In the telecommunications room outside the temporary headquarters of the Sifangtuo Eighth Route Army, a pleasant sound of the telegraph machine sending and receiving ended. Commander Zhou Baozhong, holding a telegram, rushed from the telecommunications room into the headquarters with an excited look. Seeing in front of him,
Liu Hua, who was looking intently at the military map in front of him, said excitedly: "Commander, the victory telegram from Commander Li of the Artillery Regiment..."
"Read..." It was beyond Zhou Baozhong's expectation. After hearing the words 'telegram of victory', Liu Hua did not show any excitement. It was as if the whole thing was within his expectation.
He replied with a calm face.
Although he deeply admired the commander in front of him who had a calm face and never panicked at all times. However, Zhou Baozhong immediately reacted from the shock and excitement and said to Liu Hua in front of him:
"Commander, according to the report of Commander Li of the Artillery Regiment, an explosion occurred in Baishan County three hours ago under the continuous shelling of one of our heavy artillery batteries. As for the specific results achieved by the troops, it is not clear because they cannot get close to observe.
However, so far, the Japanese troops stationed on the outskirts of Baishan County have carried out a very tight blockade of the entire Baishan County. At the same time, the Japanese army has also dispatched a large number of troops to conduct an area of tens of kilometers around the county.
, conduct a very thorough coverage search…”
"Old Zhou, since the Japanese army can make such a big noise, they can only show us one fact, that is, the artillery regiment succeeded. The 20,000 little Japs stationed in Baishan County must have been completely destroyed..."
After listening to Zhou Baozhong's report, Liu Hua said confidently without even thinking...
"Commander, I think so too... The current Japanese forward troops have lost 20,000 troops overnight. If nothing else happens, the remaining 20,000 troops will lose their artillery advantage. If they don't want to
If the army is destroyed, there is only one way to go, and that is to withdraw the army immediately..." Zhou Baozhong said with great agreement.
Sure enough, just as Zhou Baozhong finished speaking, a communications staff officer rushed into the headquarters and stood in front of the two men. Then, he panted.
"Report to the head, commander. The forward position scouts reported that the Japanese troops confronting our army showed signs of preparing to retreat..."
"What, retreat..." Liu Hua couldn't help but asked in surprise.
Then, the several combat staff officers in front of them looked at each other in surprise, picked up a pair of binoculars, and quickly rushed out of the headquarters. Immediately after, Liu Hua's command came to everyone's ears.
"Lao Zhou, I will leave the command to you first. If there is any important situation, ask the correspondent to go to the forward position to find me immediately... Guard platoon, set off immediately and follow me to the forward position..."
In fact, the so-called forward positions, speaking of positions, are just the main force hidden in the dense forest. In order to prevent the Japanese army from sending troops to carry out sneak attacks, they dug out a few hidden posts on the edge of the forest. At this moment, the garrison
There is only one company of troops at all sentry posts.
When Commander Liu Hua led a guard platoon along the traffic trench and quickly arrived at the forward observation post, the highest commander of the outpost position, the former commander of the 39th Regiment, Jin Dazhong, was holding up the telescope in his hand and observing with a solemn expression.
A few kilometers away, a busy Japanese camp...
Seeing behind him Commander Liu Hua, who was panting and rushing into the headquarters, Commander Jin Dazhong couldn't help being shocked, and asked with excitement: "|Chief, why are you here? It's too dangerous here..."
"Captain Jin, don't tell me these useless things. I just heard that the Japanese army is preparing to retreat. Let me take a look at the specific situation. What is the situation of the Japanese army that is confronting us now? Please give me a simple explanation first.
"Would you like to introduce me?" Liu Hua smiled, waved his hand, and asked Jin Dazhong in front of him.
