Chapter 267 The Doomsday of the Fourth Brigade (8)
The Chinese soldiers operating around the two artillery brigades of the Japanese invaders were actually three infantry battalions under Qilian Guangyuan who were ordered to support the independent regiment.
Long before the offensive and defensive battle began, they were asked by Liu Lang to cross the mountains and ridges from ten miles away from the flank to approach the Japanese artillery position, and the timing of the approach could not be too early and had to wait until night.
The distance should not be too far, and it is appropriate to keep a distance of 400 to 500 meters from the enemy's infantry responsible for defense.
It's too early and it's easy to be discovered by the Japanese army. As long as the distance is enough, 24 cannons will kill people.
Of course, it won't work if the contact distance is too far. As long as there are a few cannons within reach, it will be difficult to walk around.
So how to control time and distance is also a delicate job, like walking on the tip of a knife. Fortunately, Liu Lang was pleased that the 29th Army, which could resist the Japanese army for half a month, was indeed well-trained and led the way.
Tang Yongming, deputy commander of the 288th Regiment, led the three infantry battalions to the best location provided by Linghong without any mistakes.
In order to strengthen the attack power of the three friendly infantry battalions, Liu Lang also specially sent a machine gun platoon to assist them. Three MG42s and three mortars, plus several heavy machine guns brought by the infantry battalion, were enough to block the Japanese army.
Two infantry squadrons.
As for the Japanese artillerymen who took up arms, they can basically not be counted.
Not everyone says you can shoot a gun just by picking it up.
A full five hours passed, and the 2,000-strong Japanese artillery brigade was staring at each other with the more than 1,000 Chinese troops on the opposite position.
Not only the Japanese are nervous, but the Chinese are also nervous.
The order they received was to confront the Japanese army, but they didn't say how long the confrontation would last. Besides, the 2,000 Japanese soldiers were not just paper. If there were 2,000 Japanese soldiers before, they would have to mobilize at least one brigade. Now the three battalions are brave enough to fight with them.
People stared at each other, and several battalion commanders were in a state of uneasiness for a long time.
Anyway, Deputy Tang Regiment had already explained before coming here that they were just going to compete with the Japs from the artillery brigade, but if there was any movement from the Japs from the 4th Brigade eight miles away, they would retreat to the mountains.
But the strange thing is that the Japanese on the opposite side did not make any movement, and the remnants of the 4th Brigade were also quiet. Then, our own people were also extremely quiet.
Tang Yongming, who set up the temporary headquarters under a cliff, paced back and forth anxiously. It was okay for the officers and soldiers to stay up all night, but the key was that they were confused as to not knowing the commanders' tactical intentions. The messengers sent back had already been sent back.
An order came from Qi Guangyuan. All actions were under the command of Commander Liu of the Independent Regiment. Whatever he said, we would do whatever he said. If it was a confrontation, then we would confront him. As long as he did not say retreat, anyone who dared to escape would be dealt with according to military law.
He took out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was already one o'clock in the morning. The temperature outside had reached more than ten degrees below zero. The soldiers must not be able to bear the cold in the temporarily dug trenches. Tang Yongming blew out a breath of white air and stamped hard.
Their feet were numb from the cold, and they had been frozen all night in this horrible weather. I wonder how many people would be able to pull the bolt and pull the trigger at dawn?
Indeed, in such weather or in the wild, the cold wind from the north can almost freeze the bones in a person's bones.
But no one on the Chinese or Japanese side dared to light even a bonfire to keep warm. The positions on both sides were pitch black.
Illuminating oneself in front of the enemy is simply seeking death. Not to mention mortars, even grenades can send those who dare to seek warmth to a hell where they will no longer be able to experience warmth.
Everyone is trying their best to hide behind the shallow trenches, looking forward to the rising sun at dawn. The warmth of the sun is the biggest wish of every soldier now.
The commander of the Chinese army was worried and the soldiers were dying of cold. On the other hand, the Japanese army was not much better.
Two artillery battalion captains and two infantry squadron captains are also hiding in a small mountain col behind the position to discuss. If we change the place, a lieutenant, a major, and two captains can just play mahjong together, but the temperature here is minus ten degrees.
