Chapter 42 Defense of the Independent Regiment 41-43
41
In the tent of the Japanese military headquarters, Ando, Tahara and Ishii had completely different opinions on whether to withdraw troops.
Ishii resolutely adopted siege tactics and trapped the independent regiment alive in the barracks.
Tahara said that after two battles, the imperial army was severely weakened. The key was the cold weather. Many soldiers suffered from severe colds and even high fevers. If they persisted like this, they would undoubtedly destroy themselves.
Ando continued. Moreover, the Independent Regiment is in the base camp, not in the field. It must have sufficient food and grass stockpiles. The imperial army must collect every drop of food from the people. This has aroused public resentment. If it intensifies further, I am afraid that there will be an uprising. Until then At this time, we should cooperate with the independent group internally and externally. The consequences are self-evident.
It turns out that Ishii was not arbitrary. After listening to the analysis of the two deputy commanders, he decided to withdraw the troops on December 5 as originally planned after reporting to the division commander for approval.
At nine o'clock in the morning, the commander of the Miyamoto division called back and agreed with Ishii's withdrawal plan.
At about ten o'clock, Shanzi was called from the dormitory to the regiment headquarters by Yumei.
Knowing that the Japanese army showed no sign of withdrawing their troops, Shanzi said nothing for a long time. After pondering for a long time, he suddenly asked if the results of the battlefield cleaning had been released.
Zhao Danian then handed a list to Shan Zi.
In this battle, the independent regiment killed a total of 587 Japanese soldiers, including 171 special forces.
The trophies seized were: 3 heavy machine guns, 9 light machine guns, 149 submachine guns, 22 sniper rifles, 446 38 rifles, 7 pistols, and 11 grenade launchers.
Shanzi didn't look at the other items, but turned his attention to Zhao Danian: "Deputy Commander Zhao, I remember you once said that the biggest problem in setting up a special force is equipment. I said there must be a road to the mountain. How about it? .Now the little devil has not only sent submachine guns, but also 22 sniper rifles. Just accept it."
Zhao Danian nodded awkwardly: "By the way, Commander Wang. In this round of fighting, the Independent Regiment also suffered a large number of casualties. A total of 135 comrades died. 32 soldiers were seriously injured."
As soon as he heard the number of our casualties, Shanzi's interest disappeared. He clenched his fists and cursed: "What a stupid Ishii. If you have the guts, don't leave. We will see what happens in the end. Will the fish die or the net will break?"
Yumei said: "Zikai, it seems that Ishii really has no intention of leaving. Let's discuss a countermeasure."
So Shanzi instructed the correspondent to quickly call the General Supplies Director to the regiment headquarters.
42
According to the situation provided by the director of the munitions department, due to the enemy's blockade, it is impossible to go out to purchase non-staple food. Affected by this, the consumption of staple food has increased relatively. The existing food can last for up to three days.
Shanzi immediately issued an instruction. Starting from lunch that day, except for the seriously injured, the food standard for all commanders and soldiers in the regiment will be halved.
Shanzi also instructed the Military Supplies Department to report on the grain inventory situation every day.
After the director of munitions department left, Zhao Danian said: "Reducing food standards is only a temporary measure. It cannot fundamentally solve the problem. How to break the enemy's blockade is the only way out."
Who would have thought that when Shanzi heard this, he slapped the table and became angry: "Vice-captain Zhao, please stop talking about these useless things. How can we break the blockade? Why don't we just abandon the base camp and fight the devils to the death?"
Zhao Danian was also angry: "Captain Wang, why don't you let others talk? What are we doing sitting together? Isn't it just to discuss countermeasures?"
Shan Zi was still furious: "Then tell me what good countermeasures you have."
Zhao Danian swallowed dryly and remained silent while holding his breath.
Yumei said: "Zikai, everyone can understand your anxiety. But getting angry won't solve the problem. I have an idea and I don't know if it will work."
Shanzi said: "Don't hold on to it. If you have anything to say, say it quickly."
Yumei then said: "Can you send a telegram to the detachment and ask for troops to be sent for reinforcements?"
Before Shan Zi expressed his position, Zhao Danian said: "Political Commissar Jiang, I have discussed this idea with the regimental commander. Commander Wang is right. Now the detachment is stationed in three places. It is closely watched by the Japanese army. No matter which direction it rushes for reinforcements. They will all be intercepted. This is equivalent to being beaten by us."
Yumei seemed to sense her own ignorance, so she blushed and lowered her head in shame.
After a moment of silence in the unusually solemn atmosphere, Shanzi laughed at himself: "Our independent regiment is quite majestic. We are guarded by thousands of troops day and night. Just be content."
Yumei sighed involuntarily.
Shanzi continued: "There is no need to sigh. I think Ishii's life must be more difficult than ours. I don't believe he can survive the New Year's Eve. Again, there must be a way to the mountain."
Speaking of which, Shanzi instructed the correspondents to notify all positions. In addition to the normal duty of the bunker, corresponding ground sentry posts were set up. All other people evacuated the positions.
As soon as the correspondent left, Xiaoru continued: "Captain, I have a way to make the Japanese withdraw their troops. But I don't know if it will work. You can give it a try."
Shanzi said: "Speak quickly."
Xiaoru said that she could get in touch with Bao Yulian through the intelligence center. Bao Yulian would come forward and ask Guangde Temple to send a request for help telegram to the New City Garrison Corps in the name of the independent regiment using a common code.
