Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 108 Abandoning Taiyuan, mountain mobile warfare; Mr. Zhou: I must meet Chu Yunfei if I have the chance
"Da da da~!"

"Boom!"

Black smoke rolled back and flames shot up into the sky.

The shells fell on the positions of the defending soldiers like raindrops.

On the Niangzi Pass line.

The Japanese army also launched a tentative attack.

Under the cover of aircraft and artillery.

The nearly two-meter-high city wall of Niangzi Pass was also mostly destroyed at this time.

As for the buildings inside Niangzi Pass.

At this time, it had already been completely destroyed by Japanese artillery fire.

The battle started at noon.

The Japanese army repeatedly launched exploratory attacks with small units, assisted by long-range artillery support.

What made Chu Yunfei feel bad was.

These damn Japs set up their artillery positions outside the firing range of the mountain artillery battalion.

The position of the 30th Artillery Regiment is further back, so there is no possibility of artillery counterattack.

They could only use some micro-manipulation tactics to attack the Japanese invaders' gathering points.

These little devils are very smart.

After realizing that any assembly larger than a squadron size would be subject to concentrated firepower.

Each attack only mobilized a small team of troops.

The voice of the Third Battalion Commander Luo Weiguo came from the phone: "Commander-in-Chief, requesting fire support. These little devils have used a large number of armored vehicles and tanks to directly fire at our frontier positions. Our army lacks sufficient long-range anti-tank weapons... There is no way to deal with these little devils."

"Frontline requesting fire support."

Chu Yunfei turned his head to signal, and Zhang Dayun quickly walked towards another phone: "Heavy Mortar Battalion, why don't you bombard the enemy tanks?"

"The effect is not good? Is it a tank or an armored vehicle?"

Zhang Dayun hung up the phone and turned to look at Chu Yunfei: "Commander, the Japanese army used tanks in this attack, and our 82mm mortars caused moderate damage."

"Order the reconnaissance platoon to find out the exact location of the Japanese tanks and immediately provide fire coverage to destroy them."

"Yes!"

"Report to the commander, Captain Qian reports that a small elite Japanese unit launched an attack from Guangou and has been repelled. This small unit is equipped with a large number of machine guns and grenade launchers. Requesting support."

Chu Yunfei nodded and immediately made the corresponding arrangements: "The Fifth Battalion has just been formed, and there are not many people, most of whom are new recruits. We will draw the Eighth and Fifteenth Companies from the First Battalion to provide support."

"Yes!"

"Hello~, I'm Fang Ligong."

"Yes, I'll report it right away!"

Fang Ligong frowned slightly. "Commander, the latest news is that the Japanese Fourth Brigade has broken through the Wutai front-line defense positions. The 115th Division failed to intercept them. Currently, this group of cavalry troops is advancing towards Meng County."

Chu Yunfei raised his eyebrows, surprised: "Where did the Japanese cavalry come from?"

In his memory, there has never been a scene of a cavalry unit breaking through Wutai and advancing towards Mengxian.

"It's the Black Island Cavalry Regiment under the Fourth Brigade."

"The Kuroshima Cavalry Regiment, the commander is Kuroshima Morita?"

"Yes, according to the intelligence passed on by the 115th Division, their commander is indeed called Kuroshima Morita."

The 4th Brigade, I remember.

The troops in the world of the film and television series "Bright Sword".

The Sakata that Li Yunlong killed was from the infantry regiment under the 4th Brigade.

The organization of the 4th Brigade can be considered a specialty of the film and television world.

Judging from the drama, the Fourth Brigade is directly under the jurisdiction of the Shanxi First Army.

The infantry brigade is composed of two infantry regiments and a cavalry regiment, which seems a bit out of place.

Combat effectiveness...is relatively average.

After all, with just a few troops and weapons, Li Yunlong was able to kill the two commanders of the 4th Brigade.

They were Nobutsu Sakata who was shot dead on Cangyun Ridge.

And Kasahara Koizumi who was killed during the counter-mopping-up operation in Xinzhuang.

But then again, Li Yunlong is the protagonist in the film and television drama after all.

In the original drama setting, the Sakata Regiment was able to defeat two divisions of the Central Army in the Battle of Xinkou.

I don’t know which two unlucky guys commanded these two divisions.

Even the Sakata Unit couldn't stop them. It's probably a centralized ragtag army.

If it was the main force of the 14th Army, with the combat power of the Sakata Regiment, I'm afraid that even the father would be beaten out...
Chu Yunfei naturally would not take such troops seriously.

"I seem to have some impression of this Kuroshima Morita. He should be a member of the Japanese royal family. If we find an opportunity to kill him, the morale and military spirit of the Japanese soldiers will likely be affected."

Chu Yunfei smiled and made a decision.

"Commander, we no longer have any extra troops to mobilize."

"Then draw troops from the main force of the First Battalion... Pass my order, the First Battalion's First, Third, Sixth, Seventh, Eleventh Companies, and the Second Artillery Company, will..."

Who will be in command and how to maneuver quickly is indeed a big problem.

