Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 299: Helping Brothers?; Shanxi Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army Arrives to Support (Subscribe)

"At present, all the ammunition in stock has been distributed to the frontline soldiers, but according to the feedback from the frontline soldiers, the weapons and ammunition needed for combat are far from enough."

Chu Yunfei's troops were equipped with more automatic weapons.

While enhancing the firepower of the unit, it also greatly increased the ammunition needed for combat.

There are gains and losses.

Especially in such continuous and high-intensity combat.

The Japanese army should have been exhausted.

Why is there a sudden boost in morale?

Chu Yunfei frowned, and immediately turned around and ordered: "Send a telegram to the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters to confirm whether there was any telegram sent or received yesterday regarding the specific situation of our army."

"Yes!" Fang Ligong reacted quickly and understood Chu Yunfei's meaning at the first moment.

obviously.

Chu Yunfei suspected that the situation of his troops had been leaked through some means.

It just so happened that the leaked telegram described the current predicament of Chu Yunfei's troops.

Even if it was a trap carefully prepared by the Second War Zone.

The Japanese now have no other choice but to step on it and give it a try.

"There is only one way left for us now, which is to use the enemy's tactics against them, retreat in order to advance, lure out and annihilate the first part of the Japanese army, and then see what they will do next."

Chu Yunfei was also in a dilemma at this time.

If the fighting continues, the 88th Army and the 71st Army will not be able to hold on.

The situation in the entire southeastern Shanxi will deteriorate visibly.

All previous efforts were wasted.

But if we avoid the enemy's attack, we choose to preserve our strength and wait for the arrival of aid supplies.

It doesn't need to decay gradually, it decays instantly.

The military morale and momentum that have been built up with great difficulty will no longer exist.

If I really retreat under this circumstance.

The people of southeastern Shanxi have completely lost their support.

Chu Yunfei doesn't have many choices left.
"Abandon the first and second line positions currently being defended, set up a large number of minefields to buy time, and retreat to the Liaoxian front line to rebuild the defense line."

"Yes!"

As Chu Yunfei retreated to Liao County to set up a defense line, the order was issued.

The 71st Army soon received the order to retreat.

The commander of the 71st Army, Song Xilian, was also wondering at this time.

The Japanese had already shown signs of withdrawing their forces and retreating yesterday.

Why do I feel so energetic this morning?

Wave after wave of attacks, as if they were risking their lives.

"Commander, Chu Yunfei asked us to retreat to Changzhi. Their Fifth Infantry Regiment will help us to cover our rear."

Song Xilian didn't appreciate it. He frowned and said, "What do you mean? Our 71st Army still needs their Flying Tiger Army to help us cover our rear. Don't we have such a force?"

"Commander Chu Yunfei probably has good intentions. After all, the rear guard troops will inevitably face a counterattack from the Japanese army."

"I don't need his kindness." Song Xilian frowned: "There must be something wrong with their logistics supply situation."

"Otherwise, Chu Yunfei, who had always advocated a fierce battle, would never choose to retreat at such a critical moment."

"Commander, what about us?"

"Push the Japanese troops back first. Even if we have to retreat, we must do so calmly!"

"Yes!"

5th Infantry Regiment.

Cao Potian was leading his troops towards Matan.

Intended to support the retreat of the 71st Army.

"Captain, we're only about fifteen kilometers away."

After closing the map in his hand, Chief of Staff Chang Zhifeng reported.

"Order the troops to speed up the march and build a blocking position in Matan before the Japanese invaders do."

"Yes!"

After returning from the messenger, Chang Zhifeng walked to the side of Cao Potian and said, "Deputy Division Commander, I don't understand. The 71st Army is also an ace unit of the National Revolutionary Army. Why does it need our support?"

"Commander Chu probably doesn't really consider the 71st Army as his own."

After hearing this, Chang Zhifeng understood.

He sighed.

As a chief of staff who graduated from Whampoa Military Academy.

He hopes that the two forces can be as close as one family.

The 88th Group Army of the National Revolutionary Army and the 71st Army of the National Revolutionary Army.

There's nothing wrong with that.

But what about the Jin Army led by Chu Yunfei and the Central Army led by Song Xilian?

If that's the case.

Song Xilian's troops were essentially guest troops.

When foreign troops come to fight, they are there to help.

In this situation, their 5th Infantry Regiment went to support.

