Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

That afternoon, at the Niangziguan Fortress battlefield.

Inside the Eighth Route Army's forward command post, a sand table stands.

Chief of Staff Li of the 129th Division pointed to the sand table with a bamboo pole and said to Xing Zhiguo: "Currently, the fortifications on the east and south sides of Niangziguan have been basically destroyed by heavy howitzers, and the Japanese army has suffered considerable casualties."

"However, the Japanese deployed a brigade at Niangziguan, designated as the 108th Brigade."

"The casualties in this brigade are about one-third."

A Japanese brigade typically consisted of two infantry regiments and a mountain artillery battalion, with a total strength of 6000 to 8000 men.

Xing Zhiguo stared at the sand table and thought for a moment.

This 108th Brigade was not an elite brigade, with a total strength of over 6000 men.

Including the puppet troops, the total enemy force at Niangziguan Fortress exceeded 1.

However, the puppet troops were mainly deployed in brick and stone watchtowers, while the brick and stone watchtowers of Niangziguan Fortress had basically been destroyed.

Therefore, the current Japanese force at Niangziguan Fortress is around 4000.

Including the puppet troops, the total strength of Niangziguan Fortress was at most around 6000.

Xing Zhiguo has 3 elite troops at his disposal, so this time the advantage truly lies with us.

Under the introduction of Chief of Staff Li, and with Xing Zhiguo braving artillery fire to go deep into the front lines to observe the battle situation and understand the enemy's situation.

A battle plan for attacking Niangziguan has been formulated.

"Thank you very much, Staff Officer Li!"

After Staff Officer Li finished his introduction, Xing Zhiguo expressed his heartfelt gratitude.

"We're all family, so let's not be so formal," Chief of Staff Li said with a slight smile. "I'm here on a mission. The division commander ordered me to observe and learn from the infantry tactics of your new 1st Regiment. Is that alright?"

Commander Liu heard that in the past six months, the new First Regiment had been training extensively in a new tactic called the "three-three system".

Staff Officer Li brought along some staff officers and company/battalion-level officers, mainly to learn the new tactics of the new regiment.

Of course, this was a new tactic for the 129th Division, but it was not a new tactic for the New 1st Regiment.

Although Boss Lin had long ago taught Li Yunlong the three-three system, reverse slope and tunnel tactics.

However, the reverse slope and tunnel tactics were used more often, while the three-three system tactics were used less often.

The reason is also very simple.

Because the New First Regiment had previously mostly fought defensive battles, the Japanese would attack the New First Regiment every few months.

In the past, when their strength was inferior to that of the Japanese, and in order to reduce troop casualties, Li Yunlong could only make extensive use of tunnel and reverse slope tactics in defensive battles.

Of course, the Japanese have also learned this tactic, but they haven't mastered its essence yet.

Now, the main focus is on offensive warfare, especially battles to attack fortresses, where the three-three system tactic can be put to good use.

If we still use the old method of overwhelming force to attack such a well-fortified fortress.

No number of soldiers would be enough to feed the enemy bullets.

In 1944, a German machine gunner, in a concrete bunker on Omaha Beach during the Normandy landings, used an MG42 heavy machine gun to kill approximately 3000 Allied soldiers.

"No problem, welcome, welcome." Xing Zhiguo said with a smile, "Our new regiment should also thank your 129th Division for clearing out the Japanese outer positions and fortifications before our formal attack."

Next, Xing Zhiguo sent a guard platoon to accompany and protect the 129th Division's observation group.

If the 129th Division's observation team were to be killed at Niangziguan Fortress, the loss would be enormous.

It should be noted that Chief of Staff Li was a veteran revolutionary, and his tactical command ability was no less than that of the deputy commander of the new regiment. The staff officers and company and battalion officers he brought to observe were also treasures of the Eighth Route Army.

The unit responsible for the first attack on Niangziguan Fortress was the 8th Battalion of the 3rd Column of the New 1st Regiment of the Jinzhong Military Region.

Of course, it's numbered as a battalion, but its strength and size are comparable to a regiment.

