Age of Conquest Reborn

On the south bank of the Selenge River, in Sun Zhenbang's headquarters, Sun Zhenbang was looking at the casualty figures and ammunition consumption statistics compiled by the combat section.

After more than two hours of fighting, the Outer Mongolia Border Guard's forward blocking force suffered more than 1,200 casualties. Among them, more than 400 were killed during the second sudden artillery attack by the Soviet army. The losses were mortar

There were more than 220 guns, two artillery brigades suffered more than 300 casualties, and 35 artillery pieces of various calibers were damaged. In total, the casualties of the border defense troops exceeded 1,500.

Among them, the number of soldiers killed in the battle was more than 900. What Sun Zhenbang found hard to accept was that except for more than 400 mortar soldiers and more than 100 artillerymen who died under Soviet artillery fire, the rest of the soldiers who died in the battle were all

It was because the bombproof cave could not withstand the fierce bombardment of Soviet artillery fire. After it was blown down, they suffocated to death inside. The number of officers and soldiers who died in this way alone reached more than 400.

According to Sun Zhenbang's own observation, the casualties of the Soviet army were only a little over 2,000. He set the ratio of casualties between the enemy and ourselves at one to one. This was not a satisfactory result for him. In the positional blocking battle, the attacking side had to pay a greater cost.

Casualties are a normal phenomenon, unless the strength and firepower are extremely asymmetrical. Although the actual situation on the battlefield is indeed the case, Sun Zhenbang believes that he occupies a favorable terrain, and a Selenge River is worth 30,000 soldiers. Therefore, the first

He was very dissatisfied when the fight ended like this in one round.

The only thing that gave him confidence was that because the preparations before the war were very thorough, the consumption of various ammunition was less than one-tenth. With these ammunition, the Soviet army could be dragged here for four or five days.

time.

Sun Zhenbang closed the casualty and ammunition consumption statistics table, rubbed his swollen temples, and said to the chief of the combat section with fatigue in his voice: "Immediately report the casualties and combat situation to the division commander, and at the same time.

Adding these few words to the telegram, our Outer Mongolia border defense force's blocking force is confident that it can block the Soviet army at the Selenge River defense line for more than five days."

After sitting in silence for a while, his thoughts turned to the battlefield. According to the routine, after the Soviet army's first attack was repelled, it was impossible to launch a second attack without an hour of preparation time. This short period of time should be used.

time to come up with an effective solution to the Soviet artillery bombardment.

Use the existing two artillery brigades to engage in a head-on artillery battle with the Soviet army. Don't even think about it. In less than fifteen minutes of firing, more than 300 people were injured and killed, and 35 artillery pieces of various calibers were damaged.

If there was a battle, Sun Zhenbang believed that it would take less than two days. His two artillery brigades would have few artillery pieces available.

The only place where you can use your brain is the anti-gun holes and shelters of the forward troops. But how to solve the problem of Soviet artillery fire killing the soldiers in the anti-gun holes?

Sun Zhenbang's eyes fell on the map, which was only five miles away from the south bank of the Selenge River. There were several rocky mountains with a radius of more than ten kilometers. Although the altitude was not high, it was the only terrain that could be used. It was in the

Counterattack in the direction of Soviet artillery fire

The slope was a blind spot for Soviet artillery fire. A staff officer was called over and said: "Convey my order to the forward troops. Each unit should immediately reduce the strength of the forward troops to one-half. The remaining troops should immediately withdraw to the rear of the position.

The rocky mountain.”

"In the order, we must emphasize this point. The troops who have withdrawn to the Rock Mountain are digging anti-gun holes. Starting tonight, each unit will start digging the communication trenches from the Rock Mountain to the forward positions. All soil work will be done tomorrow.

It will be completed before seven o'clock in the morning, and the 1st Artillery Brigade and the 2nd Artillery Brigade are ordered to disperse their positions in regiment-based units and build a few more reserve positions."

Sun Zhenbang knew how difficult his order was for the troops, that is, from the rocky mountain to the forward position, at least four communication trenches five miles long were needed. Otherwise, it would be impossible to quickly transport to the forward position.

Troops and ammunition

Supplies, this is a huge project. Without machinery, we can only rely on soldiers to dig out shovels and pickaxes within 24 hours. To be precise, construction cannot be done during the day, and can only be used at night.

The time is only a dozen hours.

But he could only be so cruel, otherwise, after several days of fierce fighting, those earthen anti-gun caves and shelters would have little effect on protecting Soviet artillery fire. If not, too many officers and soldiers would be buried alive.

, Sun Zhenbang would rather the soldiers sweat more than die in such a useless manner. Furthermore, there are no communication trenches connecting the forward positions. After the Soviet artillery fire extends, the reinforcements will not become living targets, and the casualties will be even greater.

Sun Zhenbang was so regretful that he slapped himself on the head, "You said, why didn't you think of this when we first came to Selenge River to set up defenses? What a mistake! What a big mistake!" The division commander was right. In the past few years, in Outer Mongolia,

The relatively comfortable living environment in the area has indeed worn away many of his fighting instincts and his keen sense of retreat. I didn't expect this to be an obvious example.

