These two infantry brigades are not the kind of security divisions that are specifically responsible for guarding occupied areas. The third division to which they belong is the Japanese dispatched to China. It is currently the only two veteran divisions formed before the war. More
It is a division in the Eleventh Army specially used for field operations.
Not only are there many veterans, most of the officers are regular graduates of the Army Non-Commissioned Officer School. And the equipment in the entire China Dispatch Army is absolutely second to none. Coupled with the large number of temporarily equipped technical units, its combat effectiveness and combat style can be regarded as the entire
The most powerful force of Japan's China Expeditionary Force is far from being comparable to the infantry brigade of the security division.
Its real combat effectiveness, although there are only two infantry brigades, can basically be equal to the 66th brigade, with one reserve brigade per brigade. In addition, there are a large number of painstakingly managed field fortification groups, as well as the mistakes it made by underestimating the enemy.
Wrong, it is not surprising that Xiong Botao failed in his first wave of attacks.
Originally, he really didn't think highly of the Qingfengdian defenders, who only had two infantry brigades. Xiong Botao's idea was to seize Qingfengdian while marching, with the intention of completing the closure of the encirclement circle as soon as possible. Therefore, he did not conduct detailed battlefield reconnaissance when he came up.
Concentrate two battalions with two tank platoons and launch an attack on Qingfengdian from both ends of the Ping-Han Railway, trying to directly capture this strategic location between Baoding and Shimen in one fell swoop.
According to his assumptions, with an armored division and a motorized infantry division in his hands, wouldn't it be easy to capture this small Qingfeng store with only two infantry brigades guarding it? But he didn't expect that this seemingly inconspicuous Qingfeng store would be a piece of cake.
Store, causing all his first three kicks to miss.
Not only did the first two rounds of attacks fail, but after a whole night of fierce fighting, they occupied the outermost trench of the entire Qingfengdian battlefield. The results were not great, but the casualties were heavy. Six tanks either hit mines or were destroyed.
The hidden anti-tank guns of the Japanese army were destroyed, causing two-thirds of the casualties in the two battalions, and they had to be reduced to one battalion.
During the battle, it was not that the troops were not brave, nor that the support from the armored troops was weak. But apart from the intensive firepower coming from the front, the Japanese infantry and artillery could not even be seen, and the enemy troops could not be found with direct fire.
Where are the fortifications and how can we fight this battle?
Unable to find bridge-building equipment, the tanks could not pass through the blockade trench, so they could only attack along the narrow route of the railway line. Or they could use direct fire cover across the trench. But the first offensive route almost became the Japanese army's
The target of anti-tank guns, the second attack method was also subject to sneak attacks from Japanese anti-tank guns hidden in the dark.
The Japanese Type 1 anti-tank gun is indeed out of date, but in a bunker of more than 100 meters, there is still no problem in sneak attacks. And even if it cannot penetrate the front of the anti-alliance tank, there is still no problem in the sides and behind. In addition, the Japanese army
The dug trench was high on the inside and low on the outside, making it difficult for tank guns to aim.
Unable to attack for a long time, he was worried that the situation of the entire Baoding battlefield would be affected by his delay in completing the perimeter of the entire Baoding battlefield, which would affect the determination of his superiors and the progress of the battle, and even the progress of the entire campaign. Coupled with the heavy losses, Xiong Botao
There was some impatience in my heart.
On the one hand, he concentrated his troops and firepower and adopted a two-wing attack method, focusing on the north and south sides of Qingfengdian. On the other hand, he constantly mobilized engineers and tried to fill in the three blockade ditches under the cover of tanks.
Open the channel for the penetration of armored troops.
Looking through the telescope, the tongues of flames burst out from inside and outside the Qingfeng Store. Some fortifications and even shooting ports were set up close to the ground, and the artificial terrain was cleverly used to camouflage them carefully. If you don't get close, you won't be able to spot a single soil.
