Chapter six hundred and fortieth the fog gradually opened
Chapter 640: The fog gradually opens
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. The three reinforcements of the Japanese army arranged in a "pin" shape seemed to have changed their nature. They seemed to be in no hurry to attack the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Sifangtuo area. At a distance of forty kilometers,
The three reinforcements marched for two full days and had just covered less than half of the distance.
As for the "main force" of the Japanese 128th Division, under the constant harassment of the main 14th Division, it was surprisingly calm and slowly moved toward the base area at a speed of less than 20 kilometers per day. However, due to the slow marching speed of the Japanese army,
There was no harm to the entire base area. Therefore, this abnormal phenomenon of the Japanese army did not attract the attention of Commander Liu Hua.
And just when everyone was at a loss as to the movements of the Japanese four-pronged army, the mixed detachment sent by the Japanese 128th Division, consisting of 5,000 elite little devils, had made no sound while traveling day and night.
They bypassed Baishan County and arrived at Shimenling, less than 20 kilometers away from the headquarters of the base area, and hid in a forest.
In the hidden military camp of the Japanese army, in a fully enclosed tent, under the illumination of a dim lantern, all the officers of the Japanese mixed detachment, including majors and above, gathered around a huge military combat map, discussing what the troops would do tonight.
specific action plan.
"Your Excellency, detachment leader, according to the map, the location 20 kilometers ahead is the location of Shimenling, the highest headquarters of the Eighth Route Army. Therefore, I thought that we should take advantage of the cover of night to directly raid the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and destroy its command system. And then
, waiting for work in the Shimenling area, annihilating the reinforcements of the Eighth Route Army one by one, so as to achieve the goal of destroying the entire Mengshan base area..." The captain of the first infantry brigade of the mixed detachment took a look at the map in front of him, and first spoke to everyone
said.
Regarding the suggestion from the captain of the First Brigade, the detachment leader Nakazawa nodded silently, and then asked: "Everyone, do you have any other ideas about Kimura-kun's suggestion? Feel free to put it forward."
Faced with Colonel Nakazawa's rhetorical question, the artillery detachment captain, Shaotian Shaozuo, immediately replied: "Your Excellency, detachment captain, our artillery detachment has no objections. At the same time, on behalf of all the combatants of the artillery detachment, I hereby guarantee that during the battle
During the process, we must provide adequate artillery support to our infantry brothers as much as possible..."
"Hai, your Excellency, the detachment leader, the Second Infantry Brigade has no objections..."
Soon, several captains who participated in the meeting immediately expressed their opinions in agreement.
Regarding everyone's performance, Colonel Nakaze nodded with satisfaction, and then said with a smile on his face: "Very good, everyone, the great achievement of destroying the Eighth Route Army base is right in front of us. I hope you can do it during tonight's operation.
Let’s work together, fight the enemy bravely, and successfully complete the combat mission entrusted to us by the division commander.”
"Hai..."
Seeing the eagerness to try on everyone's faces, the smile on Colonel Nakazawa's face became even thicker, and he immediately ordered: "Now I order the three infantry brigades to each be equipped with a mortar squadron and an engineer squadron.
The squad, a cavalry squadron, is divided into three lines, from three directions, southeast and west, to launch an attack on the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army. Fight for a battle to annihilate all the command personnel of the Eighth Route Army headquarters and destroy its command system."
Seeing the excitement on everyone's faces, Colonel Nakazawa continued to order: "The first group is responsible for attacking due south, the second group is responsible for attacking from the west, and the third group is responsible for attacking from the east. I will lead
The guard squadron, a cavalry squadron, and an artillery squadron serve as the reserve team for the entire battle and provide support in the center. In addition, during the attack, each unit must keep the radio open. If there is any situation, report it immediately and adjust the deployment at any time."
"Hai..." All the officers replied in unison again.
