When the three tanks were still within the last 50 meters of the blocking position, the sound of artillery that the battalion leader least wanted to hear rang out again.
His face suddenly turned pale, and he didn't react from the shock until the blocking position was once again covered by artillery fire.
Then he hurriedly ordered the artillery to counterattack, attack the flying thunder artillery unit of the garrison, and reduce the pressure on the blocking troops on the position.
But it's too late.
The garrison's artillery raid lasted less than half a minute and ended without giving them a chance to counterattack.
The Japanese division headquarters in Datong was not affected by the sound of gunfire outside the city, and everything was very orderly.
The combat staff and communications staff came in and out, constantly summarizing the latest battle conditions on the front line on the sand table in front of the division commander.
"Order the First Battalion to alternate cover and voluntarily abandon the position." The division commander ordered with confidence as he stared at the sand table.
Seeing the expressions of surprise and confusion on the faces of his subordinates, the division commander did not hide his thoughts.
"The task given to us by the military department is to use the strong fortifications of Datong City to inflict heavy damage on the Shanxi-Sui Army, not to simply repel them."
"The First Brigade has been guarding the position for two full days, and the Jinsui Army has not advanced an inch. If it continues to defend, the offensive edge of the Jinsui Army will be exhausted. If they stop attacking and withdraw from Datong because of this, we will
The mission will not be accomplished if we severely injure them."
"Only if they can see the hope of capturing Datong City and taste a little sweetness from time to time, will they continue to attack Datong City at all costs."
The chief of staff suddenly realized and shouted: "Sir, you are wise and humble. Go and give the order now."
"The first battalion took turns to cover and abandon their positions, and also wanted to make the Jinsui Army feel that they were defeated and retreat in embarrassment."
The division commander nodded with approval, and then turned his attention to the sand table again.
"Sir, there is an urgent call from the Caoziling defense line..." A communications staff officer suddenly rushed in and reported anxiously.
"The garrison dispatched heavy artillery and chariot troops to attack them. The troops stationed on the defense line suffered heavy casualties. There are less than 300 people left to continue fighting. Please ask the division headquarters to send reinforcements immediately, otherwise the defense line will be breached by the garrison tomorrow night.
"
The good mood on the division leader's face suddenly disappeared, and he cursed with a stern face.
"This garrison is still as powerful as ever. In just three nights, they killed nearly a thousand of us. On Bagya Road..."
The chief of staff added: "Sir, the main force of the division is fighting against the Jinsui Army in an orderly manner. Judging from the current battle situation, we will be able to close the network and counterattack in five days."
"If the garrison breaks through the Caoziling defense line at this time and joins the battle, there will definitely be many variables in the battle between us and the Jinsui Army."
The division commander didn't waste any time and asked directly: "How many troops can Datong City spare to reinforce the Caoziling defense line?"
"An infantry brigade from the Imperial Army, a regiment from the Imperial Association Army, and a mountain artillery battalion from the Imperial Association Army can also be taken out as reinforcements." The chief of staff replied as if he were familiar with the matter.
"That's enough!" The division commander's face returned to seriousness.
"Chief of Staff, you are responsible for mobilizing troops. After dawn, the reinforcements will rush out of Datong City under the cover of aircraft and march urgently to reinforce the Caoziling defense line."
"Tell Captain Matsui: I will give him the reinforcements and allocate an aircraft from the precious aviation force to provide him with air support."
"Within seven days, if there is a problem with Caoziling's defense line, he will not come back."
At the enemy headquarters in front of the garrison, Hong Linfengxing hurried in with a smile on his face.
"Captain, our goal was achieved, the little devil was fooled."
"The commando team just sent a telegram: Datong City dispatched 1,000 Japanese troops and more than 1,300 puppet troops. They also brought 12 mountain cannons. Under the cover of aircraft, they marched towards Caoziling to kill them."
"The Jinsui Army was frightened by the Japanese planes along the way and all were allowed to pass."
"If nothing else happens, they will be able to arrive at the battlefield at four o'clock in the afternoon."
This result has always been in Li Hao's plan, and he has been working hard for it in his previous actions.
After listening to Hong Linfeng's report, he couldn't help but let out a long breath, and then ordered with excitement: "Tell all the soldiers that the enemy has taken the bait. From now on, everyone should have a good rest and recharge their batteries. After dark,
Slowly clean up this piece of fat that the little devil brought to your door."
Outside Datong City, the fighting continues.
The troops arrived outside Datong City three days ago and began to attack the city fortifications.
The attack lasted for three consecutive nights, and each night the heavy artillery regiment blasted a gap in the city wall to cover the main attack regiment's entry into the gap.
But they were all beaten out by Japanese counterattacks at the last moment.
Then at daybreak, several planes came to the battlefield and bombarded the offensive positions of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, forcing them back and ending the battle.
Three attacks in three nights were all defeated by the Japanese army at the last moment. The three main attack groups participating in the attack were almost completely destroyed.
Many commanders had doubts, suspecting that these three identical attacks were deliberately carried out by the Japs, and that there was some conspiracy hidden behind them that no one knew about.
Under such circumstances, they had no hope that the troops could recapture Datong City and requested a withdrawal.
What's more important is that the heavy artillery regiment is almost running out of shells.
With the support of the heavy artillery regiment, the troops still have the opportunity to approach the city wall.
Without heavy artillery to blast open the city wall, the troops would not even be able to get close to the city wall.
After all the factors came together, the Shanxi-Sui Army headquarters was shaken and began to study a withdrawal plan.
The chief of staff of the Japanese division headquarters in Datong hurriedly walked in. His expression was tense and excited.
"Sir, there's an urgent call from the military department!"
"Our intelligence personnel lurking within the Jinsui Army report: The Jinsui Army headquarters is studying a withdrawal plan, and the troops will be withdrawn as early as tomorrow night?"
"Snapped……"
The division commander was so excited that he punched the table in front of him and shouted.
"Yo Xi, after waiting for so long, we can finally close the net and counterattack."
"Chief of Staff, are our troops ready? Have we made a counterattack plan?"
"Hi!" the chief of staff replied quickly.
Then the two combat plans were sent to the division commander: "There are two plans in total, one is to counterattack during the day, and the other is to counterattack at night. Please let the commander make the final decision."
The division commander didn't look at it. He had been working with the chief of staff for so long, so he still had some trust and knew his strength very well.
Even if I read the battle plan, there is nothing to change.
He answered readily: "Launch a counterattack at night. This will be more sudden and will definitely catch the Jinsui Army by surprise."
"Although the counterattack will be supported by aircraft during the day, as soon as our troops leave the city, they will get the news in advance and then retreat, and the major counterattack will turn into a pursuit battle."
"So I chose to counterattack at night."
"Chief of Staff, you are responsible for the command. The counterattack is scheduled for tonight."
