In a mountain village about 40 kilometers away from Liping, a famous city in southeastern Guizhou, the central column was still camping after a night's march.
The chief of the confidential section ran over shouting "The 18th Regiment is victorious, the 18th Regiment is victorious" and woke up many people. No one knew what had happened. Many soldiers stood up with guns in their hands.
Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Zhang Wentian, Wang Jiaxiang, Bo Gu and other central leaders were still resting. The sound of the dispute between the confidential section chief and the guard soldiers came over, and several leaders were alarmed. They all got up and came to their camp yard.
doorway
Liu Bocheng, Chief of the General Staff of the Red Army, saw the telegram in the hand of the confidential section chief and asked: "Comrade, what are you doing that makes you so anxious?"
Only then did the confidential section chief feel that he was too happy and hurriedly reported: "Report to the chief of staff, the 18th Red Regiment has achieved a great victory and the 16th Hunan Division has been completely annihilated."
"What?" Liu Bocheng grabbed the telegram, browsed it briefly, and laughed.
Boss Zhu asked: "Bocheng, why are you so happy?"
Liu Bocheng hurriedly said: "Report to the Commander-in-Chief that the Eighteenth Red Regiment destroyed He Jian's Sixteenth Division this morning."
Mr. Zhu took the telegram, looked at it briefly, and laughed loudly: "Bogu, Enlai, Luofu, Jiaxiang, Lao Mao, look at it. The 18th Regiment killed the 16th Hunan Division and captured them."
Enemy division commander. So happy, so happy!"
Vice Chairman Zhou received the telegram, glanced at it, and read out excitedly: "Chinese Revolutionary Military Commission:
Our regiment left a platoon in Tongdao County to pretend to be the main force. After a night of rapid march, the whole regiment arrived at Xiaoshui Village, Shanmuqiao Township, Tongdao on the morning of the 12th to occupy the ambush position. At 10 o'clock in the morning, the 48th vanguard brigade of the enemy's 16th Hunan Division ran into the ambush circle.
was completely wiped out. Our regiment immediately moved forward to the ambush position. At 10:50, the enemy's 16th Hunan Division led the 47th Brigade into the ambush circle and was completely wiped out. Our regiment moved forward to the ambush position again, and at 12:20, reinforcements
The enemy's 46th brigade entered the ambush circle and was completely wiped out. In this battle, there were three ambushes in one day, and all three ambushes were victorious. A total of one division headquarters, three brigade headquarters, and six regiments of the 16th Hunan Division were wiped out. 8,482 enemy people were killed and 1,270 were injured.
We captured 1,420 enemy soldiers below the commander of the 16th Hunan Division. We seized 4 radio stations, a mountain artillery battalion of the 28th Hunan Army, a total of 12 mountain guns, 36 mortars, 36 heavy machine guns, 218 light machine guns, 6,450 rifles, and pistols.
472 guns, 538 submachine guns, and 120 cartloads of ammunition. Our army had no casualties and 76 wounded. In addition, I would like to ask for two things: first, how to deal with the commander Zhang Liangji of the Sixteenth Hunan Division. Second, the 48 soldiers of the Sixteenth Hunan Division captured by our regiment.
Brigade radio operator Lu Wen claimed to be an underground party member and was instrumental in luring the enemy's 16th Hunan Division headquarters and 47th Brigade into an ambush. Please ask the General Political Department for verification. Red 18th Regiment. December 12, 12:50."
After reading the telegram, Vice Chairman Zhou was so excited that he could not speak for a long time.
Mao Zedong took the telegram and read it carefully and said: "It's amazing, the heroic Eighteenth Red Regiment! A reorganized regiment dared to defeat six against one, fought three battles and won three victories, and suffered zero casualties. Since the establishment of the Red Army, this has never happened before
The record! Enlai, boss, I suggest that the battle report of the Eighteenth Regiment be notified to the whole army, and the legions be ordered to attack at the predetermined target at full speed to defeat the Guizhou Army. I call on the whole army to learn from the heroic Red Eighth Regiment, not to be afraid of fatigue, not to be afraid of sacrifice, and to dare to
Defeat all enemies. It is recommended to call back to the 18th Regiment: First, the troops should move quickly and covertly, find other opportunities to avoid being surrounded by heavy enemy groups. Second, reiterate that the 18th Regiment’s operations are decided by the commander Liu Yimin on the fly. Third, after Zhang Liangji’s education
He will be released at the appropriate time and asked to convey to Liu Jianxu of the Hunan Army the purpose of the Red Army's march north to resist Japan, and to warn the Hunan Army not to pursue our army again."
