Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 85 Instead of passively defending, it is better to take the initiative! (Subscribe)

At this time, the Lvluling position was lost.

The morale of the 17th Division under Zhao Shoushan was very low.

With the strength of one division.

It is certainly not easy to confront the main force of the Japanese 20th Division and the 39th Brigade Infantry Head-on.

Fortunately, support from the 30th Division arrived.

The only mountain artillery battalion under Sun Lianzhong opened fire at full force.

This gave the national army some battlefield advantages.

The 30th and 17th Divisions took this opportunity to launch three assaults and recaptured some positions.

however.

As the heavy artillery units under the Japanese 20th Division arrived at the front line of the battlefield.

The original tiny advantage in manpower and firepower quickly disappeared.

The previously indestructible defense line was instantly torn to pieces by artillery fire.

The field artillery regiment under the 20th Division of the Japanese Army.

It was equipped with 12 105mm Type 36 howitzers and 75 mm Type field guns.

These artillery pieces.

At this time, all the troops were concentrated on the front line of defense of Niangzi Pass.

The standard of repair of field fortifications was low.

Being able to withstand continuous bombardment from 75mm mountain artillery is already the limit.

As for the Japanese invaders' 105mm mountain artillery.

A dozen or so shells are enough to destroy an entire platoon.

Just one day.

The 17th Division and the supporting 30th Division suffered heavy casualties.

Calls for help from the Zhao Division Command came into Huang Shaohong's front-line command four or five times a day.

Niangzi Pass, the front-line headquarters.

Fang Ligong hurried over and met with Huang Shaohong, deputy commander-in-chief of the theater.

After Chu Yunfei arrived at Nanyu.

He did not report to Huang Shaolong's command center.

Instead, he sent his chief of staff Fang Ligong to report the situation.

He himself stayed in Nanyu with the main force of the battalion to rest.

Fang Ligong had just walked into the command center under the guidance of his adjutant.

Then he heard Huang Shaohong complaining on the phone: "I don't have any extra troops to support you. Didn't Chu Yunfei's two battalions just go up? You should withdraw first and go to Zhangjiazhuang to regroup."

"Yes, you heard it right. You guys should withdraw first and go to Zhangjiazhuang for reorganization. What? You want to go to Yangquan?"

"Impossible! We must go to Zhangjiazhuang to build a defense line. This is an order. There is no room for negotiation!"

"Okay, okay, I agree to your request, but I need to report to Commander Yan to see if I can get some more weapons and equipment. I'm going to give you all the supplies I can mobilize!"

"Okay, that's it. We must move quickly. Once we get to Zhangjiazhuang, we need to build defensive fortifications on the spot. I'm worried they won't be able to hold on."

After hanging up the phone, Huang Shaohong looked at Fang Ligong at the signal of his staff officer.

"Commander Huang, I am Fang Ligong, the chief of staff of the 358th Regiment. I have come to see you, Commander Huang."

Huang Shaohong was a little confused and asked immediately, "Why didn't Chu Yunfei come?"

"The commander wants to go to the front line to observe the terrain before it gets dark so that he can make targeted defensive arrangements."

This. Go to the front line to inspect.

"I remember your cavalry wasn't with you?"

"With the guard company here, Commander Chu can be assured of his safety."

Although Huang Shaohong didn't know where Fang Ligong got his confidence from, he still talked about serious matters: "The 17th Division suffered heavy casualties, more than half of them, low morale, and insufficient ammunition. Commander Zhao requested to retreat and reorganize before fighting again."

"It just so happens that you guys have finished the battle, so it's just the right time to take over."

Fang Ligong nodded and said: "Commander Huang, our army is currently resting in Beiyu. We can provide support as early as tomorrow morning. How long do we need to hold out? Will there be reinforcements to support us?"

"Also, what is the enemy's firepower configuration and how many combat troops are there?"

Fang Ligong is worthy of being a chief of staff.

Ask carefully.

Huang Shaohong gestured to the staff officer beside him.

The staff officer immediately spoke up and told Huang Shaohong about his battle plan.

"Our frontal enemy is the main force of the 20th Division of the Japanese Army, the 39th Infantry Brigade, numbered as the 78th Infantry Regiment, and the commander is Kobayashi Tsuneichi."

"According to the latest report, the Japanese heavy artillery has arrived at the front line. They have at least thirty artillery pieces, which are taking turns to bombard our frontline positions."

"At present, the front-line positions have been lost. The main force of the 17th Division is holding the second line. In just one day, they repelled seven attacks by the Japanese army. Both the attackers and defenders suffered heavy casualties."

The staff officer paused, then stepped forward and pointed at the battle map.

Fang Ligong understood what he meant and walked closer to take a look.

"Commander Huang's battle plan proposes that your main force cooperate with the 30th Division to hold the front line of Falu Ridge to buy time for the arrival of the support troops. The time limit is three days."

"Three days later, according to the battle plan, we will retreat to Chengjiapu behind Niangzi Pass and build a defense line."

"At this time, the Japanese troops will be blocked by the reorganized 17th Division."

Fang Ligong nodded.

