Chapter 538: Commander-in-Chief, help your brothers
The war around the Changzhi area can be called a large-scale battle. The scheduled participating troops include five armies of the National Army, three secondary military regions of the Eighth Route Army that directly participate in the war, and those who indirectly participate in the war and are responsible for playing the role of drumbeats include Hebei Nan, Hebei
There are two secondary military regions in Lu and Yu.
The battles in Wu'an, Shexian and even Tainan were only a part of the entire campaign. Although the results were significant, they were not enough to affect the direction of the entire campaign.
Before the battle started, the Taibei Military Region dispatched the 385th Brigade, and the two main forces of the New 1st Brigade approached westward and launched an attack on the Baijin Railway. Many strongholds along the Baijin Railway were uprooted, and the total length of the railway damaged was fifteen miles.
Compared with 40 years ago, the weapons and equipment used by the Eighth Route Army units stationed around the headquarters have greatly improved. As political commissar D said, one step becomes stronger with each step.
Combat units at the military division level already had artillery such as the Type 92 infantry cannon, which served as heavy weapons for attacking fortresses. The Japanese army's strongholds along the blockade could no longer really block the march of the Eighth Route Army. Instead, they became invisible targets.
The Japanese troops setting off from Qi County were forced to get off their vehicles and march on foot.
The battle situation along the Lintun Highway is very different from that in Tainan. The Taiyue Military Region dispatched a total of six regiments, including the 7th, 8th, and 9th regiments of the Third Column of Death, and the 772nd, 16th, and 17th Regiments of the 386 Brigade, plus
Artillery battalion, the main force dispatched this time has approached tens of thousands of people.
It's just that the enemy and we have fought against each other on Lintun Highway many times. The old opponents are familiar with each other's tactics and routines. It is easy to block the enemy's advance, but it is difficult to achieve greater results.
The 386th Brigade Headquarters, the brigade commander and others are discussing the current battle situation.
"According to reports from the front line, the Japanese army's behavior this time was very abnormal. More than 5,000 Imperial Army soldiers were at the front, and the Japanese troops were hanging behind. The distance between the two was not far, but it was enough to break our ambush with the Imperial Army soldiers.
lock up!"
"In addition, this group of Japanese and puppet troops did not seem to be in a hurry to reach Changzhi. They retreated when they encountered an obstruction. The chief of staff repeatedly sent troops to try to take advantage of the enemy and divide the troops, but they failed!" Political Commissar Wang of the 386th Brigade said.
The brigade commander laughed after hearing this: "You guys want to waste time with us. Don't look at this group of Japanese and puppet troops. They have eight thousand people, but they are a partial army. Their purpose is very clear to hold back our Taiyue Military Region."
Once our main force shows signs of moving towards Changzhi, this group of enemy troops will definitely stick to us like dog-skin plaster!"
"But it's okay. This way, the pressure on me will be much less. Order each regiment to wait for opportunities to find fighters. You can't go back empty-handed after dispatching so many troops. You can't do business at a loss. You have to get something if you do it piecemeal.
Got it!"
While other areas are busy, Changzhi and nearby Tunliu are a bit quiet.
The Japanese army has stationed the independent 10th Mixed Brigade in places west of Changzhi. Since the Hundred Regiment War, the Japanese army has suffered successive losses of troops and generals. The number of personnel has not yet been replenished, with only more than 3,000 soldiers.
The Kongjie Independent Regiment that was stationed in the camp and the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Sui Army, the eldest son in the south, were restrained from the north to the south. On weekdays, the enemy and we often fought against each other. However, at this time, the Japanese army took the initiative to shrink its troops in the county and important strongholds. This was really unusual.
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The 27th Army Headquarters is located in Changzhi.
At this time, Fan Hanjie, who was in the office, was answering a phone call.
