Bright Sword's Bloody War of Resistance

Chapter 830 Artillery coverage against the Japanese and puppet troops

Li Xianzhou contacted Sun Liangcheng through the radio on the afternoon of the 23rd, pretending to negotiate the dispatch of troops for rescue in the name of the National Government. Sun Liangcheng returned in the telegram, saying that the matter is serious and he needs to negotiate with the Japanese military leaders, please wait for news.

The leader of the Japanese and puppet troops in Shangqiu did not expect that the national army would take the initiative to ask for help. In just two days, the situation took a turn for the worse. Araki Sadahiro even planned to ignore the request for help telegram and had no plans to send troops.

However, Sun Liangcheng put forward a different view. He did not want to see the National Army being wiped out by the Eighth Route Army, and took the initiative to propose that the Eighth Route Army in the Hebei, Shandong and Henan areas was stronger than before. If they really watched the fire from the other side, when the National Army was wiped out by the Eighth Route Army, they would face the Eighth Route Army. The offensive will only be solitary.

Although it is not possible to directly send troops to intervene, it can send a force to the flank of the battlefield between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party to intimidate the Eighth Route Army and force the Eighth Route Army to divide its forces, thus reducing the pressure on the Kuomintang army on the battlefield.

As the strength of the Japanese army continued to decline, they had to increase their efforts to support the puppet army. Although the Japanese adopted an attitude of both coaxing and suppressing Sun Liangcheng, objectively speaking, Sun Liangcheng already had the same strength as the Japanese army in Shangqiu.

Before that, Kuroshima Morita, chief of staff of the Fourth Independent Infantry Brigade, suspected that Sun Liangcheng had secret contacts with the national army. When Sun Liangcheng took out Li Xianzhou's request for help telegram, he directly confirmed this suspicion.

However, since Sun Liangcheng dared to openly take out the telegram in front of the Japanese, it proved that he was ready to fall out with the Japanese. The Fourth Army's two divisions and three independent brigades were his confidence.

Sure enough, Araki Sadahiro did not fall out with Sun Liangcheng, and seemed not to care about it. The existence of the Japanese and puppet troops in Shangqiu was the result of a compromise between multiple forces.

Although Brigade Commander Araki Sadahiro has the support of the top of the 35th Division, he does not have the power of life and death. Chief of Staff Kuroshima Morita is the representative of Terauchi Isamu's group in the Shangqiu area and continues to develop power within the middle and lower-level officer groups. There are even direct troops transferred from the 41st Division at his disposal.

Sun Liangcheng was a man on the fence. Although he broke away from the Peace Founding Army, he did not disconnect from the Jinling puppet government. At the same time, he actively cooperated with Kuroshima Morita to deal with Araki Sadahiro, thus growing stronger step by step.

In the end, Sun Liangcheng's proposal was approved. Originally, he wanted the Japanese army to send more troops, but Araki Sadahiro was only willing to send out an unsatisfied brigade.

In order not to attract attention, the Japanese and puppet troops set off from the barracks outside Shangqiu City in the early morning of the 24th. Our intelligence personnel only realized that something was wrong after dawn and reported it to their superiors immediately.

This time, the Japanese and puppet troops in the Shangqiu area dispatched more than 7,000 people, including a Japanese brigade of more than 800 people. Two independent brigades of the puppet Fourth Army had four regiments, led by deputy commander Wang Xinmin.

Before dawn, the Japanese and puppet troops had arrived at the outskirts of Yucheng County and sent troops to the barracks in the east of the city. In order to increase their momentum, they staged a trick of hiding from the outside world.

After the leading troops of the Japanese and puppet troops entered the barracks, they did not stay to garrison. Instead, they walked around the outskirts of Yucheng County. This was repeated until dawn, and then they all entered the barracks to garrison.

"Nakai-kun, according to the instructions of the brigade commander, our unit has completed the task as ordered. Presumably the intelligence personnel of the Eighth Route Army around Yucheng have learned that a large number of troops are stationed in the camp outside the city!"

"With all due respect, I don't understand why we need to be so cautious. Can we just watch the Eighth Route Army become so arrogant? Yucheng is the territory of the Imperial Army!" Wang Xinmin said.

Nakai Shinji was furious when he heard this: "Baga, the Japanese Imperial Army is invincible, and I don't take the mere Tuba Road seriously!"

"I think this is a good opportunity right now. The National Army and the Eighth Route Army are fighting fiercely. If we can intervene, we may be able to achieve unexpected results!"

Nakai Nobuci was uncertain, and Shangfeng gave clear instructions that he could only be stationed in Yucheng. However, this guy was transferred from Japan to the 35th Division years ago, and then was sent to Shangqiu.

In Japan, the Japanese people are coerced by militarism. Nakai Shinji is a fanatical militarist. However, the Japanese government adopts a domestic blockade policy. Many people are unaware of the series of defeats of the Japanese army in North China.

Most of the 35th Division and the main force of the 4th Cavalry Brigade were wiped out by Zhou Weihan and his troops. In order not to cause panic in the domestic recruitment of new recruits, the Japanese army issued a gag order, so the newly arrived Japanese troops were also unaware of this. As a result, some newly appointed officers were too arrogant.

