforcements have arrived and the Eighth Route Army knew that they could not break through the pass, so they chose to give up?"
The two old devils thought about it for a long time, but couldn't figure out the reason.
I had no choice but to honestly report the situation at the northern pass to the headquarters.
The Japanese staff at the headquarters were also confused.
What on earth are these Eighth Route Army doing?
Time passed quickly like this to 4:12 pm.
Wang Huaibao, who personally led the main force of the fourth regiment to the Guizishan Fengkou position, directly issued an order to attack at all costs.
A fierce confrontation suddenly broke out.
After the news was quickly passed to the Japanese command headquarters, the Japanese officers suddenly realized:
"No, it's the Eighth Route Army that is best at making false claims in the east and attacking in the west!"
The order from the headquarters was immediately issued, and reinforcements from various ministries and garrison troops rushed to the mountain wind outlet to reinforce.
At this time, the fighting between China and Japan at the Shanfengkou position intensified.
The main force of the four attacking regiments exerted all their strength.
Although nearly 500 elite Japanese troops were stationed at Shanfengkou, they did not dare to be careless due to the fierce firepower of the main force of the Fourth Regiment.
The little devils mustered up all their energy and prepared a full frontal defense.
Then, the two sides fought fiercely for less than ten minutes.
Under the leadership of Wang Shoucheng, the commander of the first armored company, 24 tanks of the armored company launched a surprise attack directly from the back of the Japanese army's Shanfengkou position.
This sudden assault force even carried more than 20 armored fighting vehicles.
Under the massive attack and powerful artillery bombardment, the Japanese troops stationed at the mountain wind outlet, who were focusing all their attention on the main attack of the four regiments ahead, were directly stunned.
The Japanese major who was responsible for stationing at Shanfengkou was shocked.
He was cursing in his mind, he was really in a ghost state.
Why did this Eighth Route Army armored force suddenly appear here?
What he doesn't understand even more is how come Tubal Road has armored troops?
Boom——
The fierce artillery fire did not allow the Japanese major to think.
When tanks and armored vehicles equipped with howitzers continued to bombard the mountain breeze amid constant roars.
The Japanese Major's expression became more and more frightened.
He could see clearly through the telescope that most of the opponent's tanks were Japanese tanks produced by the Empire of Japan.
However, the Eighth Route Army seemed to have modified it and specially installed howitzers, so that the military vehicles used by the Japanese army to pull goods actually had artillery strike capabilities.
The two Type 89 medium-sized tanks, with full firepower, led the line on the not too steep terrain on the back of the mountain wind mouth, and quickly advanced amidst slight bumps.
Knowing full well what would happen if the defensive position was breached by enemy tanks, the Japanese Major issued an order to stop the attack while roaring repeatedly.
However, rifles, light machine guns, heavy machine guns, including small-caliber artillery shells, fell on the opponent's tank armor, just like scratching an itch, and were unable to cause an effective blow to the enemy's armor.
The Japanese defenders, who also lacked anti-tank equipment, were quite desperate at this moment.
Wang Shoucheng, who was personally sitting in a Type 89 tank and taking command, ordered the driver to drive in at full speed. With the help of the strong front armor, he blocked all the Japanese firepower attacks and took the lead in breaking through the Japanese fortifications. p>
The little Japanese who were blocked along the way were so frightened that they had no time to dodge, and were even crushed to pieces by the rampaging tanks.
After the tanks broke through the fortifications, they were like tigers entering a flock of sheep, and they immediately started a one-sided massacre.
In fact, in addition to the additional howitzer, this Type 89 medium tank also has two internal heavy machine guns.
The entire tank is like a hedgehog covered in thorns, firing in all directions.
One by one, the little devils didn't even have time to react, and they fell down one after another.
After the first Type 89 tank took the lead in breaking through the Japanese fortifications, the armored vehicles in the rear and the soldiers of the fourth company quickly followed up to consolidate the breakthrough and expand the results.
At this time, the Japanese troops who were penetrated by armored vehicles were in chaos.
The shift in the center of gravity resulted in insufficient front defense.
The main force of the fourth regiment took the opportunity to pounce, and after a round of charges, they broke through the Japanese front-line defenses...