"Very good. After the meeting, each unit immediately replenished ammunition and rested. An hour later, at ten o'clock in the evening, the troops set off on time. Finally, at two o'clock in the morning, the attack was launched." Colonel Nakazawa decisively ordered
.
However, what Colonel Nakazawa did not expect was that the main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Mengshan area, in order to cope with the heavy encirclement and suppression by the Japanese Fifth Route Army, although they were all deployed, only a few garrison troops were left to serve as the defense of the entire base area.
However, in order to prevent Japanese spies from taking the opportunity to sneak attack the empty base area and spy on various military intelligence in the base area, Deputy Commander Yang Jingyu, who stayed behind in the base area, did not sit back and wait for good news from the front line. Instead, within a few days, he mobilized
A large number of militia troops laid a large number of mines at all entrances and exits of the base area to guard against sneak attacks by small groups of Japanese troops.
As the seat of the highest headquarters of the entire base area, Shimen Ridge was surrounded by countless landmines. The Japanese army had a mixed detachment with more than 5,000 little Japs. Faced with the dense and ubiquitous landmines around Shimen Ridge, they wanted to
It is almost impossible to approach Shimen Ridge quietly and then launch a surprise attack.
However, these mines cannot completely block the offensive of the Japanese Kwantung Army, which is equipped with a large number of engineering troops. The only role they can play is to know the news of the Japanese invasion in advance and prepare for fighting and transfer in advance.
Prepare.
As expected, less than an hour after the Japanese Third Army walked out of the camp under the cover of darkness, a series of explosions were heard. In the quiet night, like a thunder, the whole base area was hit by a sudden explosion.
All woke up.
Hearing the explosion of landmines, although he knew that his plan to sneak attack on the Eighth Route Army headquarters was completely exposed to the eyes of the Eighth Route Army from now on. However, facing the empty Eighth Route Army base area, the Japanese army with 5,000 troops was mixed
Colonel Nakazawa, the leader of the formation detachment, did not have any worries.
After all, he has five thousand of the most elite Kwantung Army soldiers in his hands. And what stands in front of him is only a handful of regular troops of the Eighth Route Army. As for the remaining local armed forces, in the eyes of Colonel Nakazawa, they are all those who have just been laid down.
It is still a question for ordinary people who are hoes whether they can shoot a gun, let alone fight.
As a result, Colonel Nakazawa, who was full of confidence, did not hesitate at all. Immediately, he changed his carefully formulated sneak attack plan into a storm attack. A large number of engineering troops, under the orders of Colonel Nakazawa, quickly
They rushed to the front line and began intense demining work to open an offensive channel for the troops.
Of course, the violent explosion also immediately woke up everyone staying at the Shimenling headquarters from their sleep. Deputy Commander Yang Jingyu, regardless of the objections of the guards around him, just put on a military coat.
He hurriedly rushed into the brightly lit war room, wanting to know first-hand the situation of the explosion that had just occurred.
"Staff on duty, what was the explosion just now?" Yang Jingyu rushed into the headquarters and saw the staff on duty who had just put down the phone and was about to go to his room to report. Yang Jingyu immediately asked.
"Ah, deputy commander..."
Seeing Yang Jingyu walking up to him in a hurry, the staff officer on duty immediately replied with a serious face after a brief shock.
"Reporting to the deputy commander, he is a kid. According to the report of the militia troops patrolling outside the mountain, just now, a large number of Japs suddenly appeared at the mountain pass less than fifteen kilometers away from Shimen Ridge. The total strength is about 5,000.
.Currently, this group of Japanese soldiers are clearing mines and advancing towards our headquarters."
"Five thousand little devils..."
Yang Jingyu couldn't help but exclaimed, and then asked the combat staff in front of him in disbelief.
"Staff on duty, is the intelligence reliable? You know, this is no joke. How did five thousand little devils escape our patrol and suddenly appear around my headquarters..."
