Predator Reborn

Chapter 365 Expanding the base area

"Then thank you political commissar. I can only leave the affairs in the base area to you again. This time, for the future of our base area, I decided to personally lead the direct column to attack and eliminate the more than 10,000 people entrenched in our base area.

The little devil will completely take the vast Shanxi area into the hands of our army." Liu Hua nodded and said.

Just as the two people were talking about it, in less than half an hour, more than 10,000 people from the three brigades of the direct column stationed around the headquarters began to replenish ammunition. At the same time, the accompanying field artillery and mountain artillery were fired.

While waiting for the siege artillery, they also began to load vehicles and replenish ammunition. In just one afternoon, more than 10,000 troops were ready and ready to attack.

Of course, in order to avoid the detection of the Japanese Air Force, Liu Hua decided to attack at night. After dinner, the entire army, led by Liu Hua, attacked the target of the attack. More than 10,000 people

The troops, carrying a large number of artillery, left the base area in a mighty manner.

"Division Commander, this is the enemy situation report just sent from the three divisions. According to preliminary statistics, there are still 14 counties occupied by the Japanese army in the area just occupied by our army. In addition, because the Japanese army withdrew its troops in advance, now each

There are a large number of Japanese and puppet troops in the county for defense. Among them, the largest force is Yangquan County, which is located on the main transportation road. More than a month ago, after the main force of the Japanese army in Yangquan County was eliminated by us in Zhongyang Town, the Japanese army had to

From the newly transferred Kwantung Army division, a field regiment of nearly 4,000 troops was deducted, together with a division of 3,000 puppet troops, and stationed in Yangquan. However, Yangquan County has now been occupied by two main regiments of my first division.

They were tightly surrounded. Although the two main regiments launched two tentative attacks, they were all repelled by the intensive firepower of the Japanese army." The chief of staff came to Zhang Hua, who was marching in a hurry, and introduced him while marching.

arrive.

"Well, are there any other Jaap strongholds in other directions?" Zhang Hua stopped and asked, pointing to a map that the guard had just opened.

"Division commander, to the south and west of Yangquan are Xiyang County and Shouyang County respectively. There are two brigades and one regiment of puppet troops stationed in each, with a strength of about 4,000 people. They are now surrounded by troops from one division and one regiment.

...But because the troops were not equipped with siege artillery, they did not launch an attack." The chief of staff continued.

"Okay, since the three counties are fortified in a ready-made Zigzag pattern, then our directly affiliated column will attack these three counties first and try out the blades of our three brigades. Order, the first brigade of the directly affiliated column, the heavy artillery regiment 150mm howitzer battalion,

The first regiment of the Guard Brigade, under my personal command, attacked Yangquan County. The second brigade and the heavy artillery regiment's 105mm howitzer battalion, under the personal command of Brigadier Luo Zhihui, attacked Shouyang County. All the remaining troops, under the command of Brigadier Wang Benqing, attacked Xiyang County.

All units will immediately move towards their respective targets. They must launch an attack before eight o'clock tomorrow night and capture these three counties in one night." Zhang Hua pointed at the three counties on the map and ordered firmly.

"Yes, division commander, I will go and issue combat missions to each unit." Chief of Staff Li Qing turned around and began to issue missions to each ordering soldier.

After receiving their mission, the marching team, which had just been more than 10,000 people and stretched for several miles, was immediately divided into three, and each rushed towards their respective goals. There was a brigade under the personal command of division commander Liu Hua and a guard brigade.

Regiment, a battalion of the Heavy Artillery Regiment, a group of more than 8,000 people, rushed straight towards Yangquan County quickly like a fire dragon in the dark night along the winding mountain road.

Because at this time, the vast rural areas had already been completely occupied by the divisional troops, and all hostile elements had been wiped out. In addition, the troops were marching at night, and the Japs’ reconnaissance planes could not take off for reconnaissance. Therefore, Liu Hua and his party

More than 8,000 people, it can be said, quietly arrived in the mountains a few kilometers outside Yangquan County. They met Zhao Dahe, the political commissar of the first division who had already commanded the troops to surround the entire Yangquan County.

together.

"Reporting to the division commander, the political commissar of the first division, Zhao Dahe, has come to greet the main force of the division..." Seeing the division commander Liu Hua, Zhao Dahe hurriedly came up with the accompanying guard troops.

"Haha, Political Commissar Zhao, we haven't seen each other for a long time since we divided our troops. I really didn't expect that after two years of fighting life, you would still be the same without any change..." Looking at the man in front of me, he came from the Xiangjiang River.

Zhang Hua, who had been following his old man since the beginning, said with a smile on his face with relief.

"Haha, sir, you don't know. In the division, I ate the canned beef that the little devil brought me every day, and I gained a lot of weight. But, sir, you lost weight for our *** division.

Young..." Looking at the young teacher in front of him, who he admired at the same time, Zhao Dahe immediately put down his usual airs and said to Liu Hua with a smile, as if they were old friends he hadn't seen for several years.

generally.

"Okay, Political Commissar Zhao, let's not talk about this anymore. First, please introduce to me the situation here. This time I brought a heavy artillery battalion and 8,000 troops. I must capture Yangquan County." Liu Hua

Smiled and nodded.

