At 5:34 in the morning, the distant sky turned white.
When the sky finally brightened, the Japanese reinforcements who were ready to move around the West Village and Zhangjiazhuang mountains could no longer sit still.
At this time, with the continuous reinforcement of Japanese troops, the Japanese troops in the West Village and Zhangjiazhuang areas, not counting the Japanese Fourth Mixed Brigade, had a strength of nearly nine brigades.
Adding in the four regiments of puppet troops, the Japanese puppet army has more than 15,000 troops.
This is almost half of the troops deployed by the Japanese army in the spring sweep of the Taihang area.
The other half naturally went back to support the counties in the rear and stabilize public order.
The Japanese and puppet troops, with more than 15,000 troops, rushed directly to the Niukou Village area.
The target was actually a mere Eighth Route Army-level combat unit. This battle was really scary.
After receiving information about the latest reinforcements from the Japanese army at the West Village Temporary Headquarters, Kong Jie couldn't help but laugh, "You damn little devil really looks up to our independent regiment."
"Speaking of which, the little devil has set up such a big stage for us. If our independent group can't put on a good show, wouldn't it mean that we have let down the good intentions of the little devil?"
Captain Kong's confident and domineering words infected all the cadres who came to the headquarters to discuss matters.
…
By this time, almost all the attention of all parties in northwest Shanxi, or the entire three Jins, or even the entire North China, had been attracted to the independent regiment base area, Niukou Village, as a focus.
The reason is that this Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army is the biggest thorn in the side that the Japanese army has encountered since launching the spring sweeps on the 12th.
The Eighth Route Army in other places all avoided the front line when faced with the spring raids launched by the Japanese army, which expended a lot of manpower and material resources.
Those who should retreat and those who should hide in the mountains hid in the mountains.
This made little Japan very embarrassed during the arrogant raids.
But this Eighth Route Army independent regiment jumped out.
Not only did he jump out, but he also caused waves of disturbances, and even brewed up a local-scale battle concentrated in the Niukou Village area.
As the situation in the Niukou Village area intensified, the direction of this battle even attracted the attention of Jun Tada, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese North China Front.
In a phone call with Yoshio Shinozuka, commander of the Japanese First Army in Shanxi, Tada Shun said: "The battle situation surrounding the Niukou Village area is no longer as simple as the destruction of the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment.
This is more related to the dignity and power of the Imperial Army. Now the eyes of all parties are focused on the Niukou Village area.
The direction of this battle may even affect North China and the future political attitudes of all Chinese armed forces towards the Imperial Japanese Army.
The victory of this battle gave the Japanese Empire political power.
Subsequent plans, whether it is the battle in southern Shanxi or using China to control China, can continue and develop towards a good environment.
It will be of great help to the long-term peace and stability of the occupied areas.
But once this battle fails, it will have a huge impact on the dignity and power of the Japanese Empire.
In North China, the peace faction in the Chinese army will hesitate, and the neutral faction will be seriously biased, which will be greatly detrimental to the subsequent march and development of the Japanese Empire. "
In the end, Tada Shun expressed his attitude quite firmly: "The Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment must be destroyed in one fell swoop!"
"Hi!"
Yoshio Shinozuka stood up and bowed on the other end of the phone.
…
After Yang Chongshan, the commander of the 57th Regiment of the Shanxi-Sui Army, learned that heavy Japanese and puppet troops were surrounding the base area of the Independence Regiment, he was frightened in the headquarters.
Yang Chongshan believed that the strong combat effectiveness of the Independent Regiment was inseparable from his 57th Regiment.
Without Yang Chongshan's profound sense of justice and secretly selling weapons and equipment to the Independent Regiment, how could the Independent Regiment have such sophisticated equipment to fight the Japanese?
So every time he learned that the Independence Regiment had defeated the Japanese and puppet troops, Yang Chongshan felt really happy.
But the situation in front of him made Yang Zhongshan a little confused.
Grandpa Kong, I'm just selling you some weapons and equipment, so you won't bring more than 15,000 Japanese and puppet troops to your door, right?
"It's over. This is the end of the fun. Shou Cai. If this continues, our big benefactor may have to find someone else."
The commander of the third battalion, Qian Shoucai, thought about it for a moment, then asked with a smile: "Regimental leader, what if the independent regiment can survive this level?"
Yang Chongshan said: "Although I, Yang Chongshan, like money, who in the world doesn't like money? But I have never forgotten that I am a soldier."
"Currently, the Japanese and puppet troops are pressing down on the border. According to the information we have found, the Eighth Route Army has not directly sent reinforcements."
"If the Japanese and puppet troops have so many more troops, if their independent regiment can survive this hurdle."
"Don't say anything. In future business with the independent group, we will give them preferential treatment on weapons and equipment."
