Age of Rebirth

On September 21st, a whole day of fierce fighting, the Outer Mongolian border guards repelled many Soviet attacks and were already exhausted. Staying behind, finally arrived at the Selenge River defense line before nine o'clock that night.

Major General Liu Hongzhang, the commander of the first brigade, and Sun Zhenbang are old acquaintances. When they were in China, they would often joke with each other. However, Liu Hongzhang did not expect that Sun Zhenbang was injured, and the injury was not serious. There was a bit of self-blame, which made the atmosphere of the meeting a little dignified.

Ouyang Yishan, commander of the Second Brigade of the Directly Affiliated Corps, was transferred from the Shandong Garrison General Headquarters to serve as the brigade commander of the Second Brigade after the Directly Affiliated Corps returned to China during the First Outer Mongolian War. He had no contact with Sun Zhenbang before. , naturally not as natural and casual as Liu Hongzhang, and can only say some comforting words objectively.

But Sun Zhenbang couldn't let it go. Just as he was about to say something, a staff officer came in and brought a telegram from his division commander Tang Qiuli. Hearing what the staff said, Liu Hongzhang was stunned and muttered to himself, "There is something wrong, the brigade commander present There are three officers at the same level, and Sun Zhenbang is the commander in chief of the "Selenge River" campaign, so the division commander's telegram should go to Lao Sun, how can I name myself?"

Liu Hongzhang looked at this strange staff officer, and asked hesitantly: "Major, are you not mistaken, the telegram is for me?" [

The staff officer replied affirmatively: "Yes, the division commander specifically specified in the telegram that the telegram should be read by Brigadier Liu Hongzhang of the First Brigade directly under the Corps."

Liu Hongzhang received the telegram, "I am glad to hear that the first and second brigades arrived at the front line of the 'Selenge River' on time. I am very happy. After two days of fierce fighting on the 21th and [-]st, the troops of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Guards were exhausted. , your department and Ouyang Yishan's department should take over the defense immediately, because Sun Zhenbang was injured, Liu Hongzhang, the commander of the first brigade, took over the post of commander-in-chief of the "Selenge River Campaign", and Ouyang Yishan, the commander of the second brigade, took over the post of commander-in-chief. The deputy commander-in-chief, unified command of all the troops on the front line."

"According to the estimated marching speed of the troops in other directions, they will reach the line of the 'Selenge River' one after another in four days. The frontline troops must stop the Soviet army on the north bank of the 'Selenge River'. By 25 o'clock in the evening on the [-]th of this month Xu, there are still four days to go. How to fight the battle. You can discuss with Ouyang Yishan and report the plan to the division headquarters. In addition, immediately dispatch elite troops to escort Sun Zhenbang back to Kulun to heal his wounds tonight. Absolutely ensure safety!"

After reading it, Liu Hongzhang handed the telegram to Ouyang Yishan, and said to Sun Zhenbang: "Old man. The division commander has ordered you to leave tonight and go back to Kulun. I will immediately arrange my guard battalion. Send a company of troops Escort you back, Old Sun, take good care of your wounds, leave the line of defense to me and Brigadier Ouyang, don't worry!"

Sun Zhenbang smiled wryly, and said: "Brother Hongzhang, I knew it. I should go when you are here. I have nothing to worry about when you Liu Huhu arrived at the front line. Before I leave, let me remind you. The Soviet troops on the ground have always been a serious worry. My troops will fight back vigorously. If possible, we will destroy them, or drive them back to the north bank, but we cannot let the Soviet troops stand!

Escorted by a company of Liu Hongzhang's guards, Sun Zhenbang walked away full of melancholy. Liu Hongzhang watched his car disappear into the night, turned to Meng Zhaoxu and said, "Meng Section Chief, introduce the battlefield to me and Brigadier Ouyang." And the situation of the troops!"

Following Meng Zhaoxu's narration, the expressions of Liu Hongzhang and Ouyang Yishan became more and more dignified. On the way to help, the two discussed the situation on the battlefield. The disadvantage of the comparison is obvious there, and it is a head-to-head blocking battle, but the two of them never thought that the battle would be so fierce.

Meng Zhaoxu said: "The casualties of the troops exceeded one-half. The two artillery brigades suffered serious losses. We could only gather the artillery of the two regiments. We no longer have a reserve team in our hands. To be honest, the two brigades Commander, if your troops don't arrive today, tomorrow, we don't know how to live!"

Liu Hongzhang took a deep breath, and said to Meng Zhaoxu: "Meng Section Chief, notify immediately. The brigade commanders and regiment commanders of all troops will have a meeting at the headquarters in three to 10 minutes to convey the division commander's order and adjust the battle deployment!"

After Meng Zhaoxu left, Liu Hongzhang looked at Ouyang Yishan and said, "Brigade Commander Ouyang, what do you think?"

Ouyang Yishan thought for a while, and said: "Brigade Commander Liu, I think we have a good opportunity to launch a counterattack against the Soviet army on the river beach tonight and knock down the nails nailed in front of our position. Commander Sun said That's right, sooner or later it will be a hidden danger, so you can't keep him!"

