Rise From Eight Hundred

The Battle of Xiangtangpu in the past was not well-known in the Anti-Japanese War.

But this battle was the most lucrative battle since the 921st Division crossed the Yellow River to the east!

Because this battle was not fought against infantry, but a transport team, a huge transport team.

If a convoy consisting of 181 trucks, which was connected end to end for more than 5,000 meters during the march, is not considered huge, then there is really no convoy that can be called huge.

At least in the current Chinese military, there are very few such large-scale automobile transport teams.

Yes, this is the baggage regiment under the command of Doiyuan of the 14th Division that appeared in the last battle of eastern Shanxi. After half a month, they are here again.

In the past, because of the deterrence of the Shentouling ambush, the Japanese army strengthened the defense of this strategic transportation line connecting the three provinces of Hebei, Shanxi and Henan.

The garrison of Licheng, which had been attacked, reached 1,800 people, Shecheng increased by 500 people, and the garrison of Dongyangguan reached an infantry squadron. At the same time, an infantry regiment was sent to conduct a week-long sweep along the line to deter the Chinese troops in the mountains. It can be said that they were in full posture, no, it was a gesture!

Result

The 921st Division dispatched three infantry regiments, which immediately stabbed the soul of Tu Feiyuan. The 14th Division's April baggage replenishment was all returned to the 80th Army.

It is said that because of this seizure, the 921st Division, which handed over half of the seizure to the headquarters, had no worries about food and drink for three months. It was really that Tu Feiyuan was hungry and Tu Ba was full!

But obviously, in this era, because of the arrival of Tang Dao, the scale of the Battle of Shentouling was far greater than before, and the 108th Division suffered a heavy blow. The Japanese North China Front Command was naturally more vigilant against the Chinese troops in the Taihang Mountains in eastern Shanxi than before.

As early as five days ago, Tang Dao obtained intelligence from the 921st Division Headquarters that a large number of Japanese troops were mobilized along the Handan-Changji Highway.

Not only was there an infantry regiment stationed in the reoccupied Licheng County, but there was also an infantry battalion stationed in Dongyang Pass. Shecheng even had the brigade headquarters of the 31st Infantry Brigade of the 109th Division of the Japanese Army stationed there.

The counties along the Handan-Changzhi Highway were originally under the charge of the 108th Division. The presence of the 109th Division this time showed that the Japanese North China Front Command could no longer trust the 108th Division of Shimokuma Yuan.

A brigade headquarters was stationed in Shecheng, not far from Dongyang Pass. Obviously, the Japanese troops in Shecheng would not be less than one infantry regiment.

That meant that the ambush that was bound to happen was much more difficult than it had been in the past.

Xiangtangpu was located between Dongyang Pass and Licheng.

Originally, only two infantry regiments were needed to block the enemy from Shecheng and Licheng, but now, it seemed impossible to rely on only two infantry regiments.

If the Japanese troops in Licheng and Shecheng go all out, with a force of up to two infantry regiments, they might be surrounded by the Japanese if they are not careful.

Even the always courageous Brigade Commander Cheng hesitated whether to fight this battle.

After all, although the baggage is good, human life is more precious. If he uses this huge sacrifice to exchange for supplies, it is not his way of fighting.

Tang Dao did not make any decisions for them. He knew that someone would make up his mind in the end.

"We are afraid of sacrifice, but we will never be stingy with sacrifice! As long as we can give the invaders the most painful blow, even if sacrifice is inevitable, we must stick to the end." The commander of the 921st Division set the tone for this battle with a sonorous answer three days ago.

No matter how difficult it is, this battle must be fought.

Not only is the huge amount of supplies tempting, but the seizure of Lucheng is enough for the 921st Division to not worry about food, clothing and ammunition for half a year.

The 769th Regiment, which had suffered heavy losses, received nearly 1,000 reinforcements and armed an infantry battalion and three infantry companies with captured equipment, and its combat effectiveness increased instead of decreasing.

The 772nd and 771st Regiments under the 683rd Brigade each upgraded five companies with all-Japanese weapons, and the number of light and heavy machine guns also doubled compared to before, and the overall combat effectiveness increased by at least one third.

Instead, if this huge batch of supplies is successfully transported to the 14th Division, the division that is attacking Henan Province will have a combat effectiveness that does not require supplies for a month, and may even counterattack eastern Shanxi at any time.