Seeing that no one responded, Xiaoru continued...
After Captain Bao received the telegram, he replied with the rescue plan using a normal code. In this way, the Japanese army would be able to decipher the contents of the telegram and would be more likely to make a decision to withdraw.
Shanzi was shocked: "Is this radio thing so magical?"
Xiaoru smiled and replied: "Don't worry. If Guangtoku Temple and Commander Bao do as we say, we can also intercept the message and decipher it. As for whether Ishii will withdraw his troops or not, it depends on our luck."
As soon as Xiaoru finished speaking, Shanzi slapped his head: "Xiaoru, this wonderful trick of yours is better than an army of 100,000. From now on, I will call you my daughter Zhuge."
Xiaoru said: "Commander, don't be too happy. It's still unknown whether the enemy will take the bait."
Shanzi didn't care at all what Xiaoru said. He shouted and called the announcer out of the side room.
Unexpectedly, Xiaoru said again: "Don't be anxious. There is still one procedure that has not been completed."
Shanzi couldn't wait: "Speak quickly."
Xiaoru was not in a hurry: "Please wait a moment."
After saying that, Xiaoru stood up and left her seat, and walked out of the regiment headquarters in a flash.
43
Returning to the regiment headquarters, Xiaoru handed a piece of letterhead to Shanzi and asked Shanzi to instruct Bao Yulian to send the report and call back according to the content on the letterhead.
After reading the letter, Shanzi instructed the operator to call the intelligence center immediately.
After a while, Platoon Commander Wang's voice came from the microphone.
Shanzi took the microphone, explained the mission, and asked Platoon Leader Wang to carefully record the following content.
The division headquarters learned that the friendly Qiaonan Independent Regiment was besieged by 3,000 Japanese troops. It requested the headquarters to quickly send heavy troops to Qiaonan to assist the friendly forces.
After a moment of pause, Shanzi continued to read...
The division headquarters of the Xincheng Garrison Regiment decided to urgently dispatch three reinforced battalions and four cavalry companies. They set off at eight o'clock that evening to go to Qiaonan to join hands with friendly forces to annihilate the enemy.
After ending the call, Shanzi couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief.
At ten o'clock that night, Bao Yulian, wearing a windbreaker, parked her bicycle in front of the Yayi calligraphy and painting store.
Entering the secret dispatch room, Bao Yulian first explained the whole story to her father in an encrypted message. It was not until midnight that she instructed the operator to use a simple password to send a request for help message to Commander Bao.
A few minutes later, the independent group's radio operator handed the intercepted message to Xiaoru.
Xiaoru read the telegram and ran out of the news room happily.
Since dinner, Shanzi has been lying in the dormitory, waiting for Xiaoru to report the situation of seeking help.
There is no need to knock on the door to report. Xiaoru opened the door with a bang: "Captain, look quickly. Guangde Temple has sent a report."
Shanzi got out of bed with his clothes on. After reading the telegram, he grabbed Xiaoru's tender hand. Due to excitement, he couldn't say a word for a long time.
Until Xiaoru subconsciously clenched Shanzi. Shanzi shuddered. It was like being scalded by hot water. He quickly retracted his hands: "Xiaoru, on behalf of the independent group, I thank you."
Xiaoru sighed slightly: "Captain, your words are too serious. Xiaoru cannot take it seriously."
After saying that, Xiaoru turned around numbly and walked out of the door with heavy steps.
The executive officer at the headquarters of the Japanese military commander also woke Ishii up and handed over a piece of intercepted message.
After reading the telegram, Ishii was stunned.
After a long moment of recovery, Ishii instructed the executive officer to quickly summon Tahara and Ando to the headquarters.
After some discussions, the Japanese Army General Headquarters came to the conclusion that although the National Army New City Garrison Regiment is less than 200 miles away from the Independent Regiment, it is impossible to carry out rescue operations alone due to its weak strength.
However, the division headquarters is deploying troops from other places. Because of the remoteness of the road, the possibility of sending troops to help is almost zero.
So Ishii decided that the siege plan should not be changed.
After nine o'clock in the morning, Xiaoru ran out of the report room again with the second intercepted telegram in hand, and strode into the threshold of the regiment headquarters.
Almost at the same time that Shanzi read the telegram, the Japanese military executive was reading the deciphered telegram.
New City Garrison Regiment:
The division headquarters decided to urgently dispatch three reinforced battalions and four cavalry companies to set off at eight o'clock that evening to go to Qiaonan to join hands with friendly forces to annihilate the enemy.
After listening to the telegram, Ishii Bage roared and then tore the telegram into pieces.
According to optimistic estimates, after Ishii intercepted the telegram, the troops would withdraw no later than one o'clock in the afternoon.
Until three o'clock in the afternoon, the regiment headquarters had not received the report of Ishii's withdrawal. Everyone agreed that the Japanese might set the withdrawal time for the evening.
By the morning of the next day, the regiment headquarters had received three reports. The Japanese troops still showed no signs of withdrawing.
It turned out that Ishii had foresight. The national army's reinforcements set out from hundreds of miles away to reach the Quanquanling area. It would take two days and one night at the earliest.
So Ishii decided to start withdrawing troops at 1 a.m. on the 30th of this month.