The supplies stored in the small town by the Sichuan Army's new regiment have already been received by the baggage troops sent by the Si Xing Regiment.
After the Japanese army launched the "New Year's Day Offensive", two train companies happened to cross the Yellow River and entered the Zhongtiao Mountains. Zhuang Shisan, who personally led the army, had already received Tang Dao's military order and would not return to southeastern Shanxi for the time being. Instead, he would directly transport supplies to the thirty-year-old who had been promoted to
The headquarters of Zhao Shoushan, commander of the Eighth Army.
This time, in addition to its own equipment, the new regiment of the Sichuan Army also had rations and horse feed for more than 4,000 people for seven days, which were supplemented by the logistics department of the 28th Division before departure. It was basically a light vehicle.
Thanks to the harsh conditions of the Tang regiment during the march, the new recruits who were used to carrying heavy loads felt unprecedentedly relaxed at this moment. The entire army arrived at the opposite side of Pinglu County in Shanxi Province, 350 kilometers away from Tongguan, only at dusk on the fifth day.
The average daily marching speed reaches an astonishing 70 kilometers. Not to mention the combat effectiveness, this pair of iron feet alone is already amazing.
The sky was already very dark, and Tang Dao stood on the bank of the Yellow River like a sculpture, quietly looking at the towering mountains on the other side of the river, which was where the 4th Group Army of the 2nd Theater was stationed.
Behind him stood Zhuang Shisan and Long Yan, and on the river bank there were people shouting and shouting. With the help of local boatmen, the Sichuan troops were crossing the river in batches in platoon units.
Yesterday Tang Dao had already contacted Zhuang Shisan and informed him that he would arrive with the Sichuan Army today.
Zhuang Shisan coordinated with a major general and brigade commander sent by the 38th Army for one day, and raised a total of more than 10 wooden boats and more than 30 sheepskin rafts for Tang Dao and more than 4,000 Sichuan troops to cross the river.
Although the ship is somewhat crude, it is already the maximum transportation capacity that can be raised in the vicinity in one day.
Because we chose to cross the river at night, there would be no incoming Japanese planes, and the mother of the Yellow River was giving us face. The river was calm and the risk factor was extremely low.
Just as Director Zhuang Da who came to greet Tang Dao said: "You have to be in the group. Even the Yellow River will obey you. As soon as you arrived, the mighty river did not even break the waves, unlike when I crossed the river with supplies that day and the waves rolled.
, even though my face didn’t change when I was on the boat, I didn’t know how much I recited Amitabha in my heart!”
Although this is somewhat flattering, it is also true. The location of Zhuangshi's Sandu River is further upstream, where Commander Sun of the 4th Group Army personally ordered the three counties on both sides of the Yellow River to be responsible for transporting ships.
Part of the reputation of the Si Xing Regiment was taken up by the hundreds of thousands of kilograms of grain and various materials transported by the baggage troop.
At this moment when the Japanese army is attacking on a large scale, what is the most precious thing?
In addition to personnel, firearms and ammunition, there is undoubtedly food. After all, no one knows how long this battle will last. Whether the military rations stored in the station can be used until the end of the battle is what the commander must ensure.
There were enough boats and they were big enough, but the mother of the Yellow River was not so generous. The weather was extremely bad those two days, especially to prevent Japanese planes from attacking, we had to cross the river at night in a stormy and snowy night.
Even with the most experienced local boatmen at the helm, two ships were overturned by wind and waves, resulting in the loss of thousands of kilograms of food, ten pack horses, and six personnel, including a second lieutenant platoon leader.
Under such water potential and temperature, almost no one would have a chance to survive after falling into the water. The remains of the six people were not discovered by the masses on the river beach more than 30 miles downstream until yesterday before Tang Dao generated electricity.
The second lieutenant Tang Dao was not familiar with him either, but those who could become officers were undoubtedly veterans.
Due to its own fundamental problems, the Si Xing Regiment had a situation of fewer regular officers and more soldiers when it was first established. To deal with this problem, Tang Dao had to use the simplest and crudest promotion system for meritorious service. Those who were already officers were not counted. After the establishment of the Si Xing Regiment,
After joining the regiment, without military merit, even if you are a top student at Jinling University, you are not qualified to become an officer.
The rough guys may be brave in fighting and good soldiers, but they may not necessarily be good commanders, so they will be left to Ye Chenghuan's teaching brigade.
The teaching brigade has set up four-level crash training courses: sergeant, second lieutenant, lieutenant, and captain. Each training course lasts one month. In the past six months, it has covered almost all front-line troops of the Fourth Army Regiment, which means that all squad leaders,
Platoon commanders and company commanders all attended the training class for at least a month.
