Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 96: March into Mingguang
January 15, noon

Mingguang area.

The military train spewed out white mist and slowly stopped beside the platform.

Wang Feng woke up from his sleep in a daze. After receiving the order from the theater headquarters, the troops quickly boarded a military train and headed south along the Jinpu Road.

After a secret meeting at the headquarters, Chiang Kai-shek intended to remove the North China Battle Group, which he had personally ordered to be formed, from the combat sequence of the Central Army and directly stopped issuing food and salary supplies.

He also personally called Huang Shaohong to ask whether Wang Feng should be deprived of his military power.

I only got one reply: "The department is united and determined. A single move can affect the whole body."

In this case, Chiang Kai-shek had no choice but to give up.

What he didn't know was that Huang Shaohong had been in Changzhi for nearly two months, and many of his ideas had gradually changed.
Before leaving, Li Zongren went to the camp on the outskirts of the city.

And carried a large amount of supplies and equipment.

He is indeed a master at winning the hearts of the troops.

Five thousand rifles of various types, one and a half million rounds of bullets, and more than fifty thousand grenades.

These are nothing. In Wang Feng’s opinion, the most important thing is the four German-made Pak35/36 37mm anti-tank guns.

By the time Sino-German military cooperation was terminated in 1938, about 200 of the guns had been imported. In the absence of the ability to produce them domestically, each gun was one less.

In the early days of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, most of the equipment was distributed to the adjustment division, the teaching regiment and other units. More than half of it was consumed in the Beijing-Shanghai battlefield. By the time of the Battle of Xuzhou, the number of German anti-tank guns had dropped to an extremely low level.

At present, Wang Feng is in urgent need of weapons to deal with armored units. Most of the enemies on the southern line of Jinpu are transferred from Nanjing and Shanghai, and their elite level is second to none.

In addition, armored units will definitely appear in plain warfare.

Although the Japanese army's tiny tanks have been criticized, it is undeniable that in the face of flesh and blood, even the thinnest steel is a dimensionality reduction attack.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, the 31st Army has reported the battle situation!"

"read."

"On January 1, the 14th Brigade of the Japanese Army split into two groups and attacked Dingyuan and Mingguang. Our troops temporarily avoided their attack and took the initiative to withdraw from Mingguang City. We launched a surprise attack on the enemy at night. By dawn on the 26th, we had wiped out all the enemies in Mingguang City."

After hearing the telegram submitted by the 31st Army, Wang Feng was secretly surprised.

I have heard that Guangxi's Wolf Soldiers are the best in the world, and today I see that it is indeed not an exaggeration.

Recalling last year, when we fought all the way from Datong to Niangzi Pass, we played the role of a fire brigade in many battles. This was the first battle in Xuzhou, and I didn’t expect it to start so smoothly.

Wang Feng: "After getting off the car, finalize the deployment with the friendly forces as soon as possible."

Zhao Fangyuan took out another telegram: "Sir, this is a personal message from General Li Pinxian of the 21st Army Group, hoping that our troops can stop the Japanese army on the southwest bank of Chihe River."

According to the combat sequence, the 21st Army Group is composed of the 7th, 31st and 48th Armies.

Among them, the 7th and 48th Armies suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Shanghai and have not yet recovered.

The only army that can actually participate in the war is the 31st Army.

The battle group that came to support was directly under the command of the war zone. Li Pinxian could only make suggestions and had no power to control them.

Wang Feng looked at the map in the carriage and said, "Station troops at Chihe. That's what we'll do!"

Zhao Fangyuan understood instantly. On the way here, he had made sufficient preparations: "Sir, Chihe is located on the west side of the Jinpu Line. The east side is mountainous, and the west side is a small hill with gentle undulations. As early as last year, our friendly forces blew up the Mingguang Bridge Railway to prevent the Japanese army from crossing the river."

"The river is wide and the water level is shallow. In addition, it is the dry season now, which is very favorable for the Japanese army to cross the river."

Wang Feng nodded happily: "Deploy the troops as soon as possible. The 31st Army has hurt the Japanese. It will probably take a few days before launching the next round of attack. Seize the opportunity to make good defenses."

As the chief of staff, he is becoming more and more qualified.

Zhao Fangyuan put his heels together: "Yes!"

That night, Wang Feng led his troops to the southwest of Chihe.

Inside the command center, while the soldiers were repairing the fortifications, Wang Feng immersed his consciousness in a bird's-eye view.

I have a general impression of the surrounding terrain in my mind.

According to Li Pinxian's deployment plan, the 31st Army defended the Mingguang, Magang and Sanheji areas in the north.

As for the Chihe Town below, it was handed over to Wang Feng and his troops to guard it.

Relatively speaking, Wang Feng's defensive task was relatively easy.

Mingguang in the north is a major military town and will certainly attract the vast majority of Japanese troops.
Moreover, the river basin where Chihe Town is located is wide, with the largest point being nearly 700 meters and the average width being 300 to 400 meters.

