At this time, the Japanese army's attention was drawn to the main force of the three battalions of the Fourth Independent Regiment, which were being restrained from the front.
The exposed strength of the three battalions also convinced the Japanese army that they were the independent fourth regiment of the Eighth Route Army operating in Zhongtiao Mountain.
At this time, if you look down from above the entire Zhongtiao Mountain.
After the Japanese army's mopping up forces gradually gathered from major counties such as Ji County and Yuan County, they quickly opened a large encirclement net and surrounded the base area of the Fourth Independent Regiment.
As time went by, the Japanese mopping up troops moved farther and farther away from the county seat.
In order to retaliate against the Eighth Route Army for attacking Qingxiang and Guzhen, the Japanese army was also ruthless this time.
When launching a sweep, the vanguard force was mainly light infantry.
Some heavy weapons, such as heavy machine guns, infantry guns, mortars, etc., were slowly advancing behind the main force.
At the end are the baggage troops and the transportation troops.
In order to ensure the complete siege of the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese headquarters, at the suggestion of the Kwantung Army Captain Uchida Nobuya, also adjusted the deployment of the sweep and opened the sweep net to a total of two levels.
Uchida Nobu also believed that in this way, even if one of the Eighth Route Army was lucky enough to break through the first layer of encirclement.
Then they will be sandwiched between the first and second levels of encirclement until they are completely eliminated.
Coupled with the scattered Japanese reconnaissance troops, there are also reconnaissance planes that are constantly circling and roaring in the sky.
The terrain of Zhongtiao Mountain is long and narrow, leaving not much depth for the Eighth Route Army.
Therefore, the Japanese army had reason to believe that with such sufficient preparations, the Eighth Route Army would never be able to break through the encirclement and reach the rear.
In addition, the Fourth Independent Regiment had never used such tactics before.
The Japanese army did not believe that such an Eighth Route Army unit could break through the encirclement quietly.
Even if they really do it, once they are exposed, they will be immediately eliminated by the Imperial Japanese troops who quickly encircle them.
It's eleven o'clock in the morning.
At this time, watching from above, the Japanese army pulled up a two-layer encirclement and continued to encircle the base area where the Fourth Independent Regiment in Zhongtiao Mountain was located.
Han Feng successfully led the main force of the fourth battalion in disguise and successfully detoured back outside the Japanese encirclement, between the Japanese county town and the Japanese mopping up troops.
"It's already 11:05. Calculating the time, I'm afraid the Japanese army has entered the periphery of our base area."
"We can't delay any longer. Notify all companies and prepare for action immediately."
After looking at his watch, he roughly calculated the current location of the main force of the Japanese army based on the time and the speed of the Japanese army's advance.
Han Feng gave the order to fight without hesitation.
Before the battle began, Han Feng gave his final instructions:
"Our operation this time is mainly focused on destruction and harassment. Don't think about seizures. If we seize too many materials, they will become a burden to our intersecting troops.
Just destroy the Japanese transportation lines and the transport troops, and then withdraw after the attack. Remember, all battles are limited to twenty minutes. "
"Before the operation begins, the evacuation route must be planned in advance. Once twenty minutes are up, no matter what the fighting situation is, everyone must immediately break away from the battle and evacuate quickly from the predetermined evacuation route."
"yes--"
Several company commanders who led the teams responded in unison.
On the other side, almost at the same time.
Several investigation teams sent out returned separately and reported to Duan Penghui, the commando leader who led the team this time:
"Captain, the situation in the city gate area has been clearly investigated. The main force of the Japanese army has determined to leave the county and is probably conducting a raid on our base area."
Duan Peng nodded. The main force of the Japanese army had withdrawn from the county town, and the Japanese troops in the county town were empty.
In addition, the targets to be attacked by all parties have been explored in advance.
Now the time has come for commando operations.
"Inform each group to carry out combat operations according to the original plan. Remember, I will blow up all the enemy's warehouses, arsenals, power supply stations, communication stations, including military train stations. The more serious the noise, the better."
"The more we make trouble here and let the little devils start a fire in the backyard, the less pressure we will have on our main force."
"The leaders of each group still set the time according to the old rules. The scheduled time is twenty minutes. After the twenty-minute action time is over, we will immediately evacuate Ji County and set off for Yuan County."
"yes--"
The leaders of each group responded in unison.
at this time.
Wang Huaibao led the main force of the three battalions, and the battle with the Japanese army from the front has completely entered a fierce battle.
With the help of their familiarity with the terrain in the Zhongtiao Mountains and the defensive positions built in advance, the main force of the three battalions of the Fourth Independent Regiment showed extremely strong combat effectiveness.
The Japanese and puppet troops, who fought several times as many as the Fourth Regiment, could not advance even an inch.
Until the Japanese army sent aircraft reinforcements and bombed the defensive positions of the Fourth Regiment.
