The Japanese army set up a stronghold here for a short period of time. The bunkers and other buildings in the stronghold have not yet been built. All the Japanese and puppet troops are temporarily hiding in the trenches. Under such circumstances, it is very difficult to defeat these Japanese and puppet troops.
When the battle started, the guerrillas still used the old methods. Some fired to lure the enemy, while others attacked the enemy, causing heavy casualties to the Japanese and puppet troops.
Especially the guerrilla snipers, they kept a close eye on the machine gunners of the Japanese and puppet troops, attacking each one and killing each one, so that no one in the Japanese and puppet troops dared to use machine guns anymore.
The Japanese and puppet troops were very uncomfortable with this style of fighting of the guerrillas. Soon they stopped firing back and hid in the trenches, leaving only a small number of personnel to monitor the movements of the guerrillas.
The guerrillas took the opportunity to rush forward several tens of meters, then lay on the ground and crawled forward, gradually approaching the trenches of the Japanese and puppet troops.
After the battle began, the guerrillas did not use artillery. At this time, artillery did not pose much of a threat to the enemy and was just a waste of shells.
The Japanese troops in the stronghold were equipped with two mortars and began to fire artillery shells at the guerrilla positions.
Wang Chengzhu and others had been waiting for the Japanese artillery to appear. After seeing the muzzle flash, he directed 12 mortars to cover it and directly destroyed the two Japanese mortars.
The guerrilla fighters continued to crawl forward. When they were more than fifty meters closer to the enemy's position, the enemy's observation post spotted them and shouted loudly.
"Eighth Road is coming. Fight quickly."
The Japanese and puppet troops emerged from the trenches one after another and fired at the guerrillas.
The guerrillas had long been waiting for the enemy to fight back, and immediately fired at the flash of the enemy's muzzle, quickly causing many enemy casualties.
The Japanese and puppet troops were extremely uncomfortable with such tactics. They did not dare to show their heads and shoot. They picked up grenades or hand grenades one after another, preparing to wait until the guerrillas came closer to throw them to kill the guerrillas.
At this moment, the guerrilla artillery opened fire, and groups of mortar shells roared and landed on the enemy's position. The enemy soldiers covered their heads to avoid it.
Taking advantage of this moment, the guerrillas jumped up from the ground and rushed forward. They entered within 30 meters of the enemy's trench and threw a large number of grenades and hand grenades into the enemy's trench.
A large number of grenades and hand grenades exploded in the enemy's trenches. The enemy troops had nowhere to hide. Even the enemy troops hiding in the shelter were not immune, because the shelter only had a roof above the trench, but the bottom was open.
The grenade exploded in the small space of the trench, adding to the power of the explosion.
The Japanese and puppet troops were either killed or stunned by the bombing. How could anyone bother to throw grenades and grenades at the guerrillas?
The guerrillas quickly rushed to the enemy's position and eliminated the Japanese and puppet troops in the first trench.
The large group of guerrillas advanced quickly, entered the first trench, and began to use fierce firepower to suppress the firepower of the Japanese and puppet troops in the second trench.
After the previous stage of fighting, half of the Japanese and puppet troops had been lost. The guerrillas' firepower had an overwhelming advantage, making it impossible for the Japanese and puppet troops to raise their heads.
There are many smart people among the Japanese and puppet troops, and they will also shoot and change places.
Unfortunately, the guerrillas' firepower was so intense that they had no time to take aim. They fired a shot hastily and squatted down immediately, posing no threat to the guerrillas.
Wei Heping and the soldiers of the First Infantry Squadron rushed out of the first trench and crawled towards the enemy's second trench.
When they advanced to 50 meters away from the second trench, the guerrilla mortars began to cover the enemy's second trench.
Amid the violent shell explosions, the Japanese and puppet troops were unable to organize effective resistance.
The soldiers of the First Infantry Squadron rushed forward, threw a row of grenades, and quickly rushed into the enemy's position, quickly wiping out the remaining enemies.
The entire battle lasted 45 minutes and annihilated a Japanese infantry squadron and a puppet company, totaling 292 people.
This was a standard tough battle, and Xu Dalong was very satisfied with the result.
In the past, the guerrillas basically used attack tactics when fighting, but this time they were head-on. Although the guerrillas suffered 26 casualties, Xu Dalong still felt very pleased with such a result.
After cleaning the battlefield, Xu Dalong left a squad of soldiers behind and escorted the wounded back to the base in a cart.
He led the rest of the soldiers to drive the cart, passed the Japanese and puppet army strongholds, and continued to the World War II District Chief's Headquarters.
Shortly after the battle started, the Japanese troops in Xinhe County received a call for reinforcements. They were worried that they would encounter an ambush by the enemy on the way to reinforcements, so they did not come to the rescue.
After dawn, the Japanese army captain led a large group of troops to the Japanese and puppet army stronghold, only to see the corpses of the Japanese and puppet troops everywhere.
After searching around the stronghold, they found that there were many large car marks on the road, so the Japanese captain reported these situations to his superiors.
