Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Zhang Dabiao immediately took out a pen and a notebook from his pocket and began to take notes.

Seeing that Zhang Dabiao was ready, Li Yunlong began to adjust the deployment:
"Use the 1st and 2nd battalions of the air defense column, plus the 1st and 3rd detachments, to attack the high ground of Xishan."

“新一团1纵、2纵、炮兵纵队主力、防空纵队3营、坦克纵队1营、2营，进攻东山制高点之敌人牛驼寨、小窑头、淖马、山头，四大要塞。”

"The 1st, 2nd, and 2nd detachments of the New Third Regiment will attack the Wohushan Fortress in the northeast direction."

"The Independent Battalion of the New First Regiment, the 4th, 5th and 6th Detachments, and the 3rd Column of the New Third Regiment serve as the general reserve force."

"The 385th Brigade of the 129th Division continues to focus on surveillance and harassment."

"The troops need to pay attention to the following points when launching an attack."

"First, use artillery to suppress enemy fire points, creating a breakthrough for infantry and reducing casualties during the assault phase."

"Second, if it is found that the enemy's stronghold cannot be captured after a long siege, trenches and communication trenches can be dug in open areas to approach the enemy's position, shorten the assault distance, and reduce the time exposed to fire."

"Third, pay attention to the coordination of ground and air tactics, make full use of the air force's firepower advantage, and reduce troop casualties."

"Fourth, each attacking force should maintain sufficient reserves to avoid excessive fatigue of the troops and ensure sustained attack capability."

After discovering that the tactic of bombarding infantry with artillery would cause considerable casualties to the Eighth Route Army.

Li Yunlong quickly adjusted the battle plan.

Zhao Gang nodded repeatedly as Li Yunlong adjusted the battle plan.

In large-scale operations like this, a brilliant idea might be able to win a small battle.

But more importantly, it comes down to the command abilities and competence of the two sides' top commanders.

Zhao Gang knew that Li Yunlong possessed the commanding ability and qualities to lead large-scale operations, as evidenced by his decisiveness, skillful execution, and precise verbal deployment.

Li Yunlong: "Zhang Dabiao, repeat it to me."

A single misjudgment could lead to the defeat of the army and death; such orders, which concern the overall situation, cannot be taken lightly in the slightest.

"Yes."

Immediately, Zhang Dabiao stared at his notebook and repeated Li Yunlong's orders verbatim.

Zhao Gang said, "I would like to add two more points. First, we will launch a campaign to win over and persuade the enemy to surrender, instigate the puppet troops to defect, and distribute leaflets and make announcements to demoralize the enemy."

"Second, release prisoners to convey the Eighth Route Army's policies and weaken the defenders' will to resist."

The Eighth Route Army prepared for more than half a year to attack Taiyuan.

It is very difficult to turn the Japanese soldiers to defect, but some of the puppet troops are unwilling to die with the Japanese.

In particular, some die-hard puppet troops, who seemed to want to live and die with the Japanese, were actually terrified and secretly sent people to contact the Communist Party at the grassroots level.

Zhang Dabiao quickly added these two: "Yes!"

Then Zhao Gang said to Li Yunlong, "Old Li, I suggest that Commander Ding command the attack on the Wohushan position, I command the attack on the Xishan high ground, and you personally command the attack on the four major fortresses, including the Dongshan high ground."

The Japanese defenses at the highest point of Dongshan were the strongest, and the Eighth Route Army's attacking force was also the largest, so naturally Li Yunlong had to personally lead the charge.

“Okay.” Li Yunlong nodded and said, “However, your command post cannot be too close to the front line. The Japanese shells don’t have eyes.”

Zhao Gang immediately laughed and said, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"

Zhang Dabiao quickly issued orders to various units to adjust their deployments, and then sent a telegram to Zhang Wanhe, urging the delivery of various combat supplies as soon as possible.

The next morning.

Following orders from the regimental headquarters, all units quickly adjusted their deployments, and the soldiers had all eaten breakfast.

The soldiers' breakfasts were also very plentiful. Whether it was a column or a detachment, the food consisted of snow-white steamed buns, vegetables, and meat soup.