Hom, it turned out to be a machine gun fire point or an anti-tank gun fire point of the Japanese army.
Moreover, in such a small town, there are so many firepower points, the density of underground communication trenches, and the completeness and cleverness of the fortifications that he has rarely seen since he joined the army. No matter how calm he was, Xiong Botao couldn't help but curse: "This
You little devil, you really have a talent for digging holes."
In fact, these fortification groups are not uncommon to Xiong Botao. When the Anti-Japanese Alliance fought in the Northeast, they encountered Japanese fortification groups and fortification areas with clever designs and strong fortifications. None of them surpassed the current Qingfeng.
Store. The difficulty of the battle and the huge price paid are far beyond what can be compared at the moment.
At least in those days, the Anti-Japanese War did not have as many artillery pieces with a caliber of over 100 mm as there are now, let alone so many tanks and aircraft. Moreover, the complex mountainous terrain where the major Japanese fortress groups in the Northeast are located is not comparable to the vast plains of central Hebei.
Comparatively.
It's just that when the Anti-Japanese Alliance captured the Japanese fortress, Xiong Botao was still the commander of the Guan Nei Army and had not experienced the bitter fighting. When they attacked the Japanese fortification area in Tongliao in 1941, he was still studying with the Soviet Union.
Tank command. Although during the exercise, he had studied the field fortification groups used to deal with the Japanese army. But this was the first time he had seen such fortifications.
In response to Xiong Botao's impatience, Chen Hanzhang, who was responsible for commanding the entire counterattack, repeatedly asked him in telegrams to stay calm and never be too impatient. He should pay more attention to the characteristics of Japanese military fortifications. When making up his mind,
Don't be too hasty and listen to the suggestions from the troops below.
At the same time, Chen Hanzhang directly telegraphed the intervening troops that the original plan to counterattack northward was cancelled. In addition to leaving some troops to facilitate the commander's command and continue to capture Qingfengdian, he also deployed a force toward Dingxian to prepare to block Zhengding.
Outside the reinforcements on the front line of Shimen.
The main force immediately crossed the Ping-Han Railway to the south of Qingfengdian and attacked the Anguo front line in the southeast direction. The Anguo and Boye front lines must be seized within 16 hours at the latest. Judging from the current battle situation
, it is no longer necessary to detour the cluster and attack north.
After receiving Chen Hanzhang's telegram, Xiong Botao's mind became slightly clearer. After discussing with Lin Feng, the reinforced commander of the Ninth Division, the two decided to re-adjust and deploy. The 25th Regiment of the Ninth Division was the main one, and the 27th Regiment of the Ninth Division was strengthened.
The first battalion of the regiment, the first tank battalion and two companies of the first armored division, and the engineer battalion directly under the ninth division were the attack forces.
The first battalion of the self-propelled artillery regiment of the 1st Armored Division was used to strengthen the 1st company of the 105th Howitzer Battalion and the 3rd company of the 105th Howitzer Battalion of the 9th Division's direct artillery regiment as supporting firepower. Li He, commander of the 25th Regiment, unified the participating troops to attack Qingfengdian
The front-line attack was launched. The main force of the 1st Armored Division and the reinforced 26th Regiment of the 9th Division advanced to attack the Anguo and Boye front lines.
At the same time, the 27th Regiment of the 9th Division and the reinforced 69th Regiment of the 23rd Division were attached to the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Tank Regiment of the 1st Armored Division, an independent regiment of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region and the main artillery regiment of the 9th Division along the
The Qingfengdian battlefield unfolded to the south. Cooperate with the First Department of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region to seize Dingxian and advance to Mingyuedian.
As for Xiong Botao and Lin Feng, there was a division of labor. Xiong Botao directed the group to advance eastward, capture Anguo and Boye, and be responsible for commanding the overall situation. Lin Feng was responsible for commanding the entire battlefield from Qingfengdian to Mingyuedian, and was also responsible for communicating with the surrounding Jincha
Hebei Military Region Troop Coordination.
