Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Over the past year and a half, the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region's outstanding achievements have all been in Division 1. Division 3 has always been like a lackey.

This was the case in previous battles in Hebei.

While the battles were clearly fought in the three defense zones, the troops of Zone 1 always played the leading role, with Zone 3 merely playing supporting roles. Wang Zhi, the political commissar of Zone 3, had always felt rather humiliated. Back when Wang Zhi was a political commissar in the Central Red Army, every unit under his command was a formidable force. It was simply that the situation outweighed the forces, and Zone 1 was inherently stronger than Zone 3, and by a significant margin.

So I can only admit it.

But that doesn't mean he's willing to continue like this.

The Third Division couldn't always rely on others for support. Now Huang Yong wanted to fight a big battle, and Wang Zhi naturally supported him.

"Political Commissar, don't worry. We will definitely be able to show our might in the three-point zone this time.

"Ah."

Wang Zhi nodded and suddenly smiled, saying, "Old Huang, I plan to recruit soldiers and expand the army after this counter-mopping-up operation. If we can completely wipe out a Japanese battalion this time, it will be the best publicity. Whether our Third Division can add one or two more main force regiments depends on our performance this time."

"it is good."

Huang Yong had long wanted to form his own force in the Third District.

He immediately put on his hat and said, "I will give the order immediately. All troops will assemble in the direction of Fuping immediately. I will take the guard company to Fuping to see the situation of this Japanese brigade.

"I'm here to support the other troops."

“Then I’ll go first.

"Be careful."

Chapter 262 Thousands of miles of attack

All the bases in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region were struggling to resist the mopping-up operations.

There are good and bad.

Some bases had seen signs of success in their counter-mopping-up operations, some even having already achieved victory. However, in others, the situation remained extremely difficult. Although the Eighth Column had launched two consecutive ambushes and killed two Japanese brigade commanders, they had not yet completely won the counter-mopping-up operations.

The situation in many base areas remains very serious.

But the dawn of victory has appeared.

Many Japanese mopping-up forces had begun to retreat after the deaths of Shinichiro Nagumo and Nobuhide Abe, ending their mopping-up operations. However, some troops continued to carry out mopping-up operations against the base.

Zishikou, Wanping County.

The cadres of the 34th Regiment held a meeting here, and the atmosphere was very depressing.

The 34th Regiment suffered a crushing defeat at Mentougou, with over 34 casualties and missing within a few hours. This was arguably the heaviest casualties the th Regiment had ever suffered. Even more frustrating was the fact that despite suffering such heavy casualties, they hadn't inflicted significant casualties on the Japanese.

It was almost a one-sided defeat.

This blow is really too big.

"Commander, Political Commissar, this is a shame for us. Right now, other brother units are fighting for victory against the mopping-up operation, but our 34th Regiment, with 2000 men, is holed up in this place less than ten miles in radius."

He Yongfei, the instructor of the 34nd Battalion of the th Regiment, spoke.

Zhang Chao looked up at He Yongfei. The 34th Regiment was a reorganized unit of the Jidong Guerrilla Corps, a very special unit during the Jidong Uprising. Compared to other Jidong Uprising units, the Jidong Guerrilla Corps was a unit with a high concentration of intellectuals. There were over twenty university professors and teachers alone, hundreds of other university students, and over a thousand high school students. In addition to them, there were also teachers from various middle and elementary schools in the Tianjin area, doctors from hospitals, and other intellectuals. The entire guerrilla corps had over two thousand such intellectuals.

Therefore, after the Guerrilla Corps was reorganized into the 34th and 35th Regiments, the military and political cadres were all educated. He Yongfei wasn't considered highly educated within the Guerrilla Corps. He only graduated from a two-year local normal school, effectively a technical secondary school. He later became a primary school teacher and participated in the Jidong Uprising. Because of his eloquence and strong propaganda skills, he was favored by Chu He, who was assigned to the Guerrilla Corps, and was recruited into the Party.

After the 34th Regiment was established, He Yongfei served as the political instructor of the nd Battalion.

Zhang Chao originally thought that He Yongfei was a very good instructor and that he did a very good job in the political education work of the Second Battalion. However, this encounter with the Japanese army made Zhang Chao see another side of He Yongfei.

