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Niangziguan.

Under the cover of night, the Japanese 23rd Division and the 110th Division launched an attack on the Du 2nd Brigade at Niangziguan under the cover of artillery fire.

The 2nd Independent Brigade relied on tunnel and anti-slope tactics to resist desperately, and at the same time called for air support from the Independent Regiment.

Relying on a large number of flares, the new regiment's flying brigade, in cooperation with the infantry on the ground, repelled the Japanese attack.

However, the 2nd Independent Brigade did not have enough troops and was unable to launch a counterattack.

However, as soon as the Eighth Route Army aircraft arrived, the Japanese artillery immediately concealed itself. The pilots of the new regiment could not find the Japanese artillery position at night.

However, in the last time the Japanese army raided the Jizhong Military Region, the flying brigade of the new regiment destroyed many Japanese artillery units.

Although nominally the Japanese 23rd Division and the 110th Division have two artillery regiments.

However, the artillery firepower of these two artillery regiments needs to be somewhat discounted.

In addition, the 2nd Independent Brigade defended while building tunnels and anti-slope positions. Under the attack of the two Japanese divisions, Niangziguan was firmly held.

During the day, the 2nd Independent Brigade also called for airdrops of supplies and received a large wave of weapons, ammunition and cans.

The Japs of the 23rd Division and the 110th Division could only watch helplessly as the Eighth Route Army picked up short positions in Niangziguan and were helpless.

Although the artillery fire of the artillery regiments of these two divisions can cover the entire Niangziguan.

But during the day, there were Eighth Route Army planes circling in the sky, and the Japanese simply did not dare to fire during the day.

Because once the artillery is fired, the Japanese artillery positions will be exposed, and then the artillery positions will be blown up by Eighth Route Army aircraft as if they were targets.

The second half of the night.

The Japanese 35th Division, led by division commander Shigeta Tokusatsu, rushed to Niangziguan.

In the Japanese command post, the three division commanders met, in addition to Sakuma Toto, the commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade.

However, the current 4th Cavalry Brigade only has about 1000 cavalry, and Sakuma has no say at all.

"The 23rd Division and the 110th Division are the elite troops of the Locust Army."

Lieutenant General Shigeta Tokumatsu looked at Kanji Nishihara, commander of the 23rd Division, and Takaaki Kuwaki, commander of the 110th Division, with a hint of ridicule in his tone.

As for Sakuma being a lieutenant general, Shigeta Tokumatsu didn't even look at him.

Shigeta Tokumatsu's expression was calm, and his eyes seemed to say that the two divisions attacked Niangziguan, and they fought for two days and two nights but failed to defeat it.

What a shame.

Moreover, the troops defended by the Eighth Route Army were nothing more than a reinforced brigade.

Kanji Nishihara snorted coldly: "Shigeta-kun, your 35th Division is also an elite unit of the Locust Army. Why don't you attack with your division tonight?"

"That's right, I think your 35th Division can capture Niangzi Pass tonight."

Sangmu Chongming also behaved like you were on your way.

This is the case without unified command. These three divisions are all Category B divisions, and the division leaders all have the rank of lieutenant general. No one obeys anyone.

When they first attacked the Jizhong Military Region, these three divisions had their own tasks, so there would naturally be no problem if they launched a combined attack from different directions.

But now that we are attacking Niangziguan in a unified manner, the command system suddenly has problems.

If the North China Front wants to send a general to command the three divisions, the only option is either Tanabe Moritake or Okamura Neiji.

Even the deputy chief of staff with the rank of major general, Sue Seizan, is not qualified.

Neither Tanabe Moritake nor Okamura Neiji dared to leave the North China Front headquarters at this time, for fear that the itinerary information would be leaked. If the Eighth Route Army sent a plane to behead them, the situation would be very bad.

After attacking for two consecutive days, both Nishihara Kanji and Sangmu Chongming knew that the Eighth Route Army's position was very stable.

The 35th Division wants to capture Niangziguan tonight, which is just a dream.

