At ten o'clock in the night, An Yi, accompanied by Xia Jian, Gu Laoer and a seven-man team brother, drove out of the camp gate slowly on horseback. The Jiangjun Temple camp, where the main force had already left, suddenly became silent.
silent.
The munitions logistics, ordnance station, artillery company and other departments directly under the battalion headquarters stayed at the camp. The elite guard company of the model battalion, which fought continuously for three days and four nights, was also left by An Yi to rest and recuperate. The eighth company, composed of recruits and reduced soldiers, stayed in the company
Under the leadership of Chang Mu Zhuiyi, they took on the security task of guarding the entire Jiangjun Temple camp.
Hu Hu, Yang Bin, Lu Mingdi, and Qu Muchen had already led the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 3rd engineering companies to the front line by land at 8:40 pm. Yin Jinan, Ye Cheng, and Zhang Xiangong
The three men led the first company and the second company of engineers to recruit civilian boats and boatmen, and under the tow of two small steamers from the Ganjiang River Transportation Gao'an Company, they loaded down the river with bridge construction materials.
At 6:30 in the morning, the artillery positions of the two armies of the Revolutionary Army that had been deployed on the west bank of the Ganjiang River began to roar, and dense artillery shells flew towards enemy positions inside and outside Nanchang City. The four engineering companies of the model camp were also rumbling.
Amidst the sound of cannons, the construction of the first pontoon bridge began.
Due to adequate preparation and easy access to materials, a sandbar more than fifty meters long and more than twenty meters wide protruded from the center of the river during the dry season, dividing the wide Ganjiang River water surface into two left and right branches more than thirty meters wide. Four training areas
The plain engineer company worked quickly and easily.
On the east bank of the pontoon construction site, An Yi and his seven subordinate patrol infantry companies built a defensive position. They were satisfied with the width, depth and stacking of sandbags in the more than 120-meter arc trench.
The communication trenches on the river bank at the rear are also dug accurately and wide. When the enemy attacks, the participating officers and soldiers can rush into the two communication trench entrances from the hidden spot on the river bank near the head of the pontoon without exposing their bodies, and walk more than 80 meters to reach the front trench.
Curved trenches to attack the enemy.
An Yi sincerely admired the choice of the two heavy machine gun firepower points: "The location of these two heavy machine guns is very good, the terrain is high, and the shooting range is wide. They use felled huge tree roots and natural rooting stones to build defenses, and only add
A dozen sandbags are extremely strong, distributed on the left and right of the position, forming a dense crossfire. The nearly two kilometers in front of the position are under the threat of these two heavy machine guns, which is amazing!"
"This was arranged by Commander Lao Yang." Huzi reported to An Yi.
Yang Bin laughed: "This is not my ability, but the location is good. This area is just outside the artillery range of the Nanchang City defenders. Furthermore, our infantry battalion is well-equipped, with two heavy machine guns in each company.
Each platoon has a light machine gun, and each company's six platoon commanders, deputy platoon commanders, and three company chief officers have a fancy machine gun. Most of the rifles in the hands of the soldiers are made in Germany with excellent performance. There are also forced troops on the opposite West Bank.
The brothers in the artillery company provide mortar support. Not many troops can possess such powerful firepower. It is exciting to be able to command such a company in combat!"
Everyone laughed heartily and felt very proud. After laughing, An Yi loudly said his goal: "Brothers, don't be so easily satisfied. The firepower configuration of an advanced combat company should be like this. Add one with two air-cooled heavy machine guns, and two
A cannon platoon with a mortar, each squad of the other three infantry platoons has a light machine gun, one or two excellent shooters with accurate marksmanship, and the two squad leaders each have a fancy machine gun. Such a combat company is
Our development goals are only within two years. Two years later, we will need to make adjustments and supplements again based on the development of science and technology and the latest situation of Chinese and foreign militaries."
Yang Bin and others asked in surprise: "How much does this cost? Is it possible?"
"Why is it impossible? Once I capture Nanchang, I will compile a demonstration company for everyone to see."
After An Yi finished speaking, he issued an order: "The artillery battle between the two sides is about to end. The brother troops will soon cross the river by boat on the north river. The defense here will be taken care of by the fifth company. Lao Yang has full command. The seventh company and the seven companies on the west bank will
The mortar company is commanded by Lao Zhang and Lao Qu. Huzi, Lao Lu, you take the Sixth Company, take the shovels and steel picks from the Fifth Company to the construction site in the south, and immediately start the trench fortification of the east bank defensive position.
construction."
"yes!"
