klisemfg Chapter 318: The Brave Central Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army
Chapter 318: The Brave Central Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army
Majiapo.
This small place, which is inconspicuous on the map, has now become the focus of confrontation between the two armies.
Large forces from the 65th and 66th Divisions arrived here one after another.
As the supreme commander, Yamamoto ordered all troops to quickly establish defensive positions in Majiapo and prepare for the next battle.
Countless Japanese soldiers quickly took action and began to build trenches and dig anti-artillery holes on Majiapo.
The entire Majiapo was full of Japanese soldiers moving around. They were using shovels to dig trenches desperately in the mountains, and every Japanese soldier was doing his best to build his position.
"We must complete the construction of the position before dark, otherwise we will be exposed to enemy fire," a Japanese squad leader shouted to his soldiers.
Yamamoto and Ito stood on the high point of Majiapo, overlooking the busy soldiers below.
Their eyes were fixed on the Eighth Route Army troops that were pouring in from the distance.
Yamamoto said to Ito: "General Ito, it seems that the enemy wants to eat up our two divisions, but I don't know if they are strong enough to do so."
Ito smiled slightly, with a hint of contempt in his eyes: "General Yamamoto, in my opinion, the actions of the independent column are ridiculous.
I don't believe they can defeat our two divisions. When the other two armies arrive, they will definitely make the independent column pay a heavy price."
The two men stood on the top of the hill and had very high expectations for the upcoming battle.
They believed that as long as the other two armies could arrive on time, they would be able to launch a major counterattack and wipe out the Eighth Route Army's troops in one fell swoop.
........
Xialongquan,
In the 358th Regiment's new headquarters, Chu Yunfei was studying the map intently, brows furrowed, thinking about the upcoming battle.
Chief of Staff Fang Ligong quickly walked into the command center.
"Commander, the headquarters sent a telegram, saying that the 358th Regiment needs to leave immediately for Hequan Village to stop the 60th Regiment of the 116th Division, which is the same Japanese regiment we stopped last time."
Chu Yunfei's gaze immediately fell on Hequan Village, which is 7 kilometers away from Xialongquan.
He knew that this distance was not far for a forced march, but it was a huge challenge to build an effective defense line in a short period of time.
He immediately said to the other party: "You have done a great job. Immediately notify all troops to take action immediately and rush to Hequan Village as quickly as possible to stop the 116th Regiment. This time, our 358th Regiment will definitely be able to avenge our previous defeat."
"Yes, Commander." Fang Ligong quickly turned around and left the command center to convey the order.
Chu Yunfei looked at Hequan Village on the map and murmured, "116th Regiment, you will never be able to break through the defense line of my 358th Regiment this time."
The reason why Chu Yunfei was confident was that in addition to a large increase in the number of troops, he also obtained a large number of heavy weapons and equipment such as light and heavy machine guns and artillery.
He knew that these equipment would greatly enhance the combat effectiveness of the 358th Regiment.
This time, he wanted to let the Japanese know how powerful the 358th Regiment was.
In the various camps of the 358th Regiment, the soldiers quickly assembled and the officers conducted a brief and powerful pre-war mobilization, telling the soldiers the importance of this operation and its impact on the entire war situation.
"Brothers, we failed to stop the 116th Regiment last time. This time we will let them know how powerful we are."
A company commander said at the mobilization meeting, "We must defend our dignity and honor with our actions."
The soldiers responded loudly to the company commander's mobilization, and morale was high.
.....
Three hours later.
After a rapid march, the main force of the 358th Regiment arrived at Hequan Village one after another.
Chu Yunfei stood at the entrance of the village, commanding the troops to deploy quickly.
"All units immediately organize defensive positions and deploy artillery positions!"
After receiving the order, the soldiers of the 358th Regiment acted quickly. Chu Yunfei deployed the artillery company's 20 75mm mountain cannons on a high point on a hill above Hequan Village. This position could cover the entire periphery of Hequan Village with artillery fire.
The artillerymen quickly adjusted their gun positions, calibrated their firing ranges, and prepared to launch a fierce attack on the invading enemy at any time.
The 60th Division and the 20th Independent Brigade did not march in a concentrated force like the 67th Division, but instead marched towards Majiapo from multiple directions in regiments.
The troops of the six regiments were divided into six routes to provide support to Majiapo, and the troops of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army were forced to also divide into six routes to block the enemy.
Given the powerful combat effectiveness of the Japanese regiment, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army could only stop the Japanese's frenzied attack by dispatching a division of troops to take advantage of the terrain.
Since both sides had few troops in this area, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army Command had no choice but to let the ace 358th Regiment fight against an enemy regiment alone.
The battles in other directions had already started before the 358th Regiment arrived at Hequan Village.
Faced with the powerful Japanese regiment, the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army responsible for blocking the enemy burst out with extremely strong combat effectiveness, which shocked the attacking Japanese.
They had never seen such brave Central Army and Shanxi-Suiyuan Army troops, which almost made them doubt whether they were facing the National Army.
"Brothers, we can't retreat, let's kill the Japs!" A company commander of the Central Army shouted loudly in the trench, inspiring his soldiers.
The troops of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army had long been filled with anger, so they resisted particularly tenaciously and refused to give up an inch of ground.
The two sides fought repeatedly for positions, and the fighting was extremely fierce.
In Hequan Village, Chu Yunfei stood on the top of the mountain, his eyes looking through the telescope, observing the movements in the distance.
He knew that the 116th Wing would arrive soon and they had to be fully prepared.
"Commander, our position is ready."
Fang Ligong walked up to Chu Yunfei and reported.
Chu Yunfei nodded: "Tell the brothers, we have to let the 116th Regiment know that the 358th Regiment's defense line is not something they can easily break through."
Following Chu Yunfei's order, the soldiers of the 358th Regiment entered combat status.
While the other five groups of Japanese invaders were being strongly blocked, the 116th Regiment also arrived near Hequan Village.
The squadron leader Nishimura stood on a small hill, observing the Hequan Village ahead through a telescope.
He soon discovered the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army's blocking force.
Nishimura knew very well that if the 116th Regiment wanted to continue advancing, it had to eliminate the 358th Regiment in front of it.
He turned around and gave an order to the staff officer beside him: "Pass the order immediately. Prepare the two battalions to attack. We must break through the enemy's defense line."
Two Japanese battalions, led by Japanese officers, launched an attack on the 358th Regiment at the Hequan Village position.
Thousands of Japanese soldiers launched a charge in front of the position, and their shouts echoed throughout the battlefield.
At the same time, the Japanese artillery was also bombarding the positions of the 358th Regiment. The shells whizzed into the positions and caused violent explosions.
Fortunately, the 116th Regiment had limited artillery power, with only six infantry guns and 12 mortars, so it did not cause much damage to the positions of the 358th Regiment.
The two sides fought fiercely in front of the position. The powerful firepower of the 358th Regiment frustrated the offensive of the 116th Regiment. Thousands of Japanese soldiers were suppressed 50 meters in front of the position and could not move forward.
Nishimura was very annoyed when he saw this and immediately ordered the artillery to continue the bombardment.
"Hit hard and break through the enemy's defense line!"
The artillery of the 358th Regiment was not to be outdone. The two sides fired at each other frantically. On the battlefield, the number of casualties on both sides increased sharply under the bombardment of artillery fire.