Age of Conquest Reborn

Chapter 625: Get out of the way

On April 2, 1938, the newly appointed commander of the North China Expeditionary Force, Okamura Neiji, commanded 320,000 troops including aviation, armor, heavy artillery, and cavalry, departing from Shexian County, Hebei Province to enter the Taihang Mountains

The first road in the hinterland

Barrier Licheng, as the target of attack, Okamura Neiji's intention is very obvious, open the road from Handan to Changzhi, gain a foothold in southern Shanxi, establish a logistics supply line from Handan to the Taihang Mountains, and use Changzhi as the base point to sweep the Taihang Mountains.

Sun Zhenbang's troops stationed on the front line of Li City only had more than 36,000 troops. Facing the more than 300,000 menacing Japanese troops, they could only implement the strategy of division commander Tang Qiuli, get out of the way and let the Japanese troops march straight in. The Japanese troops occupied Li.

Behind the city, the troops were divided into two groups, one going straight to Changzhi and the other to Lucheng.

After receiving a report from the general who occupied Licheng, Okamura Neji was not surprised at all that Licheng was deserted. Faced with the heavy Japanese Imperial Army, it would be strange that all the Chinese in Licheng didn't flee. That's fine.

, saving the imperial army the effort to destroy these Chinese people,

It's just that he didn't encounter the troops of the First Division, which made Okamura Neiji somewhat regretful. In front of the heavy imperial army group, Tang Qiuli, known as the China Devil, could only retreat and did not dare to fight. But that's all, Okamura Neiji

This time I despised Tang Qiuli in my heart.

At Dongyang Pass, more than 20 miles west of Licheng, Sun Zhenbang stared in the direction of Licheng with a pale face. He had already reported the news to the division commander Tang Qiuli that the Japanese army had begun a large-scale attack. The division commander's call back made him very discouraged, "

According to the original combat plan, you

"The Japanese troops are executing a plan to lure the enemy deep into the city and cannot be entangled by the Japanese troops." According to Sun Zhenbang's idea, relying on the complete fortifications of Licheng, he could hit him no matter what to dampen the spirit of Neji Okamura and abandon Licheng without firing a single shot.

, he couldn’t figure it out.

Tang Qiuli did this out of practical considerations. Sun Zhenbang's troops have always been the second-line troops of the ** Division. They are responsible for the defense of the Shanxi and Shaanxi sections of the Yellow River. In the sequence of the ** Division, they belong to local troops.

, only four brigades

Each brigade had only more than 8,500 troops and no heavy artillery. If Isoya Rensuke's First Army had not broken through the Henan defense line, Tang Qiuli would have no troops to mobilize, so he pulled his troops back.

Come up, Sun Zhenbang's regiment is still staying by the Yellow River.

Compared with the field brigades of the ** Division, Sun Zhenbang's Yellow River Defense Command troops are far behind in terms of strength, combat effectiveness, actual combat experience, and firepower. With such troops, they can compete with the elite Japanese troops.

The battle between the Kwantung Army and the Tang Dynasty

Qiu Li would not do such a stupid thing. Even if he arranged for Sun Zhenbang's troops to carry out the task of luring the enemy in, Tang Qiuli was not at ease. What if his troops were bitten by Okamura Neji?

Escape, there is a question mark in his mind?

Sun Zhenbang didn't think so. The commander didn't want to lead the first-class main force. Didn't the main force rely on one battle to fight? He thought that now was a good opportunity. Let's eat all of Okamura Neji's thirty soldiers.

tens of thousands of people

I didn't dare to think that it would be possible to get a piece of meat from him. Seeing the Japs right in front of me, I felt like I was in a deserted place. I had more than 30,000 people in my hands, but I was suppressed by my commander and refused to move.

, Sun Zhenbang felt extremely depressed.

Tang Qiuli didn't know Sun Zhenbang's mood at this time. After receiving the report, he smiled coldly. As expected, Okamura Neji, an old devil, began to attack the Taihang Mountains from the direction of Shexian County. He wanted to occupy Changzhi as a

The foothold, attack launch point, and logistics base, Handang Avenue, are probably the only roads in the Taihang Mountains where cars can run.

He did not immediately issue an order to attack Jingxing Pass, allowing the Japanese army to go deeper, occupy those empty cities, and divide the troops thinly. By then, it would be difficult for him to return troops. The Japanese army occupied Licheng, and Lucheng would be next. If

Continuing westward to Xiangyuan, Qinxian, and Wuxiang, Yan Xishan became anxious and angry again, crying and begging for help.

The Japanese army made good progress. After occupying Licheng, they did not stop and continued to advance into the hinterland of the Taihang Mountain base. Okamura Neiji ordered to leave one regiment of the Kwantung Army behind, one brigade to garrison Licheng, and two brigade to garrison Shexian County. This is

There are two important nodes on Handang Avenue, and a large amount of materials and ammunition are stored in these two places, so there is no room for loss.

The troops of the ** Division were driven deep into the Taihang Mountains by their own heavy troops. With the combat effectiveness of the Kwantung Army troops, they could defend Shexian and Licheng. They could rest assured. He did not expect that on one side of the Japanese attack channel, only a dozen

Kilometers away, there were more than 30,000 people in a regiment of the ** Division. They were watching them and occupied Licheng without sending some troops to expand to the two wings to ensure the safety of the supply line. This was the first military operation for Okamura Neji to attack the Taihang Mountains.

A mistake.

At this time, Sun Zhenbang was no longer in the mood to complain. He also received an order from the division commander not to engage in combat with the Japanese army. It was the only mission of your unit to lure the enemy deep into the country. According to the battle plan, the troops were dispersed into battalions and all were dispersed.