The brothers saluted and rode away, and immediately the sound of commands and the clanging of weapons and equipment rang out from the battlefield.
An Yi stopped Yin Jinan: "Jinan, I remember hearing you tell Huzi when we first arrived, the one who built the pontoon bridge at Shengmi Ferry in the north was the Engineer Battalion of the Fourth Division of the Second Army?"
Yin Jinan smiled and said: "Exactly, Lao Zhang has been promoted to lieutenant colonel commander of the Fourth Division Engineer Battalion due to his outstanding performance in the Northern Expedition. Before dawn, he came to me on horseback and said that they had never
I had built a pontoon bridge over 70 meters long, but I was unsure. I asked him to directly use the bottom piles left after the enemy bombed the bridge for construction, and gave him a batch of fastening accessories. He happily boarded the small steamer we requisitioned.
Let’s go and say that after the battle, we’ll be invited to the best restaurant in the city for a drink.”
"Haha! The stupid Zhang Tianyi probably made a lot of money by following their teacher Zhang Huizhan. The Yunnan Baiyao and opium business between them and A Biao is getting bigger and bigger. Even Mr. Ou Yaoting's pharmaceutical factory is also selling to
They ordered Yunnan Baiyao and other expensive medicinal materials, so we had to kill him hard to get the pleasure and sell him some stuff."
An Yi laughed happily, and was very happy that his old classmate had come out: "Come on, let's dismount and take a look. The main body of the pontoon has come out. Check the pulling ropes and the approach bridges at both ends. There can't be any mistakes. It is estimated that the artillery will be deployed within an hour.
We’re about to cross the bridge.”
Forty minutes later, fourteen artillery tractor trucks of the First Army dragged the artillery pieces that had not yet cooled down to the head of the pontoon bridge on the west bank. Hundreds of artillery brothers immediately got busy, unloading boxes of artillery shells and pulling in pieces.
Draft horse, quickly connect the artillery to the draft horse.
An Yi had already seen the artillery regiment commander Cai Zhonghu and several seniors from the second artillery section jumping out of the truck and walking towards the pontoon bridge. He quickly led Yin Jinan forward and saluted: "Hello, instructor!"
Cai Zhonghu, who graduated from the artillery department of the third phase of Baoding, is only about 1.6 meters tall. He has a bold personality and is willing to help others. His ancestral home is Dongyang, Zhejiang. After the Wuchang Uprising, he joined the revolutionary pioneer Huang Xing's army. Later, he moved south to Guangdong several times to join the Guangdong Army.
Li Jishen served as a major education officer and weapons instructor at the "Xijiang Army and Navy Lecture Hall" hosted by Li Jishen. He had a close friendship with Chen Cheng, his junior fellow student from the gunnery department of Baoding Military Academy. After the establishment of Huangpu Military Academy, he served as a gunnery instructor and guided diligent soldiers several times.
An Yi is studying subjects such as artillery position construction and position defense. He is naturally very happy to see An Yi at this moment: "Xiao Yi, haha! I already knew I had to cross your bridge... How is your injury?"
"The wound on my stomach has healed, but the wound on the back of my left shoulder has not yet healed due to the large wound, and I still cannot move my left hand."
An Yi finished speaking with a smile on his face, and immediately greeted several other seniors. Seeing the urgency of time, he quickly gave way: "Jinan and I personally inspected the pontoon bridge just now. It can be crossed. We will wait until the first artillery passes through the sandbank in the center of the river.
On the bridge deck, the second artillery can get onto the bridge."
"Okay, let's meet again after we capture Nanchang. I heard that your boy and Brother Mingsan have made a fortune selling grain, so you want to buy me a drink, haha!"
After Cai Zhonghuan finished speaking, he returned the greeting to An Yi, led his men down the dirt road on the river bank, stepped onto the pontoon bridge, looked at it, and strode across with satisfaction.
Immediately afterwards, the Fourth Regiment of the Second Division, which served as the general reserve team, also drove quickly under the leadership of Liu Zhi. Liu Zhi was very satisfied when he saw that all the artillery regiments attached to the army had passed. After whispering to An Yi to pay attention to the warnings on the river banks along the way, Liu Zhi also
He led the four regiments across the bridge quickly and rushed to the gates of Nanchang City, where they joined the two main regiments commanded by Xu Tingyao and Jiang Dingwen who crossed the river by boat and besieged the city first.
Lieutenant Ma Pinglin, deputy of the third battalion of the fourth regiment, walking at the back of the team, is also a graduate of the fourth phase of Huangpu's infantry college. He has a good relationship with Yin Jinan. When he saw Yin Jinan's lieutenant colonel rank, he was envious of it. The two fist bumped and cherished each other.
