Seeing the two blue arrows on the sand table heading towards the position of the Ninth Brigade, Brigadier Chen was in a dilemma.
As previously agreed, this battle was only launched to increase the coordination between the various units. The purpose was to increase the tacit understanding between the Eighth Route Army, the Third Army and the Liantai Militia. If they can win, they will fight. If they can't, they will run away.
No one expected that the Ninth Brigade would be so useless. They were beaten and retreated as soon as the battle began. Now two of the three lines of defense have been breached, and the last line of defense is about to be breached.
The Ninth Brigade is fully equipped with only two infantry regiments. The 101st Infantry Regiment has even burned its flag. The only remaining 100 Infantry Regiment is struggling to survive. If even the 100 Infantry Regiment is gone, they can even join forces.
Send a telegram to the whole country, announcing the total annihilation of the 9th Brigade.
This is undoubtedly a huge encouragement to the people across the country today. More importantly, this is also the first time that the Eighth Route Army has the record of annihilating a Japanese brigade. Although this battle was completed by three parties, it is not important. What is important is
The Eighth Route Army was involved, which greatly improved the reputation of the Eighth Route Army.
But now comes the problem. The Japanese reinforcements come too fast, which may cause them to fail.
Brigadier Chen pondered for a long time and looked at Gao Hongming, "Commander Gao, if...I mean if Commander Tang and I lead our troops to take the initiative to attack the two regiments of Japanese reinforcements, the strength of the Liantai Militia alone can be
Can we annihilate the last remnants of the Ninth Brigade within two hours?"
All present were veteran Chiang Kai-sheks who had experienced battles in the field. As soon as Brigadier Chen’s words came out of his mouth, Gao Hongming and Tang Huaiyuan immediately understood Brigadier Chen’s intentions.
Gao Hongming hesitated, "Mr. Chen, what do you mean..."
"What I mean is, if Commander Tang and I take the initiative to block the two Japanese regiments, can your troops capture the position held by the Ninth Brigade within two to three hours?" Brigadier Chen was very energetic.
His eyes looked at Gao Hongming.
Tang Huaiyuan agreed, "I agree with Brother Chen. As long as we can destroy the 9th Brigade, what if our losses are bigger?"
Gao Hongming thought for a while and said meaningfully: "Mr. Chen, Chief Tang, what you two are doing is completely contrary to the plan we made last night. You must know that next we will have to face the siege of several Japanese divisions.
.”
"Of course I know." Brigadier Chen snorted, "That old devil Okamura Neji has put up a posture of surrounding a hundred thousand troops, and he is clearly determined to defeat us. I, Mr. Chen, are trying to defeat him now.
You know, it's not that easy to eat us, and you might end up losing a tooth.
I have thought about it, as long as we can defeat the Japanese 9th Brigade, even more losses will be acceptable. There are 450 million compatriots behind us, even if our 386th Brigade is wiped out, it won't take long
We can rebuild ten or even twenty brigades."
"Brother Chen is right." Tang Huaiyuan also slapped the table, "Our more than 20,000 brothers have never thought about going back since we left Yunnan. Even if I, Tang Huaiyuan, want to die, I will die well!"
At this time, the surrounding staff officers also gathered around.
These staff officers included members of the Eighth Route Army, the Third Army, and the Liantai Militia. All eyes were on Gao Hongming.
Seeing the eyes of everyone around him looking at him eagerly, Gao Hongming not only smiled bitterly, but shook his head helplessly, "As the old saying goes, plans can't keep up with changes. Now I feel a little regretful as to why I launched this running-in operation yesterday.
Okay, I basically agree with your opinions, but if you really want to fight against the Japanese, I'm afraid it will be a little difficult for you to have enough troops. Well, let me put the Second Artillery Battalion under your command temporarily.
What do you think of it?"
Tang Huaiyuan couldn't help laughing: "Of course this is a good thing. It's too late for me to be happy. How can I have any opinions?"
Brigadier Chen also said: "Since it is Commander Gao's kind intention, if we refuse, we will not give Commander Gao face. In this case, I will accept it."
During a joke among the three, the plan was finalized, but the three also agreed that no later than 15:30 in the afternoon, no matter what the battle situation was, all troops had to withdraw, and no one was allowed to fight.
In order to increase the communication capabilities of the Third Army and the Eighth Route Army, Gao Hongming asked the Logistics Department to send them four radios and twenty SCR-300 walkie-talkies, and replenished them with a batch of weapons and ammunition.
The Japanese troops of the 78th Regiment and the 79th Regiment of the 31st Division, who were ordered to come to reinforce the Ninth Brigade, did not know that they would face a tenacious sniper attack...
A former Japanese position on the left wing of the frontal battlefield
Ding Wei was sitting in a trench that was half blown down, smoking a cigarette comfortably. He looked at the soldiers around him who were busy cleaning the battlefield. There were piles of Type 38 rifles, Type 92 heavy machine guns, and ten-type heavy machine guns piled up nearby.
One-year-old machine guns and grenade launchers, I feel very happy.
He shouted to the side: "Consultant Zhou, have our seizures been counted?"
"It's out." Staff Zhou wrote down the last few numbers and ran next to him, with an uncontrollable smile on his face: "Captain, we seized a total of 306 38-guns and 7 92-guns this time.
Type heavy machine gun, 11 crooked handles and 23 grenade launchers, with more than 10,000 rounds of ammunition.”
"We have obtained equipment for a battalion again. This deal is a great deal." Ding Wei took a deep breath of cigarette and suddenly laughed: "When I go back this time, I will also show off in front of that kid Li Yunlong and make him hungry..."
"Hahaha……"
It was rare for Staff Officer Zhou to see that Ding Wei had such a childish side and couldn't help laughing.
At this moment, two Eighth Route Army soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms made of tree branches ran up from the front. The two men ran up to Ding Wei panting and said urgently: "Commander...the Japanese reinforcements are here."
, a full regiment has already come into contact with the 7th company in charge of security."
"Damn it, the little devil came pretty quickly." Ding Wei was slightly startled.
"Captain, what should we do? Should we send reinforcements to guard the Seventh Company?" Staff Officer Zhou asked.
"What kind of reinforcements are there?" Ding Wei glared, "Hurry up and order the Seventh Company to retreat. We must prepare to retreat."
"No retreat!"
At this moment, a familiar voice sounded from behind.
Ding Wei looked back and was shocked, "Brigadier, why are you here?"
Brigadier Chen strode up to him and asked, "Why can't I come?"
"It's dangerous here. You'd better go back quickly. I just received intelligence that a Japanese regiment is pressing towards us. We have to withdraw as well."
"Retreat for what? Didn't you hear what I just said?"
Brigadier Chen glared: "Now I order that the original plan be cancelled, prepare to launch a counterattack, and the Japanese must be kept here!"