In essence, the Jin army, as the home force, is helping its "brother troops" for the sake of the party and the country.

However, Cao Potian came from the Shaanxi Army and was highly valued by Chu Yunfei's troops.

Chu Yunfei should not have any prejudice against any sect.

Thinking of this, Chang Zhifeng asked curiously, "I remember that the Eighth Regiment had been staying in Changzhi to rest. As a strategic reserve, is it time for Regiment Guo to set off?"

"I don't know what's going on with Lao Guo." Cao Potian touched his chin.

"Forget it, don't think about it anymore. It's useless to think so much. Let's hurry up and get on the horse. Let's go there first."

The war situation took a sharp turn for the worse.

When Chu Yunfei's telegram was sent to the headquarters of the commander-in-chief of the Second War Zone.

Only then did Yan Laoxi realize that his good intentions had led to bad consequences.

It's leaked!
From Pingding to Xiyang, the 88th Army was "defeated" over 30 kilometers in just one day.

Song Xilian's 108st Army performed well. After repelling the attack of the th Division, they also took the initiative to withdraw towards Licheng.

The 108th Division led by Long Muhan, which had been attacking the th Division from the flank, also left the battlefield and retreated towards Changzhi.

"What should we do?" Yan Laoxi sighed repeatedly: "If Yun Fei loses, what will happen to Shanxi? What protection will there be for the entire southeast of Shanxi?"

"Commander Yan" Chu Xichun showed his strong personal abilities at this time.

He quickly analyzed Chu Yunfei's thoughts and other possibilities from the telegram.

"Commander Yan, the most urgent task is to quickly find the Japanese spies lurking in the Second War Zone. In addition, the war situation has reached the most critical moment. It is time for the 13th Army to fully enter the battlefield."

Yan Laoxi nodded: "I know it's just support from the chairman, and I don't know when it will arrive..."

Chu Xichun frowned, shook his head and sighed, "Where can we get support? I just hope that the weapons and ammunition can be delivered to the front line as soon as possible, so as to reduce the pressure on Yun Fei's troops."

"Qingbo, is Yunfei fully prepared?"

“This…” Chu Xichun shook his head: “Commander Yan, I don’t know either.”

Although he guessed that Chu Yunfei would most likely have a back-up plan, he couldn't figure out what it was.
Chu Yunfei had reported the lack of weapons and ammunition more than once before.

However, the telegram also mentioned that the Japanese army's losses were also quite serious.

Based on this, Chu Yunfei made his judgment.

The Japanese army is likely to give up the attack due to lack of ammunition.

The above is the most direct communication between the two parties, and the one closest to Chu Yunfei’s thoughts.

only.

What I thought before was that after a short period of confrontation.

They will soon be able to receive the $5 million worth of weapons and equipment previously provided by the Americans.

You must know that before the encirclement and annihilation campaign officially began.

This batch of weapons and equipment has been unloaded at the Port of Yangon.

According to the normal transportation efficiency of the Burma Road, it would take Chu Yunfei at most thirty to forty-five days to receive this batch of weapons and equipment.

After obtaining weapons and equipment, they quickly cleared out the Japanese garrison in Niangzi Pass and instead defended the Niangzi Pass area.

The initiative will be back in Chu Yunfei's hands.

If the Japanese weren't stupid.

There was no way they could fight him to the death in a terrain like Niangzi Pass.

Today's Nationalist government is at the end of its strength, and the Japanese army is even more so.

The Chinese army was able to hold on with the support of the people, relying on the passion of their own guns and on-the-spot supplies.

Most of the Japanese weapons and equipment, and even daily consumables such as food, need to be transported from their country.

If both sides fight to the end, both will suffer losses.

But unlike Japan, 400 million people can afford the sacrifice.

The Japs can’t do that.

The more these precious soldiers die, the fewer they will have. Yan Laoxi frowned and thought for a long time.

He paced back and forth in front of the sand table, but still couldn't think of a strategy to defeat the enemy.

The family assets have long been depleted.

The weapons and ammunition produced by the Northwest Manufacturing Plant were actually not enough for consumption in the war.

With such an intensity of war, it would not be enough even if only Chu Yunfei's troops were supplied.

What's more, Yan Laoxi now has to supply the troops in the entire Second War Zone.