"Reporting to the chief. Since this morning, the Japanese army has been very abnormal: they only sent some cavalry observation posts to us. As for their infantry, they have begun to pack up various tents and baggage materials in the military camp... Numerous phenomena indicate that the Japanese army
Ready to retreat... Chief, has something happened? Otherwise, why would the Japanese army retreat when they have an absolute advantage?" Commander Jin Dazhong replied, pointing to the vaguely visible Japanese military camp a few kilometers away.
"Captain Jin, you are right. Just a few hours ago, the Japanese forward troops stationed in Baishan County suffered heavy losses under the attack of our artillery regiment and have lost the ability to attack our base areas. And our field army
The main force, hundreds of thousands of troops, had successfully broken through the Shanhaiguan defense line, which was heavily defended by the Japanese army, one day ago. Currently, hundreds of thousands of troops are heading towards the Japanese army's rear path. If the little devil in front of you does not seize the time to retreat, then,
What awaits them is to be completely surrounded by our army, and then to be wiped out one by one by our Northeast Field Army..." At this point, Liu Hua's face slowly showed a confident smile.
Then, he raised the telescope in his hand and looked at the Japanese position a few kilometers away...
The specific situation is exactly as what Commander Jin Daezhong said. At this moment, in the Japanese military camp, most of the tents that were neatly organized a day ago have been put away. What's more important is that they are piled up in every corner of the military camp.
The supplies inside, as well as various artillery and heavy weapons, have all been loaded on the trucks... In a word, the signs in the Japanese military camp clearly indicate that the tens of thousands of Japanese troops in the military camp are making final preparations for retreat...
..
And just when Liu Hua held up the binoculars and stared at the Japanese position a few kilometers away, and was deep in thought. Commander Jin Daezhong beside him had a look on his face after hearing the two pieces of good news that Liu Hua said in succession.
It’s joy that blooms…
"Chief, it's true. The main force of our field army has really all left the border... Also, a few hours ago, the artillery regiment really wiped out 20,000 Japs..." Facing Liu Hua, who looked solemn in front of him
, the head of the Central Committee asked excitedly today...
After receiving Liu Hua's affirmative answer, Jin Dazhong's face immediately turned into a look of eagerness, and he continued to ask: "Chief, such a good opportunity to annihilate the enemy is right in front of you. However, the little Japanese is about to carry out the attack.
We have retreated, what should we do next? Are we really going to just watch these tens of thousands of little devils who are short of food and ammunition slip away from our lips..."
"Even if you want to leave, you must leave something for me... Captain Jin, don't worry, when have you ever seen me, Liu Hua, let the little devil deliver the fat to our lips?"
, slipped away from our lips..." Liu Hua replied decisively.
"Yes, Chief..." Jin Dazhong smiled sheepishly and then continued to ask.
"Chief, because the troops suffered heavy losses some time ago. Currently, my 39th Regiment has been reduced to one battalion. But I can guarantee that the remaining battalion of my 39th Regiment are all veterans who have been on the battlefield. That's all.
In terms of combat effectiveness, it is definitely equivalent to the original two battalions. Therefore, I, Jin Dazhong, implore the commander to hand over the most difficult task to my 39th Regiment when the time comes, and all the commanders and fighters of our 39th Regiment will ensure that the task is completed..."
"Okay, I will definitely seriously consider the combat mission of your 39th Regiment when the time comes... Commander Jin, I will leave the forward position to you. If there is any change in the Japanese army on the opposite side, report it immediately to avoid delaying the fighter..." Liu Hua nodded,
Then he ordered.
"Yes, please don't worry, chief..."
Returning to the headquarters, Liu Hua immediately rushed to the huge military map. Then, comparing the military map in front of him, he began to analyze the current specific situation of the enemy's and ours' military deployment...
Seeing Commander Liu Hua and Zhou Baozhong looking solemn in front of him since he returned to the headquarters, he quickly asked: "Commander, the little devils are really ready to retreat... However, our encirclement has not been completely completed so far.
Formed..."
