Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 112: Niangzi Pass was defeated? Meng County was lost, Chu Yunfei led his troops north to block the enemy reinforcements! (Request for subscription)
The 358th Brigade acted strictly in accordance with the combat plan.

The 30th Artillery Regiment was the first unit to evacuate, followed by the mountain artillery battalion and the anti-aircraft machine gun company.

Then came the artillery companies and the front-line infantry.

Kawagishi Fumisaburo had never felt such a smooth attack before.

Although the Chengjiazhuang front lost about 700 troops, more than 400 Japanese soldiers were killed in the battle, and a large amount of artillery shells and ammunition was consumed.

But it took much longer than expected to break through the 358th Brigade's defense line.

In Kawagishi Fumisaburo's opinion, this was not a so-called strategy to lure the enemy deep into their territory.

It's real fatigue.

The 358th Brigade is now at the end of its strength...
In the past two days, the 20th Division's attack has been quite successful.

Apart from sporadic resistance, the battle went smoothly.

What made Kawagishi Fumisaburo even more delighted was.

The cavalry regiment under the 4th Brigade successfully captured Meng County and annihilated the local security team.

Terauchi Hisaichi, who was originally worried about being ambushed by the enemy, even ordered the 20th Division to attack Yangquan, Shouyang and Yuci.

Zhang Dayun and Zhou Daxing, who arrived in Shouyang by train and headed north along the highway to Mengxian, were ultimately unable to catch up.
When Chu Yunfei got the news.

The main force has withdrawn to the outside of Shouyang City.

This is also Huang Shaolong’s new command center.

After hearing that the Japanese army had captured Meng County.

Huang Shaohong also wanted to run away.

I heard that Huang Shaolong has arrived in Shouyang.

At the reminder of Deputy Chief of General Staff Chu.

Yan Laoxi immediately made a phone call and invited Huang Shaolong to come to Taiyuan City to discuss the Taiyuan city defense plan.

Although Taiyuan City is also in danger of being bombed by the Japanese army, it is still better than being in Shouyang County.

Huang Shaohong immediately took advantage of the situation and evacuated Shouyang overnight.

Before leaving, he handed over the important task of guarding Shouyang to Chu Yunfei and his 358th Brigade.

In the combat meeting room that night.

Bright lights.

All battalion and company commanders under the 358th Brigade.

Also present were Li Zhenxi, commander of the 38th Army Training Corps, and Yin Shengyi, commander of the first battalion.

Ouyang Xianpeng, commander of the 30th Artillery Regiment.

The meeting had just begun.

Led by Sun Ming, the communications soldier walked into the combat meeting room.

"Reporting to the brigade commander. The latest news from Meng County."

Chu Yunfei nodded and gestured to the soldier: "What's the situation in Meng County?"

"We were not able to get ahead of the Japanese. When we were driving into Meng County, we had an encounter with the Japanese cavalry. After we killed more than 20 Japanese soldiers, they fled back into the city."

"Staff Officer Zhang decided to wait for the support of the main force and did not attack the city first"

Chu Yunfei waved his hand and said, "Got it, go down and have a rest!"

"Yes!"

Fang Ligong said, "Commander-in-Chief... no matter what the situation is in Yangquan, the Japanese army has only two choices for the next main attack direction. Either attack Shouyang and cut off the retreat of the Yangquan front-line defenders, or they can only attack Yangquan from both sides, but they will collide head-on with the 27th Route Army."

"By the time the war reaches Shouyang City, it will be too late."

Chu Yunfei turned his head and looked at Li Zhenxi who was standing beside him: "Brother Kuishan, it seems that the defense of Shouyang will be handed over to you."

Li Zhenxi was obviously not used to Chu Yunfei's way of commanding. He was slightly surprised and immediately asked, "Captain Chu, what are you doing?"

"I want to lead the main force north to kill this group of devils' cavalry."

In the war room.

Chu Yunfei did not give others a chance to refute or discuss, and immediately continued to give orders: "Captain Ouyang... In this Shouyang defense battle... your division will be mainly responsible for assisting Brother Kuishan and his group in defending the city walls."

"Yes, please, Commander Chu, our 30th Artillery Regiment has sufficient artillery shells... If the Japanese really attack us, we will make sure they get enough shells!"

Ouyang Xianpeng is full of confidence after fighting several battles.

Now the 30th Artillery Regiment under his command not only has certain artillery combat capabilities.

With the help of the veterans of the mountain artillery battalion, he was able to lead these new recruits whom he had previously failed to lead.

Now we have also learned how to quickly build simple artillery positions and how to move quickly.

During this week at the Niangzi Pass front line.

War teaches soldiers much faster than they train.

If the artillery unit's transfer speed was a little slower.