The 34th Regiment suffered heavy casualties in the Battle of Mentougou, including a significant loss of commanding officers. Second Battalion Commander Lei Yongsan was killed, and He Yongfei took command. Having never commanded troops in battle before, He Yongfei demonstrated composure and courage during the battle. Furthermore, despite his scholarly background, He Yongfei led his men from the front. During the 34th Regiment's final retreat, He Yongfei led the Second Battalion, securing the rearguard and completing the mission with flying colors.

It can be said that during the Mentougou battle, He Yongfei was an outstanding general who emerged from the 34th Regiment. If it were not for the Mentougou battle, Zhang Chao would not have known that He Yongfei actually had the potential to be a military commander.

Battle is the place where people are most tempered, and it is in battle that capable people emerge. He Yongfei is such a general.

"Then tell me, what should we do now?"

The 34th Regiment suffered a major setback, and its commander Gui Jiu was never able to recover from the setback.

So Zhang Chao began to be responsible for military affairs as the political commissar.

He Yongfei stood up and walked over to the map. "We've fought the Japanese before, and everyone should understand the stark difference between us and them. In Mentougou, we had a geographical advantage, even commanding the enemy from a high position. Yet, we were completely disorganized in the face of the Japanese attack. Now, our troops have suffered setbacks, and morale is low. We have even less strength to fight the Japanese at this time."

“纵队电报，纵队伏击击毙了日军独立混成第十五旅团的少将旅团长南云亲一郎，全歼日军77独立大队和78独立大队。目前日军是仓皇逃离盛县79独立大队、80独立大队、81独立大队都伤亡不小。你觉得我们能否伏击其中一股日军？

Zhang Chao told the column's telegram.

He Yongfei also expressed his own thoughts. He Yongfei shook his head and said, "Political Commissar, the column was able to successfully ambush because they mobilized nearly 34 troops. Moreover, although the st and rd Guard Regiments were newly established, even later than us, their officers and soldiers are all veterans, and their combat effectiveness is inherently stronger than ours. Coupled with the artillery units directly under the column, they were able to fight such a battle. However, our th Regiment had previously fought two consecutive battles with the Japanese army and lost a lot of heavy weapons. In addition, the morale of the troops is currently low, and we can't even defeat a Japanese battalion."

Zhang Chao nodded.

Said: "You continue."

"We should avoid the Japanese now. After the column killed Nanyun Shinichirō, the 15th Independent Mixed Brigade will definitely withdraw from this mopping-up operation. My suggestion is that we attack the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army."

"The Fourth Army of the Security Forces?"

"Yes."

He Yongfei said with certainty: "Our 34th Regiment has been established for more than half a year, and we have never relaxed our training. But this time when fighting with the Japanese army, the tactical gap is very obvious. If we count the time we participated in the Jidong Uprising and fought in Jidong, that means many people in the army have been in the army for almost a year. But the Fourth Army of the North China Security Army was established only three months ago, and their soldiers were all conscripted men from the North China Puppet Government. What kind of combat effectiveness can such a force have? This time the Japanese army swept our base, and we suffered heavy losses. Not only did our 34th Regiment suffer heavy losses, but our local troops suffered even greater losses. A lot of weapons and ammunition were lost. If we don't make up for it, how can we develop the troops again after the counter-sweep?"

"But the Fourth Army of the North China Security Force is more than 150 miles away from us.

“That’s our advantage.”

He Yongfei is very confident.

He said excitedly, "Our 34th Regiment just suffered a defeat and retreated to this place. Furthermore, we are so far away from them that they would never have thought that a defeated army like us could surprise attack them from a thousand miles away. As the saying goes, attack them when they are least prepared.

"Captain, what do you think?"

"Now that victory in the anti-mopping-up operation is imminent, our 34th Regiment has suffered heavy casualties. Shouldn't we stabilize it?"

Guijiu was very hesitant.

Guijiu was filled with guilt. Many of the members of the 34th Regiment were members of the First Column of the Jidong Uprising Guerrilla Corps, and Guijiu was the commander of the First Column. Many of them were his old subordinates.

But with so many casualties in one battle, Gui Jiu felt really bad.

