pdf-ebookys #164 - Key Decisions
#164 - Key Decisions
Liujia Village.
Serving as a barrier and source of ore for Yang Village.
Since dealing with Liu Dabang, the main force of the 3rd Battalion of the Independent Regiment has moved forward and stationed here, expanding the defensive perimeter of Yang Village and ensuring the safety of the ore production area.
From the county town to the entrance of Liujia Village, the end of the road has about 500 meters of treacherous terrain, with mountain ridges on both sides forming a gully. To the south is a steep mountain ridge, four to five hundred meters high, parallel to the road. To the north are the undulating remnants of three mountain ridges.
The 3rd Battalion's position is divided into four positions, north and south, based on the terrain. The 1st Company is responsible for the first and second lines of defense on the north side, the 2nd Company is responsible for the third line of defense on the north side, and the 3rd Company is responsible for the south side defense line. They are mutually supporting within a 500-meter range. The battalion's mortar squad, with two mortars, is set up on the high ground of the northern third line of defense, where the view is open and convenient. There is also a two to three hundred meter mountain top for easy relocation (see figure).
The 3rd Battalion has dug trenches based on the mountain terrain. After the Japanese devils mobilized, the 3rd Battalion immediately set up a large number of roadblocks and landmines on the road.
Every 50 meters or so, the trenches have sturdy machine gun firing points built with stone blocks. Each line of defense has 3 machine guns, including 6 Nambu machine guns, 3 Czech machine guns, and the newly produced MG3, renamed Type 56 machine gun by Ren Zhong, with 3 guns. The new Type 56 machine guns are deployed on the last two north and south lines of defense.
In addition, each line of defense is equipped with at least 2 grenade launchers. The 3rd Battalion's four lines of defense are strategically positioned on high ground. In theory, even if a Japanese field battalion were to come, they would not be able to gain any advantage. In this terrain, they would not be able to deploy an attack formation and would need to attack uphill for 200-300 meters. With the current ample supply of ammunition in Yang Village, the 3rd Battalion should have no problem holding the position. This configuration is enough to deal with a battalion-level Japanese force.
Now there are 82mm mortars, and detailed measurements have been taken from the mountain cave to the road in advance. Even against a Japanese artillery squad carrying 92 infantry guns, the mortar squad has the advantage to take out the opponent's artillery.
However, a little more than 2 hours after Zhao Gang deployed the battle, the vanguard of the Japanese devils brazenly rushed over.
Although the guerrilla warfare deployed by Wang Huaibao caused some casualties to the Japanese devils, the Japanese devils quickly dispatched a squad to deal with the ambushing militia guerrillas, while the rest of the troops did not stop.
Obviously, the Japanese devils had a strategy to deal with the ambushes along the way. After continuously dividing into several squads, they basically restrained Wang Huaibao's sporadic ambush teams.
A regiment of puppet troops walked in the front, followed by the first company of Japanese devils, then the infantry artillery company and the mountain artillery company were protected in the middle, and together with the machine gun company, they were towed forward by trucks.
Yoshino, the Japanese devil, rode his horse and trotted, urging the marching troops to speed up, almost ignoring the surrounding ambushes.
This made Wang Huaibao, who was dispatched with mortars, somewhat unable to keep up with the rhythm of the Japanese devils. After all, they were traversing mountains and forests, while the Japanese devils were taking the main road, which was much faster.
"Battalion Commander, let's just go directly to Matitang to set up an ambush. Judging from the posture of the Japanese devils, I think they are mostly going straight to our 3rd Battalion's position. I think their artillery position is either Dongzhuang or Matou Village. We can reach it from Matitang anyway." Cai Jinhai, the artillery platoon leader, suggested.
The place he was talking about was already approaching the 3rd Battalion's position within 4 kilometers. In terms of the range of the Japanese Type 41 mountain gun, this distance was just a relatively comfortable range. The 82mm mortars of the Eighth Route Army's position could not reach them, and they could calmly fire under the guidance of the forward artillery observers.
The Yoshino Battalion must have already known the general defense situation of the Independent Regiment through the Gendarmerie Corps.
"I think it's feasible. Jinhai, you take the artillery platoon to set up an ambush there. I'll take a few militia guerrillas to follow them all the time. When they stop, we'll approach them. At that time, we'll attack with grenade launchers first, and then you'll use mortars. I'll try my best to delay the time they move their artillery position." Wang Huaibao thought for a while, feeling that running along with them was indeed not a solution.
Even if there were slight errors in the execution of Cai Jinhai's suggestion, they could be quickly corrected through the walkie-talkie. After all, this was their home field.
"Hiss, Commander, this matter is indeed extraordinary. The three strategies of the border area are reasonable and well-founded, and are indeed the key to solving our situation. This matter is of great importance. This subordinate suggests that the Commander go to the rear to present it in person and strongly request the Chairman to promote the upper strategy. Our army still has a chance to turn the tables!" Shao Guangming read it quickly and was unusually excited, saying excitedly to Commander Wei.
"Brother Guangming, the fierce battle is in full swing, how can I leave? The headquarters has also received a secret telegram about this matter. If there is any action, the Chairman will definitely come to the Second War Zone to supervise the battle. However, there is quite a bit of discord among our three families. It is absolutely difficult to get our three families to work together wholeheartedly or even sacrifice themselves. On the other hand, the middle strategy has more room for free discretion in our war zone and is somewhat feasible." Commander Wei shook his head. He saw the overall situation very clearly.
He also knew why he had been recalled to the rear for a long time and idled until the great war broke out before returning.
It was really because the higher-ups were too suspicious of the other two parties!
General Junru knew that the higher-ups could not possibly entrust their backs to the other party.
He and the border area had finally formed a good relationship, and today he received extremely good returns. From a fair standpoint, this was a great thing, but for his superior, it might not be so.
General Junru didn't know how he would handle it.
After all, that person's ideas were often unexpected.
"What? What time is it already, and the higher-ups still haven't abandoned their sectarian views? This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn the corner, are we just going to watch it slip away, and then put a big black pot on the Commander again?" Shao Guangming said in some astonishment.
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"Brother Guangming, my personal honor or disgrace is not a big deal, but my more than 100,000 brothers are facing death. If the higher-ups are still so self-centered, it's really heartbreaking." General Junru said here, somewhat disheartened.
"The border area is indeed full of talents, and their intelligence work is also better than ours. Just these three strategies, upper, middle, and lower, our staff department has never been able to come up with. Even after fighting until now, we still haven't figured out the intentions of the Japanese devils. The higher-ups are still hesitant, thinking that the Japanese devils will just sweep through like before and then leave, wanting to get through it by following the previous rigid defense, which is really a thousand miles away."
"Then we insist on the previous strategy of holding on and waiting for reinforcements, and then wait for new instructions from above?" Shao Guangming asked somewhat unwillingly.
"Of course not!" General Junru said decisively.
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