In Huaiyin City, in an abandoned house with only four blackened walls left after the roof was blown off, a lantern stood on an ammunition box that had been pieced together as a table. The dim light illuminated several blackened faces around the ammunition box.
From time to time, faint gunshots were heard from a distance. It was a routine fire reconnaissance by both sides near the line of fire. It was also a way for each other to announce their presence to each other in the dark night.
"All the people in the city have been evacuated. Some have gone to the countryside to seek refuge with relatives, and some have evacuated to Lunan."
Deputy Captain Zhang Liechen had not slept all day and night. His eyes were bloodshot and he looked particularly tired.
Yang Ling's arrival finally relieved Zhang Liechen from the burden of military command, but he immediately took on the task of evacuation and evacuation of the people. He was busy until dark, and finally evacuated the people in the city.
The Japs have occupied many neighborhoods in the city. The little Japs who are already red-eyed are too lazy to distinguish between the victims and civilians. They shoot at everyone they see, hoping to scare the people with killings to facilitate their occupation.
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But the Japs miscalculated. Their massacre did not intimidate the brave Chinese people. The Chinese and Japanese soldiers fought bloody battles in the front, and then the people evacuated in an orderly manner. In just one day, Huaiyin turned into an empty city.
"Our repair shop, grenade workshop, gunpowder factory, flour mill, and blacksmith shop have all been evacuated, and all the goods from some silk and satin shops, cloth shops, and grain and rice shops in the city have also been shipped out."
Under the management of the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps, Huaiyin experienced prosperity for a period of time, with a significant increase in population, although it was during the war years.
But now the Japs suddenly attacked the city of Huaiyin. Once these industries and manufactured machines in Huaiyin fall into the hands of the Japs, the blow to the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps can be said to be fatal.
Now after a day of intense evacuation, although some things were blown up by the Japanese, most of the property was still preserved.
As long as these industries move into the mountainous areas of southern Shandong and have money, food, and machinery, even if the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Army temporarily fails, it will be able to regain strength in a very short period of time.
"These workshops and factories of ours are the foundation of our northern Jiangsu guerrilla corps. We must safely withdraw into the mountainous areas of southern Shandong." Yang Ling paid special attention to these.
In this era of underdeveloped industry and chaotic wars, Yang Ling and the others spent a lot of money to build these factories and workshops. It can be said that they have put a lot of effort into it. They are also the logistical support for their combat supplies. There is no room for any mistakes.
error.
"I asked Zheng Gang's "Patriot Battalion" to be responsible for the protection along the way. They currently have about three companies and more than 300 brothers. I understand that no one dares to disturb the ground along the way."
Most of these industries were purchased by deputy captain Zhang Liechen when he stayed in Huaiyin. Now that he is leaving, he is also very concerned about it.
"Where are the wounded? Have they been evacuated as well?"
Yang Ling heard that the properties of the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps had been withdrawn, and began to ask about the status of the wounded in the battle.
"The wounded were transported by a stretcher team organized by the Patriotic Committee of Huaiyin. Now all the lightly and seriously wounded have been sent out before dark."
"These injured brothers are veterans who dare to fight. Once they return from injury, they will be as good as ten new recruits. They must be taken care of properly. We cannot just ignore them while they are injured," Yang Ling warned.
Deputy Captain Zhang Liechen said: "Sir Yang, don't worry, I have already explained these. There are medical soldiers taking care of you along the way, and they will definitely not let the injured brothers feel cold."
Yang Ling knew very well that after many battles, the troops retreated in a hurry, so that the injured soldiers were left unattended and eventually fell into the hands of the Japanese and were brutally killed. He did not want such a thing to happen in the Northern Jiangsu Corps.
After Yang Ling asked that everything was arranged properly and nothing was missed, he felt relieved.
"When it got dark, the brothers who stayed in Baoying to fight guerrillas sent people back to report that the Japanese's Watanabe detachment, which consisted of about 3,000 people and an artillery brigade, was heading towards Huaiyin and was expected to arrive before dawn," Yang Ling said.
The news was also reported to the officers.
Although everyone was shocked when they heard that the Japanese troops had arrived with so many troops, they were not as panicked as before, and they all looked calm as the wind and waves came over.
"Sir, shall we fight or withdraw?"
Dao Zi, the deputy commander of the fourth battalion, was the first to ask. Everyone looked at Yang Ling, waiting for him to make a decision.
No matter whether Yang Ling fights or retreats, they are now taking Yang Ling's lead and are mentally prepared.
"With our current strength, we will definitely suffer losses if we fight hard against the Japs. We should do the same as in Baoying, leaving some local brothers to disperse and hide in the countryside to fight guerrillas, while the rest withdraw into the mountains of Lunan.
Avoid the edge temporarily and fight for the long term.”
Fighting guerrillas behind enemy lines is not an easy task. This is different from the frontal battlefield where every inch of ground must be fought for, and more flexible operations are required.
If we were to compete for towns in occupied areas with the overwhelmingly superior Japanese and puppet troops, we would probably be completely finished within a few months.
The reason why the Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps, under the command of Yang Ling, was able to defeat the Japanese several times was because they fought flexibly, moving east and west, leaving the Japanese confused.
"We have finally established a foothold in northern Jiangsu, and now we have to retreat to the mountainous areas of southern Shandong. We are unwilling to do so."
Although the brothers had no objection to the retreat, they still felt filled with panic.
Their Northern Jiangsu Guerrilla Corps rose against the odds all the way from Qinghe Town, attacked Gaoyou, defeated Baoying, and defeated the Japanese at the head of the border. It can be said that they enjoyed unlimited glory for a while.
It's a pity that fireworks are fleeting. In just a short period of a month and a half, facing the Japanese's heavy attack, they now have to abandon such a large guerrilla zone and move to the mountainous areas for development.
"Don't be discouraged, everyone. Victory and defeat are common matters in military affairs. If you save people and lose land, you will save both people and land; if you save land and lose people, you will lose both people and land. As long as we people are still there, we will have to fight back one day." Yang Ling.
Comfort and guidance guided the officers.
"Besides, the terrain in northern Jiangsu is flat, with convenient water and land transportation, and there is no danger to defend. It is a key offensive area for the Japanese, which is detrimental to our development. However, the mountainous terrain in southern Shandong is complex and the transportation is inconvenient. It is more suitable for us to develop guerrilla warfare and long-term development.
Our retreat to Lunan this time is also for long-term considerations..."
Seeing that the brothers were unwilling to give in, Yang Ling had to further explain to the brothers in a serious and thoughtful manner.
After some comfort from Yang Ling, the reluctant brothers finally felt much better.
"Sir, when will we retreat?" the blacksmith, the commander of the first battalion, asked.
Yang Ling replied: "Without further delay, we will retreat overnight, otherwise the Japanese will send a plane after dawn, which will cause trouble."
Everyone nodded. Retreating at night would be safer and more reliable than during the day, at least you wouldn't be bombed.
"After the meeting, leave a few rear fire teams on each company's position. The rest will quietly withdraw, and the fire teams will evacuate early in the morning."
"The brothers who are responsible for staying in Huaiyin to fight guerrillas sign up on a voluntary basis. Twenty yuan will be paid in advance, and as much food and ammunition as possible will be left for them."