The Fifth Army (Zeng Wanzhong), the Sixth Army, the Eighth Army, the Thirteenth Army, and the Fourteenth Army were all under the command of Yan Laoxi, which meant they were directly under the Second War Zone.

Chiang Kai-shek was kind-hearted, so why would he leave the main force of the 14th Army to Yan Laoxi?

wrong!

After throwing it to Yan Laoxi, he reduced the pressure on the supply of weapons and ammunition.

Otherwise, it would be necessary to provide a separate supply of weapons and ammunition to the 14th Army, in the hope that it would be able to balance Yan Laoxi in Shanxi and buy time for Chu Yunfei's development.

And now, the Japanese army's crazy behavior obviously showed that they had noticed something.

It is very likely that they will take advantage of this opportunity to fight to the death to defeat the 88th Army.

This elite ace unit of the National Revolutionary Army was annihilated on the battlefield.

If people like Yan Xishan and Chiang Kai-shek were to look at the problem.

He would definitely choose to let Chu Yunfei preserve his strength.

When our army fights, the goal is not to gain or lose a city or a place, but to destroy the enemy's vitality.

Save people and lose land, and everyone and land will survive; save land and lose people, and everyone and land will be lost.

Look at things from a higher perspective.

That's right.

But look at southeastern Shanxi from Chu Yunfei's perspective.

There was no way he could make such a decision.

If he were to give up his base in Changzhi and other places, all his initial investments would be wasted.

Especially the industrial facilities in Changzhi area.

These are the foundation for him to launch subsequent offensive operations.

These things are here.

There is absolutely no way Chu Yunfei would easily give up his base in southeastern Shanxi.

Even higher.

Even Chiang Kai-shek did not want Chu Yunfei to lose southeastern Shanxi. A general without a base is like a rootless duckweed.

So what if it deepens my dependence on him?

What can Chang Kaishen give to Chu Yunfei now?
Is it weapons, equipment and ammunition, or glory?

Chiang Kai-shek can actually give nothing now.

He himself had no weapons, equipment or ammunition.

Glory, this thing Chu Yunfei has no shortage of...
As for high positions and generous salaries, Chu Yunfei had no interest in them at all.
Now we urgently need an X factor to break this delicate balance on the battlefield.

After Chu Yunfei led his troops to retreat to Liao County, he immediately adjusted the deployment of the frontal defense forces.

The 4th and 7th Infantry Regiments, which suffered fewer casualties, were placed on the front line.

The war has come to this point.

In fact, Chu Yunfei himself was not very confident.

In the temporary meeting room.

Commanders at all levels gathered together.

Zhang Fugui, commander of the First Infantry Regiment, had his left arm bandaged.

The commander of the 3rd Infantry Regiment, Sun Xinpu, was not in a good condition either. He looked listless and overworked.

The commander of the 4th Infantry Regiment, Pang Junming, was also injured.

Chu Yunfei immediately asked everyone to report the casualties.

"First Infantry Regiment, 3,700 casualties, 2,100 killed."

"Second Infantry Regiment, 1,800 casualties, 1,400 killed."

"Fourth Infantry Regiment, 1,960 casualties, 1,590 killed."

"Seventh Infantry Regiment, 2,400 casualties, 1,675 killed."

"Eighth Infantry Regiment, 543 casualties, 480 killed."

The 1st Infantry Regiment had the heaviest task. Not only did it fight against the 77th Field Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Army, but it also served as the spearhead in the encirclement and annihilation battle. Now, half of its troops have been killed or wounded, and the loss of ammunition and artillery shells is huge.

The Second Infantry Regiment took on the task of attacking reinforcements in the first phase, and then was responsible for protecting the flank security of the First Infantry Regiment. It took on a lot of pressure and suffered more than half of its casualties.

From the current perspective, these two regiments are no longer suitable to continue fighting.

"The 2nd Infantry Regiment will withdraw to Changzhi to resupply troops and strengthen defensive positions."

"The First Infantry Regiment will withdraw to Qinshui to rest and will no longer undertake combat missions."

"The 4th and 8th Infantry Regiments are responsible for the frontal defense of Liao County and are deployed in"

"Sun Xinpu, how much ammunition do you have left?"

"There are less than 200,000 machine gun rounds, less than 400,000 rifle rounds, and less than 400 mortar rounds left."