An impeccable battle plan.

With layers of defense, successive blocking attacks and staggered deployment, the Japanese army was delayed and consumed.

Each troop will be rotated after fighting for two or three days.

Not only can the number of casualties in each unit be controlled, but there is also an opportunity for rest and replenishment.

So as not to be too tired and affect the combat effectiveness.

When Huang Shaohong saw that Fang Ligong remained silent, he thought that he was dissatisfied with his battle plan.

He simply continued, "There is currently a support force on the front line of Niangzi Pass."

"They are the 122nd Division under the 22nd Army Group of the Sichuan Army. They are expected to arrive at Yangquan within two days. Then they will go to Nanyu to build a defense line."

Chu Yunfei did not go to the front line.

Because it is not necessary.

Nanyu is less than four kilometers away from Faluling.

When you are in Nanyu, you can learn about the combat situation of the front-line troops.

Two words to describe it: tragic.

The second battalion commander Wu Ziqiang and the fourth battalion commander Zhuo Tianyu led their troops to the front.

In just half an hour, more than fifty people were killed or injured.

This was just artillery bombardment, and the infantry did not launch an attack.

Otherwise, a fierce battle will follow.

There is a high probability that at least two to three hundred people will be killed or injured.

While Wu Ziqiang ordered all units to urgently reinforce their fortifications, he also discussed defense plans with the friendly 30th Division.

When they learned that the highest commander of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army was only a major battalion commander.

Communication was not so smooth.

At this time, the 30th Division was commanded by Zhang Jinzhao, who had just been promoted to deputy division commander five months ago.

The proud Northwest Army officers did not want to have anything to do with the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

He just left a cold sentence: Fight your own and defend your positions.

This unit, like other units under Sun Lianzhong, is good at defense.

When the Japanese invaders attacked, they used airplanes and artillery to bombard the positions continuously, but so far they have not been able to break through their defenses.

Instead, they suffered heavy losses and their offensive momentum was sluggish.

When Fang Ligong returned, he brought back Huang Shaolong's battle plan.

After listening to Fang Ligong’s retelling.

Qian Bojun was immediately furious: "Aren't you trying to use us to fight in the front and let us, the main force, sacrifice in vain?"

"We still have Beiyu, Nanyu, and Niangzi Pass behind us. The depth of our positions is at least ten kilometers. How can we say that our sacrifices were in vain?"

Fang Ligong pushed his glasses. He had his own opinion.

Qian Bojun was not afraid and argued: "This is different, Brother Ligong, you have never been on the front line, you don't know how powerful the Japanese are. If we are entangled by the Japanese army, it will be difficult for us to escape."

"By that time, the retreat will most likely turn into a rout."

"If we lose Niangzi Pass, we won't be able to defend it!"

Rough words are not rough.

Although it's not a matter of sacrificing their lives, this combat mission is still a tough one.

The fifth battalion commander Qian Zhaoyou also sighed slightly, looked at Chu Yunfei standing aside, and seemed to be hesitant to speak.

Chu Yunfei guessed Qian Zhaoyou's thoughts at a glance.

It was obvious from his performance that he did not agree with such a battle plan.

The troops under his command are elite troops, and taking on such a frontal defense mission would only be a meaningless waste.

What's more, the defensive fortifications on the Faluling line had been almost completely destroyed by the Japanese invaders.

If he had a choice, Chu Yunfei would rather build a defense line in Beiyu.

"Brother Wuguan, what do you think?"

Hearing Chu Yunfei's inquiry.

Qian Zhaoyou blurted out: "Commander Chu, I think our army should play a decisive role on the battlefield, rather than consuming itself in such a meaningless defensive battle."

Qian Zhaoyou looked at Qian Bojun and continued, "I agree with Deputy Regiment Commander Qian's opinion. If I were in charge, I would definitely let the 30th and 17th Divisions go to the front to consume the Japanese troops and ammunition, and then we would take the initiative to attack and defeat them in one fell swoop to lift the siege of Niangzi Pass."

Chu Yunfei nodded.

Both sides have their own reasons.

It's just a different angle.

Whether it is Huang Shaohong’s battle ideas or the ideas of Qian Bojun and Qian Zhaoyou, they are both very good.

But Chu Yunfei has his own ideas.

Judging from the battle map, although the Japanese army occupied the Snow Mountain line, they did not deploy many defensive forces.

Because in this battle, Zhao's division attacked the station and destroyed it.

At this time, a large amount of weapons, equipment and supplies were piled up in Jingxing Station.

There is no time for transfer and distribution yet.

Rather than being trapped or waiting for friendly forces to be consumed.

It's better to take the initiative.

"There is nothing wrong with what you said. From the information we have now, the Japanese army has deployed a large number of artillery and main forces in order to capture Falu Ridge."

"However, the 20th Division needs to do more than just attack here."

Chu Yunfei stretched out his right hand and pointed at the battle map: "Look, in the Hetaoyuan line northeast of Jiuguan, the Japanese army's left wing troops are also attacking and advancing in the direction of Jiuguan. According to the latest information from the 12th Division, there are at least a thousand Japanese troops here, and they are equipped with an unknown number of artillery."