Wang Xinmin is a direct descendant of Zhang Lanfeng. After Zhang Lanfeng died in the battle, he was suppressed by Sun Liangcheng. He could only rely on the connections left by Zhang Lanfeng and the Jinling puppet government in an attempt to make a comeback.

After Dai Chunfeng reported to Chiang Kai-shek, Chiang Kai-shek gave him instructions and assigned Dai Chunfeng to clear the relationship and rescue the 28th Group Army through the Jinling puppet government. Then Wang Xinmin received orders from his superiors.

The top leaders of the Japanese and puppet troops in Shangqiu were cool-headed and knew that they could not engage in direct combat with the Eighth Route Army. However, the sent Nakai Shinci and Wang Xinmin hit it off.

Under Wang Xinmin's encouragement, Nakai Shinji's confidence greatly increased and he threatened to give the Eighth Route Army some color, so he immediately led his troops from Yucheng and approached Dayangji.

Near noon, Ding Wei received a report that Japanese and puppet troops appeared outside Dayangji.

"It seems that the kid's scar has really healed and he has forgotten the pain. He started to tremble again just now. Although he had a pleasant life in Tainan, there was one problem. He had to live well in terms of face. Don’t fight the Japanese easily!”

"Okay now, we can let go and do it. I want to fight with them to see what level this group of Japanese soldiers are!" Ding Wei said.

"Brigadier, please keep your heart in mind. This time I will make sure that the little devil never comes back. I heard from comrades in the brother army that the local puppet army is extremely rich. They have infantry, cavalry, artillery, etc." We have everything you need for workers, baggage troops, and other military units, as well as an ordnance factory and a clothing factory!”

"Only our 15th brigade will participate in this battle. If we can kill this group of Japanese and puppet troops, we will definitely make a fortune!" Chief of Staff Li Longcheng said excitedly.

"Okay, I'm waiting to see your performance. The 14th Brigade captured an artillery battalion, and Wu Qin will float to the sky. You are so awesome!" Ding Wei was so jealous that he couldn't sleep: "If you can't satisfy me in the end, let's see how I deal with it. you!"

"Brigadier, just wait and see!"

Ding Wei is not someone who can only stand in Dayangji and suffer the enemy's attacks in vain. In his words, he only wants to fight a defensive war, which is a bastard's style. According to his deployment, the 15th Regiment, the main force of the 7th Brigade, is led by Chief of Staff Li Longcheng. Ambush north of Dayangji.

The 8th Regiment, the 9th Regiment and the artillery unit were responsible for attracting the enemy to attack in Dayangji. After the enemy deployed, the 7th Regiment was responsible for attacking the enemy's flank.

At the same time, Nakai Shinci and Wang Xinmin received a report from the reconnaissance force that there was no movement around Dayangji. It seemed that there was no fighting between the National Army and the Eighth Route Army.

"It is reasonable to say that. At the combat meeting, the National Army's request for assistance telegram showed that the Eighth Route Army deployed troops on the east and north sides of Dayangji, and the west and south sides were in a state of openness. The top priority was to send people to the National Army to get in touch and discuss Come up with a countermeasure!" Wang Xinmin was also a prudent person and did not rush to send troops to approach Dayangji. Nakai Shinji nodded in agreement, and then a cavalry squad of the puppet army escorted Adjutant Wang Xinmin and galloped towards Dayangji.

The soldiers of the 15th brigade who were nesting on the fortifications outside Dayangji saw the puppet troops coming on horseback. They couldn't help laughing and said: "The brigade commander really told the truth. He asked us to put on the uniforms of the national army early in the morning. Don't let the news slip later." !”

Immediately, several soldiers jumped out of the fortifications and raised their guns to signal the puppet cavalry not to approach. The puppet soldiers on the opposite side slowed down and waved their arms: "Brothers from the national army on the opposite side, don't get me wrong. We have been ordered to come for support. Please don't shoot!" "

"Damn it, who is a brother to you traitors? Bah!" The leading soldier from the 15th Brigade pretended to be dissatisfied and spat on the ground.

The squad leader of the puppet army was extremely angry and cursed in his heart, you are a bunch of unscrupulous people, I came to save you, but you are so ungrateful that I will kill you sooner or later.

However, due to the order from the top, the puppet squad leader could only compromise and said kindly: "I would also like to inform your commanders that the main force of our army is located five miles west of Dayangji. The next combat matters still need to be Negotiate carefully!”

"Wait, I'll report it right away!"

Not long after, Dayang gathered a lieutenant colonel from the national army as a representative to negotiate with Adjutant Wang Xinmin. The two met and exchanged a few polite words.

"Mr. Li is very grateful to your army for your support. Our army will bear in mind Commander Sun's righteous act. There are many people outside, why don't you go inside to talk?" The lieutenant colonel officer was Cui Shuyi, the staff officer of the 15th Brigade Headquarters. He stretched out his hand to signal to the puppet police. A group of soldiers advanced to Dayangji.

The adjutant quickly declined. Although he was here for rescue, he was not stupid. Once he entered Dayangji, he would be putting his life in the hands of others.