Chu Yunfei paused, turned his head to look at Fang Ligong, and asked, "How many trains are left to transport supplies today?"

"There is only one train left, and this train will return to transport the seriously injured."

Chu Yunfei smiled and turned to look at Fang Ligong: "Brother Ligong, do you have any good ideas?"

If it is just to transport the wounded.

Chu Yunfei said without hesitation that the injured person would definitely not be able to get on the bus.

This train must be used to carry his troops for a quick maneuver.

But the seriously injured
Chu Yunfei couldn't bear to deprive them of their only chance to survive.

Stay in the front-line field hospital, stay in Yangquan field hospital.

The seriously injured soldiers will inevitably die, but if they are transferred to Taiyuan Hospital, they still have a chance to survive.

Fang Ligong sighed in his heart and looked at Chu Yunfei.

It's like this again. You obviously know everything, but you still want me to say it out loud.

This chief of staff has completely treated his position as a mouthpiece.

He immediately pushed up his glasses and said, "Commander, perhaps we can apply to the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters to temporarily add a train. I'm sure Commander Yan must be very anxious as well."

"Okay, let's do it, Brother Ligong."

Fang Ligong nodded and immediately walked towards the phone.

Chu Yunfei gestured to Sun Ming and put on the military cap on the table.

After hanging up the phone, Fang Ligong turned and walked towards Chu Yunfei: "Commander... The Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters has agreed... The train will arrive tonight, with five carriages, and cannot carry heavy weapons..."

"The firepower of the cavalry is not as good as ours."

Chu Yunfei touched his chin. Who is suitable to command this battle?

It would not be appropriate for Qian Bojun to go.
Although Zhou Daxing, the acting company commander of the first company, has good abilities, he is only an acting company commander after all.

Xue Jie has good abilities and qualifications, but he cannot overpower other company commanders.

After all, all the company commanders under him are good fighters.

"Zhang Dayun!"

Zhang Dayun, who was bending over to draw a picture, straightened up instantly: "Yes!" Chu Yunfei gave a new order: "You and Xue Jie command the 1st, 3rd, 6th, 7th and 11th companies of the 1st Battalion, together with the 2nd Artillery Company, to be responsible for this combat operation."

He stood in front of Zhang Dayun and then warned: "The speed of the train is much faster than the Japanese cavalry. Get ahead of them and find a suitable place to kill them. At the very least, ensure the safety of Meng County."

Zhang Dayun nodded: "Yes!"

Chu Yunfei then turned to look at Fang Ligong on the side and said, "Brother Ligong, I'm going to check out the situation at Niangzi Pass. I'll leave the deployment and adjustment of Chengjiazhuang to you."

"Yes, Captain."

World War II Zone, Commander-in-Chief Headquarters.

Yan Laoxi had just concluded a so-called combat meeting, the content of which was nothing more than how to defend Taiyuan.

Mr. Zou from the Eighth Route Army, the commander-in-chief, suggested preserving the manpower.

While evacuating as many people as possible from the city, we conducted mobile warfare and guerrilla warfare in the mountains.

This idea was recognized by Yan Laoxi at this time.

At present, the evacuation of industrial equipment in the city has been completed by more than half.

The evacuation of the people is also in full swing.

Of course, the construction of defensive fortifications in the city is also proceeding simultaneously.

What Yan Laoxi wants is to grasp both sides and make both sides strong.

He advocated that Taiyuan City should still be defended.

Even if you only stay for a day or two, you must show your attitude.

As for the so-called mountain mobile warfare and guerrilla warfare.

He sent Staff Officer Xie Ming to learn and seek advice from the commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army and Mr. Zou.

What are the specific rules and strategies?

Yan Laoxi, who had previously advocated a field battle based in the city, did so because the Wutai defense line was breached.

He has also reacted now.

Defending Taiyuan City is not an easy task.

Who will command the battle?

The most suitable candidate is naturally Yan Baichuan himself.

In a defensive battle, the first thing to look at is who is familiar with the terrain.

Whoever wins the hearts of the people will gain more support.

On the land of Shanxi.

On being familiar with the terrain and winning the hearts of the people.

Of course it couldn't be anyone else, it could only be him, Yan Baichuan.

So what is Yan Laoxi’s plan?
He also knew that once Xinkou was defeated, Taiyuan City would be in danger.

We now see that the industrial and population evacuation plans are progressing smoothly.

He simply began to arrange for the evacuation of his property and family. Naturally, Old Man Yan did not want to be trapped in the city and become the next General Hao.

As for the military aspect.

Yan Laoxi planned to attack the Sixth Army under his direct command.

The command of all troops was transferred to Wei Lihuang and Fu Zuoyi.

This is actually a typical case of not wanting to take responsibility and giving up.

His idea was that even if he didn't rely on Taiyuan City for a field battle, he would still defend it.
The purpose is on the one hand to appease the people of Shanxi, and on the other hand to let the people of the whole country see it.

He, Yan Laoxi, is not like Zhang Xiaoliu who lost the Northeast without a fight.
But after fighting the Japanese to the death, we were unable to win.

The combat meeting is over.