"At the same time, the area five kilometers south of Walnut Garden."

"The main forces of the Third Army are currently fighting the enemy in Daliangjia, Xiaoliangjia Village, and Wangjialing."

"From the current situation, the combat strength of our opponent, the Japanese 20th Division, is already quite dispersed."

"I am determined to use the four companies of the first battalion as the main force, bypass Jingpu Pass, and attack Jingxing Station and the county town from the rear of the Japanese army."

"No matter what the outcome is, it will definitely attract some Japanese troops to return for defense."

"After the attacking force succeeds, quickly withdraw to the Baishitou Village line to increase the width of our defense. If you advance, you can flank the enemy's flank. If you defend, you can guard against the Japanese right-wing attack force's wing-span assault and encircle our main force."

"If we retreat, we can retreat to the sacred platform, reorganize the defense, delay the Japanese offensive, and force the Japanese to disperse their forces."

After Fang Ligong, Qian Bojun and Qian Zhaoyou heard Chu Yunfei's bold battle plan.

I couldn't help but stand there, seriously thinking about the feasibility of this plan.

After a moment, Fang Ligong asked first: "What should we do if the Japanese army deploys guard troops on the flank?"

Chu Yunfei knew that the Japanese army had no deployment.

But he couldn't convince the three people present with such a reason.

However, for Chu Yunfei, it is not easy to find reasons to support the answer to the question.

He immediately stated his own judgment quite confidently:
"Brother Ligong, the Japanese army is quite arrogant. They dared to launch rounds of attacks on our positions with only one regiment. Now the main force of their division has arrived at the front line to participate in the battle. According to their previous performance, the Japanese commander is very likely not to take the front defenders seriously."

"Judging from the momentum of today's massive attack, the Japanese commander most likely believes that his troops can defeat our army in a short period of time."

"Plus, our army is already struggling to maintain its defensive posture. Judging from the situation on the battlefield, our army does not have the spare strength to split up troops for a counterattack."

"If we counterattack now, it will be like hitting a rock with an egg in the eyes of both the enemy and us."

"Because of this, I guess they probably don't pay much attention to flank defense."

"And don't forget that when Division Zhao was stationed in Xuehua Mountain, the 120th Regiment once feinted an attack on Jingxing City."

Chu Yunfei paused for a moment to give everyone time to recall.

After a moment, Fang Ligong spoke first: "Yes, I clearly remember that Division Commander Zhao used the term feint attack in his battle plan."

"Combined with the battle report from Division Commander Zhao later, Division Commander Zhao did not expect the Japanese troops in Jingxing City to be so lax and lacked much defensive strength, which allowed them to break into the city and rush into the train station, causing considerable casualties to the Japanese invaders and destroying the station's facilities."

"But, wouldn't the Japanese army strengthen the defense of Jingxing City just because they suffered a loss?"

Chu Yunfei shook his head: "Before this, the 17th Division held Xuehua Mountain, which was less than two kilometers away from Jingxing City."

"And now, the battle line has successfully advanced forward. For the Japanese army, the probability of Jingxing City being attacked is actually not high."

"Besides, today is already the sixth day since the battle report arrived at the Second War Zone."

"Earlier, the enemy and us had already been fighting fiercely on the Snow Mountain front, and their heavy artillery units only began to support the frontline combat troops today."

"I think there must be some problems with their logistics, otherwise the artillery unit would not be so delayed."

Fang Ligong, Qian Bojun and others nodded.

Based on intelligence.

Prior to this, the 20th Division of the Japanese Army rested and replenished supplies in the Shijiazhuang area.

Relatively speaking, it is because the Japanese army firmly grasps air superiority.

Therefore, the combat intensity of their artillery units is not high.

The reason why it took such a long time to rest before returning to the battle.

It is very likely because the logistical supplies could not keep up.

after all.

When Feng Zhian was retreating, he breached the canal, flooding Cangzhou, which was likely to have affected the Japanese army's logistical supplies.

In addition, the Japanese army broke through the National Army’s defense line too quickly.

It is normal that their logistics troops were unable to keep up with the pursuit troops.

Qian Zhaoyou was completely convinced by Chu Yunfei at this time: "Our army's chances of winning this attack are indeed very high. I support Commander Chu's plan."

Qian Bojun raised his right hand and touched his chin. "Although there is no 100% chance of winning, if we gather our elite forces to attack, we will have at least an 80% chance of breaking into the city."

Fang Ligong nodded silently, expressing his attitude.

Chu Yunfei looked at the three people in front of him: "As Shanxi people, we are more familiar with the terrain, and our soldiers are better equipped and more powerful than the Japanese soldiers left behind."

"If this raid is successful, it will certainly further disrupt the Japanese deployment, forcing the Japanese army to split up and garrison in the rear, reducing the pressure on the front line of defense."

"Then it's settled."

Chu Yunfei turned to look at Qian Bojun standing beside him: "This operation is very critical. Do you have any recommendations for candidates for this operation?"

(End of this chapter)