July begins.
A group of people from the headquarters of Xinhua News Agency and the bank in the base area set off for the southern Hebei base area.
The Jinan base area is located in the North China Plain, east of the Taihang base area where the Northern Bureau's Xinhua News Agency is located, while the Taiyue base area is in Shanxi, located on the west side of the Taihang base area.
Before setting off, Xinhua News Agency photographer Lao Xia looked at the expanded mountain horse trail in the Taiyue base area and the carts pulled by new breeds of mules and horses around him. He suddenly licked his lips and suggested:
"It will take another five days for the comrades from the Wutai Mountain base to arrive."
"How about we go to the Independent Group first?"
From the location of the Northern Bureau to Yangcun, the straight-line distance is fifty-seven kilometers, and the mountain horse trail is eighty kilometers. The new mules and horses are fast and have enough endurance to reach it in one day.
five days,
He can take pictures of the Independent Regiment.
With the abundance of materials, the living conditions in the base areas have greatly improved, especially in Yangcun, and the people's lives have become happier. I had this idea last time, but unfortunately there was not enough film at that time.
Now that we have enough film, it’s time to shoot again to record the changes in the base area.
Then it was published in Xinhua Newspaper.
Lao Xia said in his heart,
It's definitely not because the independent group now has meat every meal and they want to go there and have a meal.
"good idea."
After the words fell, several people accompanying him agreed.
Then, the group of people walked towards Yangcun.
···
at the same time.
Shanghai Stock Exchange.
In June 1940, the Pacific War had not yet broken out. At this time, the Shanghai Stock Exchange Lend-Lease was still in place. The influence of Britain, France, Germany and Italy was strong, and the Japanese had to give some face.
then,
There were many newspapers founded by Chinese people in the concession.
Although they were suppressed by the Japanese, even attacked, assassinated, and oppressed by various countries in the concession, they still survived tenaciously and spoke out tirelessly.
this day,
outside the concession,
Several Chinese people were holding a newspaper and talking.
"The Eighth Route Army annihilated a Japanese infantry regiment and captured a regiment flag!"
On the newspaper, there was a reprint of the Xinhua News headline.
This immediately attracted people's attention.
Several people gathered around the roadside.
"That's impossible."
"Isn't the Eighth Route Army just wandering without attacking? Can they annihilate a Japanese regiment?"
"There are three thousand people in a regiment!"
Some people don't believe it.
This is normal.
Although there were great victories such as Taierzhuang, nearly a million troops could not defend Songhu. Coupled with a series of tragic defeats on the frontal battlefield and the loss of large areas of land, the power of the Japanese was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
What's more,
On the frontal battlefield, there is rarely a regiment to annihilate the Japanese.
Not to mention the Eighth Route Army in the rear.
"And the alliance flag was seized?"
After seeing the subsequent report, this person didn’t believe it even more:
"I'm telling you."
"Seizing the Japanese regiment flag is much more difficult than annihilating a Japanese infantry regiment."
"The Japanese modernized army has been established for more than a hundred years, but they have never captured a regiment flag. Even in the great victory of the Russians in the north at Nomonkan, they never captured any."
"Do you know what foreign newspapers and military publications say about this regiment flag?"
"Mythical flag!"
"Each Japanese regiment has a dedicated flag protection team to protect the regiment flag."
"Can the Eighth Route Army and others do it?"
“It’s fake news at first glance.”
This man had his hair parted in the middle, and there was a hint of pride in his tone.
"It took more than a hundred years for the Japanese to modernize and build their army?"
Someone immediately sneered.
Judging from the person's dress and appearance, he was a student. He continued to retort:
"The Meiji Restoration only started in 1868. As for the Japanese establishing a modern army and establishing the division system in 1888, how come you said it has been more than a hundred years?"
"I studied abroad in Tokyo, don't you know better than you?"
The person in front suddenly turned red, but still argued with his neck stiffened.
"Tsk...you've been studying for nothing."
After being ridiculed in person, those who had studied in Japan separately could only leave, but in the end they left one sentence:
"This news is definitely fake."