It is very likely to be covered by the enemy's counterattack fire.

If there is a problem in the selection of artillery positions, it can easily be discovered by enemy aircraft and cause unnecessary losses.

The Fourth Artillery Company suffered heavy losses because it did not move fast enough.

However, the 4th Artillery Company has now been reorganized and is using the Japanese 90mm mortars.

The firepower is much stronger than before.

This battle.

Just in case.

Chu Yunfei planned to leave behind only the 30th Artillery Regiment and the Heavy Mortar Battalion.

Bring along all the remaining main forces.

"Brother Ligong, have you counted the casualties of each unit?"

Fang Ligong nodded, then opened the folder on the desktop: "Except for the Second Battalion, the Fourth Battalion, and the Second Mortar Company, which have not yet completed the final statistics on casualties, the remaining units have completed the corresponding casualty statistics."

"The first battalion suffered 1,187 casualties, including 770 casualties, including 48 squad leaders, seven platoon leaders, and two company commanders."

"The third battalion suffered 639 casualties, including 432 casualties, including 32 squad leaders, three platoon leaders, and one company commander."

"The fifth battalion suffered seventy-six casualties, including thirty-six killed, one platoon leader and two squad leaders."

"Artillery Company 1 suffered three casualties, including two deaths, and one 60mm mortar was damaged."

"Artillery Company 4 suffered 68 casualties, 42 killed, and 6 60mm mortars destroyed."

"The Mountain Artillery Battalion, the Third Artillery Company, and the Heavy Mortar Battalion suffered no combat casualties in this battle. The number of non-combat casualties was four, all of whom were caused by food poisoning."

"In addition, the logistics and baggage troops, medical teams, stretcher teams and other auxiliary troops suffered 789 casualties, including 486 deaths."

"The guard company suffered seven casualties, four killed and three non-combat casualties."

"The eight casualties of the cavalry company in this battle were all non-combat casualties during the deployment of communications."

"The 38th Army Training Corps suffered 470 casualties in this battle, 230 of whom died, and the rest were lightly wounded."

"The 30th Artillery Regiment suffered two casualties. They were non-combat casualties. They were caused by injuries caused by being hit by shells while carrying them."

Even the elite among the elite.

After sixteen days of fierce fighting on the front line.

The condition of the 358th Brigade can be described as very poor.

The infantry, the cornerstone of combat warfare, had suffered more than one-third casualties.

Although the training regiment was also under Chu Yunfei's command, it was ultimately a unit of the 358th Army, not his th Brigade. Even if the st, rd, th, th, and th companies of the st Battalion commanded by Zhang Dayun and Xue Jie, who had been transferred by Chu Yunfei, were added together with the nd Artillery Company.

The 358th Brigade's direct subordinate units that were able to go north and fight directly had only less than combat troops.

Compared to when they had just replenished in Taiyuan, they had lost about half of their troops.

But if it is just to deal with a cavalry regiment, it is enough!

"Brother Ligong, have the people in Meng County been evacuated?"

"The people in the city had already started to evacuate when the Wutai defense line was breached. There are no civilians in the city now. Only the Japanese and the pseudo-Mongol cavalry that accompanied them in the battle are left... not many in number."

"In that case, kill them."

"Yes!"

In a blink of an eye, eighteen hours had passed.

At noon the next day, Chu Yunfei's subordinates and the main forces of various units had arrived outside Meng County.

Just as the command center was set up, new news came from the Xinkou front.

The troops were routed.
At this time, the more than 60 regiments of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army under Yan Xishan and Fu Zuoyi had less than 25,000 troops after the merger.
The main forces of the 14th Army have suffered more than half of their casualties.
The already shaky defense line was breached by the Japanese army.
The main force of the unit and the supporting Sichuan Army fought fiercely in Shijiazhuang Village, Xiaonangao, Xinzhuang Village and Nangao Village.

After being defeated, they were routed to the Xiangshe line.

The situation in the entire Xinkou area deteriorated completely.

Got this news.

Although Chu Yunfei was not surprised, he also knew that he didn't have much time left.

After entering the God's perspective, Chu Yunfei quickly studied the deployment of the defenders in the city.

The number of Japanese troops in the city did not seem to be large, perhaps even less than a thousand.

There were no shell markings to indicate artillery positions.

This shows that this troop was lightly armed and did not carry heavy weapons.

Cavalry units will not carry Type 92 heavy machine guns.

The crutch rifle has not yet been deployed in large numbers. Even if it is deployed on a small scale to domestic troops, it will be given priority to the permanent troops or the elite of the Kwantung Army.

The 20th Division did not receive such treatment, let alone a unit like the 4th Brigade.

The light machine gun they are equipped with is most likely a Type 99 rifle...which doesn't pose much of a threat.