More importantly, Guijiu began to doubt himself. He wondered if he could lead this unit effectively. During the previous battles in Yidong, he had never fought against real Japanese troops. He had only dealt with Japanese police and some puppet troops.

But this time, if we fight the Japanese army head-on, we really won't be able to defeat them.

Zhang Chao frowned.

Ever since the disastrous defeat at Mentougou, Guijiu's mental state had been poor. As the head of a regiment, his mental state directly affected the morale of the troops. However, Guijiu was still the head of a regiment, and although Zhang Chao was the political commissar, he still had to give him face in front of everyone.

Therefore, he did not make a direct decision, but chose to persuade Gui Jiudao: "Our 34th Regiment is a unit that emerged from the Jidong Uprising. Our officers and soldiers are all heroes from Jidong. Just one defeat cannot defeat our unit. We have marched from Jidong to Pingxi. How can we shrink back because of a defeat? I believe in our comrades. We are an army that can't be defeated or dragged down. If we can't defeat the Japanese army, can we not even defeat the puppet army? If we don't even have the courage to fight the puppet army, then how can we resist the Japanese? How can we face the elders and fellow villagers of Jidong? Commander, fight.

"Captain, let's fight."

The cadres of the 34th Regiment, who were originally a little depressed, became excited after hearing Zhang Chao's words.

Zhang Chao is right.

We came from Jidong to Pingxi to fight the Japanese. We couldn't defeat the Japanese, but if we didn't even dare to fight the puppet army, how could we fight the Japanese? We were all Jidong men, and we were all fearless.

Gui Jiu looked at everyone's excitement and was a little undecided.

Zhang Chao placed his hand on Gui Jiu's arm, squeezed it, and said, "Commander, this opportunity is fleeting. You will stay at the headquarters and lead the guard battalion to gather the returning officers and soldiers. I will lead the troops to attack the Fourth Group Army of the Security Forces."

Chapter 263: Brutal Anti-Sweep Victory

"Commander, the Japanese 41st Regiment has completely withdrawn from Dai County.

"Finally retreated."

Fuping.

Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region Headquarters.

Commander Nie sighed deeply. Starting on June 1939, 6, when the Japanese 27th Independent Mixed Brigade entered the Xuanhua base area to conduct a sweep, the Japanese sweep lasted for a full 26 days.

The last Japanese mopping-up force withdrew from the base on July 1939, 7. The 23-day sweep had inflicted enormous losses on the base. This was the largest sweep ever undertaken by the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region since its establishment. It could be argued that this was the largest mopping-up operation involving Japanese and puppet troops since the Eighth Route Army crossed the Yellow River to establish its base. If the blockade forces blocking key transportation routes are included, the total number of Japanese and puppet troops mobilized in this operation was 26. A mobilization of this magnitude would have been considered a major engagement by the Nationalist Army.

If the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region hadn't been so well developed, its base was so solid, and its troops were so strong, it would have collapsed long ago under such a large encirclement. Although it didn't collapse, the base suffered staggering losses.

"What about the casualties and results of each division?"

"The Japanese focused their sweep on Division One. Troops from Divisions Two and Three also participated in the counter-sweep. In Division Four, however, only a single Japanese garrison battalion participated. However, Division Four performed well. Troops from the 129th Division and the Fifth Regiment of Division Four led two consecutive ambushes, annihilating over 280 Japanese troops and around 140 puppet troops.

More than 170 long and short guns, one heavy machine gun and four light machine guns were seized.

The Fifth Regiment suffered about 340 casualties, and many parts of the base were also destroyed.

The Jin-Cha-Ji Fourth District is located around Shijiazhuang, mainly in Pingshan County.

This is a place with very rich resources in the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region.

Therefore, the Second Branch of the Anti-Japanese University was also located here. The 5th Regiment of the Fourth Division was formed after the Fourth Division was established, combining its training camp with the reorganized local villages. Because the current leadership of the Fourth Division had all transferred from the First Division, this unit went to the First Division for training a year ago. The First Division also provided support to many cadres from the Fourth Division, which led to the formation of the main force, the th Regiment.