"Even Russia can't do it, but Tubal Road can defeat the Japanese? Can it also capture the alliance flag?"
The sound gradually faded away.
The few people holding the newspapers continued to read the newspapers.
"The Eighth Route Army's weapons and equipment are pretty good. Each man has one gun, many machine guns, and some traps. It's not as bad as the little devil said."
"This is a good photo. The commander of the regiment named Li Yunlong is stepping on the corpse of the captain of the Japs Regiment. His name is Colonel Shandao. The other foot is stepping on the Japs Regiment flag."
"Hey, that's how you treat brats."
"It's a pity that this photo is too blurry, otherwise I would have to engrave a copy and hang it at the door to ward off evil spirits."
"Hey, it would be great if it was true."
"This Colonel Shandao is indeed dead, and the Japanese newspaper also said so."
"The annihilation of the Shandao Regiment is probably true. Even if it is not annihilated, it is still a heavy loss."
The student just said:
"But the coalition flag, the Japanese newspaper said it was fake."
Since there were anti-Japanese newspapers, the Japanese traitors naturally also founded newspapers to promote propaganda and distributed them in the occupied areas.
"Inflicting heavy damage on an entire Japs regiment is pretty impressive!"
"Li Yunlong?"
"Isn't this the man who killed the famous Japanese leader Nobutsu Sakada?"
"Yes, that's the person."
"Hey, the Japanese have famous generals, and we also have famous generals!"
···
"General Shadowzu."
"Are you really not going to deal with the false news published in those newspapers?"
At the same time, in a heavily guarded room, Zuo Zhenzhao, the military adviser to the Wang Puppet Government and the actual controller, waved his hand and answered when asked by his subordinates:
"It doesn't matter, the empire has clarified it."
"Besides, normal people will believe this kind of fake news that can't even be seen clearly."
"Hi."
"It's because I'm too worried about my humble position."
The men immediately bowed their heads in response.
After his men left, Yingzuo Zhenzhao frowned.
Many people knew that the Shandao Regiment was annihilated, and the Empire did not deny this. The main reason was that it was difficult to deny that the Regiment Flag could be forged, but the body could not be said to have been forged by Tubal Road.
But the Shandao United Flag was seized, and he was one of the few people who knew the truth at this time.
Because of this matter, not only the base camp was furious, but even the Locust was also furious.
The North China Front Army also experienced a lot of personnel turmoil because of this incident. The commander of the 29th Brigade, Kotani Matsumaharada, was named and criticized.
There were even important ministers in the base camp who used this to push General Gangcun to be appointed chief of staff of the North China Front in an attempt to guide the dispute between the southward faction and the conservative faction.
Fortunately, Tubal Road did not have the ability to tell foreign reporters the news in detail. The Shandao United Team was also a garrison team, and the team flag was newly issued. It was relatively new and not highly recognizable.
"Where did those weapons and ammunition come from?"
Then Yingzuo Zhenzhao frowned deeper.
Currently, a more serious problem than the seizure of the alliance flag is the weapons and ammunition that continue to appear in the Tubal Road base area.
A month ago, he also received an order to assist in the investigation, but there was no trace of it, so much so that he couldn't help but wonder, had Tubal Road really obtained weapons, ammunition and supplies?
But the First Army and the North China Front had clear evidence.
If these sources of supplies are not cut off.
The incident of the regiment flag will not be repeated again. The Republic of China Expeditionary Forces Command has once again emphasized the strengthening of the protection of the regiment flag. However, the fiasco of the Shandao Regiment will inevitably be repeated.
···
That night.
"This canned braised pork is so delicious."
"It's all pork belly."
Yangcun.
In the regimental canteen.
Photographer Lao Xia and a group of fifteen people sat around a round table. The most conspicuous thing on the table was a pot of braised pork cooked by Chef Luo, the commander of the cooking company.
Not to mention the braised pork weighing fifteen pounds.
At the first bite, Lao Xia was conquered by Chef Luo's cooking skills and the canned braised pork produced by the system. He closed his eyes and was intoxicated with praise.
After he finished speaking, he saw that no one responded to him. When he opened his eyes, he was stunned.