Liu Hua nodded silently and replied: "Lao Zhou, this is what I am thinking about now. Seeing the fat in my mouth slipping away from my mouth, I am not willing to say anything...
In a word, no matter what, we must find a way to keep the three Japanese divisions in front of us here and wait for the arrival of the main force of the field army..."
Seeing that he had just finished speaking, Zhou Baozhong's face in front of him was immediately shrouded in a solemn look. Liu Hua continued to ask: "Old Zhou, how many troops are there around us now? Can we continue to fight?
How many troops are there... In addition, how many combatable troops are there in our army around the Japanese 128th Division and Baishan County... Immediately mark all the situations you know on the map in front of you..."
"Yes, Commander..."
As he spoke, Zhou Baozhong picked up a pencil and explained based on the military map in front of him.
"Commander, there are currently 15 divisions of the fifth column and three divisions of the new recruit column around my headquarters. However, due to continuous operations, the four divisions have not reached full strength. Only the 15th division is left.
There are less than two combat regiments. The entire new column has only five regiments with a combat strength of 10,000 people. Coupled with the strength of one battalion of the 39th Regiment left by the 13th Division, the guard regiment is directly under the headquarters... At present,
We only have more than 15,000 troops at our disposal..."
After seeing Commander Liu Hua's face and hearing that his nearly 30,000 troops were only half of his strength, a look of frustration immediately appeared on his face. Zhou Baozhong continued.
"Commander, although the force in our hands has been reduced by half. However, after the entire force has been tested on the battlefield, its combat effectiveness is no longer the same as half a month ago. More importantly,
In the past, the light and heavy firepower equipment of our 30,000-strong army has exceeded the equipment of the corresponding number of Japanese troops. But now, all the light and heavy firepower of this 30,000-strong army is concentrated in the hands of these 15,000 people. Therefore, I am sure that we
The 15,000 men currently in our hands are lower in number than one infantry division of the Japanese army. However, in terms of combat effectiveness, they are definitely more than one division of the Japanese army..."
"How many troops of our army are around the 128th Division of the Japanese Army and Baishan County? How many troops are there that can continue to fight..." Liu Hua nodded and continued to ask.
"Activating around the Japanese 128th Division is our fifth column, the 14th Division. However, after half a month of bloody battles, the entire 14th Division has only less than 3,000 combatable soldiers left. As for the area around Baishan County,
, has all the troops and equipment of our fifth column heavy artillery regiment. In addition, in order to cope with the Japanese forward troops attacking our base area, the 1st Agricultural Division, the 2nd Agricultural Division, and the 3rd Agricultural Division defending the base area have a total strength of 10,000 troops from three divisions.
It has moved to a distance of less than 20 kilometers from Baishan County. Although the combat effectiveness of these three farming divisions is not as good as ordinary regular troops. However, the strength of 10,000 troops is enough to be equivalent to a division of our main army...
.”
As Zhou Baozhong's words fell, Liu Hua slowly fell into deep thought while looking at the map in front of him. Finally, a few minutes later, Liu Hua slowly raised his frowning head. He looked at the face in front of him.
Zhou Baozhong asked expectantly.
"Old Zhou, after more than half a month of bloody battles between the enemy and ours, the Japanese army of hundreds of thousands, there are only more than 80,000 people left. In other words, almost more than 50,000 little Japs have died in our hands.
.And the remaining 80,000 troops are currently divided into three groups. The group in front of us is the remaining 10,000 people of the Japanese 128th Division, and the 20,000 people in Baishan County are one group..."
"The Japanese three-pronged army has more than 80,000 people. But our army, with all its strength, only has more than 20,000 people. If we want to rely on more than 20,000 troops to drag all the Japanese three-pronged armies around the base area,
, waiting for the arrival of the main force of the field army is almost an impossible task. Therefore, we must learn to give up and actively give up a group of little devils. Then, with the cooperation of the main force of the field army, we will eat the remaining Japanese troops.