However, in response to Yang Jingyu's rhetorical question, the staff officer on duty was also full of doubts. After a brief reflection, the staff officer on duty said: "Deputy Commander, I don't know the specific situation. However, five thousand little devils suddenly appeared in
It's absolutely true that it's near my headquarters. Deputy Commander, there are less than a thousand garrison troops around my headquarters now. And the target of the 5,000-strong Japanese army is obviously our headquarters. I suggest that we immediately
A certain number of guard troops were dispatched to block the Japanese army's advance. Then, the headquarters immediately transferred to get rid of the Japanese army's encirclement and suppression..."
"no…"
Regarding the suggestion of the staff on duty, Yang Jingyu did not even think about it and rejected it firmly. After seeing the expression of anxiety and worry on the face of the staff on duty in front of him as his voice fell, Yang Jingyu pointed at
The military map on the wall opened and explained.
"Shimen Ridge is like the gate of the base area to the entire base area. Its importance is self-evident to me. As long as we can guard this gate, the entire base area will not be in any danger. However, if Shimen Ridge is lost, the entire base area will be in danger."
The base area will no longer have any defensive force in front of the Japanese army. At that time, the foundation we have worked so hard to create will be destroyed under the iron heel of the Japanese army. Therefore, no matter from which aspect,
We must defend Shimen Ridge."
Although the staff officer on duty also agreed very much with Yang Jingyu's explanation. However, when he thought of the five thousand precious little Japs getting closer and closer to the headquarters, the staff officer on duty still had beans popping up on his forehead.
Big beads of sweat. Then, he still asked with a worried look on his face.
"Deputy Commander, what should we do next?"
After glancing at the map in front of him, he looked at the other commanders in the headquarters who also looked anxious. Yang Jingyu decisively ordered: "Order the militia troops around the base to go to the logistics office to collect mines and move the little devils forward.
All roads, mountain passes, fields... In short, wherever people can walk, mines are laid to slow down their march."
"In addition, the three battalions of the headquarters guard regiment are ordered to immediately go to the front line and establish at least three lines of defense on the road leading to Shimen Ridge based on the favorable terrain. Notify the logistics department to transfer all the mines, light and heavy machine guns in reserve,
Bring them all out to me to equip the troops. In a word, even if we kill all the people in the headquarters, we must block the Japs' offensive and defend Shimen Ridge." Yang Jingyu ordered with determination.
"Yes, deputy commander..." In response to Yang Jingyu's order, the staff officer on duty replied affirmatively.
Looking at the combat staff who quickly left and assigned specific combat tasks, Yang Jingyu turned to the communications staff in front of him and said: "Communications staff, immediately send a telegram to the commander to truthfully report the news of the 5,000 Japanese troops invading the base area. Look.
Commander, do you have any good solutions...?"
As soon as Yang Jingyu's order was issued, the entire headquarters immediately began to operate effectively. A large number of landmines, with the assistance of the militia troops, were densely bought and fired on the path of the Japanese army. The headquarters guard group consisted of less than a thousand people.
The troops, under the command of the regiment commander, took a large amount of light and heavy equipment and headed for the target battlefield.
Of course, at this moment, the telegram for help sent by Yang Jingyu was also delivered to Liu Hua immediately. The huge conspiracy of the Japanese army shrouding the entire base area slowly began to spread with the sound of landmine explosions.
was displayed in front of everyone. As for the fog that shrouded everyone, it gradually became clear.
In the Sifangtuo temporary headquarters, a communications staff officer rushed into the headquarters and interrupted Liu Hua and Zhou Baozhong who were discussing the current battle situation. Then, he reported breathlessly.
"Chief, Commander. Deputy Commander Yang of the base area sent an urgent message. The base area headquarters was attacked by a large-scale Japanese army..."
"What, how is it possible that the base area is being attacked..." Liu Hua asked incredulously. Then, he snatched the telegram from the hands of the communications staff and began to read it.