Vice Chairman Zhou said: "I would like to add that the incident of radio operator Lu Wen will be reported separately after the incident is investigated."
After soliciting everyone's opinions, Mr. Zhu said to the confidential section chief: "I will issue this according to this opinion!"
The head of the confidential section repeated the story and saw that the chiefs had no objections, so he ran to send the report.
Mao Zedong said: "Let's go, guys, we can't sleep anymore. The 18th Regiment has hurt the Hunan Army. It's time for us to destroy the Guizhou Army."
At this time, Liu Yimin was busy training the troops.
Just now, after Liu Yimin incited the emotions of the prisoners of the Hunan Army, the leaders of several regiments studied on the spot and immediately held a cadre meeting to announce the establishment of the 18th Regiment and the 5th Battalion, with the 1st Battalion and 3rd Company and the 2nd Battalion and 6th Company as the backbone to supplement 150 Hunan soldiers.
Army soldiers were organized into three companies: 13, 14, and 15. Zhao Shan, the former deputy commander of the 1st Battalion, was promoted to commander of the 5th Battalion, and Wang Nanhu, deputy commander of the 2nd Battalion, was promoted to instructor; the 6th Battalion of the 18th Regiment was established, and the 3rd Battalion and 9 Companies were established.
The 12th Company of the 4th Battalion was the backbone, supplemented by 150 Hunan Army soldiers, and organized into three companies: 16, 17, and 18. Lei Ming, the former commander of the new recruit battalion, was appointed as the commander of the 6th Battalion, and Li Deguang, the former deputy commander of the 3rd Battalion, was promoted to instructor; the 1st Battalion
, the second, third, and fourth battalions are each equipped with a radio station, and each recruits 150 Hunan Army soldiers to form new 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th companies respectively. All six combat battalions have added machine gun companies.
Equipped with two mortars, three heavy machine guns and 12 light machine guns. Each infantry squad has one light machine gun. The squad leader and deputy squad leader are equipped with a submachine gun and a new shell gun that can be fired continuously. Each other soldier has one.
Type 79 rifle, 100 rounds of ammunition, and 6 grenades. Looking at the whole of China at that time, the firepower equipment of the six combat battalions of the Red 18th Regiment was the first.
Li Chang finally became the artillery battalion commander, leading two mountain artillery companies and two mortar companies. He was delighted and discussed with instructor Wang Shanzhu, who had also been promoted, whether to find an opportunity to fire some artillery to train his troops. Wang Shanzhu was straightforward.
He was told that not a single cannonball could be fired without the regimental commander's order. Li Chang rubbed his hands helplessly and shouted: "My hands are itchy, my hands are so damn itchy!"
The heavy machine gun company was also upgraded to a heavy machine gun battalion, with three heavy machine gun companies, each equipped with eight heavy machine guns, and the battalion leader was promoted from the former machine gun company leader.
The baggage corps was renamed the baggage battalion, and the battalion leadership was changed from the former baggage corps leader. It was equipped with infantry weapons and was responsible for the protection and transportation of captured materials.
The cadres of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd companies of the new barracks will not be moved, and the cadres of the headquarters support cadres will be mainly used. The cadres of the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th companies of the new barracks have been established. Chen Dazhong, deputy commander of the fourth battalion, was promoted to the commander of the new barracks.
Chang Huayu still serves as the instructor of the new military camp.
The role of the sniper platoon was recognized by the Red Army soldiers. At Liu Yimin's insistence, each combat team of the sniper platoon was equipped with a telescope, a rifle for each person, and a new shell gun.
The regiment's security squad was upgraded to a security platoon, each with a rifle, a submachine gun, and a shell gun. The platoon leader was promoted to Li Chengyi.
The only thing that remained unchanged in the regiment was the reconnaissance platoon. Because Liu Yimin required that the soldiers in the reconnaissance platoon must be veteran Red Army soldiers, there was no expansion.
The artillery battalion, heavy machine gun battalion, and engineer battalion are all equipped with rifles and pistols, and there are no additional guard units. The excess pistols are equipped on average with one company of the first battalion, four companies of the second battalion, seven companies of the third battalion, and ten companies of the fourth battalion. The remaining weapons are handed over to
The baggage camp is used for storage and transportation.
