Chu Yunfei was also a little shocked when he saw the combat effectiveness of the independent division. He did not expect that this unit was not only powerful in strength, but also in terms of combat effectiveness.
This couldn't help but make Chu Yunfei put away his contempt and give the independent division a place in his heart.
After the two parties joined forces, the Japanese were quickly defeated and fled towards the rear under the leadership of the commander.
"Commander Li's troops are really powerful in combat!"
The two parties were cleaning the battlefield when Chu Yunfei suddenly came over with someone.
"Haha, Brigadier Chu, your troops are not bad either!"
Li Qiufan also complimented Chu Yunfei without reaching out to hit the smiling person.
"Speaking of it, the Eighth Route Army is really full of talents. I also met a commander named Li before, called Li Yunlong. I wonder if Master Li has ever heard of him?"
Chu Yunfei was a little emotional and couldn't help but mention Li Yunlong.
"Haha, I know Lao Li well. How come Brigadier Chu is also friends with him?"
Li Qiufan nodded, but he didn't expect Chu Yunfei to mention Li Yunlong to him.
"Oh? Mr. Li actually knows Brother Yunlong? That's great!"
Speaking of Li Yunlong, Chu Yunfei's eyes lit up, they were indeed good friends.
"Haha, not only do we know each other, but we are also very familiar with each other."
Li Qiufan didn't hide it, so it wasn't something that couldn't be said.
"Then where is Brother Yunlong now? Why didn't he participate in this operation?"
Chu Yunfei asked eagerly. He wanted to see this old friend again.
"I'm not very clear about this. I'll tell Brigadier Chu after I inquire."
Li Qiufan shook his head and did not say anything about Li Yunlong's situation and location.
"Oh, what a pity. I have always wanted to join forces with Brother Yunlong to fight!"
Chu Yunfei said with some regret that he didn't get any news from Li Yunlong.
"Don't worry, you will have a chance to meet in the future, but then Brigadier Chu, don't be too stingy."
Li Qiufan suddenly remembered the equipment of that battalion and almost couldn't help laughing.
"Stingy? How is that possible? I, Mr. Chu, am not a stingy person."
After hearing Li Qiufan's words, Chu Yunfei waved his hand and said.
"Okay, Brigadier Chu, the battle here is over. Let's study what to do next, shall we?"
Li Qiufan didn't want to argue with him about being stingy, because he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to bear it, so he quickly pulled Chu Yunfei to discuss the next action.
Although Chu Yunfei was confused, he didn't say anything more and followed Li Qiufan to study the route.
The battle on the two sides was over, and the other two directions also went extremely smoothly with the participation of the Jinsui Army.
At this time, the Japanese troops had been squeezed into one place, and the encirclement was completely revealed.
"I have to say that your Eighth Route Army headquarters has played a big game of chess!"
Listening to Li Qiufan explaining to him the details of the operation and the current situation of the Japanese, Chu Yunfei showed admiration in his eyes.
Li Qiufan didn't say anything after hearing this. He just thought to himself that those were several marshals and generals. You thought you were joking.
Under the orders of the headquarters, Li Qiufan and Chu Yunfei selected a route and began to move towards the last target.
After nearly a day's march, the two came to a high ground. On the high ground was the last strength of the Japanese troops in Taiyuan.
"What a big scene!"
Chu Yunfei looked at the blurry friendly forces around him and couldn't help but sigh.
The high ground is surrounded by the Eighth Route Army and the Jinsui Army, with a combined strength of more than 200,000.
More than 200,000 people surrounded more than 50,000 Japanese soldiers. This scene was shocking.
"Brigadier Chu, I'm afraid the next battle will be much more difficult."
Li Qiufan frowned and looked towards the high ground, as if he had foreseen the brutality of this battle.
Chu Yunfei nodded, deeply agreeing with Li Qiufan's words.
Although the Japanese were besieged on this high ground, and their strength was four to one and nearly five to one, this battle was not that easy to fight.
Although the Japs have fewer troops, they are all the elite of the Taiyuan Japs.
Not to mention the quality of the soldiers, the weapons and equipment alone are not comparable to them.
All infantry artillery and mortars are child's play, and there are two of them in the heavy artillery brigade alone.
Among them are various flat-firing guns, large-caliber mountain guns, field guns, howitzers, cannons and other heavy artillery.
This configuration is really prohibitive, but this battle has to be fought.
"Heizi, go and generate electricity for the headquarters, ask where the headquarters' heavy artillery brigade is, and pull our heavy artillery over to join them."
Previously, Li Qiufan hid his howitzers and cannons in order to prevent Chu Yunfei from finding out his strength.
Now that there is more artillery support in this kind of scene, it will reduce the pressure. Although it is not on his side, it is the same if it is brought to the heavy artillery brigade for unified dispatch.
Heizi nodded after hearing this and went directly to find the telegraph operator.
After all the troops were in place, the headquarters notified the time of the general attack.
Half an hour later, the time for the general attack arrived, and the heavy artillery brigade affiliated with the headquarters started first.
One after another artillery shells fell on the Japanese positions in the highlands, and there were continuous explosions.
"Commander Li, if I heard correctly, these are all large-caliber heavy artillery, right?"
Chu Yunfei was a little surprised when he heard the sound of artillery. The Eighth Route Army actually had large-caliber heavy artillery, and judging from the firing frequency, it seemed that it must have a heavy artillery brigade.
"Haha, I don't know about this either. After all, I haven't seen a heavy artillery yet."
Li Qiufan laughed and immediately pretended to be confused.
Chu Yunfei nodded without any doubt. He had discovered during the previous joint battle that the maximum caliber gun of Li Qiufan's independent division was only 75 mm.
As the bombardment came to an end, all the troops began to charge, and Li Qiufan was no exception.
"The first brigade is responsible for the main attack, the second brigade is the reserve force, and the artillery regiment is responsible for suppressing the enemy's firepower. Do you have any opinions?"
Li Qiufan looked at the two tigers in front of him, Lu Ming and Lao Ma, and asked them.
Lao Ma naturally had no objection, but Lu Ming made another mistake.
"Commander, when we attacked the county town before, the first brigade was the main attacker. This time it is our second brigade's turn!"
Lu Ming was a little unconvinced and wanted to compete for the main attacking position.
"Erhu, what do you say?"
Li Qiufan did not refuse immediately, but looked at Erhu and asked.
"I listen to the teacher. I will do whatever you say, teacher!"
Erhu learned his lesson this time. Although he has a more impulsive temper, he can still handle important matters clearly.
Such a big operation was not the time to get emotional and seize the main attack. Li Qiufan must have thought twice about the order he issued.
Li Qiufan looked at Er Hu and nodded with satisfaction. This Er Hu was indeed a talented person.
"You kid, learn from it in the future!"
After watching Erhu, Li Qiufan said angrily to Lu Ming, leaving Lu Ming confused.
