Bright Sword's Bloody War of Resistance

Chapter 405 Battle of Changzhi ([-])

After occupying the first position, the soldiers of the first regiment and the first battalion launched an attack on the second position.

At this time, all the soldiers of the first battalion were nestled in the trenches, and the light and heavy machine guns of the two sides fired at each other.

The Japanese 50-type grenadier first blew up a heavy machine gun in the first battalion, and then the first battalion was not to be outdone, and the [-] mortar was about to destroy the grenadier on the opposite side.

The distance between the two positions was more than [-] meters, and there was no bunker in the middle, and jumping out of the trench rashly could only become a living target.

Moreover, once the soldiers approached the second position, the firepower points arranged on the fortifications of the outer city of Changzhi could start shooting at the charging soldiers.

In this way, the soldiers will have to bear double firepower, and the difficulty of attack will suddenly double.

Although the mountain artillery company destroyed the enemy's bunkers and greatly destructed the vital forces of the Japanese and puppet troops on the position, the Japanese and puppet troops in the city continued to replenish to the second position.

The battle became fierce for a while, and both sides suffered casualties. The seriously wounded in the first battalion were carried down one after another by a stretcher team composed of puppet troops.

"Battalion Commander, it's not a problem to fight like this. If this stalemate continues, our first battalion will be wiped out sooner or later. Then call in a wave of artillery support. While the artillery is bombarding, let's rush up and fight hand-to-hand with the enemy!" The third company commander of the battalion said.

In Changzhi City, Ikeda Jiro, as the supreme commander, no longer calmed down as before. Not long ago, the Japanese reinforcements from various counties in the south of Changzhi sent telegrams one after another, stating that there were a large number of national army troops in the county where they were located, asking whether they should continue to march toward Changzhi. reinforce.

Ikeda Jiro was also decisive, and directly ordered the Japanese and puppet troops reinforced by the counties to abandon their original defense areas and all go to Changzhi for reinforcements.

Ikeda Jiro thought very clearly that there are 200-300 Japanese troops in each county and more than [-] puppet troops. Instead of wasting them in the battle with the national army, it is better to do everything possible to protect Changzhi City.

"Your Majesty, the [-]th Division and the [-]th Division have sent a joint telegram!" The adjutant hurried into the combat conference room.

"Read!" Ikeda Jiro couldn't help but shudder when he saw the adjutant's anxious expression.

"The telegram stated that when the reinforcements arrived at the Hanchang Highway in She County from the hinterland of the Taihang Mountains, they encountered stubborn resistance from the Eighth Route Army and were unable to advance an inch!" The adjutant briefly explained the contents of the telegram.

"Baga!" Ikeda Jiro slapped the table fiercely after hearing this, and occupied it all at once.

"What are the current casualties of the troops?"

"Now our troops and the Eighth Route Army are caught in a tug-of-war. Although they are blocked from the second line of defense, our troops also suffered a lot of casualties. The defenders at the North City Gate suffered particularly heavy casualties due to lack of artillery support. The soldiers of the imperial army suffered nearly [-] casualties, and the imperial association army suffered more than [-] casualties. If the fighting continues, there will be no one to defend the fortifications of the outer city!" The adjutant replied cautiously.

"Immediately order the deployment of manpower from the inner city to support, and at the same time pass down the order, reinforcements from all walks of life are on their way to Changzhi!"

"Hi!" The adjutant retreated in response.

After Ikeda Jiro mobilized troops from various strongholds around the outskirts of Changzhi in advance, the number of Japanese troops in the city reached about 1800, and the number of puppet troops reached [-].

However, Jiro Ikeda forced all the troops to stand firm to their positions. Under the supervision of Japanese soldiers, all the puppet troops were forced to stick to their positions.

As a result, under the artillery fire of the independent detachment, all the first positions in the four directions were lost, and most of the Japanese and puppet troops on the positions were wiped out. Now the Japanese troops are constantly being consumed on the second position, causing casualties It exceeded Ikeda Jiro's expectations.

In the headquarters of the independent detachment.

Zhou Weihan has been observing the battle situation ahead: "The Japanese commanders in the city are very cautious, but their tactical command is not very good, and they turned into fueling tactics!"

"The main reason is that our independent detachment is different from other troops. The Japanese army thought they could rely on the number of artillery to suppress us. Now the situation is reversed. I guess the Japanese commander may not be used to it!" Xing Zhiguo joked.

"Hey, Lao Xing, you see that the Japanese army has come out of the city to reinforce it again. It's right that it's so big. It's not necessary to leave a good fortification on the city wall, and rush out to die. Is this the goddamn Bushido spirit?" Zhou Weihan said with a smile.

"Old Xing, tell the attacking troops of the first and second regiments not to rush to launch a strong attack on the second position of the Japanese army. Just use artillery fire to consume them. I want to see how long the little devil can last!"

Afterwards, the first and second regiments ordered by Zhou Weihan were not in a hurry, and the attacking troops nestled in the first position.

While the artillery battalion was carrying out artillery strikes, the offensive troops successively reinforced their positions and repaired the artillery holes.

Jing Dagang even took the opportunity to exchange the artillery in the east and north directions, transferred the mountain artillery company to the east side, and destroyed the three mountain artillery placed by the Japanese army in the east of the city in one fell swoop.

At eleven o'clock in the morning, Takeda Ryuhei, the captain of the No. 238 Brigade of the [-]th Regiment who stood guard at the north gate, could no longer bear the futile casualties of his soldiers, so he went directly to Jiro Ikeda.

"Your Excellency, why hasn't the flight team from Yuncheng Airport arrived in Changzhi? According to the normal speed, it should have arrived long ago!" Takeda Ryuhei asked suspiciously.

"Mr. Takeda, Yuncheng Airport reported that the plane took off early this morning to assist the main force of the imperial army in a big sweep. The airport could not get in touch with the plane, so it is temporarily unable to provide air support for us. The same is true for Taiyuan and Shimen Airports. Now we can only defend Changzhi Castle by ourselves, and we have to show the bravery of the Imperial Japanese Army!" Jiro Ikeda said in a deep voice.

"Hi!" Takeda Ryuhei bowed his head in response, and then continued: "Your Excellency, the defenders at the north gate suffered heavy casualties. With all due respect, although the Imperial Association Army has a large number, it is useless. We should not be limited to the position To gain or lose, relying on city defense fortifications to consume the enemy is the right way!"

Both of them understood the current situation on the battlefield. The Japanese army was already in a disadvantageous situation. Without external assistance, it would be a matter of time before Changzhi City was captured.

After hearing this, Jiro Ikeda thought for a while and said, "Mr. Takeda, it's time to fight with your back. The outer city must not be captured. Once the outer city is captured, the Eighth Route Army will rush in and fight with us in the street. The two sides will fight together. At that time, it will be considered a battle." The plane from Yuncheng Airport has arrived, and it is unable to provide air support!"

"I decided to concentrate all the troops near the fortifications of the outer city and take turns to defend against the attacks of the Eighth Route Army. What do you think?"

"Hey, I obey the orders of Your Excellency!"

There is no better arrangement right now, and we can only hope that the fortifications of the city wall can resist the offensive of the Eighth Route Army.

"Let's go to command the battle. The expatriates in the inner city have gathered, distributed weapons and equipment, and will support them if necessary!" Jiro Ikeda finally said.

(End of this chapter)