After Yan Laoxi left, Wei Lihuang, Fu Zuoyi and Mr. Zou were still standing in front of the sand table.

Discussing possible battlefield situations.

"Once the Japanese army breaks through Xinkou, they will definitely choose to occupy the commanding heights around Taiyuan first. They can then be high above the ground and take advantage of the terrain. With their powerful air force and artillery, it is unwise to rely on the city to defend it!"

How could General Fu Zuoyi not understand this truth?
In everyone's view, defending Taiyuan this time was a life-and-death struggle.

He knows it himself.

But Taiyuan had become the most important city in North China at this time.

China and even the world are paying close attention to the final outcome of this large-scale battle.

If we give up easily, we will definitely let down our country and our people.

The Xinkou-Taiyuan Campaign was also the largest battle in North China.

The Chinese military has mobilized six army groups, totaling about 280,000 troops (the actual number of troops is not that large).
The Japanese army deployed a total of 140,000 troops (on paper).

In the battle of Shanxi, no one can afford the consequences of failure.
This is the most important industrial base in North China.

Raw materials production center.

Yangquan Machinery Factory, Taiyuan Arsenal, Yuci Textile Factory, Jincheng Needle Factory, these are the productive forces that cannot be abandoned by the army and are the reserve armed forces.
"The evacuation of industrial equipment in Taiyuan City is already underway. How long can the Xinkou front line last?"

General Wei Lihuang thought carefully and said: "If the Japanese invaders have no more reinforcements, with the arrival of the two Sichuan armies, we may try to counterattack."

“Absolutely not~!”

General Fu Yishen and Mr. Zou, who represented the Eighth Route Army, hurriedly spoke out to stop them.

"The loss of the Wutai Mountain front has caused the 4th Brigade to rampage in the Wutai Mountain area... This group of devils will directly threaten our flank Xinkou and it is estimated that they will not be able to hold out for too long."

The Japanese army also had reinforcements dispatched from China, the Northeast, and even Chahar and Suiyuan.
And the first batch of reserve troops and elite Kwantung Army support have arrived.

They no longer have any follow-up support.
Even if they wiped out the vanguard of the Fifth Division, they could not change the final outcome of the battle.

If the losses are heavy, even the envisioned mountain mobile warfare may be difficult to sustain.

"If it weren't for the support of Japan's national strength, Sakagami's command level would only be considered below average."

Fu Zuoyi obviously didn't take Sakagami seriously: "There is also that Kazuki Seiji. There is intelligence that he came to the front to supervise the battle. After he came, apart from some sneaky night attacks, there was no major change."

Mr. Zou smiled and said, "That's because the two generals have built strong fortifications. Even if the famous Japanese general Terauchi Juichi arrives in Gang County, what will happen?"

"Mobilize the entire nation's military and civilians to fight a full-scale war of resistance...Persist in a long-term war of resistance. The evacuation of industrial equipment from the Taiyuan Arsenal and other places is the fundamental guarantee for supporting our entire nation's continued resistance. Commander Yan's approach is still very wise!"

Fu Zuoyi nodded: "It was actually Yun Fei's suggestion to evacuate personnel and industry in advance. This guy really has a lot of tricks for fighting wars."

"But Commander Chu of the 358th Brigade?"

General Fu Yisheng nodded: "This kid is indeed a genius. Even I admire him very much."

"You must also know that Commander Yan was anxious to purchase a batch of arms from abroad in the 25th year of the Republic of China, right?"

Mr. Zou nodded and smiled: "At that time, our Red Army thought that Commander Yan wanted to use this batch of arms to deal with our Red Army."

"The construction of the air defense system in the entire Shanxi region, including the construction of city defenses, the adjustment of military organization, military training, and even the construction of the logistics system all have the shadow of Chu Yunfei."

"If it weren't for the July 7 Incident and the Japanese invasion of China, I estimate that this guy would have been transferred to the General Staff Office to continue his training. In a few years, he would have become the chief of staff of the group army."

General Fu Yisheng was also filled with emotion for a moment: "The Shanxi Campaign was able to be fought like this, and this guy has made a lot of contributions. Otherwise, with Commander Yan's character, the Sichuan Army would not have been able to get the equipment so smoothly."

Fu Yisheng knew.

At the beginning, Yan Laoxi had no intention of providing equipment to Deng Jinkang.

The so-called approval note is purely a face-saving project.

The ammunition depots at Xinkou, Niangziguan, Wutai, and the front line have already been opened and used.
Where did the Sichuan Army go for supplies?

Mr. Zou raised his eyebrows, obviously overestimating Mr. Yan's moral bottom line: "Is there such a thing?"

General Fu Yisheng nodded and said, "In the entire Second War Zone's combat sequence, only Chu Yunfei, a deputy brigade commander with a rank of colonel, dares to directly call Commander Yan's office. The 358th Brigade on the front line of Niangzi Pass is Commander Yan's favorite Chu Yunfei, and he is also the young general that Commander Yan admires the most."

Mr. Zou laughed and said noncommittally: "If I have the chance, I really want to meet this famous general of the Jin army..."

(End of this chapter)