The afterglow of the sunset on September 13th fell, and the battlefield became quiet again!
But if you think that the glory belonging to the "miscellaneous army" will set like the sunset, then you are wrong.
In fact, this is just the beginning of the glory of the ‘miscellaneous army’.
Because the roads were blown up, the infantry artillery weighed more than 200 kilograms, and the 37mm anti-tank artillery weighed hundreds of kilograms. It was impossible to carry it on your shoulders and move forward over the mountains like light machine guns and rifle grenades.
The two combat defense artillery platoons and the two infantry artillery platoons that fell behind could only take a detour under the leadership of a local guide.
And when this old hunter, who had 40 years of experience in hunting and collecting herbs in the mountains, knew that this team was going to reach the mountain 1,500 meters away from the right side of the bluestone rock, he instinctively chose a road that few people would take.
The reason why he said he was instinctive was not because that road was the shortest, but that it was the most hidden and safest. Except for hunters and herb gatherers like him who had been making a living in the mountains all year round, almost no one knew that road.
After all, in big mountains like the Taihang Mountains, in addition to ferocious beasts, there are also bandits who are more dangerous than ferocious beasts. Although many bandits have disappeared since regular troops such as the 921st Division and the Sixth Regiment were stationed here, this does not mean that there are no robberies.
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The regular army was busy fighting the Japanese and had no time or energy to completely eliminate the thieves hiding in the mountains.
Then, during the day on September 13, 12 combat artillery pieces and 12 infantry artillery pieces, pushed shoulder to shoulder by nearly 500 people, moved toward the designated target through a path completely covered by woods.
If nothing else goes wrong, they should arrive at their destination three hours after nightfall. The 24 artillery pieces will find suitable bombardment points, and they can cover the area in front of most of the Qingshiyan positions with firepower from the flanks.
As for that mountain peak, if the Japanese army wanted to attack it, they would have to climb over two mountains and cross a ravine that was 15 meters wide and 780 meters deep. They could defend it for a period of time with only a very small number of troops.
But, as the old saying goes, if nothing unexpected happens, something will happen.
When Tantai Yunshu was leading a large army and was marching slowly and arduously through the dense forest with torches on, a veteran with an entire arm missing who was in charge of scouting with the guide rushed over.
"Director Tantai, there are Japanese in front of us!" What the veteran said made the handsome old man in Tantai's hair stand on end.
Are these Japanese people born in the year of the rat? How come you can meet them wherever you go!
But at this time, Lao Tantai was like a cat with fried fur. It was not that the Japanese were annoying, as you could encounter them even if you were walking in the mountains at night, but that it was fear, coming from the fear in your heart!
This has nothing to do with bravery. If you can push the cannon from the station, everyone here is brave enough!
Just being brave doesn't mean giving away someone's head easily!
If the two companies met the Japanese last night and could still fight for a while, and even beat the careless Japanese with their firearms until they could no longer take care of themselves, then the hundreds of people pushing 24 guns are completely unqualified.
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Cannons can scare away infantrymen from thousands or even thousands of meters away, but once they get within 500 meters, the cannons lose their deterrent effect. In almost a minute, the infantrymen can approach the blind spot of the artillery fire.
Without enough melee weapons, artillery is a lamb to the slaughter!
This is the case for the four artillery platoons now. In order to implement Chu Shaoyun's tactic of "developing all his strength to deliver a heavy blow to the Japanese invaders", the artillery excludes necessary personnel, including gunners, observers, and ammunition handlers, not to mention rifles.
Not even equipped with a Black Star pistol, the limited manpower was used to transport artillery and shells!
There are only 18 long guns and 40 short guns in the team of more than 450 people. If it were not for two light machine gun squads and a rifle grenade squad coming to protect them, there would be hundreds of them. When they suddenly encountered a Japanese infantry squadron, they would probably all
It's the end of the calf's life.
Ordinary people may not think so much, but for a scholar like Tantai Yunshu, what he fears most may not be death, but dying before he leaves the army!
To put it bluntly, our old Tantai is the father-in-law of Captain Tang. Even if he is going to die, he must die heroically and with some value. How can he be so proud that he can send someone to his death thousands of miles away?