After finalizing the division of labor, Xiong Botao did not stay in Qingfengdian for too long. He immediately directed his troops to the east and continued to intersperse attacks. As for the one who was transferred from the Eighteenth Division to the ninth division commander when Lin Feng was transferred from the Eighteenth Division Chief of Staff
He was going to come over. The one he called the best commander of his ninth division was given to Li He, the commander who never changed a division. Lin Feng was responsible for explaining the specific tasks. He would handle his subordinates himself.
In fact, although he has been serving as a reserve team, when the brothers' troops failed in the first wave of attacks, he knew that he would attack Li He sooner or later. At this time, he was observing the battle situation outside Qingfengdian and constantly communicating with several of his battalions.
The commander discussed the battle and summarized the experience and lessons learned from the failed attack by the brothers' troops.
After receiving the order from his commander, Li He did not feel the slightest surprise. Looking at the resolute and calm Li He in front of him, Lin Feng went straight to the point without any hesitation towards his old subordinate.
: "The main force cannot stay here for too long. Commander Xiong and I have done research and determined that your 25th Regiment will be responsible for the battle in Qingfengdian."
"Qingfengdian is a strategic point between Shimen and Baoding. Whether it can be captured in the shortest time is related to the progress of the entire Baoding war situation. Whether it can completely encircle and annihilate the entire strategic deployment of the five Japanese regiments on the Baoding battlefield. This
It's hard to choose a deputy, so I chose you."
"You are the best commander of the Ninth Division. Whether you can shoulder this responsibility and complete the combat tasks assigned by the headquarters depends on whether you, the commander, are worthy of this title. If you need anything, please tell me directly.
, as long as the division can produce it now, I can give it to you. But there are only so many troops, and it is impossible to add any more troops to you."
"My request to you is very simple, that is, you must seize the strategic point of Qingfengdian before the Japanese army retreats on the Baoding battlefield. And get stuck here. Before the follow-up troops arrive, even if you fight to the death of one soldier,
, we must also block the Japanese retreating troops here."
"I won't tell you more about the significance and impact of this battle. You are the leader of the main force, and you know these things very well. But I can tell you that it is not only Commander Xiong and Commander Xiong who are paying attention to this battle.
I, Commander Chen from Baoding, and even No. 1 are paying close attention to this battle."
After listening to Lin Feng's words, Li He looked at the two military and political officers in front of him and said directly without any hesitation: "Division Commander, Political Commissar, since the division has decided to hand over this battle to my 25th Regiment, then I
Just one request. I have the final say on how to fight this battle. The division can make requests, but just don’t give me any battle plan. After the battle starts, don’t rush me."
"As long as the division commander and political commissar agree to my request, I promise to capture the Qingfeng Store within the specified time in accordance with the division commander's request, and I will ensure that I am stuck here. In addition to giving me another flamethrower company and adding some explosives,
Besides, I don’t want any more soldiers from the division, nor do I want any strengthened equipment.”
Li He's request made Lin Feng and his political commissar Du Zifu stunned for a moment, but they were somewhat hesitant. It's not that they don't believe Li He, but that the army's doctrine is the doctrine. You kid is going to do this to directly kill Li He.
Throwing aside the supervisory power of superiors is not allowed by the disciplines and regulations of the army.
Looking at the hesitant division commander and political commissar, Li He did not explain too much, but said quite confidently: "Division commander, political commissar, as long as you two agree to my request, I promise to capture Qingfeng in accordance with the requirements of the division.
If I can’t knock the store down, you’ll kill my head.”
Perhaps it was the confidence in Li He's words that impressed his superiors. Although Lin Feng had not answered him yet, political commissar Du Zifu, who had been silent before, suddenly said: "Okay, as you requested, the division commander and I will never interfere with you.
In the battle at Qingfengdian, you can fight as you wish, and we will settle the score later."