"You stupid little devil..." Liu Hua, who had never said a curse word all this time, couldn't help but utter a very familiar curse word after reading the telegram in his hand. Then, he frowned.
, fell into thinking.
Seeing the instant change in Liu Hua's expression in front of him, Zhou Baozhong's heart tightened and he quickly asked: "Commander, did something happen?"
"Well..." Liu Hua nodded silently and then said.
"The kid obviously can't play with us, so he plays tricks on us. This time, the kid gave us a double strategy of a golden cicada escaping its shell and a tiger taking out its heart. Originally, it was against the four main divisions of the Japanese army, especially the 128th Division.
We were suspicious of the abnormal behavior. Unexpectedly, we guessed it right. The 128th Division of the Japanese Army actually mobilized 5,000 troops and lurked around Shimenling without knowing it. At present, 5,000 troops
The Japanese are storming the headquarters at Shimenling, and Deputy Commander Yang is leading the guard troops to resist..."
"Ah! How could this happen..." As soon as Liu Hua finished speaking, Zhou Baozhong's face immediately showed a look of shock. Then, he couldn't help but let out an exclamation.
Half a minute later, while Liu Hua was still immersed in thinking, Zhou Baozhong, who recovered from the shock, immediately asked: "Commander, the Japanese army has a strength of five thousand people, and the remaining troops in our entire base area
, there is only a guard regiment of a thousand people. If we fight hard, Deputy Commander Yang can only hold on for a few hours at most. What should we do now? How about we immediately send an elite force back to the base area to support us."
"impossible…"
Regarding Zhou Baozhong's question, Liu Hua firmly rejected it. Then, he pointed at the military map in front of him and said.
"When the Japanese army implemented this combat plan, they had already considered the issue of our return reinforcements. Otherwise, the Japanese army would not have sent three divisions with a total of 60,000 Japanese troops to stand beside us.
I can guarantee that as long as we divide our troops to return to the base area to support us, the three Japanese divisions lingering around us will also divide our troops to pursue them as soon as possible. In the face of the little devils who have absolute air superiority, the return troops we sent will still be able to
If you don't return to the base area, you will become the fat in the mouth of the little devil."
The suggestion was rejected. Although Zhou Baozhong had sincerely accepted this reason, he still asked with a look of reluctance: "Commander, are we just going to watch the headquarters, under the heavy attack of the little Japs?"
be destroyed…"
"Shimenling is the only gateway for the Japanese army to enter our base area. And the entire base area is also the root of our Eighth Route Army. It can be said that without a strong base area, we will continue to provide reinforcements. The tens of thousands of troops in our hands will
Under the heavy encirclement and suppression by the Japanese army, there is no way out. However, in this current situation, we can only rely on the base's own strength..." Commander Liu Hua said thoughtfully.
At this moment, the worry on Zhou Baozhong's face not only did not diminish in any way, but intensified a lot. Just as Liu Hua finished speaking, Zhou Baozhong asked eagerly: "But, Commander. The entire base area
, the strength of the regular army is less than a thousand people. But the Japs are the most elite Kwantung Army with five thousand people. There is such a huge disparity in strength between the enemy and ourselves, so just relying on the strength of the base area, isn't it...?"
Looking at Zhou Baozhong who looked worried in front of him, Liu Hua quickly comforted him.
"Old Zhou, don't worry, I, Liu Hua, am not the kind of person who shoots without aim. Although, with a thousand troops, I will never be able to stop the attack of five thousand little devils. However, coupled with the favorable terrain, a large number of militia troops can attack
Assistance, coupled with the ubiquitous landmines around the base area, there is absolutely no problem in blocking the Japanese army for a day. Now, our urgent delay is how to find a way to summon thousands of troops to reinforce Shimenling.
Defeat the little devil’s attack…”
"Yes, Commander..." Faced with Liu Hua's comfort, Zhou Baozhong was very anxious. However, he could only nod helplessly. Then, he slowly fell into deep thought and began to think about possible solutions.