Brigadier Chen stood at a hidden observation point, holding a telescope and constantly observing the position ahead. A dark-faced man and several staff officers stood silently behind him without speaking.
After a long while, Brigadier Chen put down the telescope and asked without looking back: "What's going on with the New Regiment?"
A staff officer stood up and said: "Brigade commander, the new regiment reported ten minutes ago that they had advanced more than 500 meters and captured the first position on the left wing. The 363rd Regiment of the 7th Division also advanced more than 300 meters.
Everything is going well so far.”
"Where's the Liantai Militia?"
"The Liantai militia broke into the main Japanese position and severely damaged the enemy's 100th Regiment. However, the Japanese resistance was still fierce, especially the No. 5 position built by the Japanese was quite strong. The Japanese also dug several anti-tank trenches in front of the position.
As a result, the Liantai militia's attack was hindered."
Brigadier Chen was silent. The dark-faced man on the side hesitated for a moment and then said tentatively: "Chief... what we talked about before was just a tentative attack. The attack here is actually almost done. Should we discuss with Commander Gao and the others?"
For a moment, stop the attack first?
After all, there is still a big battle to be fought, and if there are too many casualties due to this battle, it may be very detrimental to the next war."
Brigadier Chen looked at this man who didn't speak for a long time. He saw a layer of white sweat oozing out from this man's forehead and then said slowly: "Captain Wang, if I remember correctly, you seem to have a nickname called Wang DaDa."
Bar?"
"Yes, Chief."
"Then can you honestly tell me, less than two hours after the battle started, our offensive is progressing very smoothly, and the casualties of the troops are almost negligible. Why do you suggest retreat?"
"Chief...I...I..." Captain Wang stuttered for a moment.
Looking at Commander Wang who said several things about me but could not answer, Brigadier Chen's face slowly sank.
"King is bold!"
"arrive!"
"State your name and position!"
"Wang Shidao, the commander of the 685th Regiment of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army, reports to you!"
"Oh...it turns out to be Commander Wang. If you hadn't told me, I would have thought that your boy is now the division commander. He actually openly questioned the joint command's decision and commanded me." Brigadier Chen's voice was not clear.
Big, but it scared Wang DaDa into a cold sweat.
"No... Chief, even if I were to kill you, I wouldn't dare question you."
"Then what do you mean? Now our friendly forces are fighting fiercely with the Japanese army, but you suggest that I retreat. Do you know the consequences of doing so?
At a lighter level, that is cowardice and retreating from the battle; at a larger scale, it is fleeing from the battle regardless of the safety of friendly troops. Do you know the serious consequences of doing so?"
Wang boldly lowered his head and said aggrievedly: "Chief, I didn't say that I would evacuate without permission. If we really evacuate, we would always inform Commander Gao and others."
"fart!"
Brigadier Chen scolded, "You are also a veteran. You should know the consequences of changing the battle plan without authorization. We originally agreed to fight together in advance and retreat, but the current battle situation is obviously in our favor. We
If we suddenly propose a withdrawal, what will your friendly forces think? What will they think of us?
Let me tell you Wang DaDa, if you were a soldier of our 386th Brigade, I would have reason to dismiss you based on your suggestion just now!"
Being scolded by Brigadier Chen for a while, Wang DaDa felt his back was soaked.
Seeing Wang DaDa, who almost lowered his head to his crotch, Brigadier Chen's tone softened a little, "I know that you are from Jiangxi, your family was killed during the counter-encirclement and suppression campaign, and you have no good impression of the Kuomintang from the bottom of your heart.
.
I can understand this, but you have to understand that our primary goal now is to resist Japan, and for this purpose everything else can be put aside.
You should understand the principle of brothers fighting against each other and resisting foreign aggression. If you still can't figure it out, I will immediately transfer your regiment back to Gaojiazhuang and let the 686th regiment take over for you."
"Chief, I was wrong." Wang Dabao was ashamed after being scolded, "I shouldn't bring my personal emotions to work, and I will never do it next time."
Brigadier Chen snorted and his expression softened a lot: "It's good that you know you were wrong. You go down and prepare. The biggest problem of the Liantai Militia is the lack of troops. There is only one battalion to follow the tank attack. You should go to Commander Gao immediately."
Report there and see if there is anything he needs help with.
If so, you will stay there and listen to Commander Gao's command, do you understand?"
"yes!"
Wang boldly puffed up his chest, saluted with a military salute and left quickly.
With the attack of the Chinese army, the Japanese army reacted immediately as if they had been poked into a hornet's nest.
The commander of the 37th Division, Anda 23, immediately sent two infantry regiments towards both sides of the 9th Brigade.
Anda Twenty-Three's calculations were very good. The Ninth Brigade has basically built three lines of defense these days. No matter how unbearable it is, it will not be a problem to hold on for half a day.
As long as the Ninth Brigade can withstand the opponent's attack, his reinforcements will arrive immediately, and they will be able to unite with the Ninth Brigade and even launch a counterattack.
Brigadier Chen, who returned to the headquarters from the observation post, saw that all the staff officers in the huge headquarters were busy non-stop. Tang Huaiyuan was lying in front of the sand table talking to Gao Hongming, Chi Yaohui and several staff officers.
He walked over and asked curiously: "Commander Tang, Commander Gao, what are you discussing?"
Tang Huaiyuan raised his head and said, "Commander Chen, you are here just in time. We have just received an aerial reconnaissance report. The Japanese Thirty-seventh Division mobilized two regiments and circled around from the left and right wings.
Commander Gao and I originally wanted to notify the Air Force to launch bombings on these two wings, but the air fleet has just returned to refuel and will not be back for at least two or three hours. Commander Gao and I are currently discussing countermeasures."
"oh……"
Brigadier Chen walked over quickly.
Tang Huaiyuan gave up a place and pointed at the sand table with a small wooden stick, "This is here and here. The two Japanese regiments are expected to arrive in half an hour."
Brigadier Chen looked at it for a while and frowned slightly: "Commander Tang, Commander Gao, once the reinforcements from the two Japanese regiments arrive and join the ninth brigade, we want to quickly capture the Japanese position.
The plan is bound to fail, and this battle is bound to become a protracted war, which is inconsistent with our previous plan."
"Yes." Tang Huaiyuan let out a long breath, "Captain Gao and I are also in a dilemma. We are launching the final attack on the Ninth Brigade, but now it seems that time is too late. Brigadier Chen, do you have any questions?