After breakfast and a short rest, the soldiers felt like they had inexhaustible energy.

In the Eastern Front Command Post, Li Yunlong personally directed a meeting with the commanders of various columns and detachments.

"The Japanese called the four strongholds in Dongshan the Maginot Line of the East, but I just don't believe it."

Li Yunlong pointed at the sand table, a hint of ruthlessness in his eyes: "Let's see how we tear it to shreds and swallow it whole."

After Li Yunlong made his arrangements, the commanders of each column and detachment quickly returned to their respective command posts and began to deploy according to the battle plan and orders.

……

Niutuo Village is one of the four major fortresses east of Taiyuan City. The Japanese First Army built a group of reinforced concrete bunkers, minefields and barbed wire here, with crossfire covering the area, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The other three fortresses, together with the Niutuo Village fortress, form a strategic triangle, allowing for rapid mutual support.

The Japanese 109th Division and a puppet army division were responsible for defending the four major fortresses in the east of the city.

Originally, the Japanese 109th Division was stationed in the Yangquan and Shouyang area. However, Yoshio Shinotsuka knew that the 109th Division could not hold Yangquan and Shouyang. Before the Battle of Taiyuan began, he transferred the main force of the 109th Division back to Taiyuan to be responsible for defending the four major fortresses in the eastern mountains.

The Japanese troops that the 109th Division left behind in Yangquan and Shouyang, one company each, have been wiped out by the Jinzhong base area.

"Yesterday, the Eighth Route Army was repelled twice by us..."

Colonel Masao Yamazaki, commander of the 107th Regiment of the 109th Division, who was in charge of defending the Niutuo Village Fortress, was boosting the morale of his men.

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound rang out from the sky.

The expressions of the Japanese battalion commanders and company commanders changed.

The Eighth Route Army has started shelling again!

"Gentlemen, do not panic."

Colonel Yamazaki, however, remained completely unmoved.

"The Eighth Route Army has run out of tricks; all they can do is bombard the infantry with artillery fire, and then bombard them with artillery fire after the infantry has charged."

"If the Eighth Route Army infantry continues their attack today, we will teach them a lesson they won't forget."

"Hi."

The Japanese battalion commanders and company commanders left the main fortifications and headed towards their respective posts.

……

"Comrade Commander, all artillery battalions have completed their preliminary test firings."

Several kilometers away, at the command post of the artillery column of the new regiment, an artillery staff officer reported to Wang Chengzhu.

"All artillery units, fire on Niutuo Village Fortress."

Wang Chengzhu glanced at his wristwatch and gave the order to fire with unwavering resolve.

"Yes, sir." The artillery staff officer put the walkie-talkie to his ear and simultaneously issued the order, "All artillery groups, fire on Niutuo Village Fortress."

The artillery column of the new regiment was equipped with very luxurious equipment, with walkie-talkies even reaching the platoon level.

This means that the artillery columns of the new regiment can either work together to provide artillery coverage or conduct single-gun precision firing at enemy targets.

The artillery skills of the new regiment are truly exceptional.

In an instant, flames from the muzzles of the cannons on all the artillery positions of the New First Regiment's artillery column became a continuous display.

The thumping sounds continued incessantly as shells traced visible arcs across the sky, hurtling towards the Niutuo Village fortress.

"Hehe, according to the Japanese artillery organization, the firepower of eight artillery divisions is enough to give those little devils a hard time."

Watching the artillery groups fire, Wang Chengzhu chuckled coldly.

这次炮击，炮兵纵队、新一团攻击部队的1纵和2纵的炮兵部队也归他指挥，4个75山炮营、3个105榴弹炮营、2个120重迫击炮营、2个152榴弹炮营、1个203重型榴弹炮营。

There were a total of 12 artillery battalions, with a total of 349 cannons.

Although the nearly 400 tanks in the tank column were not under Wang Chengzhu's command.

However, most of the tanks in the tank column also formed a battle formation in the distance, with their guns aimed at the Niutuo Village Fortress.

More than 700 artillery pieces unleashed a devastating bombardment on the Niutuo Village fortress! (End of Chapter)