Lingao City.
After receiving the report, Chiba Xunyi felt very frustrated. The combat effectiveness of the guerrillas was too strong. Even though the Japanese and puppet troops were highly alert and stayed in the trenches, they were still wiped out by the guerrillas.
Chiba Xunyi felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
The chief of staff analyzed this matter carefully, and suddenly his eyes lit up and he said: "Your Excellency, division commander, in fact, this is not a bad thing, it can even be said to be a good thing."
Qianye Xunyi asked doubtfully: "How do you say this?"
The chief of staff said: "In previous battles, the guerrillas occupied an active position. Now they are forced to attack our army's solidly defended positions, which is enough to show that they have begun to change from active to passive.
Although I don’t know the actual casualties of the enemy, I’m sure that their casualties must be quite large. Their number is limited after all, and if this continues, they won’t be able to withstand such attrition.”
Qianye Xunyi thought about it and realized that this was the truth.
His mood improved a lot, he nodded and said, "What you said makes sense."
The chief of staff said: "Judging from the large car marks found, the guerrillas must have gone to collect the supplies they urgently need. Once they get the supplies they need, they will definitely return."
Qianye Xun's eyes brightened and he said: "What you mean is that after the guerrillas get the supplies, we will set up an ambush along the way to catch them off guard on their way back to Mawu Mountain.
They are carrying so much supplies, and when they are attacked, they will definitely protect those supplies. In this case, they will lose their mobility and fight to the death with our army. This is a good opportunity to eliminate them."
The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, the division commander, is wise."
Chiba Xunyi became excited, came to the map, and observed it carefully.
He said: "Which way will they take when they come back?"
The chief of staff said: "If there are no accidents, we should return the same way."
Qianye Xunyi said: "What you said makes sense. Xu Dalong and the others carry so much supplies and have difficulty moving. Taking other routes and attacking our army's strongly fortified strongholds is obviously very disadvantageous for them.
Our stronghold on this road was destroyed by Xu Dalong and others, and they are most likely to return to the original route.
However, Xu Dalong is very cunning, so we still have to send scouts to monitor them along the way and prepare the troops.
Once we have accurate information, we will immediately organize an interception of the guerrilla transport team."
The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, the division commander, is wise. You have considered it carefully. Even if you cannot defeat the Eighth Route guerrillas and do not allow them to transport supplies into the mountains, this is still a major victory."
Qianye Xunyi said: "Yoshi, just go ahead and arrange this matter."
Xinhe County.
After receiving the telegram from the Chief of Staff of the 32nd Division, the Japanese Army Captain called the Gendarmerie Captain and ordered him to send someone to investigate the situation of Xu Dalong and others.
The military police captain sent a Japanese commander, Captain Cao, with several puppet troops who were familiar with the terrain to carry out this task.
After the Japanese army commander Cao led a few traitors on horseback out of the city, they came to the stronghold that was destroyed by the guerrillas and followed the direction where the big car marks appeared. They walked and inquired along the way.
Xu Dalong and others took a country road this time. With hundreds of cavalry and dozens of carts, it was impossible to hide their whereabouts.
The Japanese and puppet troops soon found out the whereabouts of Xu Dalong and others.
They followed them all the way to Machang Town, Xinhe County, and in front of them was the territory of the Jinsui Army.
They did not dare to take risks, so they settled in a village near the highway and waited for the guerrillas to appear again.
Gaoliangpu Town, Fendong County.
According to the agreement with Li Kun, Xu Dalong and others entered the town and met the commander of the automobile battalion of the World War II District Governor's Department at the town hall.
The commander of the motor battalion is named Yan Jiaju. He is in his twenties, has big eyes and a medium build. He is a very capable young man. After meeting Xu Dalong, the two exchanged military salutes.
There is a popular saying in Shanxi: "If you are from Wutai, you will have a foreign sword."
The king of Shanxi was born in Wutai County, and he has a strong sense of hometown. When hiring people, under the same conditions, Wutai people will be given priority, and the surname Yan is of course better.
Yan Jiaju is from Wutai. In terms of seniority, he is also the distant nephew of the King of Shanxi.
He is only 26 years old this year and has become the lieutenant colonel commander of the automobile battalion at a young age.
After seeing Xu Dalong, he looked him up and down and said in Wutai dialect: "You are Chief Xu. I have heard of your name for a long time, and it is like thunder in my ears."
Xu Dalong's name is so resounding that no one in the Jin-Sui Army knows him well.
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Sir Yan, you are too polite. Brother, I have let you worry about my affairs."
With that said, he took out a money order from the document bag and handed it to Yan Jiaju. This was the money to buy salt.
After seeing him put it away, Xu Dalong took out another red paper bag with 100 yuan in it and said, "Sir Yan, it's just a small thing to buy tea for the brothers."
Yan Jiaju saw Xu Dalong being polite and generous to him. He liked it and said happily: "Mr. Xu, you are a nice person. I have made you a friend. Come to the World War II District Chief's Department again and I will treat you to a drink."