If Shigeta Tokumatsu has a good attitude, Nishihara Kanji and Kuwaki Takaaki can also remind him.

But Shigeta Tokumatsu turned on the taunting mode as soon as he came up, and Nishihara Kanji and Kuwaki Takaaki were not used to him.

If they don't collide with the main force of the Eighth Route Army and suffer some losses, Shigeta Tokusatsu and his 35th Division may go crazy.

"Look at how our 35th Division captured Niangzi Pass."

"Look well, study hard."

Shigeta Tokumatsu sounded cold and confident.

After finishing speaking, Shigeta Tokumatsu walked out quickly with Lieutenant General's sword in his arm.

Returning to the main assembly position of the division, Shigeta Tokusatsu ordered the artillery regiment to set up all the cannons and point the muzzles in the direction of the Niangziguan Eighth Route Army position.

At the same time, the 220th Infantry Regiment was ordered to prepare for the attack.

The 35th Division is a Type B division established by the Japanese army in 1939. It has been affiliated with the North China Front since its establishment and is stationed in Xinxiang, Henan.

Due to the tense fighting in Shanxi and Hebei, Okamura Neiji transferred the 35th Division to attack the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi and Hebei.

During the attack on northwest Shanxi, the 35th Division suffered heavy losses, but was subsequently replenished.

In the last attack on the Eighth Route Army in the Hebei Jizhong Military Region, the 35th Division was bombed by Eighth Route Army aircraft and suffered considerable losses, but it has not been replenished.

After only resting for less than 10 days, Okamura Neji sent him to attack Niangzi Pass again.

In Shigeta Tokumatsu's view, this Eighth Route Army is not the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi. No matter how strong its combat effectiveness is, how strong can it be?
However, Shigeta Tokumatsu is not a reckless man.

The 23rd Division and the 110th Division fiercely attacked Niangziguan for two days and two nights. The Eighth Route Army at Niangziguan must have been exhausted.

The 35th Division had just arrived and happened to take Niangziguan in one go.

Seizing Niangzi Pass and rescuing the 10 locust troops in Shanxi was a great contribution. It would be very beneficial for him to be promoted to general and commander of the North China Front Army in the future.

Almost all the Japanese soldiers of the 220th Regiment are from Tokyo. These soldiers have been educated to be loyal to the emperor since childhood. They have high spiritual understanding of Bushido and have a tenacious fighting will. …

Just when the Japs of the 35th Division were formulating an attack plan.

Kong Jie had led the independent regiment and successfully completed the task assigned by Li Yunlong, arriving at Niangziguan in two and a half days.

Alone 2 Brigade Headquarters.

Kong Jie and Wang Yingcai met Brigadier Zhang and Political Commissar Li of the 2nd Independent Brigade.

When the two sides met, they first gave each other a military salute.

"Brigade Commander Zhang and Political Commissar Li, thank you for your hard work." Kong Jie said.

Kong Jie met Brigadier Zhang once when he went to the headquarters for a meeting, so they knew each other.

"It's not hard, just fight the Japanese."

Brigadier Zhang smiled slightly, without any pretense of a brigade commander. The independent regiment led by Kong Jie in front of him was the first-class main regiment after the new regiment.

Great record.

After a pause, Brigadier Zhang asked: "Commander Kong, how many troops do you bring?"

"No more, no less." Kong Jie smiled slightly, "I brought 2 main elites. How many troops do you have in the [-]nd Independent Brigade?"

Brigadier Zhang said: "One third of our brigade suffered casualties, and there are still about 4 people."

In two days and two nights, the 2nd Independent Brigade repelled more than 10 Japanese attacks, causing more than 2 casualties.

Had it not been for the use of tunnels and reverse slope tactics, as well as calling for air support, it would have been difficult for the 2nd Independent Brigade to hold Niangzi Pass under the attack of two elite Japanese divisions.

but.

The Japanese casualties were even greater. The Japanese casualties were at least two to three times that of the 2nd Independent Brigade.