In contrast, the widest part of the areas defended by the 31st Army was only a hundred meters, and most of the rivers were narrow, about thirty to forty meters wide.

Wang Feng didn't know the reason for this deployment, nor did he want to care.

An old problem left over from the Central Plains War
Zhao Fangyuan pulled open the tent door curtain and strode in: "Sir, we have figured out the situation on the other side!"

Wang Feng: "How is it?"

Zhao Fangyuan walked quickly to the map. "This small hilly area east of Chihe River stretches for at least 20 kilometers, but the highest peak is only 100 meters, and the average altitude is only 40 to 50 meters."

“There are few trees, and only on the sunny slopes can you see tall vegetation!”

Wang Feng frowned.

When they reached the plains, the troops' battlefield was very wide, one to two times wider than that in mountain warfare, and the range of the three-dimensional combat map gradually became difficult to keep up with.

From a bird's-eye view, one can only touch the boundary of the hills on the east coast and cannot see the interior at all.

Wang Feng: "Leave the main defense position of Chihe Town to Chu Yunfei's troops. The First 'Red Flag' Tactical Corps must reserve at least three battalions as reserve forces."

In the entire Mingguang area, only the area east of Chihe Town is covered with hilly terrain, and it is also the rear base for the Japanese troops crossing the river. Wang Feng does not want to waste such a wonderful opportunity.

Since the full-scale war of resistance against Japanese aggression, the Chinese army has rarely launched active offensives, and the Japanese army has gradually adapted to this rhythm of war.

After capturing Nanjing, the Japanese army generally believed that China was within their grasp. After all, the capital had already fallen. According to international practice, the next step was to submit a letter of surrender.

However, as the art of war says, an arrogant army is doomed to failure.

The Japanese troops heading north from Beijing and Shanghai will surely triumph all the way and will wish to reach Xuzhou in the shortest possible time.

In this way, the rear will definitely be empty.

This can create favorable conditions for the implementation of roundabout tactics.

It is obviously impossible to expect Huainan to withstand the Japanese attack in the next three or four months by relying solely on defense.

The Japanese troops in the Yangtze River Delta region are very powerful. Even if Li Zongren could mobilize the national army that retreated to the north after the Battle of Beijing-Shanghai, it would probably be of no avail.

If we can win once in Beijing-Shanghai, we can win a second time in Tianjin-Pukou.

We must seek proactive opportunities to cut off the Japanese army's retreat routes, and perhaps there will be a glimmer of hope.

Zhao Fangyuan responded: "At present, the first, second, and third mountain tactical battalions are on standby in the rear, ready to go into battle at any time!"

Wang Feng nodded. As long as the battle situation was still under control, he would be confident that he could stabilize the situation.

"it is good!"

"Everything is ready, we just need the east wind. If the Japs dare to come, we will attack them directly!"

The 26th Brigade was badly hit by the 31st Army. From the 15th to the 18th, there was no movement, and both sides of the Chi River fell into silence.

Chihe Town.

There was no fighting during these three days, but the soldiers did not rest after building their defensive positions.

They took turns retreating to the rear to conduct military tactical training.

The effect is also gratifying.

The troop experience value of the 92st 'Red Flag' Mountain Tactical Corps has reached [Initial Training: %].

The experience value of the Reserve Tactical Corps has also reached [Initial Training: 71%].

According to Wang Feng's experience, after two more days of actual combat, the level of Zhang Hu's troops would be promoted to [Well-Trained].

After adding 25% combat modifier, you can also enjoy the national focus effect.

In terms of soldier quality, they have truly entered the ranks of elite troops.

At dawn, Wang Feng was about to have breakfast.

He walked to the table, flipped open the battle map on it, took out a spoon from his coat pocket, and wiped his body casually, as if he had washed himself.

In order to gain a better view of the battlefield, he set up his command post directly on the front line of the battle, only 500 meters away from the Chi River.

There was nothing good to eat on the front line, so as the commander of the entire army, he only opened a box of canned food captured from the Japanese marching army.

Compared with other colleagues, it is indeed much worse.

In 1935, the Nanjing Military and Political Department issued the food standards for the National Army.

——每人每天大米1.5斤，罐头肉4两、干菜2两、咸菜2两、食盐3钱、酱油4钱。

This is for ordinary soldiers. The officers have higher food standards.

It sounds good, but it's actually bullshit.

Anyway, Wang Feng never had such a good meal before.

Such food standards are only limited to the Central Army’s direct line, adjustment division, or teaching regiment.

For ordinary troops and soldiers of local warlords, it was already very good to have enough rice to eat.

The war had just begun and the national army's logistics system was already beginning to collapse.

During the one-day stay in Xuzhou, all the troops were stationed on the outskirts of the city, and Wang Fengzeng saw the food of the Sichuan Army troops with his own eyes.

In a nutshell, eat whatever you can find as long as you don't starve to death.

As a result, the physical fitness of the Eighth Route Army soldiers was better than that of most National Army soldiers.

Zhao Fangyuan walked over quickly. Song Wenjie was not there, and as the Chief of the General Staff, he was busier than the military commander.