"Yes, Commander. However, Commander, you have been driving the soldiers all night on the mountain road, and you are hungry and tired. Besides, it is almost dawn now, and we will definitely not be able to attack during the day. One day is enough for you to understand the enemy's situation.

Come on. Before coming back, I have asked the troops to prepare breakfast. In this way, we will go to have breakfast first, and after eating, I will introduce you to the situation in Yangquan County in detail." After saying that, Zhao Dahe led

Liu Hua and his party walked towards the army's camping ground.

With the arrival of the main force of the division, Zhao Dahe's headquarters, without any surprise, became Liu Hua's temporary headquarters. After breakfast, Liu Hua, led by Zhao Dahe, arrived at the headquarters

Of course, after entering the headquarters, the first thing that caught Zhang Hua's attention was the huge sand table inside the headquarters. Because this sand table showed all the terrain around Yangquan County and the city defense works of Yangquan County.

"Commander, the situation is like this. In Yangquan County, there is a regiment of the Kwantung Army of the Little Devils with a total of more than 4,000 people, including a mountain artillery brigade. According to the investigation of our reconnaissance force, plus the artillery configuration of each brigade of the Little Devils. The entire

In Yangquan County, there are a total of 12 mountain guns, 8 infantry guns, and dozens of mortars. It can be said that their artillery fire is very sharp. However, this time the headquarters brought 12 heavy guns, plus I

The 12 mountain cannons we brought are enough to suppress the enemy's artillery fire and give them a drink." Zhao Dahe introduced with a smile.

"Political Commissar Zhao, I didn't expect that the Kwantung Army's artillery fire configuration is so sharp. A field infantry regiment actually has so much artillery fire. By the way, Political Commissar Zhao, is there a division of puppet troops in the city? In addition, you put the county seat

In the surrounding area, please introduce to me the defensive deployment of the Japs." After hearing the amount of artillery fire from the Japs, Liu Hua nodded and continued to ask.

"Yes, division commander, there is a puppet military division of 3,500 people in the city. However, the little devils don't seem to believe in their combat effectiveness. These more than 3,000 soldiers have been arranged by the little devils inside the county to defend some key points.

There is a regiment of puppet troops, mixed with the Japanese army, responsible for defensive tasks," Zhao Dahe pointed to the sand table in front of him and continued to introduce,

"After the Japanese army occupied Yangquan County, they began to build various fortifications outside the county. At present, a defensive formation consisting of more than 40 bunker groups has been formed outside the county. The Japanese army has deployed a brigade of elite forces.

, defend these bunkers."

"Among them, if our army wants to attack the county town, it must occupy two highlands one kilometer outside the city. They are Wulong Mountain and Fushan Mountain. The two highlands are distributed on both sides of the road entering the county town, with a height of about 150 meters.

It looks like ten meters. The Japanese army also knew the importance of the two mountains, so they deployed two squadrons on each of the two mountains, and an artillery squad with 9 mortars. It can be said that it was a very hard nut to crack. The initial siege

When we were in the county seat, I sent two battalions of troops to conduct a tentative attack. However, as soon as the troops reached the foot of the mountain, they were bombed back by mortars hidden in the trenches by the Japs, and they suffered in vain.

I also used a mountain artillery battalion I brought to carry out artillery bombardment. Although it had a certain effect. However, the Japanese machine gun bunkers on the top of the mountain were all built underground. The 75mm mountain cannon in my hand had no impact on them.

There is no threat." Zhao Dahe pointed to the two highlands on the sand table and introduced.

"Political Commissar Zhao, can we let the two little devils on the high ground go around directly?" After listening to Zhao Dahe's introduction, Liu Hua also frowned. However, what he was worried about was not that he could not deal with the two little devils on his own.

The little devil on the top of the mountain, if he slowly looks forward step by step like this, it is impossible for him to capture the entire county in one night. Although his troops are no longer worried about the support and bombing of Japanese aircraft

.However, airplanes are a trouble after all. Therefore, Liu Hua has always insisted that the troops' critical battles be conducted at night.

"No, division commander, these two mountains are completely between us and the county town. If we rush over directly from the highway, the troops will be directly exposed to the Japanese machine guns and artillery fire. By then, even if the troops rush over, they will lose losses.

It will definitely be very serious." After listening to Liu Hua's suggestion, Zhao Dahe rejected it without any hesitation.

"Well, it seems like it's another hard nut to crack..." Zhang Hua said to himself. At the same time, he slowly fell into deep thought and began to think about possible solutions...

"If it doesn't work, this siege will be divided into two stages. Political Commissar Zhao, Chief of Staff, look. Tonight, we will attack these two highlands and all the fortresses outside the county. Of course, the main purpose is not to capture these places.

It is to eliminate the enemy's effective forces. However, after we occupy these places, we must completely destroy all the Japanese defenses to prevent the Japanese from occupying them again after we retreat the next day. As for the second stage, that is the second stage.

That night, we will directly attack the county town and eliminate the remaining enemies in the county town." Liu Hua, unable to think of a way, had to turn the one-night preparation for the battle into the last two nights.

