...In Taiyuan City, Yoshio Shinozuka, commander of the Japanese First Army in Shanxi, who was staring at the map, was paying close attention to the battle situation in the direction of Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang.
The order to attack at any cost has been issued, and the old devil is waiting for news of the triumphant return of the frontline combat troops.
Until he felt a little uneasy waiting, Yoshio Shinozuka raised his hand and looked at his watch. It was almost one o'clock in the afternoon.
This made Yoshio Shinozuka feel a little more worried in his displeasure.
What happened to this temporary joint command, and why has no communication information been sent back?
"Immediately contact the Nishimura Temporary Joint Command and inquire about the battle situation on the front line."
As time passed, Yoshio Shinozuka, who sensed something was wrong, issued an order.
The communications corps immediately contacted the Japanese temporary joint command headquarters outside Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang through radio equipment. However, the radio signals transmitted were in vain and did not receive any response from the temporary command headquarters.
"Reporting to the general, communications in the direction of the temporary command headquarters seem to be interrupted and it is impossible to contact them."
The communication soldier's reply made Yoshio Shinozuka's heart instantly sink to the bottom.
Radio signals are non-directional. After being sent out from Taiyuan City, they can be received by other radio equipment as long as the radio signal can propagate in the surrounding area.
Soon after, the Japs in a large stronghold near the West Village received the communication signal from Taiyuan City and immediately responded.
The content is:
"The stronghold received a battle report from the Nishimura front line. The temporary joint command post was infiltrated by the enemy and suffered a sneak attack by artillery fire. Major General Yamaguchi, the commander of the 4th Mixed Brigade, and the nine captains who went for reinforcements, have all been killed..."
"All have been killed..."
The moment the intelligence officers translated the received communication signals into text and reported them out, Yoshio Shinozuka only felt five thunders hitting his head. He staggered and sat back on the chair weakly. He was dazed for a long time and could not recover.
One brigade commander, nine captains, plus some staff officers and officers of the brigade and brigade.
This loss was too heavy even for Shinozuka Yoshio's First Army.
In addition, guys like Yoshio Shinozuka never think in a single way.
The death of the officers of the Provisional Joint Command was a great loss, but the greater loss was that Yoshio Shinozuka could foresee that Nishimura and Zhangjiazhuang would launch a strong attack at any cost, and the subsequent purpose of annihilating the independent regiment in one fell swoop and restoring the prestige of the empire. , may all be in vain due to the destruction of the temporary headquarters.
During this spring sweep, the Japanese Empire came to an end with humiliation amid defeat.
This is what makes Yoshio Shinozuka feel most desperate.
In the end, Yoshio Shinozuka had no choice but to issue the military order he was least willing to issue in despair:
"Combat troops from Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang will retreat immediately and make strategic transfers to various counties!"
The battle between Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang has become increasingly stalemate.
Yoshio Shinozuka had to issue an order to attack at any cost.
Now, with the destruction of the temporary headquarters, the entire combat forces in West Village and Zhangjiazhuang have no high-level deployment and command, and it is difficult to achieve coordinated operations among various departments.
If the delay continues, Yoshio Shinozuka is even worried that these troops will be eaten by the independent regiment.
In addition, Yoshio Shinozuka is even more worried about what actions the main combat troops of the Eighth Route Army deployed around Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang will take once they learn that the Provisional Joint Command has been destroyed.
As this battle evolved into the situation before him, Yoshio Shinozuka knew that he should give up his idea of forcing the main force of the Eighth Route Army to fight Nishimura in Zhangjiazhuang.
Even if it can be done and the final victory is achieved, it can only be a miserable victory.
For the Japanese Empire, this was not worth the gain.
…
…
On the outskirts of Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang, the rear area where the Japanese troops reinforced their troops.
After the first blow was fired, the shelling groups of the commando, following the advance orders of deputy captain Ye Min, retreated to the safe area without looking back.
As for whether the Japanese's temporary joint command headquarters was destroyed, the team members actually didn't know.
We didn't have time to explore at all. There were too many Japanese on guard around us, and there was a risk of being surrounded if we stayed for a while.
Ye Min is more open-minded and doesn't think so much at all.
Anyway, this is the only chance to take action. Whether we can destroy the Japanese temporary joint command headquarters or not, we can only leave it to fate.
The current escape in the Japanese rear area is not difficult for the commandos when the main forces of the Japanese army have rushed to the direction of Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang and the rear area is empty.
Relying on the familiarity of the terrain and the cover of mountains and forests, the commando artillery groups one after another got rid of the Japanese army's encirclement and pursuit, and met with other artillery groups at the agreed location.
After everyone arrived, Ye Min counted the number of people, and then a smile appeared on his face, "Yes, not one is missing."
The leader of the investigation team, Mu Le, said: "Deputy team, can these little Japs stop us? On the way back, we also dropped a lot of explosive materials on the Japs. We laid booby traps and bullet mines at will, and there were explosions from time to time. If it comes, it will probably kill a lot of little devils."
