The artillery unit of the first battalion fired long-range artillery fire at the Japanese position for five minutes and then quickly withdrew.
The Japanese artillery is not a vegetarian, especially the 5th Field Artillery Regiment of the 5th Division, whose combat quality is stronger than that of the artillery regiments of ordinary second-line divisions.
If we don't evacuate as soon as possible, if we are counterattacked by the Japanese's 5th Field Artillery Regiment, the losses will be huge.
The artillery bombardment of the 1st Battalion did not cause any losses to the 5th Division.
However, the purpose of the first battalion's bombardment of the Japs' positions was to provoke the Japs of the Fifth Division.
Moreover, most of the Japs were hiding in the tunnels, and it was difficult for 75mm artillery shells to hit the Japs. In addition, without artillery observers to guide them, the artillery shells of the first battalion only blew up some Japanese civil fortifications.
"Report to the battalion commander that the mountain artillery battery has withdrawn."
In the first battalion headquarters, the mountain artillery company commander reported to Zhang Dabiao.
"good!"
Zhang Dabiao nodded and directly gave the order to the mountain artillery company commander: "Your mountain artillery company is deployed on the reverse slope of the No. 1 and 2 hills. Pay attention to concealment. Don't fire when you are not allowed to fire. Don't let the Japanese artillery fire hit you."
"
Each platoon in the first battalion is equipped with at least one low-power walkie-talkie to facilitate communication between superiors and subordinates.
The First Battalion currently has occupied four hills around Caidong Village and is stepping up efforts to build defenses.
"Yes, battalion commander!"
The commander of the mountain artillery company gave a military salute and walked quickly outside.
Then, the instructor walked in quickly and reported to Zhang Dabiao: "Battal Commander, the people from Dongcai Village, Goubei Village and Xiaozhiyu Village have all gone into the mountains."
Zhang Dabiao originally just ordered the evacuation of the people in Dongcai Village, but the instructor considered that this battle might be quite large.
For fear of affecting the people in the surrounding villages, the people in the two nearby villages were also evacuated and asked to hide in the mountains overnight.
After a pause, the instructor continued: "A few gangsters from these villages went in the direction of the Japs' positions, probably to report to the Japs."
Zhang Dabiao narrowed his eyes slightly: "Have you written down your name?"
"I've already written it down." The instructor said in a stern tone, "When Taiyuan is captured, none of these traitors will be able to escape."
These traitors were deliberately sent by the First Battalion to report to the Japanese.
Otherwise, with a battalion of experienced scouts, how could a mere traitor slip away under his nose?
Zhang Dabiao changed the subject: "Have the Japanese made any movement?"
"There has been no movement from the Fifth Division yet," the instructor replied, "and the Japanese artillery regiment has not fired either."
Zhang Dabiao said: "Don't be careless, order the scouts to keep their eyes open for me, don't let the Japanese get into the position."
Although the mission of the first battalion is to lure the Japanese to attack.
But once the Japanese are allowed to easily gain access to the position, that battalion will only be wiped out.
This time there was a big gap in strength with the Japanese army.
"yes."
The instructor turned around and gave the order.
Zhang Dabiao personally drafted a telegram to report to Li Yunlong the current situation and location of the 1st Battalion, and applied for the flying brigade to prepare for support.
Then, Zhang Dabiao asked the telegraph operator to send the telegram.
Then Zhang Dabiao lay down on a quilt and told the guard: "I will take a nap for a while and wake me up immediately if there is any situation."
…
Xinzhou Basin.
Li Yunlong has led his troops to arrive here and ordered to set up camp here.
Scouts have been sent 3 kilometers away to ensure that the main force will not be attacked suddenly.
Although the main force of the new regiment is still 80 kilometers away from Taiyuan.
However, as the nominal commander-in-chief, the situation and location of the participating units of the Eighth Route Army were reported to the headquarters of the new regiment.
"The main force of the 129th Division is only 20 kilometers away from the Taigu defense line."
"The main force of Brigade 386 is 30 kilometers away from Yangquan."
"The main force of the 385 brigade is 35 kilometers away from Shouyang."
"The 120th Division troops and the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region troops are approaching their designated positions..."
"The independent group is about 130 kilometers away from Niangziguan."
"The New Second Regiment is 75 kilometers away from Taiyuan."
"..."
Based on the latest telegrams from each unit, the combat staff of the new regiment drew red arrows representing the march of each unit on the map.
The size of the red arrow represents the size of the army.
Li Yunlong was wearing a leather jacket, drinking water from a porcelain cup in one hand, and staring at the map intently.
The scale of this battle, whether it was the troops mobilized or the combat materials used, was unprecedented in the entire history of the Eighth Route Army.
If we can win, there will be no more wars in Shanxi.
If it loses, the Eighth Route Army will not be able to launch such a large-scale campaign for at least half a year, let alone returning to before liberation.
The reason is very simple. If the battle is lost, Boss Chen will not reimburse the ammunition and will not even lose his share of the business.
If the battle is won and the Eighth Route Army suffers few casualties, ammunition and business will be reimbursed.
Together with the captured weapons, equipment and supplies, the Eighth Route Army's strength will grow rapidly.
So within three months, the Eighth Route Army can launch such a big battle.
Li Yunlong suddenly thought of the first battalion, so he looked up at Wang Dehou and said: "Chief of Staff, I want to ask what is going on over there with the next battalion and what position it has reached."
"Yes, leader."
Just as Wang Dehou was preparing to draft the telegram, the telegraph soldier on the side stepped down from the telecommunications armored vehicle and saluted Li Yunlong with a military salute.
"Report to the commander of the regiment, telegram to the first battalion!"
Li Yunlong's expression changed, he took the telegram and read it.
"Caidong Village is only 7 kilometers away from the Fifth Division's position?"
Li Yunlong quickly found the location of Caidong Village on the map, and Wang Dehou also used a red pencil to draw a standard circle on the location of Caidong Village.
"Commander, whether the fifth division will attack the first battalion will be tonight."
Wang Dehou analyzed: "Will the Japanese from the Fifth Division attack?"
The main force of the new regiment is only 50 kilometers away from the vanguard camp.
According to the current marching speed of the main force of the new regiment, it only takes one day to arrive.
The Eighth Route Army has air support during the day, and the Japanese may not dare to attack during the day. Therefore, if the Japanese want to attack the first battalion, they will definitely choose tonight.
However, the Japanese did not know that the Eighth Route Army aircraft could also provide air support at night.
"If I were the commander of the Fifth Division, I would definitely choose to attack tonight."
Li Yunlong had a treacherous expression on his face: "Why don't you eat this fat meat that is brought to your mouth?"
"It makes sense." Wang Dehou nodded and smiled slightly.
Li Yunlong looked serious: "Immediately convey the coordinates of the 1st Battalion to the flying brigade, order the flying brigade to fill up the fuel, mount aerial bombs, and be ready to take off at any time to reinforce the 1st Battalion."
"yes!"
…
The main elite Japanese troops of the Fifth Division were quickly assembled under the order of the division commander Matsui Tataro.
Taking advantage of the darkness, he sneaked over to the location of the first battalion.
The Japs were discovered by the scouts of the First Battalion when they were three kilometers away.
However, there was no exchange of fire. The first battalion of scouts quickly withdrew and reported the situation of the Japanese to Zhang Dabiao via walkie-talkie.
To be continued...