Niangziguan is an important military town that the special forces must pass through after entering Shanxi.
After taking Niangzi Pass, the troops can march more than 100 kilometers westward to Jinzhong, which is the east gate of Taiyuan.
The terrain here is difficult, and although there are not many Japanese and puppet troops stationed there, it is obvious that they cannot take it down with only the quick reaction battalion and the assault company.
Huang Yu decided not to hide his strength anymore.
As soon as it got dark, he led his troops to kill Niangzi Pass.
Armored battalion commander Zhou Tao was particularly excited. It had been several days since he left the base area, and the troops had been hiding day and night.
Finally encountered a big battle, no matter what, the two tank platoons would see blood.
On the march, he began to ask Huang Yu to fight: "Captain..."
"The terrain of Niangzi Pass is difficult, and the casualties in a strong attack will be too high..."
"You let the tank platoon take the lead, and you will definitely cover the attacking troops to quickly enter Niangziguan and smash the terrain advantage occupied by the Japanese and puppet troops."
Huang Yu did not refuse: "The armored battalion was formerly the tank platoon directly under the Shunping Garrison Regiment. Many armored soldiers have been training for more than half a year."
"The people who joined us in the raid on Taiyuan this time are basically veterans. It's time for them to see blood."
"But after the battle begins, you cannot act rashly. You must follow orders and launch an attack."
"The Japanese and puppet troops are taking advantage of the danger. If they are equipped with anti-tank weapons, no matter how many tanks we dispatch, they will be a living target."
Wei Dayong suddenly came over and asked: "Commander, the troops are not going to advance in secret?"
Huang Yu shook his head: "There is no need to hide when you enter Shanxi."
"After taking Niangzi Pass, the troops march forward in a hurry. They can reach Jinzhong in a few hours."
"Our primary goal is to eliminate the Japanese tank brigade. If we continue to hide, how can we lead their tank brigade to our preset battlefield and annihilate them."
"I understand..." Wei Dayong said with a look of sudden realization.
"You are using the six tanks and armored vehicles of the armored battalion as bait to attract the Japanese tank brigade to the battlefield we want."
"Very good……"
"We have been fighting secretly for several nights, and tonight we can finally have a big fight."
"How do you want to win Niangzi Pass?"
Huang Yu looked up at the convoy beside him and said: "First find a way to force out the wealth of the defenders of Niangzi Pass, and then strike in a targeted manner. The soldiers will block it, and the water will cover it. Use the fastest speed to capture Niangzi Pass and open our westward passage."
"We only brought six tanks and armored vehicles and cannot afford any losses."
"I can only rely on you in the first stage of the battle."
Wei Dayong answered confidently: "Just take a look, okay?"
"What the quick reaction camp is least afraid of is bluff..."
"I promise to let the Niangziguan garrison expose all of my family's secrets within ten minutes..."
…………
"Rumble..."
Five large-caliber mortar shells seemed to have eyes, accurately hitting the head of Niangziguan City.
Fire splashed, smoke billowed, a section of the battlement was instantly blown away, and several Japanese were blown into the sky...
Suddenly the alarm bell sounded loudly in the pass, and the Japanese and puppet troops rushed out of the barracks and went straight to their respective fighting positions...
The artillerymen launched various artillery pieces in panic, some were placed on top of Niangziguan City, and some were placed in the open space behind the city wall...
The Japanese military headquarters also became very lively, with staff officers, guards, and messengers coming and going everywhere...
The captain walked in with a sullen face. Before he could ask a question, he heard the adjutant of the brigade report: "Sir..."
"We were attacked by heavy mortars from unknown enemies..."
"The city's security forces suffered heavy casualties..."
"The fortifications were severely damaged, and many battlements were blown up!"
"All garrison troops must enter the position!" The captain opened his mouth and began to give orders with a very serious expression.
"The artillery immediately finds the enemy's artillery positions... destroy them if they can. If they can't destroy them, find ways to harass them and reduce the combat pressure on the city defense forces..."
"Find out the enemy's identity, strength, and equipment as soon as possible, the sooner the better!"
"Top units equipped with large-caliber mortars must not be underestimated...perhaps their intention in attacking Niangziguan is to capture us."
"Whether we need help or not, we must report this matter to our superiors as soon as possible."
"Rumble..."
The explosions on the battlefield became more and more intense, and artillery shells poured into the opponent's position as if they were free.
The Japanese captain was also frightened. After entering Niangzi Pass, he had not encountered such a fierce battle for a long time.
"Sir..." A cry of surprise suddenly rang out from the headquarters, and the orderlies rushed in like crazy.
His whole body was blackened by gunpowder smoke, and his military uniform was torn and stained with blood. It was obvious at first glance that he had just withdrawn from the flames of war.
At first, the captain thought he was unruly and wanted to get angry. But after seeing his dress and condition, he lost his temper and immediately asked, "Did something happen on the front line?"
"We can't hold it any longer... The Eighth Route Army attacking us is also equipped with tanks and armored vehicles..." the messenger reported with a tone of despair.
"The artillery was completely destroyed in the artillery battle just now..."
"There is no direct artillery..."
"Light infantry weapons alone can hardly hurt them..."
"The Eighth Route Army has reached the foot of the city wall under the cover of chariots..."
"Get ready to blast the city wall..."
"Rumble..."
An earth-shaking explosion suddenly sounded on the battlefield.
The captain rushed out of the room and saw a huge fireball rising from the city wall. The thick smoke rose into the sky, and together with the flames, formed a huge mushroom cloud over the battlefield.
The captain's face suddenly turned pale.
He didn't expect the situation of the battle to change so quickly.
In the blink of an eye, a hole was blown open in the indestructible Niangziguan.
I never expected that the Eighth Route Army attacking me would be equipped with tanks and armored vehicles...
Several things completely subverted his imagination.
He turned around and ran towards the headquarters.
These things were so shocking that even if Niangziguan was really breached by the Eighth Route Army, I would report these findings before I died.
Otherwise, more troops will suffer losses and be fooled by this Eighth Route Army in the future.
…………
At the Shanxi Garrison Headquarters located in Taiyuan City, Commander Yoshio Iwamatsu was called to the war room by his subordinates as soon as he closed his eyes.
The staff officer on duty immediately handed over the telegram he had just received and reported at the same time: "Your Excellency, Commander..."
"Niangziguan was heavily attacked by the Eighth Route Army..."
"According to reports from Niangziguan defenders: The Eighth Route Army attacking them was not only equipped with a large number of heavy mortars, but also tanks and armored vehicles."
"The defenders suffered heavy casualties, the artillery was almost wiped out, and a gap was opened in the Niangziguan city wall, which could be captured at any time..."
"Please make preparations for the fall of Niangzi Pass..."
The impatient expression on Iwamatsu Yoshio's face was immediately wiped away. He grabbed the telegram and read ten lines. He finished reading it in less than half a minute, and his face sank at the same time.
He strode to the sand table and analyzed: "As far as I know..."
"Of all the Eighth Route Army active in Shanxi, only the Northwestern Shanxi Eighth Route Army is equipped with large-caliber mortars..."
"Could it be that the Eighth Route Army that attacked Niangziguan came from northwestern Shanxi?"