In the deserted mountains and ridges, four Japanese officers in military coats were like four shivering quails. They gathered together and put their hands on a small lantern with the cover removed to warm themselves over the fire.
Obviously, if this mountain col had not blocked the fire, the four Japanese officers who could decide the fate of 2,000 people would not have even received this little warmth.
"Oda-kun, what do you think the damn Chinese want to do? Why don't they attack or retreat?" an officer with three red stripes and two stars on his epaulette asked through gritted teeth.
"Captain Kihara, the Chinese army does not want to attack. At least, they do not want to launch an attack at night. In other words, the focus of their attack is not on us." The Japanese captain who was asked involuntarily looked at the fourth officer.
He answered confidently in the direction of the brigade position.
"My Lord, what's your opinion?" Kihara Shinichi turned his attention to the other captain.
Professional people are responsible for professional things. Although he is a commander, at a time of life and death, Kihara Shinichi still puts his hope in the two infantry squadron captains. There is no problem with his choice.
"I don't agree with Mr. Oda. Judging from the fact that the Chinese built fortifications as soon as they arrived, it seems that their purpose is to delay us. Otherwise, with their strength, there will be more than just these people. The battle in the afternoon, Chapter 1
The 4th Brigade lost more than 4,000 people, and they may have been as strong as a division. Major General Suzuki ruined the honor of the 4th Brigade, but..." A gloomy-looking young captain replied.
"Shut up, Honjo-kun, and pay attention to your wording. Mr. Suzuki is someone you and I can criticize," another Japanese major who did not speak growled.
Obviously, the young captain who had great opinions on Suzuki Mitsuchi was his subordinate.
"Honjo-kun, continue to express your opinion." Kihara Shinichi seemed not to care at all about the offense to Suzuki Mitsuchi in his subordinate's words.
For the Japanese army, whose hierarchy was extremely strict and superiors could even directly sentence their subordinates to death, this almost meant that he thought the same way.
"If I were the Chinese commander and wanted to swallow up the 4th Brigade, I would have to launch a night attack on us first. Only by completely killing us can they besiege the 4th Brigade's position without any scruples.
"Captain Benshang replied confidently.
Kihara Shinichi looked at the dark Chinese army position in the distance and murmured: "The division commander has sent reinforcements and will arrive at Luo Wenyu at 10 o'clock tomorrow. We only need to hold on for another 9 hours. If the Chinese want to attack us
, we will definitely be on guard against the 2000 Imperial Army of the 4th Brigade, but apart from the more than a thousand enemy troops in front of us, there is no movement. It seems that Commander China does not have the courage of Honjo-san..."
He walked back and forth for two steps, as if he had made up his mind: "I ordered all the artillerymen to return to their gun positions and turn their muzzles to the northwest in the direction of the 4th Brigade. The entire army except the 3rd 8th Infantry Squadron should leave necessary personnel to monitor China's movements.
, Ben Sang, I will leave the security of the rear flank to you. The rest of the troops will rest and recuperate on the spot. During the war, the entire army will be in position to provide necessary artillery support to the 4th Brigade."
"But..." Captain Motojo wanted to continue to persuade, but Kihara Shinichi waved his hand: "Although I support Oda-kun's opinion more, Motojo-san, even if the Chinese want to attack us, our
Soldiers can't freeze all night without rest, so the Imperial soldiers won't even be able to hold their guns without waiting until dawn."
The captain was silent. The superior's reasons were also very sufficient, and he could not refute them.
"However, Lieutenant Commander Kihara, Mr. Suzuki sent us a military order before, telling us to hold our position and blow up the cannons if necessary." Another Japanese major with a rank lower than Kihara said with a panicked expression.
"Major Akiyama, Suzuki-dono only wanted to protect the honor of his 4th Brigade, but he abandoned us." Kihara Shinichi's face was as gloomy as the north wind blowing around him, and he walked away without saying a word.
.
The major suddenly became speechless. Although he was a captain, he was one level lower in rank and automatically returned to Kihara Shinichi's control during the war. Moreover, Kihara Shinichi did not say anything about sitting back and watching friendly forces being attacked. In addition to not executing Suzuki Mitsuchi's order to explode the artillery,
There is nothing wrong with his military order.
At this time, Tang Yongming, who was very anxious, finally waited for a guest.