"Commander-in-Chief, my brother Fan, you have to help me. My New Fifth Army suffered a fierce attack by the Japanese army during the day. Many lines of defense in Lingchuan fell, and the soldiers suffered heavy casualties. If there are no reinforcements,
I'm afraid I won't be able to hold on until tomorrow!" Sun Dianying on the other end of the phone cried bitterly.
"Brother Kuiyuan, Lingchuan is an important barrier for Changzhi in the rear. Once Lingchuan is occupied by the Japanese army, the Japanese army can rush north and form a pincer attack on Changzhi, so Lingchuan must not be lost!" Fan Hanjie emphasized again and again!
.
"Then we have to send some reinforcements. The Thirteenth Army is right behind our troops. Why is there no movement yet?" Sun Dianying asked.
Fan Hanjie comforted Sun Dianying repeatedly on the phone and finally ended the call.
A few days ago, Fan Hanjie was appointed by the old man as the commander-in-chief of the Changzhi region. The governor-general is responsible for all wars in the surrounding areas and has full authority over the five armies.
It seems that everyone is in the limelight and has the power, but in fact they know their own suffering.
"Military seat, I estimate that the New Fifth Army may not be able to survive tomorrow. Once Lingchuan is lost, this battle will no longer need to be fought. Should we send the Eighth Preparatory Division to support us?" Deputy Army Commander Liu on the side
Jin asked, tacitly not mentioning Tang Enbo's direct lineage to the Thirteenth Army.
"No, brother Jianyi, the offensive and defensive battle in Changzhi will be the most brutal battle. I can't trust anyone except our 27th Army!" Fan Hanjie snorted coldly after speaking: "Huh, he Tang Enbo has come to this.
At that time, he still preserved his strength and ignored military orders. Since I can't command his direct lineage, the Thirteenth Army, then I will ask the old man to give the order himself!"
It has been more than half a year since Changzhi fell into the hands of the 27th Army. Now the 27th Army is well-equipped with provisions. During the confrontation with the Eighth Route Army, the Changzhi city fortifications were renovated, and multiple fortifications were also built in the surrounding suburbs.
The first line of defense is a peripheral stronghold based on the surrounding villages, and the second line of defense is a circular position built with more than 60 bunkers.
The third line of defense is the outer trench and the city wall position. The outer trench is 20 meters deep and 30 meters wide. The city wall is 15 meters high and the base is 30 meters wide. In this way, the outer trench and the city wall are connected to form a line 35 meters high and 60 meters wide.
huge barrier.
Zhou Weihan has been paying close attention to the situation of the 27th Army and Changzhi. Seeing the changes in the past half year, Zhou Weihan couldn't help but sigh. Fan Hanjie was far away from the cowards in the national army. After taking sole control of a place, he still had some abilities.
, is a strong enemy.
According to Fan Hanjie's arrangement for this battle, the main force of the 27th Army was concentrated in Changzhi. The 45th Division was located in the northern suburbs, the 46th Division was stationed in the city, and outside, the 8th Division served as a reserve force.
The 13th Army is located in Huguan, southwest of Changzhi. The 40th Army and the 36th Army of the Sichuan Army are respectively stationed in Gaoping, which is stationed in the south of Changzhi, and the southern suburbs of Changzhi. They guard the retreat route of the national army in the Changzhi area to Yangcheng. Sun Dianying's New Five
The army is stationed in Lingchuan and serves as the southwest barrier of Changzhi.
At this time, Fan Hanjie abandoned the previous idea that the Central Army had always preserved its strength, and quickly reached an agreement with Pang Bingxun and Sun Dianying to jointly defend the three armies' territories in the Changzhi area.
For this reason, Pang Bingxun even withdrew part of the Forty Army from Huguan and gave it to the Thirteenth Army.
The Japanese and puppet troops departing from Xinxiang were fighting fiercely with the New Fifth Army. Unexpectedly, at this time, Fan Hanjie, as the commander-in-chief, could not command Tang Enbo's direct 13th Army.