Even heroic company commanders like Li Jiujin, Zhao Daqiang, Cai Yongguan, and Qian Dazhu were no exception. However, most of the time was in the afternoon and evening, leaving the chief officers the whole morning to deal with troop training and other matters.
Tang Dao is well aware of the "big, black and rough" nature of his subordinates. In order to encourage them to take the initiative to learn, he has also set up a reward mechanism. There are perfect attendance awards and awards for the top ten in the training class. Those who fail the assessment will be rewarded.
When he arrived at the regiment headquarters, Tang Dao himself gave lessons and made up exams.
The reward system may not be important to veterans who are mentally determined enough. What is important is that veteran veterans like Li Jijin are not willing to sit in front of the regimental commander and take any make-up exams. That would be a shame to grandma's house.
OK?
Both officers and veterans are valuable assets of the Four Lines Regiment, but the second lieutenant did not die on the battlefield against Japan, but died in the roaring Yellow River. This is undoubtedly an extremely heartbreaking thing.
When Zhao Shoushan, who had been promoted to army commander, received a telegram from Tang Dao yesterday, he specifically apologized to Tang Dao for this matter, saying that he had not taken good care of his brothers in the Si Xing Regiment.
After Tang Dao arrived today, although he did not criticize Zhuang Shisan for his poor organization with a cold face, his inner unhappiness was visible to everyone.
No, the new regiment of the Sichuan Army had already begun to cross the river on a large scale, but Tang Dao stood in the wind for a long time regardless of the cold wind.
Not only did Zhuang Shisan dare not persuade him, but Long Yan, who was usually the most talkative, stopped talking too much.
Little snowflakes fell on the brim of Tang Dao's hat and shoulders. His back was still as straight as a pine tree, but it gave people an inexplicable feeling of deep sadness.
The officers of the Si Xing Regiment thought this was Tang Dao's condolences for his comrades who disappeared in the roaring Yellow River, but in fact, they would have known that in the past time and space, on the other side of Tang Dao's deep and silent eyes, there had been a person.
'Monument to Martyrdom by Jumping into the Yellow River'
According to legend, there is the "Eight Hundred Cold Boys" who were said to be more than 800 student soldiers from the 177th Division of the 4th Group Army. After they ran out of ammunition and food, they were forced onto the cliff of the Yellow River by the Japanese army.
These more than 800 student soldiers collectively jumped off the cliff after shouting the slogan "If you hear the roar of the Yellow River, don't ask for it to be returned wrapped in horse leather," and then disappeared into the rolling Yellow River.
In the following days, local people salvaged more than 800 bodies of Shaanxi Army soldiers from the river beach at the junction of Pinglu and Ruicheng, and buried them on the bank of the Yellow River.
However, in the war history of the Chinese and Japanese armies, there is no record of this battle. Moreover, according to research, the 177th Division of the 96th Army did not have a new corps designation, and the 4th Army only had one new corps battalion, so its authenticity is questioned.
But another version was recorded in the 4th Group Army. It was that nearly a thousand civilians and wounded soldiers of the 177th Division of the 96th Army were surrounded by the Japanese army on the bank of the Yellow River. One of the battalion commanders organized 400 lightly wounded soldiers.
The soldiers blocked the Japanese army and covered other personnel to cross the river. After running out of ammunition and food, the more than 100 surviving soldiers faced the Japanese army's call to persuade them to surrender, but they jumped into the Yellow River hand in hand without hesitation. No one was captured and surrendered!
Later, the Japanese army became angry and threw the remains of Chinese soldiers on the river bank into the Yellow River. They also captured nearly a hundred civilians and forced them down the Yellow River with bayonets, resulting in the famous beach mouth massacre.
This is also the reason why many of the more than 800 remains recovered by local people from the river beach were not wearing military uniforms.
There is no need to worry about whether it is a legend or reality. Are there not many people in that war who have not been recorded in the annals of history?
The monument that China will erect here in the future represents the unyielding spirit of the Chinese nation.
This time, Tang Dao is here. Even though he knows that this battle at Zhongtiao Mountain may be more difficult than before in time and space, he still stands firmly here.
What made Tang Dao silent for a long time was perhaps not only the sacrifices he made now and in the future on this battlefield, but also the confusion in Tang Dao's heart.
He is no longer the little colonel who led only a few hundred to two thousand people in the past. Now he has thousands of soldiers following him, as well as tens of thousands of military relatives and people in Dakouzidong Town. All the decisions he makes involve
with their fate.
By this time in the war, the situation in North China had undergone considerable changes. Even Tang Dao, who was well aware of the direction of history, could no longer easily judge the Japanese strategy and tactics based on history.