Of all the current Jin-Cha-Ji Military Sub-districts, the Fifth Regiment of the Fourth Sub-district holds the largest number of troops. When newly reorganized, the Fifth Regiment boasted over 5000 men. It was the only main force regiment in the entire Jin-Cha-Ji system with over 5000 men. The reason the Fifth Regiment of the Fourth Sub-district boasted such a large force was that it incorporated all three battalions formed in response to the military sub-district's mandate to form three regiments.

The leaders of District Four had a simple consideration.

Given the Fourth Division's capabilities, it was impossible to develop three main regiments. Therefore, the three original battalions were merged together, along with some local troops, to form the Fifth Regiment. As a result, the Fifth Regiment had over 5000 men.

The Fourth Division's defense zone primarily bordered the 129th Division. Therefore, in normal combat, the Fourth Division would coordinate with the 129th Division, primarily with the Ji'nan Military Region. The Fourth Division wasn't a target during this Japanese raid. It was simply because so many troops were deployed, and the Japanese troops stationed around Shijiazhuang also wanted to get involved, so they pulled in troops from various counties and organized a large brigade.

However, the response of the fourth district was successful.

Cooperating with the 129th Division, they launched two ambushes against the Japanese army and wiped out two Japanese squadrons.

"The Second Division encountered a mopping-up operation by the Japanese 37th and 41st Divisions, as well as the 26th and 11th Regiments of the 12th Division. Both sides suffered heavy casualties. The First Division deployed the 120th and 26st Regiments here, and transferred the 11th Regiment from the 1300th Column. Together with the local troops of the First Division in Lingqiu, Hunyuan, Yingxian, and Huairen, more than 11 people were deployed. The 2700th Division also sent two regiments to participate in this counter-mopping-up operation. Together with the 600th and 4rd Regiments of the Second Division, they fought several head-on battles with the Japanese and puppet troops in the Yanbei area. . Huang Fa, Chief of Staff of the First Division, led the 23st Regiment and the 1200th Regiment of the Eighth Column in two consecutive ambushes, annihilating more than 19 people from the 20th Regiment of the 21th Division and killing the Japanese 3900th Regiment Colonel Takata Kazu. These troops wiped out more than 120 Japanese troops and about puppet troops in the Yanbei area in more than days. The th and rd Regiments of the Second Division suffered a total of more than casualties. The th, th, and st Regiments of the First Division and local forces reported more than casualties. We don't know the data from the th Division yet, but it is estimated that there are many casualties.

Everyone in the military district headquarters looked grim.

The Second Division's defense zone, encompassing the Yanbei region, saw the First and Second Divisions, along with the 120th Division, deploy numerous troops, totaling approximately 17000 men. Over twenty days of counter-mopping-up operations, their own casualties exceeded . While some local troops were also involved, the toll was truly staggering.

The results of the battle are quite good.

More than 3300 Japanese and puppet troops were annihilated. Among them, the 26st Division and the 11th Column performed the best, severely damaging the th Regiment of the th Division of the Japanese Army and killing the Japanese Colonel Regiment Commander.

"In the Third Division, the 110th Regiment of the Japanese 110th Division participated in the mopping-up operation. The Third Division achieved remarkable results, with its main force branching out and ambushing three Japanese transport convoys. Later, as the 110th Regiment retreated, the Third Division concentrated its 2nd and 30th Regiments to annihilate the 110th Regiment's Yamazaki Tetsuro Battalion, killing their commander, Major Yamazaki Tetsuro. Furthermore, the cavalry regiment ambushed a transport squadron emerging from Shijiazhuang. During the entire counter-mopping-up operation, the Third Division annihilated 1800 Japanese troops and 400 puppet troops. The Third Division itself reported 2700 casualties.

"Huang Yong is really good at fighting."

Commander Nie couldn't help but sigh.

This was Huang Yong's first anti-mopping-up campaign since assuming command of the Third Division. The results were unexpectedly impressive, especially the final annihilation of Yamazaki Tetsuro's battalion. He mastered guerrilla warfare to perfection, minimizing casualties.

Most of the casualties in the Third Division were caused by the previous anti-mopping-up operation. However, when the Yamazaki Tetsuro Battalion was surrounded and annihilated, the casualties of the Third Division troops were less than 300.