The second condition is that a large and very elite reserve team must be placed outside the initial battlefield. That is to say, during the Japs' attack for several days or even ten days, the reserve team of several thousand people must not be allowed to attack. You must not be exposed even if you participate in the war. You have to wait until the most suitable fighter plane appears before you can launch a thunderous strike from the enemy's rear. This places high demands on the offensive power and tactical execution capabilities of the reserve team.
Why did Zhou Wen ask Xu Zhiqin's regiment to be prepared to make sacrifices? It was because he was going to let Xu Zhiqin's regiment stick to the front-line position of Lengkou, and at the beginning he would show weakness to the enemy, and if necessary, abandon several major positions to let the Japanese army Feeling the hope of victory, they will continue to send troops to carry out continuous attacks.
Once the two sides become jealous, they will not be able to retreat if they want. The enemy and our armies will continue to fight day and night. At that time, it was time for a group to take advantage of the location and automatic firepower to kill and injure the Japanese troops in large numbers.
Of course, in this kind of close-quarters battle, the casualties of a regiment will certainly not be small. This depends on the will and courage of the military chief and the officers and soldiers of the entire regiment.
Zhao Changshu and Zhou Wen looked at each other and saw the confidence and determination in each other's eyes, and said seriously: "Now issue No. 1 order, the Lengkou Pass defense battle is divided into two combat groups, the north and the south."
"The Southern Group consists of the 1st Regiment, the Guard Battalion, the Artillery Battalion and the Engineer Battalion directly under the brigade headquarters. It is responsible for the defense of a 20-kilometer width from Baiyangyu to Fenghuang Mountain. It is under my personal command."
Before Zhao Changshu finished speaking, Xu Zhiqin immediately blushed and said loudly: "We can't let the brigade take risks on the front line in person. I'm humble enough to guarantee with my head on my neck to hold the position resolutely."
Seeing Xu Zhiqin's rare expression of excitement, Zhao Changshu knew that this always calm and beloved general might have misunderstood that he did not trust his ability very much. He raised his hand to signal him to calm down, and then said: "Since we want the brat to fight us desperately, , we must pay a certain price. To put it bluntly, we must have the courage to trade our lives with the Japanese. As a brigade commander, it is impossible for me to watch my brothers fight against the Japanese while I sit firmly in the rear."
Zhou Wen said: "Brother Zhiqin, it's not that the senior doesn't trust your ability, but he has fully estimated the cruelty of this battle. When the war entered the most anxious and difficult time, the senior personally sat on the front line and attacked a regiment of officers and soldiers. Both morale and will are immeasurably motivating.”
"Furthermore, I will send two experts to personally guard the senior and try to protect his safety as much as possible."
In fact, it is not that Zhao Changshu insists on showing the courage of an ordinary man, nor is it that he does not trust Xu Zhiqin's commanding ability, but that although most of the model brigade is composed of veterans, after all, it has not experienced war in several years. In the face of the ferocious Japanese army, During the offensive and hand-to-hand combat with the ferocious Japanese army, were you determined to fight the enemy to the death? Do you have a strong will and resilience? These are all unknowns.
You must know that the most critical link in this plan to gather equipment to annihilate the Japanese 14th Brigade is to turn Lengkou Pass into a flesh and blood mill where the two sides fight, so that the Japanese army will consume a large amount of effective forces in the offensive battle.
But who are the Japanese soldiers? Their title of being the strongest army in Asia is not for nothing, and the offensive and defensive battles are not a surprise attack, but a face-to-face battle between the two sides. Once the two sides are fighting fiercely together, it is not possible to retreat just because they want to. They must grit their teeth, fight for their lives, and charge in the face of a hail of bullets. Every position and every high ground must be fought for with countless lives and blood.
The bravery of the Japanese army has been proven in their countless victories, but can the officers and soldiers of the Model Brigade withstand this kind of life and death pressure that they have never experienced before? Whether you can show your blood and bravery when facing a desperate situation mainly depends on the performance of officers at all levels.
The courage of a general's soldiers, at a critical moment, the courage of the soldiers depends on the courage of the general who leads the army. Therefore, Zhao Changshu, the famous white-horse general, must lead the army in person. Then his regiment commanders, battalion commanders, and grassroots officers at all levels will have enough confidence. With the role of the officers in setting an example, the soldiers will not be hesitant to move forward.
An iron-blooded warrior is not trained, but is forged in the blood and fire on the battlefield. Only after passing the test on the battlefield will Zhao Changshu and Zhou Wen have more confidence in this army.
Zhao Changshu continued: "The northern group consists of the advance detachment and the second regiment. It is personally commanded by Deputy Commander-in-Chief Zhou. They secretly left the customs tonight and went back to the rear of the Japanese position to hide and wait."
Then, Zhao Changshu looked at Meng Yuting and said: "The commander-in-chief of this battle is Deputy Chief of Staff Meng Yuting. All officers below me must carry out any order given by Commander-in-Chief Meng to the letter. Do you understand? ?”
This order once again shocked the officers. Although everyone did not dare to speak, they all looked at Meng Yuting.
You must know that today is Zhou Wencai's first day back at Lengkou Pass. To be precise, he has not been back for more than an hour. Before that, he only had a hasty discussion with Zhao Changshu, and even he has been observing the enemy's situation at the forward position. Meng Yuting didn't even have time to meet privately, but Zhao Changshu accepted his plan without hesitation and immediately announced the order.
The main reason was that the troops leaving the border had to seize the opportunity before the Japanese troops had time to extend to the two wings, and quickly seize this opportunity to secretly leave the border from the Cherry Orchard Heights defended by the 139th Division, and sneak around to the enemy's rear without anyone noticing.
But when Meng Yuting heard the order for him to serve as commander-in-chief, it felt too sudden. You must know that this is a large-scale battle involving tens of thousands of people, and it is also a battle of annihilation. It is also the first time in his life. He was not mentally prepared at all before, and he was stunned on the spot.
But Zhou Wen smiled and patted him on the shoulder and said: "Brother Yu Ting, senior and I believe in you. You also have to believe in yourself. You can do it."
Zhou Wen told the truth. In this battle, who is most suitable to be the commander-in-chief of the Model Brigade? Of course, it is the brigade commander Zhao Changshu. First of all, he has experience in commanding large-scale operations, has vision and courage.
This can be seen from the fact that in the Central Plains War, he led the Sixth Brigade of the Jin Army to turn the tide in Yejigang, and used one brigade to resist the attack of tens of thousands of National Army troops.
With his prestige in the army and outstanding commanding ability, as well as Meng Yuting's advice, commanding such a battle was not a difficult task.
But he was going to the most critical and dangerous front line to command the battle, and the offensive and defensive battle at Lengkou Pass was related to the success or failure of the entire campaign. Zhou Wen would not be at ease without him in charge.
Then the only person who can take charge of the overall situation and have the ability to seize the fleeting opportunity is Meng Yuting.