In front of the various attack arrows of the Japanese army, the battalion commanders who participated in the meeting felt uncomfortable. They didn't fight like this. They fired a few shots and ran away. They had to run in a more embarrassing manner. It was best to leave behind some tattered shoes and socks.

Yes, would it be embarrassing to spread the word?

Reluctant and low-spirited, he asked the commander how to fight this battle. Sun Zhenbang himself was also upset. He angrily told his officers that the pre-war combat meeting was in vain? If you can't fight, how can you escape? Don't do it.

let small

When the Japs come, don't let the little Japs get lost. The specific method of fighting will be determined by each unit commander based on the situation. But one thing is, if that battalion suffers a loss, you, the battalion commander, should stop doing it and go back to Huangyadong base.

The logistics department goes to raise pigs.

The troops were all dispersed, and Sun Zhenbang only had two battalions left in his hands, followed by the regiment's security company and a mortar company. At this time, fierce gunshots were heard on the long-silent battlefield.

, the gunshots were distributed over a wide range,

This is when the army and the Japanese army are at war. Sun Zhenbang sighed. There is no big battle to win. Get ready to go into the mountains to see if you can pick up small fish and shrimps. Take a look at the small Japanese army and kill a guy.

After all, if you deal with one mouthful, it won't be in vain for a long time.

The troops had just set off when Kang Dezhu, commander of the reconnaissance company of the Second Brigade, came panting from behind. Behind him, there was an officer with the rank of lieutenant colonel. Sun Zhenbang did not recognize him. Looking at the style of the military uniform and the equipment on his body, he knew that this was

The people from the special operations detachment were Tang Qiuquan's subordinates. Sun Zhenbang was puzzled as to why the people from the special operations detachment were also in the Dongyangguan area? Aren't they in Shandong? They were so elusive.

The lieutenant colonel officer arrived in front of Sun Zhenbang, stood at attention and saluted, and then reported with great enthusiasm: "Commander Sun, Bai Lishan, captain of the 11th detachment of the Special Operations Detachment of the ** Division, led the entire team of 186 people to complete the attack on Licheng

On a reconnaissance mission to Shexian County, I have been ordered by the detachment leader to cooperate with your regiment to complete the task of luring the enemy deep into the country. Please give instructions." The young man is twenty-three or four years old, with sparkling eyes. He is a shrewd and capable commander at first glance.

Coincidentally, the reconnaissance company of the Second Brigade was also ordered to conduct reconnaissance in the Licheng and Shexian areas, and suddenly encountered the 11th Special Operations Detachment. The two sides finally stopped fighting. They were worried that they could not find Bai Lishan from Sun Zhenbang's regiment headquarters, so they followed the reconnaissance team.

The company came over immediately, and Sun Zhenbang returned the courtesy as usual and said: "Then let's follow the regiment headquarters." After saying that, he turned around and followed the troops.

Bai Lishan saw that the major general commander was not in a high mood, so he didn't say much. Kang Dezhu walked up to Sun Zhenbang and said, "Commander, we have detected a situation in Licheng. The Japanese army continues to go deep into the Taihang Mountains."

Attack everywhere, Licheng

There is only one brigade of Japs, and the supplies and ammunition are piled up like a hill. The little Japs are really rich. There are two brigade of Japs defending Shexian County, and they are also piled high with supplies and ammunition." After saying this, he continued

Click your lips, click your tongue and make a sound.

When Sun Zhenbang heard this, he couldn't move at that moment. He turned around suddenly, startling Kang Dezhu, and asked eagerly: "Is the information true?" Kang Dezhu nodded affirmatively, not sure of the commander's intention, and then

I would like to add that the situation detected by Captain Bai of Special Operations Team 11 is the same as ours.

Sun Zhenbang rolled his eyes a few times and ordered the correspondent, "Notify the troops to stop advancing and rest where they are." He pulled Kang Dezhu and walked towards Baili Mountain. What he learned was exactly the same as what Kang Dezhu said, and Sun Zhenbang paid special attention to it.

Question: How far is the Japanese army from Licheng now?

Bai Lishan knew this. He accurately told Sun Zhenbang that the rear guard of the main Japanese army had entered Lucheng. Lucheng was 43 kilometers away from Licheng. Sun Zhenbang made a plan. With the existing troops in hand, he would take the enemy by surprise.

It is entirely possible to overthrow a brigade of Japs from Licheng and blow up supplies and ammunition somewhere. Even if the Japs from Lucheng come back for reinforcements, there will not be enough time. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

I now have nearly a regiment of troops in my hand, and I can kill a group of more than 2,000 Japs without much effort. Shexian County is more than 40 kilometers away from Licheng. If the Japs from Shexian County come out to reinforce, I will just hit him.

An ambush might even capture Shexian County. He asked Bai Lishan: "Does your Special Operations Team 11 want to fight?"

Bai Lishan's eyes lit up, and he hurried back from Shandong. He expected to have a big fight, but who knew that the mission he received was all reconnaissance, and he was not allowed to alert the Japanese army. These special operations soldiers with excellent individual combat capabilities were all sobbing.

He shouted, he would be a fool not to fight if he had the chance. He hurriedly asked: "Commander Sun, what do you want to do? Special Operations Team 11 will completely obey your command."

Sun Zhenbang knew that this matter could not be reported to the division commander. Since Su Jingfeng and Zhang Zizhong died in the country, the division commander personally issued an order strictly prohibiting commanders above the brigade level from personally leading troops to fight on the front line. How can they carry a machine gun and charge into battle?

It is absolutely prohibited, and violators will be dismissed from their posts on the spot. He really cannot afford to be hurt. Every senior commander of the ** division is a valuable asset.

(To be continued)