Wang Huaibao then ordered to abandon the first line of defensive positions and retreat to the second line of defenses.
This is a tactic commonly used by the Eighth Route Army in anti-mopping up operations in base areas.
Generally, Eighth Route Army commanders will prepare multiple defensive positions in advance before a battle breaks out.
Ladder setting, blocking at every level.
Make full use of the terrain advantages of the mountainous area, fully expand the depth, and gradually wear down the Japanese troops.
In the eyes of Nobuya Uchida, the captain of the Japanese Kwantung Army, all this was the defeat of the Fourth Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army.
Although the sudden display of firepower by the Fourth Independent Regiment greatly exceeded Uchida Shinya's expectations.
These Eighth Route Army troops even have a considerable amount of American equipment, which is really surprising.
But after all, the Japanese army had an absolute advantage in strength, coupled with the Japanese artillery support, air reinforcements, and aircraft bombing.
Even if they are as strong as the Fourth Independent Regiment, they can only be forced to retreat.
"Stupid Eighth Route. Unfortunately, this is not Taihang, and there is not much depth left for them. The depth of this Zhongtiao Mountain from north to south is only 20 kilometers, and it is full of ravines.
The Eighth Route Army retreated one step while I swept the troops forward.
I think it won't be long before we can completely force this group of Eighth Route Army to the north bank of the Yellow River, and finally force the Eighth Route Army to engage in a decisive battle with our army. "
When analyzing the battle situation, Uchida Shinya said confidently.
Once the main force of the Eighth Route Army is forced to the north bank of the Yellow River.
The Eighth Route will completely lose its retreat.
In Uchida Nobuya's view, this troublesome Eighth Route Army can finally be destroyed in one fell swoop.
"Continue the attack!"
Seeing the main force of the Fourth Independent Regiment retreating, Nobuya Uchida gave the order to continue the march without hesitation.
Exactly eleven twenty.
The four companies under the Fourth Battalion of the Fourth Independent Regiment led by Han Feng were divided into four directions and successively ambushed the Japanese transport team transporting supplies from the county town to the mopping up troops.
Among them, there are two larger transport teams, which are fully equipped transport squadrons.
The transportation line that the Japanese transportation squadron leader thought was absolutely safe was suddenly attacked fiercely by soldiers from the fourth battalion.
The firepower of the fourth battalion was extremely powerful.
Almost all American equipment.
The entire Yigaland Rifle Company suppressed the Japanese transport squadron of almost the same strength with its absolute superior firepower.
Coupled with the artillery positions built in advance, four or five M2 60mm mortars ruthlessly bombarded the Japanese transport team.
The light and heavy machine guns of the Japanese transport team that had been set up at the commanding heights and blocked the mountain road with crossfire opened fire at the same time.
In the war against China, the Japanese army, which had always had the absolute upper hand with superior firepower, finally felt the aggrievedness of being suppressed by the Chinese army with more powerful firepower and unable to raise its head at all.
The battle lasted less than 15 minutes, and the entire transport squadron suffered casualties.
A large amount of supplies transported by the Japanese to the mopping up troops were also blown to pieces.
After the battle is completely over.
The soldiers of the fourth battalion quickly cleaned up the battlefield and quickly seized all the Japanese guns and ammunition.
The supplies that could not be taken away were gathered together and burned cleanly.
The raging fire sent smoke into the sky.
So much so that the Japanese troops, who received the call for help and quickly rushed to the mountain road where the transport squadron was ambushed, locked the location of the battle just by relying on the smoke rising above.
It's a pity that by the time the Japanese reinforcements arrived, the ambush on the mountain road had completely ended.
The Eighth Route Army troops that made the sneak attack disappeared, leaving only the bodies of Japanese soldiers lying on the ground.
There were also materials that were gathered together and were about to be burned by the fire.
"idiot--"
The Japanese squadron leader who came with the team roared with anger, his ugly old face full of anger, but there was nothing he could do.
But for Han Feng and the soldiers of the fourth battalion, all this was just the beginning.
The little devils who arrived didn't have time to continue to be angry that the transport squadron in front of them was attacked by surprise.
Then news came that transportation lines on several other mountain roads not far away were ambushed by Eighth Route Army troops.
The transportation troops suffered heavy casualties, and all transportation supplies were burned by the Eighth Route Army.
After the information from all parties was gathered together, originally in order to ensure the logistics supply of the main force of this raid, multiple transportation lines were used to transport materials from major counties such as Ji County and Yuan County to the transport troops.
Nearly 70% of them were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army troops, and all the transported materials were destroyed.
The news reached the Japanese rear headquarters.
The Japanese commander was furious.
Without even thinking, he turned around and blamed the transport troops for being ambushed by the Eighth Route Army on the mopping up troops.
"What do the mopping up troops do for food?"
"There were two levels of siege net, and the Eighth Route Army was able to bypass it and sneak back to the rear to sneak attack the transport troops?"
