Chapter 1040 Soldiers are bristling and generals are bristling in a nest
"Chief of Staff, do you see anything?" Li Hao turned to Hong Linfeng and asked.
"The first battalion that Commander Chen reinforced for us is so powerful." Hong Linfeng praised without hesitation.
"In the absence of equipment advantages, in hand-to-hand combat, we can fight on a par with the Japanese. Looking at the entire garrison, only the commandos and reconnaissance companies can do this."
"If several main battalions of our garrison can reach this level, coupled with the garrison's sophisticated equipment and sufficient ammunition, the overall combat effectiveness can be increased by at least 30%."
"It seems we made the right choice to return to the base from Commander Chen." Li Hao showed an expression of approval.
"Not only did most of the baggage and ammunition remain, which reduced the load and combat pressure on the troops returning to the base area, but it also allowed us to see the strong combat effectiveness of the Lao Eighth Route Army and know that there is a sky outside the sky, and there are people outside the world."
Having said this, a very bold idea suddenly popped into Li Hao's mind.
Dig some cadres from Commander Chen who are good at fighting tough battles back to the garrison, let them serve as the backbone of the army, train the troops, and train the garrison into an elite force that cannot be defeated or delayed.
As the old saying goes, a raging army is like a raging den. Even if you see the shortcomings of the garrison here and learn the training methods, and use the same method to train troops when you go back, you will only learn a surface.
The cadres of the garrison are used to living a good life and cannot learn the essence of this at all.
Only cadres who have grown up step by step in this environment can use the same method to develop a truly elite force.
Of course, these are all things for later.
Everything must wait until the battle is over and won before we can consider it.
The large number of automatic pistols equipped by the mobile battalion became the last straw for the little devils.
Pistols, a battalion is no weaker than the Japs bayonet formation, cooperate with each other, and harvest the lives of the Japs on the battlefield.
Three infantry squadrons launched an attack, but were beaten into one squadron in less than ten minutes, and finally withdrew from the battlefield in embarrassment.
The commander of the regiment arrived at the offensive position a few minutes ago and witnessed with his own eyes the attacking troops retreating from the battlefield in disarray.
When the smoke from the battlefield cleared, six tanks and armored vehicles were lying motionless on the position, seemingly without any damage.
Nearly five hundred corpses of soldiers fell to the ground in various postures. Most of them were our own soldiers, and only a few were from the Eighth Route Army.
As for weapons and ammunition, many of them were hurriedly brought back to their positions by the retreating Eighth Route Army.
"Bagya Road!"
The captain clenched his fists, his veins were exposed, and his eyes were red and red, as if they could spit out fire.
Staring at the battlefield, he ordered: "The artillery brigade will concentrate all its artillery to attack Laohuling. I will blow up all the Eighth Route Army troops above and raze all positions to the ground."
"The 2nd Infantry Battalion, 1st Battalion of the Imperial Association Army, prepare for the attack."
"The tank squadron provides cover. Although the Eighth Route Army is equipped with anti-aircraft machine guns that can penetrate armor at close range, our tanks will not be in danger as long as they get too close."
"All combat vehicles stopped after attacking 100 meters in front of the formation to serve as fixed firepower points and provide fire cover for the attacking troops."
"This time we must capture Laohuling and catch up with the Eighth Route Army who are moving into the mountains."
"Otherwise, all officers above the squadron commander of the attacking force will commit suicide and apologize to His Majesty the Emperor."
Now I am just one step away from victory. If I work harder, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters will get it.
This is a great military achievement. If you can win it, you may be promoted to Major General Brigade Commander in the future.
Therefore, the captain will never allow this piece of fat to slip from his lips.
On the mountain ridge two kilometers away, Commander Chen watched every move of the Japanese army.
After taking a look at the time, not only was he not nervous, but he showed a relaxed expression.
Li Hao has been guarding Laohuling for almost an hour. The battlefield is so big. As expected, the outflow troops are almost in place.
As soon as the general offensive begins, the little devils in the encirclement will turn into grasshoppers and won't be able to hop around for long.
"Chief, the regiment is reporting that they are in position..." A cavalry correspondent ran over and reported.