He and An Yi saluted each other and hurried down the river bank with his troops.
An Yi looked at the figures of thousands of brothers on the east coast and felt particularly heavy. He didn't know how many of the large number of fellow disciples among them would survive after fighting this battle. Based on the analysis of the strong character of Master Liu Zhi, he served as the commander of Nanchang City.
The Second Division, which is mainly engaged in the Shengmen direction, is likely to suffer huge casualties. The height of the walls of the famous and sturdy city of Nanchang is not lower than that of Wuchang City. There are more than twice as many enemies in the city as there were in Wuchang City at that time, and they were well prepared and ready. It seems that
It is very likely that there will be the big rout that General Bai Chongxi feared.
Regarding the possible defeat in this battle, although the far-sighted Bai Chongxi did not mention a word, An Yi clearly understood from the importance Bai Chongxi attached to the construction of the second pontoon bridge and the words that quietly reminded An Yi to strengthen the defense of the pontoon bridge as much as possible.
Realizing that a rout is increasingly likely.
"Jinan, brothers, you have enough rest time. You immediately lead all four engineering companies to the construction site downstream and build the pontoon bridge as quickly as possible. The stronger the better, there is no need to save materials, all accessories will be used as long as they can be used.
Use it." An Yi ordered in a low voice.
"Yes! I'll go right away."
The attentive Yin Jinan had already guessed An Yi's worries, and without hesitation, he immediately led his adjutants and guards to leave.
An Yi turned to Zhang Xiangong and Qu Muchen: "Old Zhang, you lead the brothers of the mortar company immediately south along the river, build a relatively concealed shooting position within 300 meters of the pontoon bridge head, and determine all strikes on the east bank in advance as much as possible
According to the parameters of the area, try to make full use of the mortar range to prepare for long-distance coverage. Tell the brothers in the company that they must be mentally prepared to withstand a large-scale enemy attack and support the brothers on the east coast with the best firepower.
Defend and ensure the absolute safety of the second pontoon bridge.
Laoqu, you are in charge here. The Seventh Company is under your full command. The south side will be taken care of by my battalion brothers. Behind you are the brothers from a battalion of the headquarters security regiment. You only need to strengthen the security in the north area along the river. If necessary,
, you have to lead the Seventh Company across the bridge to support Lao Yang and the Fifth Company brothers in the defensive position on the east bank."
"yes!"
Zhang Xianggong and Qu Muchen answered in unison. Zhang Xianggong turned around and ordered the mortar company to assemble, leading more than a hundred brothers to carry twelve mortars and dozens of boxes of shells onto horseback.
Qu Muchen asked doubtfully: "Xiao Yi, do you think the prospect of this battle is not good?"
An Yi sighed slightly: "According to your introduction to Deng Ruzhuo, I am quite wary of this general of the Anhui clan who is older than me in the military. This man is profound in the art of war and has experienced hundreds of battles. He has grown from a small soldier step by step.
Today's position as commander-in-chief of the Gan Army is by no means comparable to that of ordinary generals. After more than ten years of warlord melee, he has always been able to win more and lose less. In the Zhi-Feng War, his several commanding actions were very decisive and beautiful, causing heavy losses to the Feng Army.
We can only avoid his sharp edges. Even Zhang Zuolin admired Deng Ruzhuo endlessly.
Looking at the current Chinese military circles, how many people can be praised by Zhang DaHu, the commander-in-chief of the Fengjun Army? Feng Yuxiang, who you call the "rebellious general", cannot be taken seriously by Zhang DaHu. This shows Deng Ruzhuo's military level.
How high! So I have been thinking about what Deng Ruzhuo would do in the past two days. Especially starting from last night, I shuddered thinking of the many possible methods he could use. Therefore, it is better for us to be careful and do more things if we can.
Do something.”
Qu Muchen nodded solemnly: "I understand! Leave this to me. I will strictly instruct the communications troops to use signal flags to keep in touch with all parties at any time. Once the east coast needs it, I will immediately lead troops to assist in the battle."
An Yi nodded, and just as he was about to lead Gu Laoer and others to mount their horses and head south, he saw several brothers from the guard regiment running towards the city from a distance. He immediately knew that Commander-in-Chief Chiang had personally come to the city to supervise the battle. So An Yi quickly ordered the seven
Jingrui pulled the horse to the side of the forest, and led Gu Laoer, Qu Muchen and others to wait for the principal's arrival by Gongli Road.