"How many Japanese are there?" Tantai Yunshu was frightened, but his face remained calm.
"Many, many Japanese!" The veteran ran quickly, but still tried his best to use deep breaths to stabilize his burning lungs that were about to explode, and reported to Tantai Yunshu in a low voice. "The entire valley ahead is full! There are bonfires everywhere!
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"What?" Tantai Yunshu's head was buzzing and his face turned pale.
"Could it be another Japanese brigade?"
"No, I can't stop watching! There are at least more than 1,600 Japanese, and there are many pack horses!" The veteran shook his head in denial, and stabbed the handsome old Tantai man in the heart again.
"Immediately order the entire army to stop advancing and keep silent. Immediately notify Lieutenant Chu Shaoyun and Factory Director He and ask them to report to Battalion Commander Shangguan Yun that there are Japs here, a large number of Japs!" Tantai Yunshu took a deep breath.
After a breath, his face turned tragic.
"Tell them that we will hold off the Japanese here for them. Squad Leader Yan, I am not familiar with military affairs, so I have ordered you to form a blocking force and lead all the armed personnel in the army, whether long guns, short guns, machine guns, or grenades, to find a suitable location.
Hold them off until our army's support arrives!"
"Why do you want to block it?" The face of the disabled veteran who was called squad leader Yan by Lao Tantai suddenly turned strange.
"The Japanese in the valley seem to have only artillery and heavy equipment. The regular infantry will never exceed an infantry squadron. That should be the camping site they choose at night! They are still singing and dancing next to the campfire!"
"What?" Lao Tantai didn't react for a while.
Or maybe he was so shocked that he spoke Sichuan dialect.
"I mean, Director Tantai, we can condescendingly use artillery to bombard the Japanese army! Kill those idiots!" said the veteran.
"Of course, the obstruction you mentioned is not impossible. Two light machine gun squads and rifle grenade squads, as well as personnel equipped with long guns, are deployed on the mountain ridge to prevent the Japanese infantry from jumping over the wall to counterattack. But I personally feel that under the fire of 24 artillery pieces, they
It seems there is no such opportunity!”
"Wait a minute, I want to know why the camp of the Japanese artillery and heavy troops moved to our position. The Japanese are Japanese, but they are not fools!" Tantai Yunshu's fear disappeared, and his mind completely returned to calmness.
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"Go and call the guide. I want to confirm our current location!"
I heard that there were Japs in the valley less than 3 miles ahead. All the torches in the dense forest had been extinguished, and only a flashlight shining on the map of Dakouzi Cave was still giving off a faint light.
"Master, our current location is here!" The old hunter pointed his finger to a place on the map with determination.
"Are you sure?" Tantai Yunshu and several key veterans around him were dumbfounded.
What the hell is this? The location pointed by the old hunter is about 2,600 meters away from the bluestone rock, but the terrible thing is that the direction is not to the right, but in front of the bluestone rock area.
To put it bluntly, it was behind the Japanese position where they were fighting fiercely with the Qingshiyan position.
If the old hunter had not been clean and had the endorsement of several people within the Four Elements Regiment, the moment they saw the location, several veterans would have been filled with murderous intent. This situation would have completely lured the entire team into the Japanese nest!
"Yes! This is the Black Forest. Look, sir, let's take a detour from here, and then go around this way again. We can reach the Panlongding you mentioned in less than three hours!" The old hunter was on the map as a matter of course.
Draw a half arc.
Good guy, it turns out that the secret passage goes forward first and then turns back!
No wonder they went directly behind the Japanese position! It is completely understandable that the Japanese artillery and heavy troops camped here.
"Do you want to do it or not?" The veteran's eyes were full of desire for battle.
The valley is not big, but it is crowded with Japanese, and the artillery is arranged neatly in rows. The muzzles of the cannons emit a unique metallic light under the reflection of the bright bonfire. I don’t know how many Chinese soldiers are emitting this light.
Sacrificed under the dim light of the cannon.
Smashing it to pieces is the desire of any soldier!