After the formation of the troops was completed, the total strength of the regiment reached 4,700, equivalent to two main regiments of the Red Army. Each battalion was transferred to the battlefield for training. In Liu Yimin's words, it was brainwashing, running-in, practicing tactics, and removing impurities. Eliminating impurities was
Mobilize new soldiers to expose those with blood debts and bad habits such as gambling, smoking, and sexually transmitted diseases to ensure the purity of the team. All battalion cadres and old Red Army soldiers were mobilized in accordance with Liu Yimin's requirements to help new soldiers familiarize themselves with the team.
, talk about grievances, teach tactics and essentials, and help them integrate into the 18th Regiment family as soon as possible.
Seeing how busy the cadres were, Cai Zhong said to Liu Yimin: "Commander, why did I hear that what you just said to the prisoners was full of incitement and temptation. This is not completely consistent with the spirit of our army's ideological and political work.
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Liu Yimin replied: "Political Commissar, you are right. It is not full of incitement and temptation, but naked incitement and temptation."
Cai Zhong asked in confusion: "Why did you do that?"
Liu Yimin smiled and said: "Well, my political commissar, I am here to save these prisoners. Instead of working for Bald Chiang, He Jian and others, it is better to join the Red Army and fight for your own freedom. If you don't incite or seduce, those
Can prisoners join the Red Army on the spot?"
Cai Zhong asked again: "If these prisoners find that being in the Red Army is hard and that they may die at any time, why don't they all desert?"
Liu Yimin replied: "No. The Xiyan training has provided experience. I believe in the powerful power of the Red Army's political and ideological work and the ability and level of the cadres."
Cai Zhong also smiled and said: "You are pushing people who are not revolutionary to make revolution. I think you are a bit like a matchmaker in an arranged marriage."
Liu Yimin said: "Arranged marriages are not entirely unhappy. Can you get married first and fall in love later?"
Cai Zhong laughed so hard that he coughed: "What a great Liu Yimin. You marry first and then fall in love. It's really a quick way to become famous."
Seeing Cai Zhong stop laughing, Liu Yimin said seriously: "What we need to pay attention to is that we must find out those villains with blood-stained hands and scumbags who smoke and have sexually transmitted diseases. We must maintain the purity of our Red Army team."
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Cai Zhong said: "Leave it to me, you can just think about the next move."
Liu Yimin said: "I only give you two hours. In two hours, the troops will be ready to set off?"
Cai Zhong stared and said, "Then why are you bothering me? Get out of the way!"
After Cai Zhong left, Liu Yimin asked the staff office to take out the maps captured from the 16th Hunan Division and began to think about the problem of the 62nd Hunan Division.
Historically, when the Hunan 62nd Division pursued the Central Red Army, it set out from Le'anbu in Suining, passed through Xikou, Taipingtou, Guniukou, and Zhaitou Fort towards Jingwu Prefecture. The two regiments of Wang Yuying's brigade, the leader,
At 5 pm on the 13th, they crossed Jingwu Prefecture and reached Diping Village, where they were blocked by the rearguard of the First Red Army. The next morning, Tao Guang, commander of the 62nd Division, led Zhong Guangren's brigade to join the attack, and ordered a regiment of Wang Yuying's brigade to bypass the Red Army's position.
When the rearguard of the First Red Army Corps saw the main force of the enemy arriving, it completed its blocking mission and retreated on its own initiative. The 62nd Division then captured Tongtong County at 8 a.m.
Since the Hunan 16th Division pursues the Red Army one day earlier than in history, the Hunan 62nd Division will definitely be dispatched at the same time. The problem is that it is already half past twelve after the third ambush in the Xiaoshui battle, and the troops are training again, and at least 3 more are needed
hour, no matter what, we will not be able to reach the front of the 62nd Division Wang Yuying's Brigade before 5 p.m., so there is no way to block or ambush the Wang Yuying Brigade from a preset position, or to surprise the Wang Yuying Brigade. In this way, the Wang Yuying Brigade will definitely capture the passage quickly.
county seat.
Radio contact also confirmed Liu Yimin's conjecture. He Xinghua reported that the enemy's First Corps headquarters inquired about the progress of the 16th Division and informed that the Wang Yuying Brigade of the 62nd Division had arrived at Xikou, no trace of the Red Army was found, and was heading towards Jingwu Prefecture.
Liu Yimin deliberately gave up training and led his troops to move in quickly to intercept Wang Yuying's brigade. However, considering that the troops were too tired on the night of the 11th in order to ambush the 16th Hunan Division, and the enemy Wang Yuying's brigade walked in a straight line, the 18th Regiment arrived from Xiaoshui.