Their firepower far surpassed that of a Nationalist army regiment, and even an elite Japanese regiment was inferior.

The soldiers of the 8th Battalion of the 3rd Column, responsible for the first attack, arrived at their attack position 800 meters from the Japanese front line.

Further ahead, they would be met with machine gun and grenade launcher fire from the Japanese. Upon reaching their attack positions, the soldiers of the Eighth Battalion did not immediately launch an attack.

"Boom boom boom..."

A 105mm howitzer battalion and a 120mm heavy mortar battalion under Xing Zhiguo's command opened fire.

They opened fire on the Japanese forward positions and the route of attack of the New First Regiment in front of the forward positions.

Because troops from the Jinzhong Military Region appeared east of Niangziguan, the Japanese discovered a large number of Eighth Route Army troops in the east.

Therefore, a lot of landmines were laid in front of the position, and the soldiers would inevitably step on them when they attacked.

Sending soldiers to clear the mines is impossible, as all the mine sites are within the enemy's firing range.

Under the barrage of artillery fire, the Japanese forward trenches were turned into a sea of ​​fire.

Even the areas where the Japanese had laid mines were plowed twice by artillery shells, which greatly reduced the probability of the soldiers stepping on landmines during the attack.

But that wasn't all. After 15 minutes of artillery barrage, more than 60 aircraft from the headquarters air regiment scoured the Japanese forward positions and the Niangziguan fortress once again.

This series of combined attacks turned the Niangziguan Fortress into a sea of ​​fire, with smoke obscuring the sky.

"attack!"

"Kill all the devils!"

A company of over 200 elite soldiers, led by their company commander, launched an attack on the Japanese front lines.

at the same time.

On the Japanese front lines, the reconnaissance sentries quickly discovered the situation and immediately ran into the anti-artillery bunker to report to the battalion commander.

Inside the tunnel, the Japanese soldiers looked grim; this time they were facing the elite of the Eighth Route Army.

"What kind of bastard elite troops?"

"My 5th Infantry Battalion of the 108th Brigade is dedicated to fighting the elite Eighth Route Army!"

To boost morale, Major Shusuo Sugano, commander of the 5th Infantry Battalion, spoke arrogantly:
"1st Squadron, move to the forward position immediately, bunker fire ready to open fire at any time."

"Hi."

The staff officer standing nearby quickly relayed the order.

Because they were hiding in tunnels and artillery shelters, the Japanese 5th Infantry Battalion did not suffer heavy losses. However, the relentless bombardment and shelling by the Eighth Route Army every day caused the Japanese soldiers considerable mental anguish.

The Eighth Route Army infantry finally launched their attack, and the Japanese soldiers were determined to teach the Eighth Route Army infantry a lesson.

Following Major Shusuo Sugano's order, nearly 200 Japanese soldiers quickly entered the position.

"Sending this small force to attack the enemy's forward positions is probably not enough for the New First Regiment."

A battalion commander from the 129th Division said with concern.

Because Niangziguan Pass is a very dangerous place with a very steep slope, the troops could only launch a feint attack and could not send tanks to attack with the infantry.

In the past few days, the infantry of the 129th Division also attacked Niangziguan Fortress from the south, but failed to capture it.

Although the Japanese fortifications and concrete fortifications were destroyed by the B4 heavy howitzer.

However, the Japanese still had many tunnel fortifications and bunkers with concrete fortifications, and their firepower remained very strong.

"Don't rush to conclusions, let's wait and see."

Chief of Staff Li, however, remained calm and composed, secretly observing through binoculars.

The situation on the battlefield changed. As the attacking troops of the New First Regiment approached the Japanese front-line positions, the entire company had spread out, forming attack groups of three, with each group supporting each other. They also had considerable firepower and accurate marksmanship.

Even in a disadvantageous terrain position, a Japanese company on the front line was suppressed so much that they couldn't even raise their heads.

"The combat skills of the new First Regiment are impressive!"

The speaker was the same battalion commander from before, his eyes now wide with astonishment. (End of Chapter)