In the past, the Japanese army launched a large-scale attack on Zhongtiao Mountain in the middle of 1939. A total of more than 30,000 troops were dispatched to besiege the 4th Group Army. This time, perhaps two to 30,000 troops were deployed.
Of course, the 17th Division, the main force of the 4th Group Army, is no longer the B Division with less than 10,000 troops in the past. Instead, it has 5 regular infantry regiments, 1 reserve regiment, 1 artillery battalion and other
The Class A Division of the auxiliary arms has more than 30 artillery pieces of various types, more than 150 heavy machine guns, and a combat strength of 30,000 people.
The total strength of the 4 infantry divisions under the 4th Group Army has reached 80,000, far exceeding the 60,000 in the past.
In the entire Zhongtiao Mountain defense zone, which is hundreds of miles away, the total strength of the Chinese side, which has gathered seven infantry corps, is more than 210,000. However, in the face of the 230,000 Japanese troops that are about to surge forward, they are still unable to cope with it.
If Tang Dao's estimate is correct, the 4th Group Army stationed in the middle section of Zhongtiao Mountain will be an important breakthrough for the Japanese army.
Only by conquering this place can we realize the successful example of the Japanese army in time and space: thus tearing a gap in the defense line connected by Zhongtiao Mountain, causing the Chinese side to be unable to respond from the beginning to the end, and then divide and surround it, and cannibalize it one by one!
The Japanese army's westward march was frustrated at Tongguan and unable to advance westward. Its main force, the Fifth Division, was very likely to turn around and attack Zhongtiao Mountain under the command of the angry Itagaki Shiro, and this might be their biggest target.
The Fifth Division is what the Japanese call the ‘Steel Army’, so let’s go against it and see how much steel there is.
Tang Dao, who had stood in the ice and snow for half an hour, finally said: "Director Zhuang, you and Sanjiang are responsible for staying on the bank and leading the new regiment to cross the river. Heavy rain, Longyan, Mingxin, you three will follow me to cross the river next batch."
, let’s go see Commander Zhao!”
"Yes!" The few people who had rarely seen Tang Dao being so silent all breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly.
.........
Monan Town, Ruicheng County!
12 o'clock!
Riding on horses provided by the Thirty-eighth Army on the other side, and escorted by a cavalry squad, the four of Tang Dao passed through many checkpoints and arrived at this mountainous town.
Standing on the path at the mountain pass and looking towards the town, the town with a population of less than a thousand was completely dark, with only a few lights on the edge of the town.
When he reached the intersection into the town, Tang Dao was shocked to find a row of soldiers standing there. The yellow light blooming in the snowy night was the lanterns they were holding.
Seeing the cavalry stop, a soldier led the troops out, and his hearty voice resounded through the wilderness: "Brother Tang, I haven't seen you for a long time. I wonder if you are still as handsome as ever!"
Tang Dao quickly jumped off his horse and took a few strides to hold the smiling white-haired soldier's hands: "Sir Zhao, Tang Dao can't bear it."
"Haha! You, the heroic leader who just killed Rokuro Matsuura in Wanjialing and defeated Shiro Itagaki in Tongguan, say you can't bear it. I'm afraid no one will dare to come see me." Zhao
Moriyama couldn't help laughing.
The row of generals and colonels standing behind him also laughed.
Some of these people have a higher rank than Tang Dao, and the youngest is on the same level as Tang Dao, but few of them feel that there is anything wrong with following their commander in the wind and snow to endure the cold and wait for Tang Dao for half an hour. They will definitely
Most of them are old men of the 17th Division. Not only are they familiar with Tang Dao, but they also know what Tang Dao has brought to the 17th Division.
Without that equipment, the 17th Division probably wouldn't have been able to survive the Battle of Shanxi Province. It was almost exhausted in the Japanese encirclement and suppression of Shanxi Southeast.
Even if he didn't think so, he was more curious than dissatisfied. For example, when Zhao Shoushan took Tang Dao and introduced to him a major general-level officer who had newly joined the 17th Division: "This is our new officer of the 17th Division of the 38th Army."
Brigadier Kong of the newly established 46th Independent Brigade is a well-known general in our Northwest Army. This time he is transferred to our unit, so you two can get closer and closer in the future."
Standing in front of Tang Dao was a typical northwest man, with a square face and a broad mouth and a pair of unforgettable thick eyebrows. He smiled when he saw Zhao Shoushan holding Tang Dao's hand. After Tang Dao took the initiative to salute him, he also smiled.
He gave a military salute and reached out his hand: "The military commander is very complimentary. I, Kong Congzhou, will have to ask Commander Tang for more advice in the future."