….”
"Commander, what do you mean..." Regarding Liu Hua's answer, Commander Zhou Baozhong, who had a very deep understanding of the current comparison of the enemy's and our own forces, nodded in agreement and then asked.
"We still have 15,000 combat troops around us. Therefore, of the three Japanese divisions in front of us, one or two divisions must be left behind no matter what. Although the Japanese 128th Division only has more than 10,000 troops left,
However, its various arms are fully equipped, and the combat effectiveness of the entire division has not been damaged by the loss of thousands of people. Therefore, if we want to stop them with the strength of less than 3,000 people of the 14th Division,
In three days, there is no doubt that the remaining thousands of people of the 14th Division will die. Therefore, I decided to voluntarily abandon the Japanese 128th Division..."
"As for the Japanese troops stationed in Baishan County, their total strength has reached an astonishing 20,000 people. However, after they lost all their baggage supplies and artillery, the entire army has fallen into a dangerous situation of lack of food and ammunition.
With one artillery regiment, three reclamation divisions, and the remaining 3,000 men of the 14th Division, we are fully capable of trapping them in Baishan County for at least three days with the help of favorable terrain cover.
….”
"Commander, I, Zhou Baozhong, completely agree with your idea. I will voluntarily abandon the Japanese 128th Division, concentrate our forces, and pursue and intercept the remaining two armies of the Japanese army. Even if all 20,000 people in our hands are wiped out, we will still defeat them.
Just stay here and wait for the arrival of the main force of the field army..." As soon as Liu Hua finished speaking, Zhou Baozhong expressed his thoughts with great certainty and determination.
"Old Zhou, you are right..." Regarding Zhou Baozhong's answer, Liu Hua nodded in agreement and continued.
"So far, no matter what channel we use, the number of little Japs who have died in our hands in the past half month has reached more than 50,000. If we can once again eliminate their 30,000 to 40,000 troops
.Then, all four Japanese divisions were lost in this encirclement and suppression campaign..."
Seeing Zhou Baozhong in front of him, along with all the combat staff in the headquarters, they all fell into thinking. Liu Hua continued to explain to everyone.
"Everyone, think carefully about how many troops the Japanese Kwantung Army deployed around us, that is, in the entire Jilin Province, in order to deal with our sudden rise. And among these troops, a total of 80,000 troops suddenly disappeared out of thin air.
How many Japanese troops can be left? And the strength of our Eighth Route Army has not been reduced in any way through this encirclement and suppression campaign. On the contrary, due to the arrival of the main force, the strength of the army suddenly increased to 100,000 troops. By then, the entire Jilin
What kind of situation will there be in the distribution of enemy and friendly forces in the province?"
Just as Liu Hua finished speaking, the first person to react from the shock was Commander Zhou Baozhong. Seeing that everyone was still immersed in thinking, Zhou Baozhong spoke with excitement.
"Commander, if things are true as you say. In the entire Jilin area, the strength of our field army has far exceeded the strength of the Japanese garrison. If you give me half a month, plus the main force of the Japanese Kwantung Army is not
Come for reinforcements. I can guarantee that all the Japanese and puppet armed forces in Jilin Province will be wiped out. By then, the entire Jilin Province will become the base area of our Eighth Route Army..."
"Well said. That's why I just said that what you said is very correct. Even if we spend all the more than 20,000 people in our hands, if we can exchange for the liberation of the entire Jilin Province, it will be very worthwhile...
Liu Hua nodded and said firmly.
Seeing the expressions of sudden realization on everyone's faces, Liu Hua continued: "So, from now on, everyone we are doing, including the tens of thousands of commanders and fighters in the entire army, must be prepared to fight.
One piece, be prepared to sacrifice at any time. Are you clear?"
"It's clear..." everyone replied in unison.
"Commander, just give the order..." Zhou Baozhong immediately asked for orders...