"The situation is urgent. If you can make the decision, then follow me. If not, then send a qualified person over!"

"Chief Li sent me here, so I can naturally represent him with full authority!" Cui Shuyi said yes repeatedly, glanced back, and then got on the war horse of this group of puppet troops.

Wang Xinmin looked at the visitor and couldn't help but frowned: "Commander Li of your army is too insincere. You and I actually sent a small lieutenant colonel here to negotiate about the joint operation of our two armies?"

Cui Shuyi briefly inquired about the main leaders of the Japanese puppet army on the way. Facing Wang Xinmin's attack, he bowed and said, "Commander Li of our army is very grateful for your assistance this time. However, this matter is serious and we need to send our trusted people. I can be your full representative this time!"

"Of course, our army is not without the strength to fight, but we are not sure of victory. What Commander Li means is that your army does not need to take the initiative to launch an offensive against the Eighth Route Army. It only needs to station troops on the west and south sides of Dayangji to reduce the risk of victory." With the pressure on our army, our army will naturally be able to calmly respond to the Eighth Route Army’s offensive in the east and north directions!”

Wang Xinmin and Nakai Shinji looked at each other. This plan was great. If they could take action during the stalemate between the National Army and the Eighth Route Army, wouldn't they be the biggest winners? So they readily agreed to the plan proposed by Cui Shuyi.

Ding Wei's move was based on an information gap. He was sure that the Japanese and puppet troops could not know that Dayangji had been occupied by the Eighth Route Army, and it was not unreasonable to pretend to trick the Japanese and puppet troops into approaching Dayangji's peripheral fortifications or even give up part of their positions.

The scene changed. Cui Shuyi rode back alone on horseback to report. Not long after, the Japanese and puppet troops appeared within the sight of the peripheral fortifications of Dayangji.

The soldiers of the 15th Brigade stationed at the forefront of the fortifications, wearing the uniforms of the national army, took the initiative to say hello, and then retreated towards the second position with their weapons and equipment.

Upon seeing this, Nakai Shinji nodded. He felt that the national army was still aware of the current situation and took the initiative to give the imperial army some positions that could be defended. Otherwise, it would be unsafe to defend on the flat ground. He immediately ordered the troops to divide into two groups to take over the west and west. Positions on both sides of the south.

As the Japanese and puppet troops quickly approached the outer fortifications of Dayangji, a total of 54 mountain artillery pieces from three artillery battalions in Dayangji were waiting for orders, including the Japanese mountain artillery battalion assigned to the 15th Brigade by the Hebei-Shandong-Henan Column, and another Two American mountain artillery battalions of the National Army.

When Ding Wei received Zhou Weihan's order, he felt that instead of letting the national army's artillery idle, it would be better to put it into use to deal with the incoming Japanese and puppet troops, so he immediately suggested to Zhou Weihan to use two national army artillery units. Artillery Battalion.

Zhou Weihan readily agreed, and when the artillerymen of the national army heard that they were going to deal with the Japs and puppet troops, they couldn't sit still and temporarily gave up the previous grievances between the two sides on the battlefield.

"Brothers, it's time for us to show off. This is the first battle with the Japs after our artillery regiment was formed. We are going to cook a pot of steel broth for the Japs and let these dogs have a taste of our power!" Young officers from each artillery regiment boosted the morale of the soldiers one after another.

The soldiers of the 16th Brigade Headquarters Guard Company looked at each other in confusion. Why did they look more active than us? How could they understand that these national soldiers were holding back anger in their hearts.

The instructor of the security company immediately echoed: "That's right, this time our brothers fight side by side, we will let the little Japanese have a taste of their power!"

Although there was a Tuweizi blocking the view in Dayangji, the artillery observed the parameters in advance and set the artillery coverage. When the observers on the Tuweizi watched the Japanese and puppet troops slowly approaching, they immediately sent out a signal.

"Ten rounds of rapid fire, hit me!"

There was a dull sound from the artillery position, and the shells passed through the muzzle and headed towards the location of the Japanese and puppet troops outside Dayangji.

Wang Xinmin noticed something was wrong at the first time. Hearing the screams from the sky, he raised his head and looked up. Then his face wrinkled in horror, and he quickly dismounted and hid under the horse's belly.

"Boom, boom, boom!" Round after round of artillery shells fell on the crowd of Japanese and puppet troops. The first to be hit were the Japanese and puppet troops who were preparing to relieve the fortifications on the west side of Dayangji.

The two independent brigades of puppet troops led by Wang Xinmin were mostly old puppet troops from Zhang Lanfeng's unit. Not to mention their high combat effectiveness, their reaction speed was faster than that of the Japanese army. However, under the intensive artillery fire, they had nowhere to escape.

At the same time, the 15th Regiment of the 8th Brigade on the west side of Dayangji launched an attack based on the fortifications. The crossfire network composed of more than 15 heavy machine guns of the 2th Brigade and nine M heavy machine guns captured from the National Army Guard Regiment was like a scene. The Japanese and puppet troops were shrouded in a hail of bullets.

(End of this chapter)