Shanxi Province is extremely important to both China and Japan in terms of strategic location. If Shanxi Province can be defended, China can counterattack the plains of Hebei Province at any time. In addition to guarding against the counterattack of the Chinese army, the Japanese army also hopes to attack Guanzhong from here to deter China's southwest and northwest.

The best protection for oneself is to weaken the enemy to the greatest extent. The commander of the 921st Division has an extraordinary vision.

"Besides, the Japanese army is not as strong as it looks!" The commander of the 921st Division scanned the intelligence collected from various cities on the table, and smiled faintly at the staff: "Perhaps, this is what they want us to see."

The commander of the 921st Division hit the nail on the head.

On March 27, two days had passed since the end of the Battle of Taierzhuang.

Headquarters of the Japanese North China Front Army.

"Your Excellency the Commander, Xiong Yuan from the 108th Division called and said that the 108th Division had just suffered a heavy blow and was unable to fully guarantee the safety along the Handan-Changzhi Highway. In the near future, part of the friendly army's baggage regiment will pass through this section. I hope the headquarters will provide tactical support." The Chief of Staff of the Japanese North China Front Army, Saburo Okabe, reported to the somewhat depressed Indoor Shroud.

"Xia Xiong Yuan, this bastard, led an imperial division and had no choice but to take advantage of tens of thousands of Chinese people. He even asked the headquarters for help. It's so shameless and shameless!" The indoor shroud, which was already having a headache on the Xuzhou battlefield, exploded at once. , stood up and cursed the Army Lieutenant General who had been issued a reprimand order by the base camp without caring about the face of his colleagues.

Saburo Okabe could only lower his head and let the boss take advantage of him. Although he had some personal friendship with Xiong Yuan, he had already helped him submit the request to the commander, and he still wanted him to help. That person explained that that would never work.

"Which division's baggage needs to march from the Handan-Chang Highway?" Indoor Shroud scolded Xiong Yuan with a red face. His emotions gradually calmed down and he coldly asked himself, the chief of staff with a profound background and deep scheming.

Saburo Okabe has a profound background, not because he comes from a noble family, but because he is from the Kwantung Army.

That was the base camp of the Japanese Army Ministry's Young Boys, which was famous for its radicalism. It was their masterpiece to launch the September 18th Incident without the permission of the Army Headquarters and achieve great success. Because this success gave them great weight in the eyes of the imperial family. Even veteran soldiers like Indoor Shroud don't want to offend these lunatics easily.

In fact, in the past, Saburo Okabe served as the Chief of Staff of the North China Front for a year and then returned to the Kwantung Army as the commander of the First Division. Because of his contribution in suppressing the anti-Japanese forces in the three eastern provinces, he rose through the ranks and was promoted to Army General. He succeeded Okamuraji as the commander of the Sixth Front Army, and his status in the army exceeded that of the indoor shroud.

Speaking of deep scheming, it is natural that this man not only failed to take all the responsibility for the defeat of Taierzhuang, but also took the initiative to submit a confession to the army base camp jointly with Indoor Shroud.

Someone must bear the responsibility for defeat, just like hitting a slate. Two people get beaten together, even if they don't share it equally! It's better than being beaten alone while the others squat around and watch, isn't it?

This is also human nature, no matter how big an official you are.

Originally, Indoor Shroud was a little touched, thinking that this colleague who was second only to him in the command position could still advance and retreat with him at this time, and he was a good brother.

But two days later, some voices coming from the army base camp made Indoor Shroud gradually come to his senses. Because he had always been domineering, many military orders issued to divisions did not go through the staff at all, just like the Fifth Division and the Tenth Division. The two detachments fought all the way to Xuzhou. He personally ordered it and the two divisions executed it.

As Saburo Okabe, who didn't even act as a sounding board and was just a bystander, there was no need for him to play a moral role and share the responsibility with him, but he just did it.

The result is good! In order to find out the tactical mistakes of the two men, the army headquarters checked the signatures of the telegrams handed over by the headquarters of the two divisions. Almost all of them were signed by his indoor shroud.

At this moment, no one knows that he, a dignified commander, completely regards his chief of staff as nothing. Although the position of chief of staff has always been a mascot-like thing, and it is no longer a secret among various departments of the Japanese army, but that Didn’t we even mention it on the table?