Liu Hongzhang laughed and said: "Heroes see the same thing, and I mean the same thing. The commander of Lao Maozi didn't know that our two brigades with more than 3 people had already reached the front line, so he was caught off guard. After pulling out this nail, Lao Sun is very powerful. He is good at positional warfare. He dug four traffic trenches between the rocky mountain and the forward position, which is convenient for the troops to hide and transport, and will not be subject to Soviet artillery fire. kill."

"My plan is that our two brigades of more than 3 people will all press up. According to Meng Zhaoxu's introduction, the strength of the Soviet army on the river beach is about 5 to [-] people. The meeting was small and we were exhausted, so it was just a chance for us to report the battle plan to the division commander after the meeting. The counterattack time was set at two o'clock in the morning, and until five o'clock, the troops still had more than four hours left. Rest time, what do you think?"

Ouyang Yishan smiled and said: "I have no objection, 4 is against [-], and you, Brigadier Liu, dare to fight like this. My idea is that the troops of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Defense Army should not participate in this counterattack. , their casualties were too great, and the troops were too tired."

Liu Hongzhang nodded and said, "That's what I mean too. Let's go and wait for them in the meeting room!"

Half an hour later, the brigade commanders of the four infantry brigades of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Defense Army and the heads of each regiment arrived at the headquarters on time. Liu Hongzhang and Ouyang Yishan stood at the gate of the headquarters to welcome the commanders who had fought fiercely for two days , the four brigade commanders all knew the famous Liu Hongzhang and greeted him with a smile, especially Wang Qingshan.

Liu Hongzhang recognized Wang Qingshan at a glance, and said with a big smile, "Isn't this Lao Sun's subordinate, the lunatic Wang who is desperate to fight? He was the head of the number one main regiment when he was in the Yellow River Defense Command Headquarters." , you, Commander Sun, have praised you a lot in front of me, yes, you have put on the major general's epaulettes!"

Wang Qingshan solemnly saluted the military, and said: "Brigade Commander Liu, compared with you, my ability is far behind!"

Liu Hongzhang laughed loudly, patted Wang Qingshan on the shoulder vigorously, and said: "This is not the character of your lunatic Wang, have you learned to be humble?" [

The brigade commanders and regimental commanders of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Defense Army looked at this scene with a smile. However, it was strange that the commander Sun Zhenbang did not appear, but two brigade commanders directly under the regiment greeted everyone in person, and exchanged glances with each other. Son, walked into the headquarters with doubts.

After the meeting started, Liu Hongzhang first read out the telegram from the division commander Tang Qiuli. When it was said that Commander Sun Zhenbang was injured and had been sent to the Kulun Field Hospital, the generals of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Army couldn’t help being surprised. Discussion, everyone was very surprised when they arrived at the news, and they couldn't help but be full of doubts. In the strong shelter, how could Commander Sun, who directed the battle, be injured?

Tens of thousands of troops choked with the old Maozi soldiers, but the commander who commanded the battle was injured. What's the matter?It was Lieutenant Colonel Meng Chaoxu, the chief of the combat department, who explained in detail how Sun Zhenbang was injured, and relieved the doubts of the generals. Also, at the level of the battle at that time, the Soviet soldiers rushed up red-eyed, and the cannons were flying all over the sky. , Zi Mi is like a migratory locust, any situation may happen, maybe he, the brigade commander and regiment commander, will fall into a pool of blood in the next moment.

Liu Hongzhang did not stop the generals from discussing in low voices. Anyone who put it on them would be surprised. It is understandable. After everyone's discussions subsided, he said: "Brigade Commander Ouyang and I have just arrived. After listening to Section Chief Meng's introduction to the battle, All the officers and soldiers of the Outer Mongolia Frontier Army, with their inferior equipment and strength, resisted the Soviet army's fierce attack for two consecutive days without losing an inch, which is amazing!"

After a pause, Liu Hongzhang went on to say: "Our two brigades are here. Next, it's time for us to go on the field. I discussed with Brigadier Ouyang and planned to attack the Soviet troops on the river beach in the early hours of tomorrow. Fight back and catch him off guard!"

Hearing that there was going to be a counterattack, the generals of the Outer Mongolian Border Guards became energetic at that time. The Soviet troops on the river beach became a heartache for these officers, like a gnat in their throats, threatening the safety of the position at all times. These brigade and regimental commanders Ladies and gentlemen, secretly calculating in their hearts how many troops they can still use to participate in the counterattack.

Liu Hongzhang continued: "The preliminary deployment of the combat plan is as follows: the task of counterattacking the Soviet army is undertaken by the first brigade and the second brigade of the Corps directly under it, and the four frontier brigades of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Army leave two for each brigade. The troops of this battalion are responsible for the task of guarding the position and will not participate in the counterattack. The other troops will withdraw to the "Ran" Rock Mountain to rest and reorganize. Control it within three hours."

"I want to emphasize that no matter how the counterattack is fought, the troops of the Outer Mongolian Frontier Guards who retreated to the "Ran" Rock Mountain to rest for reorganization are not allowed to fight without receiving orders from the headquarters. , take over the position, well, everyone hurry back and prepare!"

After setting up, Liu Hongzhang did not hear any response. He noticed that the faces of the brigade commanders and regiment commanders of the Outer Mongolia Frontier Army were very ugly!

(to be continued) (to be continued...)

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