Cao Zhengdao: "I just don't know if the Japanese's temporary joint command headquarters has been destroyed."
Ye Min said: "We can't control that much anymore. Now we have been exposed. Even if the Japanese's temporary joint command headquarters is not destroyed and we strengthen our defenses, we will not be given another chance."
"Next, our mission is to return to the regimental commander's original order, which is to put it on the Japanese artillery units to knock out the Japanese artillery."
"yes--"
The team members responded in unison.
"Set off!"
…
…
Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang.
Kong Jie's plan is being implemented smoothly.
As the Japanese army launched a forceful attack at all costs in the direction of Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang, after Kong Jie issued the retreat order, the soldiers fought with the Japanese and puppet troops while retreating to Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang.
From the little devil's point of view, it is natural that the Eighth Route Army cannot stop the attack of the imperial troops and is constantly retreating.
Under the command of the officer, the little devils continued to move forward in one go.
In the opinion of the Japanese, if the Eighth Route Army's artillery had not covered the retreat of the main force of the Eighth Route Army in time, they would have even been able to bite the retreating troops of the Eighth Route Army and cause greater casualties to the Eighth Route Army.
that's all.
to about 1:15 p.m.
The two offensive forces of the Japanese and puppet troops finally captured the first half of Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang in one fell swoop.
The Japanese and puppet troops, which were originally distributed like a chaotic tide in the mountains and forests, began to gather into two ropes and advance towards Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang.
The blocking force of the Independent Regiment, under Kong Jie's order, continued to retreat while fighting, and introduced the troops that had invaded West Village and Zhangjiazhuang into the middle of the village to lure the enemy deeper.
Facing the crazy offensive of the Japanese army, the soldiers chose to avoid the edge temporarily, and then used the defenses in the village to lay traps, booby traps, landmines, etc. to continuously injure the attacking Japanese and puppet troops and avoid their own sacrifices.
When the Japanese offensive troops entered Xi Village and Zhangjiazhuang, they realized why the Ishii Regiment and the Fourth Mixed Brigade had been attacking the Independent Regiment for nearly a week but failed to capture Xi Village and Zhangjiazhuang.
As a result, the Ishii Regiment was destroyed and the Fourth Mixed Brigade was completely besieged.
In these two villages, the step-by-step traps laid by the Eighth Route Army, as well as the hidden ambushes and machine gun fire points based on the topography of the villages, are far more terrifying than the battle in the mountains and forests.
The two sides fought for less than twenty minutes.
Due to the limited width of the village, the Japs moved forward in two squadrons. The Japs in the back who were temporarily unable to participate in the battle could only see the wailing Japs and the wounded soldiers of the puppet army in front, who were constantly being carried on stretchers. Lift and transport it.
One can imagine what kind of brutal confrontation took place ahead.
Boom——
The rear of the Eighth Route Army was also supported by artillery fire. The Japanese troops did not even dare to gather densely. Wave after wave of attacks were easily repelled by the fierce firepower of the independent regiment.
The rapidly spreading casualties were like a basin of cold water, quickly waking up the little devils who were attacking crazily.
Coupled with the previous independent regiment troops' retreat all the way, they only used traps, booby traps, artillery and ambushes to kill the enemy.
The Japanese's offensive regardless of the cost was like a punch on cotton. They were extremely depressed all the way. By the time they arrived, as the casualties continued to spread, the momentum of the Japanese army had already dropped.
After all, the madness in my heart cannot withstand the fear of death.
The original high-spirited, crazy, decisive and fearless momentum soon gradually withered.
As time went by, the Japanese and puppet troops' attacks in Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang became more like a passionless stalemate to carry out orders from superiors.
Attacked, was repulsed, carried down a wave of wounded soldiers, leaving behind corpses of those killed in action.
Attack again, be repelled again, and then continue to repeat the previous steps.
Some of the Japanese squadron leaders who were commanding from the rear had bewildered faces.
In fact, they had received news not long ago that the temporary headquarters was attacked with artillery fire by the Eighth Route Army troops who had penetrated behind enemy lines.
Nine captains, including the brigade commander of the fourth mixed brigade, were all killed in the sneak attack.
The reinforcements currently no longer have unified high-level command.
They only rely on the team captains and squadron leaders at the bottom to conduct local combat command.
There is no unified command, but the previous order was to launch a strong attack regardless of the cost and capture Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang in one fell swoop.
After deliberation, the Japanese squadron leaders did not dare to withdraw their troops easily. They could only continue to launch the attack and urged the communications troops to urgently contact higher-level headquarters to request tactical guidance.
Finally, the higher-up command was issued through the communication from the shortwave radio station of the large stronghold:
"His Excellency the Commander's order orders all reinforcements to immediately make strategic moves to the rear counties!"
The Japanese squadron leaders who heard the news felt a little reluctant, but in fact, they were more relieved.
The violent attack in front of them seemed to them more like a series of deaths.
The firepower of this Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army was too fierce, and its defense was even tighter than expected.
If the fight continues like this, more Imperial soldiers will die.
"Fall back and move toward the county seat immediately!"