Then, when this mascot takes the initiative to stand up and share the responsibility for the defeat with his commander, you ask, can this character be described only by the word noble?

To be honest, in the end, the only person laughing at him was himself, and the indoor shroud who still had a good reputation and heard rumors coming from the country almost suffered internal injuries.

But he still has no way to deal with this person. If he wants to put on small shoes for this person, if the base camp comments that he is narrow-minded, it may be due to the smoke coming out of his ancestral grave.

After all, it is decided that he will leave this time, but he will not have to hang around in the base camp forever. It is still necessary to leave a good reputation.

Therefore, Indoor Shroud could only suppress the bad breath in his chest first, and Ding Po Tian could only use the opportunity of scolding Xiong Yuan to criticize Sang and Huai.

If Tang Dao had known that this battle he had carried out "under the hood" had brought this dignified commander to such an end, he would have laughed so happily.

"It is the baggage of the 14th Division for the entire month of April, so all the trucks of its baggage regiment must be used to transport it! It is now loaded at HD and ready to go." Saburo Okabe replied with a low eyebrow.

Of course he knew that his general, the commander, was not interested in him, but according to the information sent to him by the Kwantung Army, the commander's resignation had been decided. There was no need for him to do anything to irritate him. He needs to stay safely until the second half of the year, then he can return to the Kwantung Army as the division commander.

"Oh? From the 14th Division." Indoor Shroud paced back and forth in the office with his hands behind his back, fighting fiercely in his mind.

If it were another division, he could let it stay for half a month, wait until he straightened out the battlefield in Xuzhou, and then mobilize troops to solve the problem in Shanxi. However, Tu Feiyuan of the 14th Division was not a simple person. The relationship between the imperial intelligence system and the imperial intelligence system is also intricate. Last time, an infantry regiment was ambushed by the Chinese army on the north bank of the Yellow River and suffered heavy losses. It was only reprimanded by the base camp, which made Indoor Shroud fearful of it. If he ordered to stop his supply troops, Let's go, if that guy gets into trouble, he might cause trouble again.

A life that is already not rich cannot be made worse!

The shroud in the room was really filled with sadness at that moment. The Battle of North China was going smoothly all the way, but why did it suddenly go badly? Not only did the troops suffer losses, but none of their subordinates had a worry-free leader. What happened to Baga? Who did you offend?

"Where is the 109th Division?" His Excellency, the commander-in-chief of the Japanese North China Front, who was full of sadness, was not an ordinary person after all. He put away his worries and asked solemnly.

"The 109th Division is not far from the 108th Division's defense area, but they are facing the enemy's direct branch of the Central Army, with a strength of 50,000. I am afraid of them." Naosaburo Okabe was slightly startled and replied.

"Now our army is on the offensive. It would be good if the Chinese can protect themselves, but there is no possibility of counterattack against our army. Besides, I don't need them to draw too many troops." Indoor Shroud waved his hand. "Order them to place a brigade headquarters in Shecheng, with a strength of no less than two infantry brigades.

In addition, in the name of the staff, an order was given to the 108th Division, ordering them to defend Licheng with no less than one infantry regiment. "

Damn it, I won't be reconciled if I don't get involved! Okabe Naosaburo twitched the corner of his mouth slightly, and he was complaining wildly in his heart, but his face straightened, "What do you mean, Commander? To frighten the Chinese army in the mountains by stationing heavy troops in each city?"

"That's right." Indoor Shroud nodded. “The last defeat in Eastern Jin Dynasty was just because the Chinese saw that the cities along the highway were under-strength, so they gathered heavy troops to besiege the city for reinforcements. That fool Xiong Yuan underestimated the determination of the Chinese, which led to the great defeat.

This time, there are more than 5,000 imperial troops stationed in two big cities that are only a few dozen miles apart, and they can support each other at any time. I don’t believe that the Chinese still have the guts to provoke again. "

Indoor Shroud is naturally confident when he says this. After fighting with the Chinese army for so long, he has already estimated the strength of the Chinese army. One infantry brigade of the Imperial Army is fully capable of competing with two infantry regiments and five infantry brigade of the Chinese army. Coupled with the attached artillery, it can almost compete with the two regular Chinese infantry divisions.

The most active infantry division in Shanxi Province belongs to the 80th Group Army. It is a ragtag among the ragtag, and its weapons are old. Apart from being extremely cunning and fond of sneak attacks, it has no other merits.