"Commander, judging from our current situation, this is the only way. I believe that it will be very easy for us to divide the entire battle process into two stages. Therefore, I agree with your battle plan

." After listening to Zhang Hua's words, Chief of Staff Li Qing stood up first and said.

"Well, where is Political Commissar Zhao, do you have any opinions?" Liu Hua nodded and looked at Zhao Dahe beside him.

"Reporting to the division commander and chief of staff, I don't have any opinions. Just division commanders and political commissars, when the troops join the attack, don't forget the 4,000 men from the two regiments under my command. In addition, I brought a

The mountain artillery battalion will follow the instructions of the division commander and chief of staff at any time and participate in the attack." Zhao Dahe said with a smile.

"Don't worry, Political Commissar Zhao. Your two regiments came one step ahead of us, and are more familiar with the terrain than we are. The task of attacking the two highlands tonight will be left to you. However, I will send

The heavy artillery battalion will provide artillery support to you. I hope you will not let us down. There is another problem, and that is time. I can only give you three hours at most. You must occupy two hills and eliminate the top one.

You little kid from the brigade." Liu Hua said with a smile.

"Yes, division commander, don't worry. As long as there is artillery support from the heavy artillery battalion, it will definitely not be a problem to capture the two hills..." Zhao Dahe couldn't help but feel excited when he heard about the tasks of his two regiments.

When we get there, there will be 12 150mm heavy artillery pieces from the heavy artillery battalion to assist. Zhao Dahe did not hesitate and answered confidently...

In this way, during this day, except for the soldiers of the heavy artillery battalion, who began to build artillery positions according to the situation detected in advance. The remaining soldiers were all replenished in the military camp and marched in a hurry last night.

Exhausting physical strength, wiping the weapons and ammunition in his hands, preparing for the night's battle.

Finally, amidst everyone's expectations, the last little Japanese plane waved its tail, slowly flew out of the sight of the soldiers, and returned to its own chicken coop. At this time, the soldiers

They also took the time to have dinner and prepared for the attack. Especially the two *** regiments in the first division that were responsible for the first wave of attack. As soon as they finished dinner, they pulled the entire army to the foot of the mountain and hid it.

Be prepared to attack at any time.

"Captain Li, how many artillery shells have we brought out this time? Are they enough?" Looking at the various units that were ready for battle, Liu Hua put down the telescope in his hand and looked at the heavy artillery battalion waiting for the order to fire.

Chang asked.

"Reporting to the division commander, due to the help of a large number of baggage troops and vehicles, this sortie has 12 heavy artillery, each of which carries 50 rounds of artillery shells, totaling 600 rounds of heavy artillery shells." After hearing the division commander's question, the commander of the heavy artillery battalion immediately

He understood what the teacher meant and quickly answered.

"Well, 600 rounds of artillery shells are not bad in terms of quantity. In this way, the little devil only has a defensive position of less than half a square ditch on each hilltop. First, let me face two hills and fire five shells from each cannon. Now

Just open fire for me, and prepare all units to attack." Liu Hua calculated silently, and then gave a loud order to Battalion Commander Li of the heavy artillery battalion next to him.

"Yes, division commander..." Battalion Commander Li of the heavy artillery battalion reported loudly, turned around and ran towards his artillery position.

"Boom...woo..." Two huge explosions sounded on the artillery position. Immediately afterwards, two test-fired heavy artillery shells flew several kilometers away with a huge roar.

There was a huge explosion at the two hilltop positions outside. Liu Hua quickly raised the telescope in his hand. He saw that in the dark Yeze, on the two hilltops a few kilometers away, a huge group of people suddenly appeared.

Flames. The two test-fired artillery shells hit the enemy's defenses without any deflection.

"Baga, messenger, where is the explosion? Go and find out..." Listening to the loud explosion outside the command post, feeling the constant shaking of the earth. The top commander of the Japanese army guarding the two hills,

After a moment of astonishment, I immediately thought that the explosion just now was caused by the explosion of ammunition stored somewhere.

Because, in their eyes, although they were surrounded by the Eighth Route Army, how could the poorly equipped Eighth Route Army soldiers get into the eyes of these arrogant Kwantung Army. The shelling of the 75mm mountain artillery in the past two days had already

It shocked him. Therefore, at this time, he did not believe that there were even more powerful artillery pieces in the hands of the Eighth Route Army. However, after a while, a man with a pale face hurriedly rushed into the command post.

The squadron leader's answer made the Kwantung Army brigade completely crazy.

"Baga, what are you talking about? Our position was shelled by the Eighth Route Army. It was not an explosion." After hearing the answer of the squadron leader in front of him, the major captain asked in disbelief.

"Hey, Captain, what's more, what was bombarded was the heavy artillery of the Eighth Route Army. According to the analysis of the power of the explosion, it was at least a heavy artillery of 150 mm or more. Because, within 20 meters of the impact point, all the imperial warriors were shattered.

.Among them, a machine gun bunker was buried underground together with a dozen imperial warriors inside." Looking at the captain with a look of disbelief on his face, the squadron leader quickly explained again.