The whole road from SJZ to Taiyuan is an enemy-occupied area. The Katayama brigade marched on the road with great arrogance, just like traveling in the mountains and rivers, very relaxed and comfortable.
Lingao City.
Yan Guiwu received the telegram from Xu Dalong and came to see Qianye Xunyi.
Seeing Qianye Xunyi, Yan Guiwu said: "Your Excellency, Division Commander, I have just received a report from my subordinates. Xu Dalong's Mawushan guerrillas have made another big move. They have dispatched a large number of troops to the direction of Yangquan. What are they going to do specifically?"
, it’s not clear yet.
Chiba Xunyi has become more and more cautious recently. He knows that Xu Dalong must have noticed that the Japanese army is going to launch a large-scale attack on the Mawushan base. With Xu Dalong's character and tactical level, he will never sit still and wait for death, and will definitely take the initiative to attack.
Their destruction of the Takashima Cavalry Regiment from the Chahar Expeditionary Force illustrates this point.
In order to prevent Xu Dalong from making a preemptive strike and causing trouble for the 32nd Guarding Division first, he told Yan Guiwu to strengthen intelligence work to prevent Lingao City from being besieged by Xu Dalong's troops.
When he heard from Yan Guiwu that the Mawushan guerrillas were out in force, he was shocked and nervous. When he heard that they were not coming to Gaocheng, but to Yangquan, he felt relieved.
Now he trusted the accuracy of the intelligence provided by Yan Guiwu and said with appreciation: "Yan Sang, you are very capable and very loyal to Huang Jun. I will definitely reward you. Let's wait until Huang Jun destroys Xu Dalong this time
, I will report to the Commander to promote you to the commander of Huang Xiejun’s Second Group Army.”
Yan Guiwu was very happy and expressed his gratitude to Qianye Xunyi repeatedly.
Yan Guiwu flattered Qianye Xunyi very disgustingly, then said goodbye and left.
After he returned to the headquarters of Huang Xiejun's Fourth Division, he informed Xu Dalong about his meeting with Qianye Xunyi.
Although Chiba Xunyi had great trust in Yan Guiwu, the matter was so important that he still used the military police system to implement the information provided by Yan Guiwu. Sure enough, the information provided by Yan Guiwu was confirmed, and a large number of anti-Japanese armed forces were indeed heading towards Yangquan.
Chiba Xunichi reported this situation to Commander Yoshio Shinozuka, and also notified the Japanese 110th Division stationed in Yangquan.
The commander of the Japanese 110th Division lost an infantry brigade last time and was very afraid of the Mawushan guerrillas. Hearing that the Mawushan guerrilla brigade had arrived in Yangquan again, he immediately ordered his troops to strengthen combat readiness and prepare to repel the enemy's attack.
The intelligence provided by Yan Guiwu was accurate. That evening, anti-Japanese armed chariot troops, cavalry troops, and a large number of infantry were discovered near Yangquan. They first captured a town outside Yangquan City and annihilated one inside.
The Huang Xiejun of the battalion then attacked and advanced in the direction of Yangquan.
Since it was night, the commander of the 110th Division could not judge how many enemy troops were coming, and he did not dare to attack rashly. He only ordered his troops to strictly guard the city to prevent the enemy from attacking the city.
That night, the anti-Japanese armed forces launched an attack on Yangquan.
Outside Yangquan City, the person commanding the anti-Japanese armed forces was Wang Limin, commander of the independent brigade. He led the main force of the independent brigade, two chariot squadrons and four cavalry squadrons of the Mawushan guerrillas, to launch an attack on Yangquan.
Wang Limin's mission was to pretend to attack Yangquan City to create the illusion of the Japanese army. Therefore, they fired guns and artillery and fought very lively. The officers and soldiers shouted "kill the sky" with great momentum, and the Japanese army in Yangquan City was very nervous.
All of this was arranged by Xu Dalong. His goal was not the Japanese 110th Division. Xu Dalong wanted to defeat the Japanese troops one by one before they were assembled, and try to eliminate some of the Japanese troops participating in the mopping up as early as possible.