"Kong Congzhou?" Tang Dao was stunned for a full second.
This is really a thunderous name. It not only means that he will be a bright star in the future, but also
Of course, more importantly, the dusty memories suddenly surged. The 4th Army's successful comeback in that almost inevitable battle was all due to the hard work of the major general commander of the independent 46th Brigade.
"What?" The man from the northwest was stunned by Tang Dao's surprised expression.
What the hell is this? What's wrong with the name?
"No, I've heard Brigadier Kong's name for a long time, and finally I got to meet him! But as the saying goes, it's a rush! It's often better to be famous than to meet, and to not meet is worse than not meeting." Tang Dao shook his cold hands vigorously,
The official clichés came out right out of the mouth, and then he shook his head slightly with regret on his face.
This made the generals and generals of the 17th Division who were familiar with Tang Dao a little confused. Tang Dao! When he is serious, he is a Chinese soldier who scares the Japanese invaders, but once he is not serious, he is really not a good person.
However, he is not serious and usually only treats people he is familiar with. This brigade commander Kong Da, who has just been transferred to the 17th Division, is meeting him for the first time. Is it possible that the two of them have other entanglements?
"Commander Tang is here to give you advice! Why is it better not to meet you than not to meet him? I am all ears!" The Army Major General's impressive thick eyebrows were raised high, and anger flashed in his eyes.
Even if Tang Dao was joking, it was not appropriate at the moment when the two met for the first time, especially after a brigade commander had waited in the wind and snow for more than half an hour in the middle of the night.
Zhao Shoushan on the side knew Tang Dao very well. He knew that Tang Dao was definitely not a young man of his age. What he seemed to say casually was actually laying the groundwork for what was to come. There must be something convincing enough.
explanation of.
However, Zhao Shoushan soon realized that he was still superficial, and that his brother Tang really refused to stop talking without making any surprises.
"Haha! Don't get me wrong, Brigadier Kong. What I mean to say is that when I came here, I was still struggling with whether I should fight side by side with my old comrades from the 17th Division. After all, this time the Japanese came with all their strength.
, the situation is much more critical than the original battle of Jindong. Coming here to participate in the war is actually not much different from seeking death. I, Tang Dao, have not even married and had children, and have not enjoyed the joy of life. It is really not worth it!
But I didn’t expect to see Brigadier Kong here. I just wanted to scold myself for being so entangled! The 38th Army has Brigadier Kong. No matter how hard the little devils try in this battle, at least they won’t lose. If I had known it earlier,
I won't expose my inner vulnerability.
Really, don’t think I’m just bragging regardless of the occasion, Tang Dao definitely thought so just now.” Tang Dao said with a smile.
Forehead
It is estimated that even Brigadier Kong Da himself did not expect that Tang Dao would praise him so much.
No matter how hard you try, the Thirty-Eighth Army will never lose. This is indeed not a false boast, but a false boast, okay?
"Have you never seen Commander Xue on the Wanjialing battlefield? Otherwise, with his temper, he will definitely sew up your child's mouth that likes to wear a top hat. It doesn't matter if you are close to Brigadier Kong, I
Your old face is almost turning red because of this, why didn't you say that with me, Zhao Shoushan, Zhongtiao Mountain is worry-free!" Zhao Shoushan also laughed angrily at Tang Dao's explanation.
"Then shall I change it?" Tang Dao immediately stood at attention with a serious look on his face.
"Go away! If you can defeat the little devils by lying, your baby's mouth is definitely qualified to be the number one in our army. Even if 200,000 little devils come, the army will not be defeated."
Commander Zhao's words are quite accurate. Tang Dao's mouth skills are really quite impressive. Didn't you realize that this boast made the face of the northwest man look like Guan Gong?
The generals, including the Army Major General who was exaggerated to the extreme by Tang Tuanzuo, couldn't help laughing.
"Really, you don't believe me! This battle will be won, because Brigadier Kong and I are here." Tang Dao's face was full of grievances, making the wind and snow in the sky seem to shrink a little.
"Brother, brother, can't we not mention this? The wine specially prepared for you by the military commander is almost cold. I will toast you with a few glasses of wine later. Thank you for being such a compliment to my brother." A straightforward man from the northwest.
He quickly begged Tang Dao for mercy.
Really, too much praise is sharper than a knife, especially for an army major general with a very high shame threshold.
But perhaps no one expected that what Tang Dao said was true.
On the battlefield of the impending Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the Army Major General's brilliance was no less impressive than that of Tang Dao. This also laid a solid foundation for his future promotion to commander of the 55th Division and deputy commander of the 38th Army.
Of course, on this snowy night, he was completely defeated by Tang Dao's drunkenness.