As soon as the front foot left, another cavalry correspondent rushed over from behind the mountain: "Report to the leader, the second and third regiments have all entered the attack position."
The chief of staff immediately said: "Commander, do you want to start the attack now?"
"The little devils at the foot of the mountain are about to launch a third attack on Laohuling. It will definitely be more violent than the previous attack. I'm afraid Comrade Li Hao won't be able to hold on."
Commander Chen shook his head and said in denial: "No, we will fight again after the little devil's third attack begins."
"Li Hao has three battalions in his hands. It was obvious that he only used two battalions just now, and one battalion is still in reserve, so there must be no problem in defending Laohuling."
"The little devil also has two infantry brigades, an artillery brigade, and a regiment of the Imperial Army, totaling more than 4,000 people."
"If we attack now, they will definitely join forces and wait for reinforcements. The encirclement and annihilation battle will turn into a tough battle, which will be detrimental to us."
"After the Japanese attack starts for the third time and we attack in general, they will be divided into two parts by us and defeated one by one. This attack will be beneficial to us."
"Order: All three heavy mortar companies aim at the Japanese army assembly area. Fire immediately after the counterattack begins. Shoot rapidly for five minutes, and then use platoons as units to cover the main battalions."
"Woooooooo..."
Twelve mountain field guns and six infantry guns fired at the same time, and a total of eighteen shells flew towards Laohuling with a harsh scream.
Amidst the rumbling sound of artillery, more than a dozen black smoke pillars quickly rose from the Laohuling blocking position. Mud, logs, and soldiers hiding in the trenches were blown up into the sky along with the splashing firelight. Finally, they were scattered everywhere like a goddess scattering flowers.
All.
Soon, the position was shrouded in smoke, making it impossible to see even one's fingers.
"Captain, the Japs think highly of us. At least they assembled an artillery brigade to attack us." A look of solemnity flashed across Hong Linfeng's face.
"Time is limited and we don't have time to build anti-gun caves. If the Japs' artillery fire is so fierce, the troops on the position will definitely suffer heavy casualties."
"It would be great if we were in the base area. The heavy artillery battalion only needs to dispatch two companies and fire four or five rounds to wipe out the Japanese artillery brigade. Let's see how arrogant they are."
Li Hao didn't talk nonsense and directly ordered with a serious face: "Let the guard camp prepare for battle."
"As soon as the shelling stops, we should immediately enter the position and use hand-to-hand combat to repel the Japs' attack."
"It has been more than an hour since the battle started. The counterattack time agreed upon by Commander Chen and us is coming soon, so there is no need for the reserve team to stay. We will strive to eat up all the Japanese attacking troops in this battle."
The artillery battalion fought for ten minutes before stopping. Before Li Hao could take a breath, two mortar squadrons joined the battle again.
There are more guns and the rate of fire is faster.
Artillery shells rained down, and the position was once again enveloped in gunpowder smoke.
"Captain, the Japs have begun to attack, and the tanks seem to have moved." Hong Linfeng could vaguely hear the roar of tanks through the sound of artillery.
When the shelling ended and the smoke cleared, six tanks and armored vehicles had stopped one hundred meters in front of the formation.
The Japanese attacking troops were rushing over the tanks and armored vehicles, roaring towards Laohuling like a flood that burst a dam.
“Boom, boom, boom… da da da…”
Vehicle-mounted artillery and vehicle-mounted machine guns began to roar, shooting over the attacking troops towards the mountains, providing fire cover for the attacking troops.
"Commander, the shooting distance is too far, and the anti-aircraft machine gun cannot penetrate the protective armor of the tank." Hong Linfeng frowned deeper and deeper.
"Then we'll fight the infantry." Li Hao made a decision immediately.
"Without infantry protection, those tanks and armored vehicles are our living targets and will be killed sooner or later."
"Order the Second Company of the Air Defense Battalion to wait for the Japanese attacking troops to rush fifty meters in front of the formation and then shoot at crowded places."
"Fight at the fastest rate of fire for half a minute, then retreat."
"The reaction speed of tank guns is faster than that of ordinary artillery. If you don't retreat within half a minute, you will definitely be targeted by them, and you won't be able to retreat even if you want to."