It seems that the only threatening weapon this Japanese army had was a grenade launcher.

The only one is a skull representing the headquarters.

It is also set up in the county town.

Facing such an enemy, Chu Yunfei was confident that he could end the battle within a few hours.

"A cavalry regiment does not use its rapid mobility to fight in the field and attack the rear transport convoy, but is here to defend the city."

Chu Yunfei put down the telescope and looked at Fang Ligong standing aside: "Brother Ligong, what do you think of the Japanese's fighting style?"

Fang Ligong pushed up his glasses and said, "The Sakata Regiment of the 4th Brigade is on the way to provide support."

"Well, most likely they would choose to stay in the city if they have reinforcements."

Chu Yunfei smiled and waved to Sun Ming: "Go call Zhang Dayun... In ten minutes, the mountain artillery battalion will start bombarding... The various mortar units will also move forward to provide support."

“Ask them how long it will take to capture Meng County.”

"Yes!"

Sun Ming turned and walked to the phone and asked according to what Chu Yunfei said.

Zhang Dayun, Xue Jie and others looked at each other in surprise after receiving the call, and did not rush to reply.

"The brigade commander said that the artillery fire will be fully supported, and asked how long it will take us to capture the county town."

Xue Jie scratched his head: "Oh, there are probably less than a thousand Japanese soldiers in this city... The area of ​​the city is not that big, and after the bombardment, there will probably not be many six hours left."

"Why don't you be more conservative...to avoid any mistakes...You know, the commander doesn't like people talking big."

Zhou Daxing, the acting company commander of the first company, reminded.

This statement was recognized by several others: "Yes, if we fail to take it down on time, the commander will definitely be unhappy."

"Then be conservative. Eight hours."

Sun Ming relayed his original words to Chu Yunfei: "Captain...they said it would take eight hours."

Chu Yunfei frowned when he heard this, and he looked down at the watch in his hand: "There are still five and a half hours until dark. After the battle, we will rest on the spot and prepare to fight against the Japanese invaders. Tell them that we will only give them five hours..."

"Five hours?"

Zhang Dayun was a little unhappy: "Sun Ming, the brigade commander gave us too little time. This is an offensive, not a field battle, so how can it be so fast? The Japanese must hide in the city and fight street battles."

Chu Yunfei glanced at Sun Ming, who seemed to be in a difficult situation, and immediately walked to the phone: "Are you worried that the Japanese devils will be difficult to deal with?"

"Yes"

"This time the artillery support is very sufficient. The mountain artillery battalion will at least hit three bases. You can call for support from the heavy mortar company as you like. Now tell me how long you need now?"

"We will take over Meng County in four hours!"

"it is good!"

Chu Yunfei hung up the phone, and then called the mountain artillery battalion again: "Liang Guoping?"

[It's my host. I've been waiting in front of the phone for a long time. Tell me where to call!]

"Have you seen the battle map I sent you?"

[I see, Brigade Commander.. This place used to be the county government of Meng County?]

"That's right. I think the Japanese's headquarters is most likely located here. Let's fire half of our shells at this place first. The remaining two and a half shells can be freely distributed. Just don't fire outside the city."

"Yes!"

Chu Yunfei had just hung up the phone not long ago. As usual, he needed to go to the front line to show his face and boost morale.

A call came in from the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters.

It's Yan Laoxi
Yan Laoxi was very shocked when he learned that Meng County had fallen.

There is only one explanation for the Japs' fast speed.

This cavalry regiment traveled day and night to attack Meng County.

Otherwise their speed wouldn't be so fast.

A long period of raiding will inevitably lead to fatigue of the troops and reduced combat effectiveness.

He judged that there was only one explanation for the Japanese army's choice of such a risky tactic.

There must be a large number of infantry troops providing support in the rear... These Japanese devils have big plans.

Going south can cut off the retreat route of the Yangquan front-line defenders... and prevent them from retreating to the outskirts of Taiyuan.

From the southeast direction, they can attack Yangquan from both sides, and the so-called encirclement and annihilation plan will naturally be impossible to succeed.

After all, Old Man Yan is quite capable.

In terms of academic qualifications, he was a top student and graduated from the Japanese Army Academy.

Much better than Chiang Kai-shek's Zhenwu Military Academy (preparatory students of the Japanese Army Officer Academy)
He was very concerned about the battle situation in Meng County and learned about the details as soon as possible.

When he learned that Chu Yunfei led his troops to Meng County.

He tried every possible way to get in touch with Chu Yunfei, just to confirm one thing.

"Yun Fei, how long will it take to retake Meng County?"

A careful reader pointed out that this place is called Yu County, not Meng County. The reason for the name change is that the place will be razed to the ground.
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(End of this chapter)