There were only fifteen people at the table. Except for him, everyone else was eating the pot of meat, and no one paid any attention to him.
Lao Xia stopped being pretentious and just picked up the spoon and scooped a big bowl into the bowl.
After I ate my fill, I touched my belly, feeling completely satisfied.
"Fortunately, we have eaten oil and water for a few months before, otherwise we would have to lie down tomorrow if this meal of meat had gone."
A comrade from the bank in the base area also touched his stomach and sighed.
This stew is too oily and watery.
If you have not eaten meat for a long time, or rarely eat meat, and you suddenly eat a meal, you will definitely have gastrointestinal disorders.
"but it is."
Lao Xia agreed.
"I guess after a while, the soldiers in the army will be able to eat meat every day."
Based on recent experience, someone made a guess.
"Haha, what a good thing!"
Everyone was smiling.
After being happy for a while, Lao Xia suddenly asked the soldiers of the independent regiment on the side:
"Captain Li is in Li County?"
"Yes, our regiment leader went to Li County to command the battle."
replied the warrior.
"Shall we go?"
Lao Xia suddenly asked.
Go to the front line and work as a battlefield photojournalist to record the life-and-death battles of the independent regiment soldiers. After having enough film, Lao Xia had many ideas in his mind.
"Let me ask!"
The soldier immediately went to the regiment headquarters to inquire.
A few minutes later,
The warrior is back:
"No problem, we can arrange for you to set off tomorrow morning."
"Can you ride a horse? We can arrange horses for you here."
"meeting!"
Lao Xia was immediately overjoyed.
···
Yangcun is not close to Li County.
There are more than 70 kilometers of mountain horse trails.
When Lao Xia arrived at Li County, it was already noon the next day.
at this time,
Li Yunlong was in the frontline headquarters. He looked at the red dot on the screen of the communicator on his wrist, then glanced at the map of Li County on the table. He flashed his eyes and asked:
"How are the preparations going?"
After getting the communicator, Captain Li did a lot of hard work.
He discovered that the communicator was not only used to communicate with Brother Lu, but also an almost perfect real-time map.
Although it is limited to the independent regiment's combat and garrison areas, and although it can only be copied with bare hands, the almost perfect accuracy still greatly helps the independent regiment's operations.
"The first battalion, second battalion, and artillery battalion have all been deployed."
Zhang Dabiao replied:
"A flag-raising team composed of one hundred combat backbones drawn from the entire regiment has also been lurking near the Japanese army camp."
"Okay, let's go."
Picking up a Type 40 submachine gun and putting on a carrying device with five magazines inserted, Li Yunlong went straight to the Japanese camp in Li County.
"Captain, there is a photojournalist from the Northern Bureau who wants to go with us."
This is when a soldier reported Lao Xia's request.
"Let him follow the Second Battalion."
Li Yunlong didn't even look back.
···
3pm.
The open land west of Li County.
The first brigade of the Westfield Wing is stationed here, and the wing headquarters is also stationed together.
"Co-captain."
At this time, a Japanese major staff officer ran in and reported:
"It has been confirmed that the independent regiment of the 386th Brigade appeared near Li County."
"Independence Group!"
Nishida's pupils also flashed sharply.
The leader of the independent group is Li Yunlong.
The one who killed Nobutetsu Sakata, the newly emerging military officer of the empire, the captain of the Yamajima Colonel Regiment, and Li Yunlong, the deputy chief of staff of the North China Front!
If I could kill this person...
Then it is inevitable that he will be promoted to general.
"What's the strength of the troops?"
Nishida asked in a wary tone.
Li Yunlong is very tempted,
But the danger is also great.
It is said that the combat effectiveness of the 386th Brigade is not weaker than that of the Empire with the same strength, and among them, the independent regiment has the highest combat effectiveness, which is almost stronger than the Empire's Locust Army with the same strength.
Of course, this is only a third-class garrison.
"It's not clear yet, but it's probably around 1,500 people."
"Fifteen hundred people..."
Hearing this, Nishidano subconsciously licked his lips.