The Japanese squadron leaders quickly issued orders to their teams.
The order to retreat quickly spread among the Japanese and puppet reinforcements.
The Japanese who originally gathered in Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang like a tide began to retreat like a tide.
The first and fourth battalion commanders stationed in West Village, and the second and fifth battalion commanders stationed in Zhangjiazhuang were relieved as the pressure suddenly eased.
After all, the Japanese and puppet troops had an absolute advantage in strength.
Even if the soldiers can rely on superior artillery fire and tight defense to block the Japanese attacks again and again.
But in fact, the generals are under great pressure, and these little devils are really desperate for their lives if they get violent.
The little Japanese who launched a forceful attack regardless of the cost were like moths flying to a flame. With such momentum, they were not afraid of death compared to the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army, and they were not willing to give in.
"Damn it, what on earth is this little devil planning? Why did he withdraw so suddenly?"
The generals were more confused. Wang Leihu, commander of the first battalion, couldn't help but ask.
The fourth battalion commander Lei Dasheng said: "Thunder Tiger, when the enemy advances, we retreat, and when the enemy retreats, we advance. This time, the regiment commander and regiment commanders Ding and Li have agreed on a tactic of luring the enemy deep and then encircling them in a roundabout way.
Now that the Japanese are retreating, we can't let the little Japanese escape. "
Wang Leihu agreed: "That's the truth. Let's give the order right now and prepare to launch a counterattack."
"good!"
The horn of the counterattack soon sounded, and the loud charge horn belonging to the Eighth Route Army sounded, which filled the hearts of the Japanese and puppet troops who quickly retreated.
At this time, in the mountainous areas flanking Xicun and Zhangjiazhuang, just as the Japanese began to retreat, Li Yunlong and Ding Wei finally led their troops to arrive. What they saw was the Japanese and puppet troops retreating like a tide.
Li Yunlong was dumbfounded, touched his big head, and asked Zhang Dabiao beside him with a puzzled look on his face: "Dabiao, does this mean that the Japs are retreating?"
Zhang Dabiao, who was also shocked, swallowed his saliva and replied: "Captain, it seems so."
Li Yunlong said: "Damn it, if we don't come to help with feelings, Lao Kong will fight off the Japanese by himself?"
The hat that was originally worn on the top of his head was held in Da Biao's hand involuntarily. Looking at the large number of Japanese and puppet troops retreating, Da Biao exclaimed: "Commander, the fighting power of the Independent Regiment is too scary. It's a regiment." , surprisingly, it withstood the attacks of nine Japanese brigades!"
Li Yunlong said: "You are missing one kid. The Japanese Fourth Mixed Brigade is still there. Besides, this is not resisting, it is repelling!"
On the other side, Ding Wei was also feeling emotional.
Originally, they were urged along the way to speed up the pace of the soldiers, fearing that for every additional delay, the independent regiment would sacrifice one more point.
It was good now. I rushed over, but what I saw was a large number of Japanese and puppet troops being repelled by the independent regiment.
Well, it was actually because the Japanese's temporary joint command headquarters was destroyed and the little Japanese took the initiative to retreat.
Ding Wei and Li Yunlong had some misunderstandings.
But this did not prevent the two from admiring their old comrade Kong Jie.
After sighing with emotion, he looked at the retreating Japanese and puppet troops with his binoculars. After observing for a moment, Ding Wei quickly seized the opportunity and arranged:
"The Japs have withdrawn, so this battle will be easier to fight. The retreating Japs are much easier to fight than the attacking Japs."
"Zhenguo, look carefully. The retreats of the Japanese and puppet troops are separate. The area on the left is the retreating Japanese troops. There are rearguards on their left and right wings. Even during the retreat, they still did not disrupt their formation. I'm afraid it's not easy for a devil like this to bite."
First Battalion Commander Sun Zhenguo replied, "Commander, although the little Japs are hateful, I have to admit that the Japs' military qualities are indeed extraordinary. The evacuation is very orderly and routs are rare."
Ding Weile said: "The little Japanese who retreated in an orderly manner are not easy to chew, but the puppet troops are much easier to chew. If you look at the right wing of the retreating Japanese army, the puppet troops in several regiments."
"Zhenguo, you said that if we attack from the right wing of the puppet army and hit it sideways, how will these Japanese devils respond?"
Sun Zhenguo instantly understood Ding Wei's thoughts and said excitedly: "Commander, the puppet troops are afraid of death. During the retreat, they were much more chaotic than the little devil's troops."
"If we suddenly attack from the right side of the puppet troops, these puppet troops will definitely rush towards the Japanese camp on the left in panic.
At that time, it is very likely that the Japanese defense formation will be disrupted.
If we take the opportunity to kill the Japs on the left, it will be much easier. "
Ding Wei smiled and said: "I understand, let's make arrangements!
Remember, the troops are divided into two groups and attack from both sides.
After using the puppet troops on the right to disrupt the Japanese defense formation, they directly launched a pincer attack from the left and right wings. "
"yes!"
…
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