"That bastard Uchida, didn't he swear when he set out that there would be absolutely no mistakes in this sweep?"
The temporary headquarters of the Japanese Pioneer Brigade.
"Hi!"
"Hi!"
Uchida Nobuya, who was still vigorous and high-spirited when the sweep began, now has his head lowered, with an apologetic look on his face, as well-behaved as a grandson.
After being reprimanded by his superior commander, Uchida Shinya hung up the phone angrily.
His face was a little gloomy. When he looked up at the junior Japanese officers participating in the meeting, officers at all levels avoided his murderous gaze.
"Tell me, how did this group of Eighth Route Army troops who ambushed our transport troops get back outside our encirclement?"
A Japanese squadron leader looked thoughtful, and after a moment, he replied: "Your Excellency, Captain, we can ensure that each of our squadrons is fully vigilant as we gradually move forward.
If there are Eighth Route Army troops penetrating into the periphery of the encirclement.
A small number of the Eighth Route Army is still possible.
However, being able to ambush our army's transport troops in many places shows that there are definitely not a few Eighth Route Army troops who circle back to the rear.
But this situation will never happen as we move forward step by step. "
"But the facts are right in front of us. Is it possible that the sneak attack on the transportation troops in the rear can be faked?" Uchida Shinya asked.
After a brief silence.
Another Japanese squadron leader suddenly made a startling statement: "Your Excellency, Captain, is it possible that when we were conducting raids, the Eighth Route Army that attacked our transport troops was originally outside our army's raid net?" ?”
"Nani?"
Suddenly, Uchida suddenly figured it out.
As he thought about it, he felt more and more that the facts were just as the captain in front of him said.
A combat staff officer immediately analyzed: "Your Excellency, Captain, I think Captain Xiao Gu is right.
If you think about it carefully, just yesterday, the Eighth Route Army suddenly attacked Qingxiang and Guzhen without any warning.
At that time, we were very puzzled by this move of the Eighth Route Army.
With the strength and equipment of the Eighth Route Army, why did they take the initiative to attack towns and villages in such a tough battle that the gains outweighed the losses? Such situations are rare.
After our army's reinforcements arrived in Qingxiang and Guzhen, the Eighth Route Army immediately chose to evacuate. So the Eighth Route Army attacked Qingxiang and Guzhen with such great fanfare, but in the end they chose to evacuate without any meaning.
So, what do these eight groups want to do?
I couldn't figure it out at first, but now I suddenly understand..."
Uchida Nobuya said thoughtfully: "Xinxi, what you mean is that the Eighth Route Army's attack on Qingxiang and Guzhen was to attract our attention, cover this team that attacked our army's transportation troops, and lurk in our army's occupied areas in advance. nearby?"
"Hi!"
Uchida Nobu also thought about it for a moment and felt that this was indeed the case.
Then comes the headache.
"Being able to quickly destroy many transport troops before our reinforcements arrive, this Eighth Route Army team that jumped out of the encirclement should not be too small in strength, and its combat effectiveness is even more powerful."
"If we continue to leave things behind, it will become a disaster sooner or later."
"But if we divide our forces and turn around to deal with this Eighth Route Army, won't the battle that is about to force the main force of the Eighth Route Army to the north bank of the Yellow River be delayed?"
Uchida Nobu was also hesitant.
His determination to eliminate the Fourth Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army was very firm.
He was even considering whether to continue to march towards the main force of the Eighth Route Army. Even if the logistics transportation line was cut off, each of the soldiers being swept up still had three days of rations on them.
The worst case scenario is that within three days we will seek an opportunity to engage in a decisive battle with the main force of the Eighth Route Army and completely eliminate this group of Eighth Route Army soldiers.
Uchida Shinya didn't want to give up halfway.
But then another piece of news came, which immediately broke Nobuya Uchida’s hesitation:
"Reporting to your Excellency, Captain, there is news from the county headquarters that a small group of combat troops of the Eighth Route Army have infiltrated into the county and blown up our army's arsenal and material depot in Ji County, as well as power supply stations, communication stations and Railway station, causing many big explosions.
It resulted in dozens of casualties among security personnel.
As a result, Ji County's communication system and power supply system were temporarily paralyzed. "
"Baga, how could this happen? What do the security forces in the county do for food?" Nobuya Uchida cursed angrily.
The Japanese communications soldier lowered his head and did not dare to speak.
The military police who maintain law and order in the county also used the same words to curse Uchida Nobuya and others for mopping up the troops.
At this time, first the transportation lines were cut off, and then various military facilities in the rear county were destroyed by sneak attacks by the Eighth Route Army troops.
The furious Japanese army immediately issued an order to the mopping up troops through the general headquarters:
Immediately find the Eighth Route Army team that attacked the transport unit and eliminate it!
In addition, blockade Ji County and destroy the enemy troops who sneaked into Ji County...