The 110th Division relied on solid city defenses, and its troops were too large to inflict serious damage. Therefore, Xu Dalong targeted the 16th Brigade of the Japanese 8th Division coming from the direction of SJZ to attack
They were all caught off guard.
In order to annihilate the Japanese 16th Brigade, the troops participating in the battle included the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas, the main force of the New First Brigade led by Zhang Dabiao, the main force of the New Second Brigade led by Kong Jie, and two of the 358th Brigade.
group.
It was impossible for such a large-scale troop operation not to arouse the vigilance of the Japanese army. In order to cover up their campaign intentions, Xu Dalong and others led the large troops to first march towards Yangquan with the Independent Brigade, and then turned towards the direction of SJZ at night. The Independent Brigade
Continue to attack Yangquan to attract the attention of the Japanese army.
Xu Dalong informed the Japanese army through Yan Guiwu that the Mawushan guerrillas were about to attack Yangquan. Coupled with the cooperation of the independent brigade, they successfully created the illusion of the Japanese army and prevented them from judging the real target of the attack by Xu Dalong and others.
Goat Slope is the only way from SJZ to Taiyuan. That night, the main force of the coalition forces set up an ambush at Goat Slope, waiting for the Japanese 16th Brigade to appear.
It was midsummer, and the weather was hot during the day, especially at noon. In order to facilitate the march of the troops, the Japanese 16th Brigade got up at 4 a.m., had breakfast at 5 a.m., and continued marching along the Shitai Highway.
At 9:00 this morning, the vanguard of the Japanese army had already approached Goat Slope. The leader of the Katayama brigade was sitting in a car, listening to the music from his hometown on the radio.
The chief of staff reminded: "Your Excellency, brigade commander, we are entering the mountainous area ahead. Do you want to order the troops to temporarily stop advancing and send out search troops to search before the large troops continue marching?"
The leader of the Katayama brigade ordered the car to stop. After getting off the car, he looked at the mountainous area ahead, checked the map sent by the staff, raised his wrist and looked at the time on the watch, and said: "This is Hebei.
A large group of enemy troops may appear. Even if there is an ambush of enemy troops on the mountain, they will at most be small guerrillas and pose little threat to the brigade. Order the vanguard troops in front to remain vigilant and the large troops to continue marching, striving to reach 10:
30 Cross this mountainous area and camp in front."
In fact, the chief of staff and the brigade commander had the same judgment, but out of duty, he had to remind the brigade commander. Seeing that the brigade commander Katayama had made up his mind, he ordered the communications staff officer to issue the order.
The leading unit was an infantry squadron of the Japanese army, and the squadron leader also had combat experience. After entering the mountainous area, without waiting for orders from his superiors, he had already increased his vigilance and ordered the troops to search and advance carefully.
After entering the mountainous area, the Japanese squadron leader saw a section of road ahead with dangerous terrain on both sides. He was worried that there would be an ambush by the enemy here, so they slowed down and sent two squads of Japanese soldiers to climb up the road on both sides.
hillside.
The Japanese soldiers all wore leather shoes. Climbing the mountain was not an easy task. The slopes on both sides were relatively steep. It took them a long time to climb the cliffs on both sides. The Japanese soldiers stood on the cliffs and looked around.
If he saw any suspicious signs, he would wave the plaster flag on his rifle to signal that there was no danger.
The Japanese squadron leader felt relieved, and they slowed down and waited for the Japanese troops on the mountain to come down.
At this moment, the messenger sent by the chief of staff arrived and ordered them to speed up the march and not to delay here.
The Japanese squadron leader saw that there was nothing suspicious on this steep cliff, and that the mountains ahead were relatively gentle, and the vegetation was relatively sparse when viewed from the road, so he felt relieved and accelerated his march.
After walking forward for about two kilometers, the bushes on the hillsides on both sides were relatively dense. The Japanese squadron leader sent people up to search again, but there was still nothing suspicious.