Currently, the main force of his regiment is here, with a total strength of 2,300 people. Among them, the regiment's main mobile force, the cavalry squadron, and the regiment's main firepower and artillery battalion, five 41-type mountain guns, are all gathered in Li County.
Nishino, who has read the headquarters intelligence, knows it very well.
The firepower of the 386th Brigade is indeed not weaker than that of the Locust Army, and can even be said to be stronger than that of the Locust Army, but it is only light weapons and light artillery.
In terms of artillery, the Locust Army still has an absolute advantage.
Mortars are inherently weaker than barrel guns.
What's more, Li County is surrounded by plain terrain, which is the main battlefield for barrel artillery. Quality can completely suppress quantity.
If the battle starts on plain terrain, he has a high chance of winning.
However, if an attack is launched into mountainous areas, the terrain will limit the effectiveness of barrel guns, which is more suitable for mortars to exert their strength, and the odds of victory will shift towards Tubal Road.
When I was hesitating,
Sudden,
Boom boom boom...
The sound of a violent explosion reached Nishido's ears.
"What's up?"
Nishida's expression changed and he asked immediately.
"Report, we encountered large-scale shelling on Tubal Road."
Things figured out quickly.
"Large-scale shelling of our military camp?!"
Nishitano was immediately so angry that he blew his beard and glared.
He is still hesitating whether to continue to increase his troops and launch an attack on the independent regiment?
Li Yunlong actually took the initiative to attack?
The Westfield United camp is on a plain!
plain.
"Where are they?"
Nishido was filled with murderous intent, and the corners of his mouth curled up unconsciously.
"On the left, about three kilometers away, a large number of Tubal infantry were also found nearby."
The staff officer immediately pointed out the location.
"Three kilometers to the left."
"Spotted a large number of infantry!"
After finding the location on the map, Nishitano suddenly overflowed with murderous intent.
On the left side is a completely plain terrain, an open area with a radius of ten kilometers and only some hills with a height of about ten meters.
"Do they really think they can fight the Imperial Locust Army head-on?"
"Order."
Nishino immediately issued an order:
"The 1st and 2nd Infantry Battalions attack the enemy's artillery positions."
Nishino chose the most direct approach, attacking from the front.
On the side, the staff officer seemed to want to persuade.
Since Tubalu dared to fight in the plains with the Locust Army, he must have some confidence, but his mouth moved and he could not say anything in the end.
Following Nishida's order, the Nishida Regiment Artillery Battalion, which was always in a state of combat readiness, immediately began to fire at the independent regiment artillery position three kilometers away with four Type 41 mountain guns.
After a few minutes of shelling, the artillery of the Independent Regiment was obviously outmatched and began to retreat.
At the same time, the surrounding infantry also began to retreat.
And the direction of retreat is to the plain terrain on the left.
at this time,
It was past half past five in the afternoon.
"Pursuit."
Seeing that the Independent Regiment continued to retreat to the plain terrain on the left, Nishitano did not hesitate to order the troops to pursue it.
But he's not a fool either.
The pursuit was not rapid, and always allowed the cavalry squadrons to conduct reconnaissance, winning step by step and advancing steadily.
···
"The devil is out."
Relying on the walkie-talkie, Li Yunlong, who was hiding on the right side of the Japanese army camp in Li County, quickly received the news.
"troops?"
Li Yunlong glanced at the communicator map, confirmed that the regiment flag was still at the Li County military camp, and asked.
The total strength of the Japs in Li County is 2,200.
"About two thousand people."
Five minutes later, the combined intelligence from various investigation teams was delivered to Li Yunlong's ears.
He looked at his watch. It was already half past six in the afternoon.
Night gradually fell.
"two thousand··"
"There are only two hundred Japs left in the military camp."
"Continue to attract the devils."
"Wait until night, let the Japanese have a taste of the power of the new mortar."
Following Li Yunlong's order, in the plain area north of Li County, 20 artillery squads led by Xu Ping, commander of the artillery battalion of the Independent Regiment, deployed 20 of the latest 82mm long-range mortars on a dirt bag. .
front,
The three groups of artillery observation posts also raised their high-magnification observation scopes.
(End of chapter)
