The puppet army on the opposite side was puzzled by the sudden retreat of the Eighth Route Army. They clearly had the advantage, so why did they suddenly retreat? This made the puppet army somewhat puzzled.
While they were still watching, Li Qiufan's fireworks show started.
First, there were dozens of mortars. The Type 97 90mm light mortar, known as the Xiaogang Cannon, kept firing shells at the puppet army's position without any intention of stopping.
Then Lao Ma's howitzers were also ready. Under Li Qiufan's order, twelve howitzers began to bombard the puppet positions indiscriminately.
Everyone was moved when they saw this scene. The entire puppet army position had been plowed, and no screams could be heard at all, because the screams were covered by the explosion.
After more than ten minutes, the sound of artillery finally stopped. The puppet army's position was covered with scorched earth, and the whole land was hot.
"Heizi, let the 1st, 2nd and 3rd regiments go up and finish it off, and clean up the battlefield as soon as possible!"
Li Qiufan looked at the position opposite and felt something indescribable in his heart.
The Independent Brigade moved very quickly, clearing away the surviving puppet troops, quickly cleaning the scene, and then set off towards Lin County.
While Li Qiufan was on his way, the battle in Lin County had already begun. Mainly small groups of troops from various departments launched delaying tactics in order to delay the retreat of the 35th Division.
When Li Qiufan and his troops arrived, the Japanese 35th Division refused to withdraw and was successfully held back.
"Heizi, order the troops to prepare for battle!"
Li Qiufan looked towards the battlefield. At this time, the 35th Division occupied a favorable terrain and built a defensive position on a hillside.
This condescending terrain made the attack more difficult, but there was no way. Li Qiufan received the order to capture the 35th Division at all costs.
While he was preparing, several other leaders of the troops holding back the 35th Division came to the Independent Brigade, met with Li Qiufan, and expressed that he would be in charge of the next battle.
Li Qiufan calculated carefully that he had a brigade here, plus half of Wang Zhiyuan's regiment, as well as the two regiments that had just arrived and some of the brigade and squadrons.
There are about 17,000 troops on our side. After several battles, the 35th Division on the opposite side has only about 13,000 people left.
Although he had the advantage in numbers, Li Qiufan still did not dare to be careless. After all, the people facing him were not puppet troops, but the Japanese's second-class division.
This is not a C-level or D-level child or old man, but a division composed of serious reserve and post-reserve forces. Although it is not as good as the A-level division, its combat effectiveness is still very strong.
For the next battle arrangement, his independent brigade will naturally be responsible for the main attack, and other troops will be responsible for supporting the attack.
In addition, the division headquarters also sent new instructions, saying that Li Qiufan does not need to rush to attack. Our troops are heading towards Lin County from several other directions. We can only launch a general attack after they are in place.
Li Qiufan was naturally happy to hear this news. After all, no one wanted his soldiers to die.
"Inform all troops not to act rashly. Just trap the Japs on the hillside and wait for other troops to arrive."
Li Qiufan asked the signal corps to convey the division headquarters' orders to other units, and then called on the soldiers to start digging trenches to prevent the Japanese from jumping over the wall in a hurry.
Sure enough, before the Eighth Route Army attacked at the foot of the hillside, the Japanese division commander guessed something and immediately ordered an attack on the Independent Brigade's position, hoping to break out.
"Brother, the direction of the second regiment was attacked by the Japanese. It seems that the Japanese want to break out!"
Li Qiufan was helping to build fortifications at the artillery position when Heizi suddenly ran over.
"Looks like the little devil can't sit still!"
"Heizi, ask the reconnaissance battalion to provide the coordinates for attacking the Japanese."
"Lao Ma, fire two cannons in the direction of the Japs attacking from the Second Regiment to make the Japs retreat."
Li Qiufan gave the order in a leisurely manner. It might be difficult for him to eat these Japs, but it was still possible to trap them.
Soon the reconnaissance camp sent the coordinates, and Lao Ma directed the howitzer to fire several rounds, forcing the attacking Japanese back to their positions on the hillside.
Not long after, encircling troops from other directions rushed over and took over part of the Independent Brigade's positions, allowing Li Qiufan to relieve some pressure.
"Reporting to the division headquarters, all the encirclement troops are in place. Please ask when the general attack will be launched."
Li Qiufan called the radio operator and prepared to attack the Japanese on the hillside.
The division headquarters responded quickly and asked each unit to launch a general offensive in twenty minutes. Li Qiufan hurriedly ordered the communications troops to go to each unit to convey the time of the general attack.
After looking at the pointer on his pocket watch, Li Qiufan looked back at Lao Ma: "Lao Ma, prepare to launch an artillery attack. There is no need to keep the shells, just shoot them all!"
Time passed by minute by second, and in a blink of an eye it was time for the general attack. Seeing the pointer in place, Li Qiufan gave the attack order without hesitation.
"All howitzers, target Japanese positions, hit me!"
As Li Qiufan's voice fell, the artillery fire representing the general attack started. At the same time, all surrounding troops sounded the charge horn.
"Come on! Chop up the little devil!"
The two tigers in the front line took the lead and charged forward with the soldiers of the first regiment. The second and third regiments also followed closely and began to charge.
For a time, the entire hillside was occupied by the attacking Eighth Route Army, while the Japanese were suppressed by the artillery fire of the Independent Brigade on the position and could not raise their heads.
"Lao Ma, extend the artillery fire! Don't hurt your own people!"
Seeing that the soldiers were about to rush to the position, Li Qiufan quickly asked Lao Ma to extend the artillery fire.
"Monk, I want to do some activities, don't stop me!"
Seeing that the overall situation had been decided, the monk did not dare to say anything. He could only lead the guard battalion to protect Li Qiufan and kill the Japanese.
By the time Li Qiufan rushed to the hillside, the two sides had already started a hand-to-hand fight, with swords and bayonets stabbing continuously, and shouts of killing continued.
Li Qiufan drew out the big knife he carried with him and killed the Japanese. With his flexible skills and positioning, four or five Japanese fell to his sword in a short time.
"Brigadier, be careful!"
Li Qiufan was killing vigorously when suddenly the monk not far away shouted, and Li Qiufan hurriedly turned around to look.
A Japanese soldier took advantage of the chaos and touched behind him. Seeing that he was surrounded by people, he thought that Li Qiufan was a high-ranking official and was preparing to attack him.
Although Li Qiufan reacted quickly, he saw the Japanese bayonet thrust out as soon as he turned around. Seeing the bayonet so close at hand, he instinctively twisted his body.
This instinctive move saved his life. The bayonet that was supposed to stab his heart fell on his shoulder and penetrated him directly.
"Die to me!"
Li Qiufan held the Japs gun body with his left hand, and slashed down with the sword in his right hand. In an instant, a big head rolled down, and blood splashed on Li Qiufan's face. He looked like a devil crawling out of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood.