Wang Feng at least had time to sit down and eat a meal, while Zhao Fangyuan took a piece of bread and ate it while walking.

"Sir, the 31st Army is reporting in!"

"Read!"

"The Japanese invaders have been active recently. According to reliable intelligence, they have sent a large number of troops to Mingguang. On the night of the 17th, the Japanese army attacked Mingguang City with superior forces under the cover of tanks and aircraft. Our troops temporarily avoided their attack and transferred the main force to Magang and Liangshan."

Wang Feng paused with the spoon in his hand and immediately unfolded the map on the table.

The Japanese army has occupied Mingguang, and I believe it will not be long before they launch an attack on the west bank of Chihe River.

The real blocking battle is about to begin!

"Has the anti-tank gun been deployed?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "It has been deployed, and the soldiers have basically mastered the operation."

Wang Feng repeatedly reminded: "All anti-tank guns should be dispersed and concealed at the sides and rear of the positions, and not placed in the front."

Theoretically, the maximum range of this German anti-tank gun is about four kilometers.

But this is an anti-armor weapon, and its kinetic energy will gradually weaken as the flight distance increases. Even with an optical sight, no one would be stupid enough to use it at the maximum range.

Generally speaking, the German 37MM anti-tank gun can penetrate 48mm vertical armor at meters.

Obviously, the Japanese army's weak ultra-light tanks were no different from paper boxes in front of anti-tank guns.

You can put it a little further back.

Zhao Fangyuan took note of it in his mind.

Anti-tank guns are a rare item for the Chinese military and can only be seen in a few elite units of the Central Army.

The specific operational tactics are still blank.

Dawn of February 1th.

Heavy snow was falling from the sky. The soldiers huddled in the trenches, their hands gripping their guns red with cold. They could only rub their palms constantly and blow hot air into their palms to barely ensure normal movement of their joints.

Wang Feng wrapped himself tightly in a fur-collared coat and slowly walked out of the command center. Gusts of cold wind blew past, and the fur on the collar of his coat swayed gently.

According to the information reported by the scouts, the Japanese troops on the other side of the river were gathering faster.

From a bird's-eye view, a few scattered Japanese soldiers could be seen at the edge of ten kilometers.

It is estimated that the attack will be launched in the next two days.

Zhao Fangyuan: "The telephone line with the 31st Army has been connected, and the situation there does not seem to be optimistic."

Wang Feng sighed.

The snow came too suddenly.

All the troops under his command were from Shanxi. The northern soldiers were able to adapt to fighting in the snow. In addition, they had been specially trained for winter combat while resting in Changzhi.

The impact on overall combat effectiveness is minimal.

The 31st Army is different.

If soldiers from Guangxi do not leave the province, they will never see snow in their entire lives.

Wang Feng couldn't tell which was colder, the north or the south, but fighting in the snow required more than just being able to withstand the cold.

"The General Staff should strengthen contact with friendly forces and report any situation in a timely manner!"

Zhao Fangyuan: “Yes!”

Wang Feng jumped into the trench, and the soldiers turned their heads and greeted him: "Sir!"

"Hello, sir!"

Although he greeted him, he still held the rifle tightly in both hands and did not stand up to salute.

"Strengthen the security, don't let the Japanese take advantage of the loopholes."

After that, he turned around and looked at Zhao Fangyuan: "Notify the kitchen team, the battle is about to start, prepare some hot food for the brothers."

Zhao Fangyuan responded.

The heavy snow was still falling, the howling wind sounded in their ears, and the soldiers unconsciously shrank their necks.

The recruit was full of suspicion: "In this horrible weather, can the Japs come?"

The old soldier beside him rubbed his hands, his face a little stiff from the cold: "You have never fought in a war, of course you don't understand."

"The Japanese love to launch surprise attacks in weather like this. They are so sneaky!"

The recruit asked curiously, "Brother, how many battles have you fought in?"

Talking about his past achievements, the veteran looked proud: "In the beginning, I followed the commander all the way from Xinkou to Niangzi Pass."

As he spoke, he patted the Type 38 rifle in his hand.

The recruits looked envious.

After several rounds of fighting, the troops were short of weapons. In addition, they had not fought with the Japanese invaders for a long time and could not seize any equipment.

Even the first "Red Flag" mountain tactical corps was mixed with some Jin-made rifles.

It was uniformly distributed to new recruits, and veterans still all wore the same "Type 38 rifle".

"The devils are coming!"

"The devils are coming! Stay hidden!"

While the two were chatting, shouts suddenly rang out from the battlefield.

The recruit was a little nervous and immediately picked up his rifle and aimed forward.

The old soldier glanced at the other side of the river, then moved slowly.

Make a fist, release your hand, make a fist, release your hand.
Keep repeating these two actions.

At the same time, he reminded the new recruit beside him: "Don't be anxious, little boy. The enemy is still far away. Move your fingers quickly so that they don't freeze. If you can't pull the trigger, something bad will happen."

(End of this chapter)