They were so cautious that their marching speed naturally slowed down. Soon after, the messenger from the brigade and regiment headquarters came over again and ordered them not to waste time and speed up their marching.
Seeing that the terrain ahead was smoother, the Japanese squadron leader stopped being as cautious as before. They no longer left the road, but walked on the road while looking around.
Under their guidance, the Japanese army arrived at Goat Slope in a mighty manner.
Wei Monk's special operations squadron secretly followed the Japanese marching group and constantly reported the situation of the Katayama Brigade to the headquarters.
On the top of the goat slope, Xu Dalong and others were observing the enemy's situation. In order to avoid the reflection of the telescope from exposing the target, Xu Dalong set up a pergola and looked down the mountain.
At the bend of the road ahead, the leading troops of the Japanese army appeared. Soon after, the large groups behind them also appeared in Xu Dalong's field of vision. He issued the order to prepare for combat.
Ambushing on Goat Slope are the New 1st Brigade led by Zhang Dabiao, the New 2nd Brigade led by Kong Jie, Chu Yunfei's 358th Brigade, the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas, and the Chariot Battalion of the New 1st Brigade. The Chariot Battalion is ambushed on the mountain.
Outside the mountains, their mission was to cut off the Japanese army's retreat.
After receiving Xu Dalong's order, all units began to enter their positions, ready to attack the Japanese army at any time.
Ping'an County, Lijiazhuang.
In the early morning, Li Yunlong woke up and asked the security guard if he had any telegrams from Xu Dalong and Zhao Zheng.
The guard said no. Li Yunlong had a very ominous premonition. He felt very uneasy, so he asked someone to send a telegram to the Mawushan guerrillas.
At this time, Xu Dalong, Chu Yunfei's 358th Brigade, the New First Brigade and the New Second Brigade had implemented radio silence in order to cover up the troops' intentions. The person who received the telegram was Zhao Gang, who was staying at the guerrilla headquarters.
In order to prevent Li Yunlong from worrying, Xu Dalong and others let him rest in peace and recuperate, but did not notify Li Yunlong of this operation. After Zhao Gang received Li Yunlong's telegram, he informed Li Yunlong of the campaign launched by Xu Dalong and others.
As soon as Li Yunlong heard that the main force in the base area was far away from the base area, he suddenly felt a little nervous. He didn't even bother to eat breakfast, so he ordered people to carry him into an ambulance and go to Guancheng County.
Li Xiuqin didn't sleep well last night. Last night, she was chatting with Li Yunlong. While they were joking, Li Yunlong suddenly felt a little itchy on his back, so Li Xiuqin went to help him scratch it.
After getting along day and night these days, Li Yunlong has developed a deep affection for Li Xiuqin. Now that Li Xiuqin is so close to him, Li Yunlong, who feels the youthful vitality in her body, can't help but reach out and hug Li Xiuqin.
Li Xiuqin did not expect that Li Yunlong would suddenly act like this. She instinctively dodged, but unexpectedly touched Li Yunlong's wound.
Seeing Li Yunlong grimacing in pain, Li Xiuqin didn't think much at the time and dared to go find a doctor.
At night, Li Xiuqin tossed and turned in bed unable to sleep. She had always liked Li Yunlong, and Li Yunlong's intimate behavior made her feel both sweet and uneasy. After all, Li Yunlong was a big leader, and she was actually worried that she was not worthy of Li Yunlong.
That night, she was like baking pancakes, tossing and turning on the kang, unable to sleep.
At this moment, when she saw that Li Yunlong was about to leave, she was a little reluctant and wanted to say something to him. However, seeing that Li Yunlong was in a hurry to command the battle, she could not stop him and could only watch Li Yunlong leave.
Just when Li Xiuqin was very disappointed, Li Yunlong turned around and said to Li Xiuqin before getting into the car: "Thank you, Miss Xiuqin. I will send someone to find you after the battle."