Being short-tongued and soft-spoken, Qian Shoucai moved forward again and said, "It's easy to add icing on the cake, but it's rare to provide help in times of need."
"As far as we know, we are not the only ones who have been secretly doing arms business with the Independent Group these days, but the independent group is the main sponsor. If we don't take the initiative to send some favors, the Independent Group will not be able to leave in the future. That’s not good for our 57th Regiment line.”
Yang Chongshan said thoughtfully: "Shou Cai, what do you mean?"
Qian Shoucai said: "Regiment leader, the current crisis that the Independent Regiment is facing is our opportunity to provide help in times of need. I think we can urgently send a batch of equipment and ammunition to support the Independent Regiment in fighting the Japanese."
"We are also implementing the policy above. Let the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese go all out, so we can reap the benefits, right?"
"If there is not enough equipment and ammunition, what can the Eighth Route Army do to fight the Japanese? If the Independent Regiment cannot defeat them, they will withdraw directly from Niukou Village. If the Japanese advance further, it might affect the territory of our 57th Regiment. ”
After thinking for a moment, Yang Chongshan suddenly understood and nodded: "Shou Cai, what you said makes sense. We provide help in times of need and help the Independent Regiment not only to win Kong Jie's favor, but also to implement the policy above. It’s more to protect myself.”
"Yes, I think this approach is feasible."
"It's hard to transport artillery and the like, and it's hard for us to take action, but it seems insincere to send ordinary weapons."
"In this case, Shou Cai, you immediately arrange for the brothers to prepare and gather together our regiment's light and heavy machine guns, ammunition, etc. to send a batch to the independent regiment."
"To show our sincerity, let's not mention the money issue this time. Tell Commander Kong that it is our Fifty-seventh Regiment's intention to support their independent regiment."
Qian Shoucai said happily: "The regiment is still wise and said it was support, but Commander Kong accepted the favor and didn't say it. After the battle, he might even get a double reward!
From now on, the independent group, the big financier, has finally stopped running away. "
"Your mind works fast enough, okay, hurry up and get ready!"
"yes!"
…
The 358th Regiment of the Jinsui Army.
At the staff department, all the information on the battle situation in Niukou Village that Chu Yunfei ordered to collect has been delivered.
At this moment, Chu Yunfei and Chief of Staff Fang Ligong were deducing the situation in the Niukou Village area on the combat sandbox.
Fang Ligong, who was on the side, analyzed the situation and exclaimed in wonder: "Tuan Zuo, that's amazing. This independent group has been the most dazzling new star in the entire northwest of Shanxi for more than a year.
In this spring sweep of the Japanese army, the performance of the independent regiment did not disappoint. It was the first to break through the Japanese army's encirclement and even attacked Yangquan directly with the tactics of changing families.
At present, the Japanese army is pressing heavily on the border, and the Eighth Route Army reinforcements are afraid of the Japanese army's follow-up reinforcements. In order to avoid a decisive battle, they have stopped the reinforcements.
This means that the independent regiment will next deal with the Japanese and puppet troops alone who are far stronger than themselves.
But from what I saw, this independent regiment had no intention of evacuating. Rather, it seemed that it was preparing to use the terrain in Niukou Village, Zhangjiazhuang, and Xicun to launch a defensive battle.
Leader, what do you think Kong Jie is thinking?
The Eighth Route Army has always been good at guerrilla warfare. Doesn't he understand the principle of temporarily avoiding the edge? "
Chu Yunfei said with a solemn expression: "How can a smart person like Kong Jie not understand the principle of running away if you can't fight?"
Fang Ligong wondered: "Then why didn't his independent regiment temporarily avoid the front and choose to retreat? The Japanese army's sweep has come to an end. As long as his independent regiment takes the initiative to retreat, the Japanese will only return without success."
Chu Yunfei tightened the white gloves on his hands tightly, his deep eyes showed wisdom, and said in a deep voice: "There is a reason to withdraw, and there are natural reasons not to withdraw."
"At present, all forces are focusing on the Niukou Village area. The battle between the independent regiment and the Japanese and puppet troops even represents a formal contest between the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army."
"The large-scale raids launched by the Eighth Route Army last year really made it difficult for the Japanese and puppet troops to sleep and eat. Now, in another contest, can the Eighth Route Army continue to advance triumphantly? Or will it be suppressed by the Japanese and slump?"
"The anti-Japanese upsurge driven by the Eighth Route Attack Operation is not easy. If the independent regiment directly avoids the war and withdraws, will the situation that was finally created with great difficulty decline?"
"But if the Japanese army's tactic of changing families is used to force the Japanese army to sweep away the independent regiment that has failed, and it can still hold the base area this time when the enemy is strong and we are weak, then the entire northwestern Shanxi, even the entire three Shanxi, and the entire anti-Japanese climax in North China will be because of This battle has been pushed to a higher level."