"The 2nd Independent Brigade is worthy of being the main brigade of the Central Hebei Military Region, and its combat effectiveness is indeed strong."

"You have worked hard."

"Next, leave the position to our independent regiment. I, Kong Jie, promise not to let a Japanese enter Shanxi from Niangziguan!"

Kong Jie's tone was decisive.

Due to the problem of unified command, the headquarters directly issued an order for the 2nd Independent Brigade to hand over the position to the Independent Regiment.

and.

The 2nd Independent Brigade has suffered one-third casualties. According to the army's regulations, if the army reaches a certain proportion of casualties in combat, it must withdraw to the base area to rest and replenish.

Political Commissar Li smiled slightly: "We are relieved to hand over Niangziguan to your independent group."

The independent regiment is equipped with all American equipment and has sufficient ammunition. The troops have been baptized by large-scale battles such as the Taiyuan Campaign, the Northwestern Shanxi Anti-mopping Campaign, and the Northern Shanxi Campaign.

The combat effectiveness of the Independent Brigade is not comparable to that of the 2nd Independent Brigade. Not to mention the most elite training team of the National Army, even the Japanese Army's Type A Division is probably not comparable to the combat effectiveness of the Independent Regiment.

Brigadier Zhang immediately gave an order loudly: "Pass my order, each regiment and battalion of the 2nd Independent Brigade will withdraw from the position alternately and hand over the position to the Independent Regiment!"

Kong Jie also ordered, turned around and ordered: "Pass my order, and each unit will take over the positions of the brother units as planned!"

After issuing their respective orders, the soldiers of the Independent Regiment and the 2nd Independent Brigade began to take advantage of the darkness to take over their positions.

Brigadier Zhang looked at Kong Jie: "Captain Kong, today we received a batch of weapons, ammunition, cans and medicines. These combat supplies..."

Kong Jie said conveniently: "Your brigade will take away all these combat supplies. After this battle is over, I estimate that Commander Li will also give your brigade a batch of steel helmets, as well as weapons and ammunition for reimbursement."

Brigadier Zhang and Political Commissar Li looked at each other and saw a hint of surprise in each other's eyes.

The 2nd Independent Brigade will also soon have steel helmets. They have long heard that the main forces of the Eighth Route Army and the 129th Division in northwest Shanxi are equipped with steel helmets. Naturally, they are also very coveted.

Because the helmets not only look good when worn on the heads of the soldiers, but also represent that the 2nd Independent Brigade is the real main force of the Eighth Route Army.

More importantly, steel helmets are life-saving equipment on the battlefield.

"Captain Kong, see you later!"

"There will be a period later!"

As the radio station of the 2nd Independent Brigade was moved out of the headquarters, the telegraph of the Independent Regiment was moved into the headquarters.

Both sides exchanged military salutes.

Then Brigadier Zhang and Political Commissar Li led the 2nd Independent Brigade to leave Niangziguan and retreat toward the base area.

……

The Independent Regiment entered the position, and the 2nd Independent Brigade did not leave for long.

The 35th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese 220th Division, under the order of Colonel Yukichi Kanaizuka, moved towards Niangziguan.

Tokusatsu Shigeta of the 35th Division thought over and over again and did not adopt the tactic of bombarding the infantry with artillery.

Instead, use sneak attack tactics.

According to Shigeta Tokumatsu, the early morning is when the Eighth Route Army soldiers are most tired. In addition, the Eighth Route Army soldiers have been fighting fiercely at Niangziguan for two days and two nights. They are probably already physically and mentally exhausted by this time.

and so.

Shigeta Tokumatsu ordered the 220th Regiment to touch the Eighth Route Army's positions and resolve the battle with hand-to-hand combat.

Due to the terrain restrictions of Niangziguan, the Japanese army attacked from the west and could only deploy one regiment at a time, unable to take advantage of the strength of the three divisions.

As Colonel Kanaitsuka Yukichi issued the order, the Japanese soldiers held [-] rifles, disappeared in the darkness, and moved toward Niangziguan.

Under the night, there is a murderous intention hidden!