Xu Dalong smiled and said, "Okay, brother, I will definitely pay you a visit when I come back."
Xu Dalong was famous and treated people so kindly. Yan Jiaju had a good impression of him and really wanted to make friends with Xu Dalong.
He hoped to help Xu Dalong with something, and said: "Sir Xu, how about I give you a ride again?"
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Thank you, brother. If we go further, we will soon reach the enemy-occupied area. You have so many vehicles that are too eye-catching. We can just go by ourselves."
After Yan Jiaju thought for a while, he said to a lieutenant officer: "Ask the brothers to keep all the bullets they brought."
It didn't take long before several soldiers brought over a thousand rounds of ammunition.
Xu Dalong said happily: "Brother Jiaju, you are so thoughtful. What we lack most there is bullets. Thank you very much."
Seeing Xu Dalong's sincere joy, Yan Jiaju was also very happy. He said: "Brother Dalong, I will get you another batch when you come to the World War II District Chief's Department again."
Xu Dalong felt that Yan Jiaju was a simple man and not as smooth as ordinary Jinsui officers. He also liked him very much, so he took off his watch and stuffed it into Yan Jiaju's hand.
Yan Jiaju is a person who knows things well. After taking a look, he found that it was an 1892 Rolex watch. Although it was not the most expensive model, its value on the market was about 300 oceans.
Yan Jiaju felt that Xu Dalong really thought highly of him, and he said excitedly: "Brother Dalong, this is too valuable. I dare not accept it, brother."
Xu Dalong pretended to be angry and said: "Brother Jiaju, do you look down on me, brother?"
Yan Jiaju said happily: "That's okay, I'll accept it. You must come to me next time you come again."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Definitely."
Yan Jiaju took Xu Dalong and others to the yard next door. There were many trucks parked inside, and the trucks were full of salt.
He was in a good mood and asked his soldiers to help the guerrillas unload the salt from the truck onto the cart brought by the guerrillas.
Yan Jiaju left with the transportation team, and Xu Dalong and others purchased some daily necessities in the town and embarked on the road back to the base area.
Ahead is Machang Town. After this town, it is enemy-occupied territory.
Xu Dalong and others stopped to rest in the town and planned to travel all night after dinner.
In the town hall, Xu Dalong, Sun Desheng, Wang Chengzhu, Wei Heping, Wei Heshang, and Lin Xueying discussed returning to the base area.
Xu Dalong said: "When we came, we destroyed the stronghold of the Japanese and puppet troops. A large group of people drove so many large vehicles through enemy-occupied areas. It was impossible not to expose the target.
If we go back now, with so much supplies, we may be intercepted by the Japanese and puppet troops.
Let’s discuss it and see how we can safely transport this batch of supplies back.”
Everyone talked to each other and raised many questions. Everyone agreed that the Japanese and puppet troops should intercept the guerrillas on their way back.
There are several problems before everyone. First, this batch of supplies must be transported back. The guerrillas with these large vehicles, plus Wei Heping's First Infantry Squadron, will be attacked by the Japanese and puppet troops.
Interception is difficult to escape.
Second, the guerrillas can change their route back, but they still have to pass through the Japanese and puppet army's blockade and attack the Japanese and puppet army's strongholds.
A stronghold of the Japanese and puppet troops has just been defeated, and other strongholds will strengthen their defenses and increase their troop strength. Once there is a firefight, nearby Japanese and puppet troops will also come to reinforce it.
The guerrillas still face the same problem. There are so many large vehicles and infantry squadrons with poor mobility. If they are entangled by the Japanese and puppet troops, they will definitely suffer serious losses.
Everyone has thought of many ways, but they still can't solve these problems at the same time.
Lin Xueying had been listening to everyone's discussion silently, and saw that everyone really couldn't think of a perfect solution.
She said: "Captain, I have an immature idea, and I would like to share it with you for your reference."
Xu Dalong smiled and said: "Okay, Xueying, I just want to hear your opinion."
Lin Xueying has lived in the guerrillas for such a long time and knows the situation of the guerrillas very well. She said: "Can you think differently..."
After Lin Xueying finished speaking her opinion, everyone felt their eyes light up.
Xu Dalong said happily: "Xueying, you are really smart, I agree."
Everyone also expressed their approval.
Xu Dalong sent someone to invite the mayor and asked him to help solve some problems.
The mayor saw that the matter was easy to handle and could be done easily, so he readily agreed.
Xu Dalong and others ate early and started on the road at 6:00.
It was midsummer, it got dark late, and the visibility was high. The actions of Xu Dalong and others could be seen at a glance.
Chief Cao of the Japanese army who was in charge of reconnaissance had been waiting for the team of Xu Dalong and others to appear. They saw the large group of people in the distance. He immediately left with two puppet troops, leaving the other two puppet troops in the village.
The army waited until the team of Xu Dalong and others passed by, and then followed them quietly.