"So, Kong Jie has a reason not to withdraw!"
"Wars serve politics. If there is no political significance behind a war, then it is okay not to fight it. If the political significance behind a war is of great importance, then even if you know the risks, you must fight it."
"Kong Jie is a smart man, and I think he understands the truth of this."
"The other thing is the self-confidence of the soldiers. Because Kong Jie was confident that he could withstand the Japanese army's heavy troops, he did not withdraw."
Fang Ligong expressed doubts about this:
"With the strength of nearly nine Japanese brigades, plus the fourth brigade trapped in Xicun, that is the strength of ten brigades. Plus the puppet army, there are more than 15,000 troops. How can his independent regiment have such confidence? ?”
Chu Yunfei smiled, "Let's wait and see! There is no doubt that this Kong Jie is a very rare military genius, and perhaps his performance will exceed everyone's expectations.
Brother Ligong, maybe we should be lucky that we are not on the hostile side of the Independent Regiment yet. "
"this……"
Fang Ligong was speechless for a moment, but he always felt that the group leader was a little too ambitious for others, which destroyed his own prestige.
…
The Eighth Route Army naturally paid more attention to the battle situation in the Niukou Village area.
The chief of staff who arrived at the Niukou Village base in person not only conveyed the combat instructions from the brigade headquarters to Kong Jie, he also said:
The headquarters and brigade headquarters are very concerned about the independent regiment's next defensive operations. If nothing can be done, Kong Jie, you will lead the entire regiment to retreat immediately.
The worst case scenario is to leave the base area to the little devils. As long as the people are fine, the base area can be rebuilt sooner or later.
In the final analysis, both the headquarters and the brigade underestimated Kong Jie's determination and underestimated the strength of the independent regiment.
In fact, Captain Kong was far more excited than worried at the moment.
Isn't the current crisis an opportunity and a stage for the independent group and the Iron Triangle?
In the New Second Regiment, Li Yunlong, who returned to the regiment headquarters, was discussing the situation of the battle with political commissar Zhao Gang. expressed:
"Fight, we must fight this battle. There is an offensive style of attack, and a defensive style of defense. No matter what, we just have to fight the Japanese."
"Let me tell you, Lao Li, whether our Shanxi North Iron Triangle's reputation can be established depends entirely on this battle."
"If we don't fight this battle, the little devils will really think that our Iron Triangle is easy to deal with. They will do a sweep today and a sweep tomorrow. It will be annoying to death."
"Not only do we have to fight, but we also have to beat the little Japanese so hard that they will not dare to launch a large-scale raid on our base area."
Zhao Gang also deeply agreed with this, "Lao Li, I agree with you on this point.
Hit with one punch to avoid hundreds of punches coming.
The current battle is not only between our Iron Triangle and the Japanese and puppet troops, but also between our Eighth Route Army and even our Chinese army and the Japanese invaders.
Not only fighting, but also fighting for this breath. "
Li Yunlong suddenly laughed and said: "Haha, Lao Zhao, what you said is great. Just hit him with one punch to avoid hundreds of punches. This sounds relieving, I like it."
Then when talking about how to assist the Independent Regiment and the Iron Triangle to conduct joint defense, Li Yunlong said:
"The Independent Regiment is now at the forefront. The Japanese are obviously aiming to destroy the Independent Regiment."
"We definitely can't follow the little devil's wishes."
"In this battle, even if I, Lao Li, abandon our own base of the New Second Regiment, I still have to help the Independent Regiment defend Niukou Village."
"If we don't fight over the buns, we also have to fight over our opinions, right?"
New regiment station.
Ding Wei is using practical actions to express his attitude.
"Lao Xu, are everything arranged?"
Deputy commander Xu Lienzhong said, "Lao Ding, don't worry. All troops that need to evacuate in advance have been prepared in advance, but... Lao Ding, is it this far?"
Ding Wei said: "It's always better to be prepared. The Japanese are preparing to attack Niukou Village this time, and even Lao Li's new second regiment and my new regiment are ignoring them.
The Japanese army wanted to use strong force to tell the entire North China army that any army that dared to provoke their little devils would be completely destroyed by their little devils.
With the development of the Northern Shanxi Iron Triangle to this day, we have to admit that Lao Kong's independent regiment is the core of our Iron Triangle. If this core is defeated by the Japanese army, the Iron Triangle will cease to exist.
At present, if the Independent Group is alive, then the Iron Triangle will be there; if the Independent Group is gone, the Iron Triangle will be lost.
Just give up what you need to give up. Only by giving up can you gain! This time we will fully assist Lao Kong and defend Niukou Village.
As for our base area, Lao Xu, I will leave it to you. There are very few troops left for you. Once the Japanese army takes advantage of the situation and sweeps our base area, you will immediately lead the troops to retreat according to the plan. "
"Yes!" Xu Lianzhong responded.
…
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