What the Japanese army didn't know was that Wang Ping, the leader of the independent regiment, knew the gap between the Chinese and Japanese armies better than anyone else.
To put it more simply, the Japanese army has a huge logistics system, and the logistics department can immediately provide all kinds of equipment lost on the battlefield. Although the Eighth Route Army has a logistics department, the most important thing the logistics department does is to ensure the supply of food and ammunition to the troops.
, as for the equipment, it all depends on the troops to replenish it by capturing it on the battlefield.
This means that the Eighth Route Army has a lot of equipment in hand, and losing a rifle means losing one, not to mention precious mortars.
Therefore, when the independent regiment formed artillery, there were special regulations. Unless there is an order, it is best not to stay in an artillery position for more than half a minute. Artillery battles with the enemy should be avoided as much as possible unless there is absolute certainty.
.Because the independent regiment has a weak foundation and small capital, and cannot afford to fight a war of attrition with the Japanese.
The Japanese squad leader set up the mortars and asked his subordinates for shells with his right hand. The two mortars equipped by the third battalion had already been moved to a dozen meters away and re-set up.
"Pass..." After stuffing the cannonball into the barrel, the squad leader lowered his head, and a dull sound of the cannon being ejected was heard from the muzzle.
Then, the artillery shells hit the newly exposed artillery position of the third battalion with a screaming sound.
Soon, a violent explosion reached the squad leader's ears.
However, the expression on the squad leader's face did not change. At this time, he only wanted to kill the Eighth Route Army's artillery positions and had no other distracting thoughts.
As soon as he stretched out his hand, the second cannonball was inserted into the barrel.
After firing ten shells continuously for nearly a minute, it stopped.
"Captain, the Eighth Route Army artillery position must have been destroyed by us!" a gunner next to him said in relief.
But before they could finish their words, the scream of artillery shells that made them change their colors sounded over the battlefield again.
The squad leader first showed an expression of disbelief on his face, and then shouted loudly: "Hurry up and take cover, get down!"
"Boom!" Just as he held his head and threw himself next to the mortar, a violent explosion rang in his ears, and several screams reached the squad leader's ears.
Taking advantage of the gap between the two rounds of shelling, the team leader climbed up and loudly ordered: "Move the mortars quickly, or the last mortar will be gone!"
In the end, the mortar mounted on the ground was not removed. Only three people from the entire artillery squad, including the squad leader, escaped alive.
At this time, the Japanese who were being fired upon by two heavy machine guns, six Czech-made machines, and more than two hundred rifles had already lost more than half of their lives.
The more than 20 Japanese soldiers who were still alive, although they had received the order to retreat, were firing back in embarrassment, hoping to escape from here as soon as possible. However, the condescending firepower of the two companies was always staring at them.
It wasn't until they passed the bend in the road that the two companies stopped shooting.
At this time, nearly a hundred corpses of Japanese and puppet soldiers were scattered across the road less than 100 meters away, half of which were accounted for by the Japanese army and the Imperial Alliance Army.
There are more than 60 Imperial Army troops left. Because they are too close to the defense line of the first company on the road, the mortars equipped by the Japanese army cannot provide them with artillery cover, and the heavy machine guns of the independent regiments are on the same two hills.
There was no way to cover them during the exchange of fire.
When the Japanese troops retreated, the company commander Ma Qingyun directly led two platoons to fight back against them.
They used machine guns to kill the Japanese instructors who were hiding among the Imperial Army. The remaining fifty or so Imperial Army soldiers became prisoners obediently and were escorted behind the defense line by Ma Qingyun.
"Ma Qingyun's assault was so good that the Japanese lost a company of the Imperial Association Army. Without the Imperial Army and the artillery, I wonder how he will attack next!" Chief of Staff Zeng Quan said very happily, his face
It was full of expressions of appreciation.
Yan Song, the commander of the third battalion, immediately said: "I think he is good too! Chief of Staff, the third battalion is still short of a deputy battalion commander. See if you can let him serve as both!"
"Watch this battle first and then talk about other things. Don't forget the commander's order. It must be nailed here like a nail!" Zeng Quan replied with a serious face.
Then he added: "As for the proposal just now, I will mention it to the regiment leader and political commissar. Tell Ma Qingyun to be more careful. The most important thing for the regiment leader and political commissar is military exploits!"
Yan Song immediately understood that the chief of staff had listened to his proposal. As long as Ma Qingyun fought well in the next battle, there would be no problem in being promoted to deputy battalion commander after the battle!
Then he quickly assured Zeng Quan: "Chief of Staff, please rest assured that not only Ma Qingyun, but the entire Third Battalion will not let the regiment headquarters down!"
After saying that, he ordered to the communication soldiers around him: "Inform the artillery platoon to find the Japanese heavy machine gun position immediately and kill their heavy machine guns. Then freely choose the target for bombardment. The Japanese opposite are equipped with mortars and must have brought a lot of shells.
No matter how many shells are fired, I will personally go to the regiment leader to replenish the number of shells!"
"Others, be prepared for the second round of Japanese attacks!"
The Japanese squadron leader was walking back and forth with a heavy look on his face at this time, and as for his brain, it was already a mess.
Because, the development of the battle situation in front of me completely exceeded my expectations and was very different from what I imagined in my heart.
At this time, the radio communications soldier came over and after hesitating for a long time, he reported harshly: "Captain, your Excellency, the brigade commander, sent an urgent message asking us to quickly break through the Eighth Route Army's defense line and reinforce the brigade commander!"
"In addition, the cavalry brigade directly under the brigade has left the city and is on its way to reinforce the battlefield. The general asked us to work with the cavalry brigade to cooperate with the main force of the brigade to annihilate the Eighth Route Army here, or at least severely damage them!"
He got very angry when he mentioned this squadron leader, and then he directly made the communications soldier the target of his anger.
"Baga, the Eighth Route Army is equipped with mortars and heavy machine guns, but our mortar was bombed and there is no one left. How to attack and how to break through the Eighth Route Army's defense line!"
After the scolding, the squadron leader felt much better.
He analyzed the subordinates who were staring at him: "Garrison, everyone has seen the situation we are facing now. To put it bluntly, the Eighth Route Army has terrain advantages, troop advantages, and firepower advantages, and we have everything.
To attack forcefully at this time is no different than to risk death! However, the general’s order must be carried out, otherwise all of us will be sent to a military court!”
"I decided that instead of being treated as a coward and being sent to a military court, it's better to fight tooth and nail. Maybe we can get through!
"I order: The second team will cooperate with the Second Company of the Imperial Association Army to continue the attack, and the others will provide fire cover. I don't care what methods everyone uses, they must attract the Eighth Route Army's firepower on the two highlands, otherwise it will be impossible for our attacking troops
There is a chance to break through the Eighth Route Army’s defense line blocking the road!”
The three heavy machine guns were the first to fire, firing a dense rain of bullets at the two highlands.
Regardless of whether they were exposed to the muzzle of the gun, a dozen grenadier soldiers moved the grenade as far as possible, and then fired grenades behind the high ground.
The flying bullets and the grenades falling from the sky soon blew up the two highlands into smoke.
The two infantry companies were caught off guard, and more than a dozen people were knocked over by the bomb, and they had to retreat more than ten meters.
"Where are our small artillery and mortars? Counterattack immediately and kill the Japanese grenades and heavy machine guns!" Yan Song, commander of the third battalion, responded immediately.