Li Xiuqin's heart was burning. She wanted to ask Li Yunlong why he sent people to find her, but in front of so many people, she was too embarrassed to ask. She just nodded vigorously towards Li Yunlong. Watching Li Yunlong's ambulance leave,
The tears in Li Xiuqin's eyes finally fell.
Li Yunlong's premonition was very accurate. Just when Xu Dalong and others went to ambush the Japanese Katayama Brigade, the Japanese army also took action.
After Commander Yoshio Shinozuka received a report from Chiba Xunyi and then from the commander of the Japanese 110th Division, it was determined that the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas was attacking Yangquan, and he had an idea.
He told the chief of staff: "Xu Dalong is good at long-distance attacks. He just annihilated the Gaodao regiment of Chahar's dispatched troops not long ago. This time he led the main force to attack Yangquan. He probably wanted to attack first before the army was assembled.
The 110th Division intends to defeat the 110th Division first to reduce the pressure in the northwest."
The chief of staff nodded and said: "Your Excellency, Commander, according to Xu Dalong's usual tactical style, it should be like this."
Yoshio Shinozuka said: "Xu Dalong has transferred all the main troops to the direction of Yangquan. The Mawu Mountain base area is empty of troops. It is better to take this opportunity to attack his base area, destroy his lair, cut off his retreat, and get twice the result with half the effort.
Effect."
The chief of staff thought what Shinozuka Yoshio said was very reasonable. He asked: "Your Excellency, Commander, which troops do you plan to send to attack Xu Dalong's lair?"
Yoshio Shinozuka said: "Chiba Hirunichi's 32nd garrison division is closest to the Mawu Mountain base. Now his men have supplemented the two cavalry regiments assigned to him by the North China Front Army Headquarters. The strength is sufficient."
The chief of staff felt something was wrong, and said: "Your Excellency, Commander, what you said makes sense. The 32nd garrison division has now been replenished, with a total strength of 18,000 people, plus two cavalry regiments, the strength is indeed
enough.
However, Qianye Xunyi suffered repeated defeats when fighting Xu Dalong's men, so I'm afraid he doesn't have the guts to attack Xu Dalong's lair."
Hearing this, Yoshio Shinozuka also had a headache. He also thought that Chiba Xunyi was not Xu Dalong's opponent, and he might not be able to complete this task.
After thinking for a while, he said: "Tell Qianye Xunyi that Xu Dalong has left the base area and gone to the direction of Yangquan. There is no main force in the base area anymore, and he has nothing to worry about.
In addition, he ordered the 21st Brigade of the 5th Division to set off from the direction of Taiyuan to support Qianye Xunyi's operation. What else does he have to worry about?"
The original division commander of the Japanese 5th Division was Lieutenant General Sakagaki, who claimed that half of the division fought across Shanxi. The 5th Division was unique among the Japanese army. In addition to the 9th Brigade and the 10th Brigade, there were also
Reinforced a 21st Brigade.
The 21st Brigade is a fully mechanized force. It was this brigade that took the lead in conquering Xinkou and Taiyuan City.
If the 5th Division is the main force of the Japanese army, the 21st Brigade is the main force of the Japanese army.
The chief of staff said: "With the 21st Brigade participating in the battle, the remaining remaining troops of the Mawushan guerrillas are no match for them. There should be no problem now. I will give the order right away."
As soon as Chiba Xun received the order from the First Army Headquarters to attack the Mawu Mountain base, he immediately felt a splitting headache.
In front of the Mawushan guerrillas, Chiba Xunyi suffered too much. Although Xu Dalong and the main force of the Mawushan guerrillas were not in the Mawushan base, he still had lingering fears and no confidence in winning.
Although the 21st Brigade also participated in the attack on the Mawushan base area, Chiba Xunyi still felt unsure. He knew that Xu Dalong had a large number of cavalry and mechanized troops. If he led the main force back, he might be afraid that the 32nd Division would be guarded.
The group still couldn’t eat and walked around.
He thought about it again and again, but still couldn't make up his mind, so he called the chief of staff. Not only that, he also notified Yan Guiwu to discuss together how to implement the combat order issued by the First Army Headquarters.