In the view of Indoor Shroud, as long as the Chinese people's brains are not broken, they will not dare to launch a large-scale attack on the transportation lines with such heavy troops stationed in the two cities.

Because even if the baggage regiment of the 14th Division is a second-line force, a transport team composed entirely of trucks, plus baggage troops and escort troops, has at least 800 people. Without dispatching thousands of troops, there is no way to eat them. , let alone swallowing it in one gulp in a short time.

In the battle that broke out at Parallel Pass half a year ago, the fifth division's baggage brigade only had a thousand men, but it was defeated after a day of bloody battle with an infantry division of the 80th Army.

"Your Excellency, Commander, have you forgotten that there is an additional four-line regiment there?" After a slight hesitation, Saburo Okabe still planned to persuade his commander, who was no longer thinking clearly.

After all, the military order was signed by him, the chief of staff, and he did not want to be tainted by some unspeakable bad luck of this unlucky army general.

In short, the soldier's intuition told him that the Chinese army there would not be easily scared.

"It's just an infantry regiment. It's just the stupidity of some people that created their momentum. Don't take it too seriously. If they really dare to come, then they will be prepared to be defeated by the imperial army." In the eyes of Indoor Shroud A cold light flashed.

"I will order the Army Aviation to keep in contact with the 108th and 109th Divisions. If necessary, they will fully support them. Okabe-kun, don't worry!"

"Hi!" Naosaburo Okabe nodded, feeling a little relieved.

The strength of the 5,000-strong army is there. If the Army and Aviation provide full support, even if the Chinese use three infantry divisions, they can at least remain undefeated.

Moreover, although the 108th Division's troops are dispersed, Xiong Yuan is not a free man. With the lessons learned last time, the response will definitely be much faster this time. If the Chinese dare to gather heavy troops, then they will use this as an opportunity to start a battle. A decisive battle is also possible.

It can be said that Indoor Shroud has made two preparations. He did not hesitate to mobilize a brigade headquarters of the 109th Division, at least two infantry brigades and an artillery battalion, plus an infantry regiment of the 108th Division for deterrence. The Chinese army was frightened. , we can keep the traffic lines safe. If the Chinese army really dares to come, sufficient troops, firepower and air superiority will be enough to cause a lot of damage to the Chinese army.

The wishful thinking of the 'bang bang ring' was just that he still underestimated the determination of the Chinese commander and the strength of the infantry regiment of the Sixings Regiment.

Today's Si Xing Regiment has the power to defeat a Japanese infantry regiment in an offensive battle and can compete with a Japanese infantry brigade in a defensive battle.

Therefore, when the head of the 921st Division decided to fight this battle, the 683rd Brigade and the Fourth Army Regiment, the main force of the 921st Division, once again launched a general mobilization of the entire army.

The 683rd Brigade will dispatch its two main regiments and supplementary regiments! They are responsible for the Japanese reinforcements coming from the direction of Licheng and the huge Japanese convoy.

The Four Troops Regiment is naturally the main force in this battle. According to the tactical arrangement, the Four Troops Regiment will block the Japanese reinforcements in the direction of Shecheng.

Because, according to intelligence, the 109th Division not only placed the headquarters of the 31st Infantry Brigade in Shecheng, but also followed it with an infantry regiment, a tank squadron, and an artillery brigade.

Obviously, it was a Japanese invader with a total strength of more than 4,000 people, and its strength far exceeded any opponent in the Four Lines Regiment.

The 769th Regiment under the 685th Brigade will not participate in the ambush this time, but they will be stationed in the mountains 10 kilometers away from Shecheng. If the Japanese troops in Shecheng do not reinforce with all their strength, it will be fine. If the Japanese troops in Shecheng reinforce with all their strength, the 769th Regiment will attack Shecheng with empty troops, leaving the Japanese troops in a dilemma.

8 o'clock in the evening on the 30th!

The three infantry battalions, two artillery companies, two baggage companies, engineering companies, guard companies, special service companies, and special squadrons of the Sihang Regiment all quietly left their bases.

Two days in advance, they headed to the battlefield.

. . . . . . . .

PS: I recommend a new book by a military writer friend, "Bright Sword: The Beginning of a Trouble in Ping'an County". Brothers who like Bright Sword fan fiction can go and have a look.