Jingwu Prefecture took the main road in an arc. If it took the small road, it would not be able to speed up, and the possibility of catching up was very small. Even if it catches up with the enemy Wang Yuying's brigade, once the enemy forms a battle formation, the 18th regiment will be exhausted.
The division had no chance of winning against the enemy's new forces. In addition, abandoning training meant that a part of the main force had to be sent to escort 1,400 Hunan Army captives, resulting in a dispersion of troops. As for letting go of the 1,400 prisoners, Liu Yimin didn't even think about it. What a joke.
Can you spit out the fat that reaches your mouth? You must know that those are 1,400 well-trained soldiers! The wounded soldiers can be let go, and the uninjured ones are not even considered.
In desperation, Liu Yimin had no choice but to send a telegram to the seventh company and one platoon of the Third Battalion who were staying at the passage to take the prepared military uniforms and dry rations, and immediately evacuate the county, hide the uniforms and dry rations, and advance to the front line of Jingwu Prefecture to harass the stagnant enemy troops.
In view of the huge disparity between the strength of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Company and 1st Platoon and the enemy, and that unnecessary sacrifices cannot be made, Liu Yimin emphasized in the telegram that frontal blocking and close-range attacks were not allowed, and that the advantage of a small unit must be used to advance suddenly on the enemy's marching route.
Move back and forth, left and right, fire one shot and then retreat. Just make the enemy suspicious and know that a Red Army team is watching nearby. You must not be bitten by the enemy and cause casualties.
Now, Liu Yimin's hawk-like eyes were fixed firmly on Tao Guang, commander of the 62nd Hunan Division, and the Zhong Guangren brigade led by him.
Liu Yimin knew that the 62nd Division was organized into two brigades and four regiments. Since the vanguard Wang Yuying Brigade followed the same route of action in history, the division commander Tao Guang must have led the Zhong Guangren Brigade and the troops directly under the division to provide support from behind. In this case, the troops led by Tao Guang should
It was on a certain section of the road between the three key points of Le'anbu, Xikou, and Zhaitubao. The reason why the enemy's First Corps radio station did not report the exact location of the 62nd Division's headquarters was probably because the 62nd Division's headquarters was on the march.
Liu Yimin is determined to penetrate directly from Xiaoshui to the mouth of the creek. If the enemy's 62nd Division Headquarters and Zhong Brigade have not arrived at the mouth of the creek, they will set up an ambush near the mouth of the creek. If the enemy's 62nd Division Headquarters and Zhong Brigade arrive at the mouth of the creek, they will encircle and annihilate them at the mouth of the creek.
This enemy, the reorganized Red 18th Regiment just needs an encirclement and annihilation battle to test the unit's combat effectiveness. It always blindly attacks sneak attacks, which is not entirely a good thing for a unit that is preparing to be a sharp arrow for the Red Army; if the 62nd Division Headquarters and
Zhong Lu had already passed the mouth of the stream, so he pursued him and hit him on the back.
After making up his mind, Liu Yimin ordered the reconnaissance platoon to immediately find a guide and investigate the enemy's situation in the direction of Xikou. Then, he ordered the cavalry company to end the training in advance, follow the reconnaissance platoon, and implement combat alert in the direction of Xikou.
While Liu Yimin was making these arrangements, Cai Zhong's work was also progressing smoothly. The cadres of the Political Department went to each battalion to organize and mobilize new soldiers to conduct searches, and found 45 soldiers who had blood debts, smoked heavy tobacco, or had syphilis.
, 26 people with blood debts were executed on the spot, and the other 19 people with bad habits were locked up with enemy officers. This measure eliminated hidden dangers for the troops and became a natural procedure for the 18th Regiment to deal with prisoners in the future.
Looking at the time, more than 2 hours have passed, and each battalion has successively reported the end of field training. Liu Yimin no longer waited, and immediately ordered the 510 seriously injured Hunan soldiers who had undergone preliminary medical treatment to be left in Xiaoshui Village and handed over to the villagers for care.
The troops were divided into two groups. Wu Zheng led the regiment's guard platoon and baggage camp, carried four battalions of radio stations, escorted captured materials and captured enemy officers, and 760 lightly wounded Hunan troops, disguised themselves as the 16th Hunan Division, and advanced along the highway to Linkou;
Liu Yimin and Cai Zhong led six combat battalions and sniper platoons, teaching teams, artillery battalions, heavy machine gun battalions, engineer battalions, and recruit battalions. Under the guidance of the reconnaissance platoon, they took a small road and headed straight for the mouth of the creek.