Sun Zhenbang suddenly thought that only half of the troops were left on the forward position, and the firepower density was not enough. What if the Soviet army increased its offensive troops and could not retreat? The troops that had withdrawn to Luanshi Mountain were blocked by the Soviet army's extended artillery fire.

, it was impossible to provide timely reinforcements. Looking at the troops that were evacuating in an orderly manner, he hesitated in his heart, feeling that it was really difficult to make a choice.

Looking at his watch, he saw that without too much hesitation, the Soviet army stopped attacking. It was almost an hour later. It was now 6:50 in the morning. As long as he withstood a few more attacks by the Soviet army, he could stay up until night and wait for the communication trenches.

Once it's done, you'll be able to start playing again.

The strange thing is that the troops that should be evacuated at the front of the border guards have all been evacuated to the rocky mountains behind. At 7:10, there was no movement at all from the expected Soviet artillery fire. Not only that, even the engineers who were setting up the pontoon bridge,

I didn't see one. Could it be that the Soviets suffered a loss and today's attack is over?

Although Sun Zhenbang very much hoped that this would be the case, and he could afford it and delay it, he also knew that this was just his best wish. The Soviet army was not injured at all. He immediately called the commanders at the forward positions.

The stern order said: "Without an order from the headquarters, all troops must not defend the artillery holes!"

Next, there was a tense and boring wait. In fact, Sun Zhenbang would rather the Soviet artillery fire arrived as scheduled, rather than being unable to judge the Soviet army's movements!

Cullen, the ground command post of the ** Northern Flying Group, Liu Cuigang crossed his hands and sat motionless on his chair. His eight fighter regiments and two bomber regiments were already on the takeoff line, ready to take off at any time.

.

According to the battle status report from the division commander's temporary headquarters, the Selenge River Blockade has been going on for more than two hours. Just thirty minutes ago, Liu Cuigang called and asked the division commander Tang Qiuli to fight, "Division Commander, the Soviet army has begun to attack.

Okay, the fighting is going on right now, I suggest that the troops take off immediately and help Lao Sun at this critical moment!"

Tang Qiuli dismissed Liu Cuigang with just a few words, "Why are you anxious? The Soviet army has not yet appeared. Do you remember your mission? Support ground combat as a supplement, and control the air as a priority!"

After saying that, "Bada" hung up the phone. Listening to the blind tone coming from the receiver, Liu Cuigang grinned and said, "Okay, just wait!" But this feeling is too uncomfortable.

On the surface, Liu Cuigang looked calm and had the demeanor of a general. In fact, he was so anxious that he was on fire. At this time, Colonel Meng Qingpeng, the commander of the Outer Mongolia cruise area of ​​the flight group, hurried in and said, "Report to the commander, ground

The radar station reported that a group of Soviet aircraft took off from the two directions of Chita and Barnur. Because the distance is too far, it is temporarily impossible to distinguish the type of aircraft, and the number is about two divisions."

"There are more than 350 aircraft in size, and their flight direction is the Selenge River airspace. Based on this judgment, it should be a mixed group of Soviet fighter groups and bomber groups. The purpose is to bomb our army's positions. Commander,

It’s our turn!”

Liu Cuigang opened his eyes suddenly, and rushed to the phone at a speed that surprised Meng Qingpeng, "Commander, this is Liu Cuigang. The ground radar station reported that Lao Maozi's fleet has been dispatched!"

Tang Qiuli was holding the phone. You could imagine Liu Cuigang's anxious look as he said, "It's your turn to play. We must win the first battle well!"

Liu Cuigang replied confidently: "Commander, please rest assured. I have eight fighter regiments in the first echelon and nearly 500 fighter jets. To deal with Lao Maozi's mixed fleet of more than 300 aircraft, it is still your way of fighting. Concentrate superior forces and fight."

A battle of annihilation!"

Putting down the phone, Meng Qingpeng hurriedly said: "Commander, I am familiar with the airspace in this area. Let me lead the first echelon. You can direct the air combat on the ground and control the overall situation!"

Liu Cuigang glared and said: "Why, are you trying to take command from me? In the first air battle, if I don't lead the team, who will lead the team? This is the rule of our aviation force. It is the same in the south and the north. Your task is not light either. With a

The fighter regiment is responsible for covering the bomber formation!"

Meng Qingpeng grinned and muttered unwillingly: "Yes, I knew that as soon as you came to Outer Mongolia, I had to stand aside. You were afraid that I would get in the way, so you sent me to cover and use your power to overwhelm others!"

Liu Cuigang turned around suddenly and shouted: "What are you muttering about? Go get ready quickly! If you delay the rendezvous with the bomber unit, I will evacuate you!"

Meng Qingpeng winced and quickly slipped out. Liu Cuigang laughed loudly, dressed neatly, and ran towards his fighter plane on the runway.

At 7:20 a.m. on September 20, Liu Cuigang's eight fighter regiments and two bomber regiments took off from several airports in Outer Mongolia at the same time, heading towards a mixed fleet of Soviet aircraft.

As time passes, the Chinese and Soviet aviation forces, which have never fought against each other, are destined to have a fierce collision and fight.

(To be continued)