"Do it, why not do it!"
Lao Tantai slapped his thigh to set the tone.
He is also a courageous and courageous person, so what if there are thousands of Japanese in front? If we continue with this operation, let alone wipe out all the Japanese artillery and artillery! As long as they are destroyed, they will be used on the Qingshiyan front line.
Maximum support.
Even if my group was surrounded by the Japanese, wouldn't the purpose before sending troops have been achieved?
"Haha! Sir, you are like this! No wonder you are the father-in-law of the regiment!" The veteran laughed loudly and gave a thumbs up to Dantai Yunshu.
For these rough guys, literati like Tantai Old Handsome Guy who just rely on writing and painting and saying nice words may be able to win their superficial respect, but they can never achieve the level of respect that Tang Dao has with his personality.
The guys picked up their guns and knives at the same level as the commander who was fighting for his life against the enemy.
But at this moment, Lao Tantai, who chose to fire at the Japanese logistics base regardless of the large number of Japanese troops ahead, completely won the respect of the veterans!
Although Director Tantai and Chief are both honorific titles, the former is only a military rank, while the latter is someone who has always been dependent on each other for life and death so they can be so sincerely sympathized with each other! The meanings are very different.
Hundreds of people held their breath and tried their best to move the 24 artillery pieces up the mountain through the jungle tunnel as gently as possible. The muzzles of the guns were aimed at the densely populated areas of artillery, supplies and personnel in the valley less than 400 meters below.
Both combat defense artillery and infantry artillery are direct-aimed artillery, and they are also equipped with explosive ammunition. They are extremely good at this kind of direct fire. What's more terrible is that the Japanese army also lit dozens of bonfires, not to mention in the valley.
It's as bright as day, and the sight line is excellent. Gunners who observe with the naked eye can hit a rough area without even measuring range!
It's like a training match before the qualifying match, which is perfect for the new gunners in this motley army!
Speaking of which, the Japanese are also unlucky!
In fact, from the beginning of the battle, the Japanese army was still very vigilant. Although the Four Troops Regiment's reputation as a "stealer" was not so popular, no matter whether the Sixth Heavy Artillery Brigade was destroyed or the Kunisaki Detachment was severely damaged, the Four Troops Regiment formed elite troops to harass the rear.
The tactics are also well known to the Japanese generals who have studied the Four Lines Regiment.
Therefore, under the strict orders of Shiro Kuyeda, not only did two infantry squadrons set up field fortifications to defend their artillery and baggage soldiers, the artillery and baggage soldiers themselves were also very vigilant at night, let alone bonfires, even talking loudly
All are strictly prohibited.
However, as the battlefield progressed, Chinese soldiers did harass them, but they were limited to the front lines. In addition, commanders at all levels judged that the strength of the Fourth Line Regiment was seriously insufficient. It was dangerous to just hold the position, so there was still room for organizing troops.
A sneak attack from more than 2,000 meters away?
Moreover, as the battle progresses, the morale of the 108th Division gradually declines. How can we improve the morale if we don't let everyone sing, dance and drink some wine?
So, on this night, the two artillery regiment captain Zuo and the baggage squadron officers came together to stimulate the officers and soldiers with sake and meat, and sang hometown songs around the fire to relieve the tension.
If this were not the case, the scouts of the "miscellaneous army" would not necessarily know that there would be Japanese people in the valley. In fact, that valley was not on the path that the old hunter led the secret path. To use a more literary word to describe it, then
Call me Queen!
Or call it, an unexpected encounter!
What's even more terrible is that one of the two infantry squadrons originally responsible for providing security for this group of Japanese troops was transferred out in the afternoon due to a shortage of troops on the front line. At this time, there was only one infantry squadron with 180 people at the valley entrance and checkpoint.
His defense power is so low that if someone tries to kill him, he won't have any chance to fight back.
15 light machine guns, 6 rifle grenades and 24 artillery pieces can push them to the ground and cause them to die!
So, all the coincidences happened perfectly.
The "miscellaneous army" performed a second wave of brilliant military exploits!
