In winter, the grass and trees in northern Jiangsu area are withered and yellow, and there is a chilling atmosphere. A mighty army is heading straight along the road to Huaiyin County.
During this winter offensive, the Sulu Campaign behind enemy lines also received an attack mission.
The regular troops of the 51st Army and the 57th Army belonging to the Sulu Theater Area launched from the southern Lunan area and launched an attack on Tai'an and Tongcheng.
The 89th Army in the south, with the cooperation of the security brigade and guerrilla columns, launched attacks in Chuxian, Nantong, Gaoyou and other places.
Several guerrilla columns in the northern Jiangsu area were too far away from the main attack direction, so the task assigned to them by the theater headquarters was to recover nearby towns, cut off canals and roads, and contain the Japanese in this area.
The guerrilla troops have been fighting the Japanese and puppet troops behind enemy lines. They not only lack weapons and ammunition, but also have backward communication methods. However, they still follow the orders and launch attacks on the predetermined targets.
More than ten detachments under the Ninth Guerrilla Column were also ordered to assemble near Huaiyin County, preparing to launch encirclement and annihilation operations against the Japanese and puppet troops on the Huaiyin front line.
Stationed in this area is the Japanese independent 13th Infantry Brigade. They were formed in Huainan a few years ago. They were originally a powerful force of the Kwantung Army and were ordered to be transferred into the Guan.
Their current brigade commander is Major General Ozaki Yoshiharu. The combined 13th Infantry Brigade is strong and strong. It has jurisdiction over the 56th, 57th, 58th, 59th, and 60th Brigades, as well as the artillery.
The brigade, engineering brigade and communications brigade are strong.
Stationed in the southern area of the 13th Combined Infantry Brigade is the Japanese independent 12th Combined Infantry Brigade, which also has strong combat effectiveness.
There are two powerful Kwantung Army troops stationed there, and there are a large number of local security forces cooperating with them. There are also maintenance committees, plainclothes teams, and security police to maintain public order, so there is no need to worry on weekdays.
But now a massive counterattack has been launched across China, and even those powerful field divisions are in danger and need reinforcements.
Not to mention these Japanese troops who are responsible for public security behind enemy lines. Each of their brigade is responsible for a very wide area. The 13th Brigade alone is responsible for the vast areas of southern Shandong and northern Jiangsu.
Therefore, there are only one Japanese infantry brigade and a few guard squadrons stationed near Huaiyin. Of course, there are also a large number of local security forces to cooperate.
There are more than a dozen detachments under the Ninth Guerrilla Column, with a strength of several thousand people. Now that the Japs everywhere are being restrained, the Japs in Huaiyin are not taken seriously.
"Boost!"
The commander of the guerrilla column, riding a big maroon horse, looked at the mighty troops marching along the road, feeling as if he was scolding Fang Qiu and bringing peace to the world.
"Where is the Third Guerrilla Detachment?"
Seeing the flags fluttering, all the guerrilla detachments had arrived, but the flag of the third guerrilla detachment had not arrived. The commander of the ninth guerrilla column frowned.
"I don't know. The people sent to Qinghe Town haven't come back yet," an adjutant replied.
"Mom, what do you mean by this person named Yang? I told you to gather to attack Huaiyin today, but he hasn't arrived yet..." The commander of the column cursed and ordered: "Send someone to hurry up."
, we must arrive at Huaiyin City before dark!"
"Yes!" The messenger next to him responded, turned his horse's head, waved his whip, and headed straight for Qinghe Town.
"Commander, what is the background of this man named Yang? He has been with our column for a few months and has never shown his face during meetings. This is too disrespectful of you." A staff officer from the headquarters muttered dissatisfiedly.
road.
"No, this guy named Yang doesn't understand the rules too much." A detachment captain fanned the flames.
The commander of the column became more and more angry as he listened, and cursed: "Damn it, you don't have a word for it, do you? Believe it or not, I asked you to take the lead!"
Seeing that their column commander was angry, more than a dozen staff officers and detachment leaders fell silent.
"Send someone to conduct some reconnaissance in the direction of Huaiyin to find out the details of the Japanese." The commander ordered angrily.
"Yes!" The surrounding detachment leaders all responded, dispersed, and returned to their respective teams.
Seeing that everyone had dispersed, the confidant adjutant complained cautiously: "Commander, although the man surnamed Yang has a great background, he has refused to give you face over and over again. If this continues, other brothers will probably follow suit.
It’s hard to lead soldiers.”
"I'm not blind, I still need you to remind me." The commander rolled his eyes at his trusted lieutenant.
He pondered for a moment and then ordered: "When the third guerrilla detachment arrives, you go and give the order and let them be the main attacker."
"yes!"
The adjutant showed a knowing smile and agreed. At best, he was the main attacker, but at worst, he was cannon fodder.
When the Ninth Guerrilla Column advanced mightily towards Huaiyin, they did not know that the Third Guerrilla Detachment led by Yang Ling had already killed several Japanese guard squadrons.
Several garrison squadrons stationed in Huaiyin were taken to Qinghe Town by Japanese Major Ichiro Kuroda to fight against the Third Guerrilla Detachment. But now they were all killed by Yang Ling.
"Report, as many as three thousand Chinese guerrillas are advancing towards the county seat and are expected to arrive by nightfall."
When the Ninth Guerrilla Column was still on the way, a traitor rushed to Huaiyin and gave the information to the Japs stationed here, who then reported it to their commander.
Because the guerrilla troops were behind enemy lines and were a mixed bag, when they assembled with great fanfare, the intelligence leaked out.
The Japanese stationed in Huaiyin was the 58th Infantry Battalion under the Japanese 13th Brigade. The captain was Lieutenant Commander Yamaguchi Akamatsu.
They had received intelligence from the brigade that the Chinese Army had launched attacks on their garrisons in many places, requiring them to step up their vigilance.
Therefore, Yamaguchi Akamatsu also issued an order to distribute the infantry squadrons stationed in various places. The squads shrank back to Huaiyin defense, and a brigade of the security army also shrank back.
"Continue to monitor and report at any time."
Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi Akamatsu was not surprised at all when he discovered so many Chinese guerrillas. After all, he had already obtained the information in advance.
"Hi!" The Japs' intelligence adviser bowed and exited.
"Have you contacted Kuroda-san?"
Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi Akamatsu took a sip of tea and looked at the communications staff officer.
The communications staff officer shook his head: "The phone line is broken, and we are doing our best to repair it."
"But we have already dispatched communications cavalry in the direction of Qinghe Town. I think Staff Officer Kuroda will receive the order to retreat soon," the communications staff officer added.
Ichiro Kuroda led several security squadrons to encircle and suppress the guerrillas, but at a critical juncture, Japanese Lieutenant Colonel Yamaguchi Akamatsu had to order them to be withdrawn.
But what Japanese Captain Yamaguchi Akamatsu didn't know was that instead of annihilating Yang Ling and the others, the troops led by Kuroda Ichiro were completely wiped out.
"Your Excellency, Captain, this time the Chinese guerrilla troops are charging at us aggressively. Should we take advantage of their unstable footing and launch an attack?" A Japanese staff officer changed the topic.
Japanese Captain Yamaguchi Akamatsu shook his head: "They are gathering. Let the gun towers along the way retreat and let them in. I will kill them all under Huaiyin City!"
Yamaguchi Akamatsu said as he looked out the window. Dark clouds were rolling in, and a storm was coming. His vicious eyes were filled with fierce murderous intent.
In the past, the guerrillas were scattered in the countryside and it was difficult for them to annihilate them all, but this time it was an opportunity to annihilate them all.