In fact, strictly speaking, this is no longer called "elastic defense", but rather a "roller-type" defense, because the defense lines are layered one after another like a roller with no end.
The founder was Liao Yaoxiang, and a year later the expeditionary force used the method to deal with the Japanese in Burma.
At this time, the Eighth Route Army accidentally used "elastic defense" in order to have more defense depth and better use it.
In this way, the Eighth Route Army's defense line truly became a war of attrition: in the mountainous areas, the Japanese forces and supplies were consumed, while in the plain areas, tunnel warfare was used to preserve strength and attack the Japanese supply lines.
The Japanese are still able to achieve a high casualty ratio due to their superior equipment and quality. The problem is that they are trapped in this war of attrition. Can more than 60,000 troops consume more than the 400,000 Eighth Route Army?
These things were told by the chief when he came to see Wang Xuexin.
The chief visited Wang Xuexin three times, the first two times when Wang Xuexin was in a coma.
When Wang Xuexin was just sent to the field hospital, the commander left the headquarters to the chief of staff and rushed over. As soon as he saw Wang Xuexin covered in blood on the stretcher, he frowned and asked Director Huang of the field hospital: "How is the situation?
"
"It's not clear yet!" Dean Huang replied after a preliminary inspection: "There are too many wounds. I'm not sure whether there are fatal injuries!"
"Old Huang!" the chief explained: "This comrade is a combat hero and plays a great role in our army. You must not let anything happen to him. You can use whatever medicine you need. If it doesn't work, tell us. We want to
Find a way to do it!”
"Yes, Chief!" Dean Huang replied: "We will try our best!"
In fact, there is no need for the chief to explain. The field hospital is also located in Lujiagou. Xiaodongbei is in the headquarters area and is engaged in anti-Japanese special forces and research and development. Otherwise, he is engaged in tunnel construction. Everyone in Lujiagou knows him.
For no other reason than to give up the medicine even after having done so much for him.
So I took all the anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers, medicines made in Yan'an and those made by Jia Zi Na Pai.
Dean Huang even performed the surgery on Wang Xuexin himself... He was the doctor wearing the "rusty" white coat, and it seemed that he performed many surgeries on a daily basis.
This made Wang Xuexin feel embarrassed, because his injury was much lighter than others, and many seriously injured patients did not need painkillers for surgery!
However, Dean Huang insisted on using it. He said: "Comrade Wang Xuexin, this is the same as what you said during the war, 'good steel is used on the blade'. We also want to treat everyone equally, but unfortunately the medicine is limited, so we can only choose the more important one."
You are a combat hero who has achieved special military exploits! This is what you should do. Don’t put any psychological burden on you. What’s more, you might be able to seize more medicines for us in the future. I can’t bear to do it.
Do you know that a child cannot trap a wolf?"
Wang Xuexin had no choice but to accept it.
When the chief came to see Wang Xuexin for the third time, he heard that his condition was stable and took the time to come and see him.
"Comrade Wang Xuexin!" the leader said, holding Wang Xuexin's hand: "Facts have proven that your tactics are very effective. We blocked the enemy's attack on the frontal battlefield, thwarted the enemy's plots and attempts, and severely dealt a blow to the enemy's arrogance.
Arrogance! Although the enemy still refuses to give up the blockade on us, it is obvious that it has become passive!"
Upon hearing this, Wang Xuexin asked: "Chief, have the Japanese still not withdrawn?"
The leader nodded heavily: "The devils are not willing to give in! They burned, killed and looted the guerrilla zone north of Zhaojiayu. They implemented the three-guang policy to create a no-man's land in an area of more than ten kilometers, and started to build a separation between the two.
Fortifications. Based on the analysis of the current construction situation, we estimate that the enemy will build a gun tower every five hundred meters, and it is likely that barbed wire will be strung with mines in the middle, or isolation ditches will be dug. They are trying to use these means to isolate us from the guerrilla zone."
The so-called isolation ditch is a deep ditch that is two to three meters deep and more than ten meters wide. Sometimes river water is introduced to make it a small river, making it difficult for vehicles and horses to pass. In fact, it is artificially creating traffic difficulties.
"Thank you for your tunnel warfare!" Then the chief sighed: "Because every village has a tunnel, most of the villagers hid in the tunnel, which greatly reduced the casualties of the people. It's just that the village was destroyed and they couldn't live.
I can escape to another village!"
The chief of staff added: "The results of the battle at Zhaojiayu also ensured that the Japanese could not complete the blockade. The new regiment's five-mile-wide defense line extended to the mountainous area to the east. Its station was indistinguishable from the Jinsui Army. The Japanese never dared to attack.
It is difficult to start, and it has become our only channel to the guerrilla zone!"
So Wang Xuexin can be sure that this situation is much better than the situation in history when the Eighth Route Army was blocked.
This is indeed the case.
Because a 500-meter blockhouse in a plain area is far from enough to achieve a blockade.
Maybe it can be done during the day.
The Japs rifle has a range of about 500 meters, and the crooked machine gun has a range of 600 meters.
This means that two gun towers five hundred meters apart can cover each other and form cross fire against enemies attacking from the front.
Coupled with the isolation ditch, barbed wire and mines in front, and the barracks in the rear, mobile reinforcements could be provided by vehicles at any time, and it was still difficult to take down the gun towers.
But at night...
The blockhouse was as isolated as a small island.
It was difficult for the Japanese in the artillery tower to keep an eye on the one-kilometer-long defense line outside in the darkness.
Therefore, the Eighth Route Army could carefully cross the isolation ditch, create a passage from the minefield, cut through the barbed wire fence, quietly reach the front of the gun tower, and then suddenly launch an attack.
The chief also considered this, and he even held several meetings to discuss this issue.
As a commander, he must consider everything in advance, otherwise, it will be too late if he is not prepared when the problem is faced.
The focus of the discussion was how to break the Japanese blockade.
"Although we have the mountainous area around Zhaojiayu to keep in touch with the guerrilla zone!" The leader pointed to the map and said: "But we cannot base our hopes on others. What if the Jinsui Army or even the National Army adds insult to injury and imposes a blockade on our army?"
The cadres nodded in agreement. Judging from the current situation, this is indeed very possible.
As the saying goes, "You must not have the intention to harm others, and you must have the intention to defend others." Although it is a period of cooperation, it is well known that the Shanxi-Sui Army and the National Army are afraid of the Eighth Route Army.
"For the enemy's artillery towers to be sealed off," the leader said, "it is no problem to attack in the dark, but once discovered by the enemy, it will cause a large number of casualties or even fail. And this is also passive. We must consider how to attack during the day.
A way to take down the turrets so that you can attack at any time when needed!"
Zhang Wanhe thought for a while and replied: "As long as there are 'ghost cannons', it won't be a problem!"