From the moment the 24 artillery pieces began to attack, all the motley crew exerted all their strength to load the ammunition, pull the breech bolts, and start shelling!
The entire valley was still struck by lightning and was filled with craters from cannonballs!
Of course, what really brings death greetings to people and things from artillery shells is not the scattered shrapnel, but the waves of air that sweep across nearly a hundred square meters!
One round of shelling involves 24 shells, and this shelling from start to finish lasts for more than 40 rounds!
In Lao Tantai's words: "If all the artillery shells are empty, we will push the artillery and run away. Who will have the strength to carry the artillery shells? We are here to kill the Japanese, and we are not here to die. After killing the Japanese, we will run away. This is not the case."
Isn’t this normal?”
Therefore, of the 1,200 rounds of artillery shells carried by the four artillery platoons, all 1,000 rounds were poured into this small valley.
In addition to the damage caused by artillery shells, there were also explosions caused by the storage of artillery shells gathered by the Japanese artillery brigade!
After a pile of at least fifty rounds of artillery shells was detonated, the fireball rose more than tens of meters high. Even the Chinese soldiers on the mountain who had put on earplugs in advance were stunned by the loud noise.
Not to mention the Japanese troops still struggling for their lives in the valley.
After the war, the Japanese army conducted an inventory and found that dozens of corpses were scattered around the large crater alone. Many people were still hiding in the craters formed by the shells, but they were killed because they were too close to the explosion point.
on the spot.
2 kilometers away, Kuyeda Shiro, who was still thinking hard about how to continue fighting tomorrow, had already been alarmed by the explosion coming from behind. His face looked as ugly as if he had swallowed a lump of heat.
During the fireball, that old face became even more ferocious and twisted like a demon.
"Order the 5th and 7th Battalions to return to the artillery brigade and order them to kill all the attacking Chinese regardless of casualties. I will chop off all their heads and hang them in front of the position!" Shiro Kuyada was almost heartbroken.
The roar of the lungs pierced the night sky.
But this did not prevent the destruction of two artillery brigades and two baggage squadrons!
The veteran's estimate was wrong. There were not just 1,600 Japanese troops here, but 2,600!
But he was unintentionally right. In the end, as many as 1,600 Japanese soldiers were killed or injured in this artillery attack. 16 of the 24 mountain cannons were destroyed in the artillery fire, and more than 80% of the supplies were burned by the artillery fire!
The Japanese infantry squadron that bravely attacked the mountains had a battle fatality rate of over 70%!
Not to mention the 24 guns that turned their muzzles, only a quarter of them. When infantry blocked their charge, they simply went to the toilet with lanterns - looking for death!
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Early morning on September 14th!
"Mingyue! Great victory at Qingshiyan!"
Tang Tuanzuo, holding the telegram in his hand, ran like the wind in the morning light, and then like crazy, he hugged his fiancée fiercely in front of many young nurses and wounded people.
Is this the man who is said to have had a stroke? Looking at this "passionate" scene, the young nurses blushed, but in their hearts they were extremely envious of their company commander.
"Are you crazy? This is a hospital!" Tantai Mingyue is a new-style woman, but she can't stand the public passion of a certain group member.
"Your dad is so awesome. He led his team to kill two artillery brigades and a transport team of the Japanese army, and he only suffered less than 20 casualties!" Tang Dao smiled brightly.
"Then you should hug him! Why are you hugging me?" Tantai Mingyue rolled her eyes, but she put aside all her worries and smiled like a flower on her face.
"You are his daughter, let me hold you and feel it first! Also, what are you doing? Don't say it casually, especially when I hold you. Otherwise, I will think it is a verb!" Tang Dao leaned into Tantai Mingyue's ear.
Whispering.
Tantai Mingyue struck hard with the Nine Yin White Bone Claw and attacked Tang Dao's ribs. At this time, Tang Tuanzuo was obviously a little complacent.
But for Tang Tuanzuo, who has been worried about his station for many days, why should he not be so proud that he gets carried away?
The Japanese artillery suffered heavy losses. Qingshiyan's 4th Battalion could at least hold on until the reinforcements arrived, and the danger was over!