Chu Yunfei knocked on the table, and after a moment of silence, he ordered: "All ammunition and shells should be handed over to friendly forces. The Third Infantry Regiment should withdraw to Jincheng to rest and prepare to receive equipment transported from the rear."

"Sir, how long will it take?"

Qian Bojun asked aloud.

Chu Yunfei was silent for a moment: "Maybe ten days, maybe fifteen days, maybe a month. I just arrived at the border and I received a telegram that the Japanese army launched an air raid on my railway transportation line. The current situation is not very good."

Everyone looked at each other when they heard this, but no one said anything.

Obviously, the situation is getting increasingly difficult.

"The current battlefield situation has far exceeded our pre-war estimates. These devils have spared no expense to destroy us. But I think you are also aware that the devils' consumption of weapons, equipment and ammunition is also astronomical."

Wu Ziqiang nodded and spoke first: "That's right. When the Japanese started to attack, they would prepare artillery fire. Up to now, these Japanese only fired a few symbolic shots and then launched a charge."

"But the main problem we are facing now is the shortage of ammunition."

Luo Weiguo put forward his own idea: "I suggest that in addition to the first, second and third infantry regiments, the fifth infantry regiment should also withdraw from the battle at this time, leaving behind ammunition, artillery shells and grenades for the rest of the troops to take over in order to ensure combat effectiveness."

"What's the situation of the 4th Cavalry Division?" Chu Yunfei turned and looked at Wang Qifeng.

"There are currently 1,600 combat soldiers left in the entire division."

Chu Yunfei remained silent and looked at Liang Guoping again: "Guoping, how many shells are left?"

"There are 75 rounds of 76mm mountain artillery shells left, and rounds of mm mountain artillery shells left..."

Chu Yunfei knocked on the table in front of him and said loudly: "At present, although our army has a large number of combat troops, they are basically out of ammunition, so we cannot continue to fight this battle according to the conventional combat strategy."

"Luo Weiguo's suggestion just now is very good. We should reduce the number of participating troops as much as possible and concentrate weapons and ammunition."

"I just thought about it. As for the infantry, only the 4th, 7th, and 8th Infantry Regiments will continue to fight. The 9th Infantry Regiment will retreat to Qinshui, and the 5th Infantry Regiment will retreat to Tunliu."

"All units must shrink their defense lines and remember to lay mines in advance to block the enemy from advancing. We must act as if we are luring the enemy deep into our territory so that the Japanese army cannot figure out our specific situation and buy enough time for the arrival of ammunition and supplies."

"Yes!"

There were mountainous terrains in places such as Pingding and Xiyang where Chu Yunfei's troops had fought before.

Chu Yunfei is short of bullets.

There is no shortage of grenades, mines and other things.

The reason why they were able to retreat calmly this time was also related to the large-scale use of landmines.

These mines don't even need to be buried, they can be dropped directly on the main road.

The Japanese would not continue to march forward until they had demolished them one by one.

In addition to the early warning mines laid in positional warfare and the mines laid during ambushes that can cause heavy casualties.

This is the purpose of most mines, basically to delay the enemy's march.

And now.

The meeting just ended.

Zhao Pengcheng came to report.

The Shanxi Anti-Japanese National Army Jincheng Detachment arrived in Liao County.

Captain Bai Yongqiang has entered the city.

Chu Yunfei frowned and said immediately, "Well, let him come over."

"Yes!"

Ten minutes later.

Captain Bai Yongqiang stood outside the operations room: "Report!"

"Come in."

"Reporting to Commander Chu, the commander of the Shanxi Anti-Japanese National Salvation Army Jincheng Branch, Commander Bai Yongqiang, has arrived under orders. The number of troops that should have arrived is 1,500, but the actual number of troops that have arrived is 1,975. Please give your instructions, Commander."

"Hmm?" Chu Yunfei raised his eyebrows: "Why are there so many more people?"

"According to your instructions, we brought out all the soldiers who were equipped with weapons and trained, but we didn't expect that their enthusiasm for the war of resistance was so high. So we simply temporarily assigned these 400 people to the logistics transport team."

Most of the officers and soldiers of the Jincheng Detachment have no combat experience, and the more people there are, the more trouble there will be.

Chu Yunfei took Bai Yongqiang to the battle map and said, "You are mainly responsible for auxiliary tasks this time. Your detachment will mainly go to..."

(End of this chapter)