The infantry brigade and cavalry squadron responsible for fighting the vanguard were beaten to the ground outside Nong'an City, which really made Sakurada Takeshi, who followed in the rear, a little unhappy. Fortunately, the infantry brigade was also very fast, and it was already engaged in an exchange of fire with the defending forces of Nong'an City.

Listening to the information transmitted from the front line from time to time, Sakurada Takeshi knew that he was right, there was only one security regiment deployed on the side of Nong'an City. In the face of the arrival of the mixed brigade, although it has been prepared, it seems to be a little difficult to deal with it.

By the time Takeshi Sakurada led the main force of the mixed brigade and arrived outside the castle of Yongan, the vanguard brigade had already broken through one of the defenders' defensive lines. To Sakurada Takeshi's annoyance, the casualties of the Vanguard Brigade seemed to be quite small, and it seemed that they were unable to continue the attack.

Thinking that the vanguard brigade marched all the way and carried extremely limited equipment, it was already rare to be able to break through a line of defense in the face of the defenders who had built fortifications. If they continue to order them to attack, I am afraid that this brigade will suffer even greater losses.

With this thought, Sakurada Takeshi quickly said: "Let the vanguard brigade build fortifications on this, transfer an infantry artillery squadron and an infantry brigade from the brigade, continue the attack of the defenders of the former Nong'an City, and strive to enter the city at night to rest!" ”

"Hey!"

Looking at the distance from dark, it seemed that there was not much time, and Sakurada Takeshi felt that it was indeed safer to be stationed outside the city than to be stationed inside the city. If he can capture Nong'an City in advance, even if the reinforcements sent by the Gui army arrive tomorrow, he can turn from offensive to defensive.

The captain of the vanguard group, who was organizing the attack of the troops, heard the order conveyed by the herald, and said with some dissatisfaction: "Our brigade has broken through a defensive line of the Chinese army, why don't you let us continue the attack?" ”

"Kobayashi-kun, this is what the brigade commander meant! Your brigade has marched all the way, and has lost nearly half of its troops, and if you continue to fight, I am afraid that the warriors will also work harder. If there are more casualties, what will your brigade do? ”

As soon as these words came out, the captain, who was unwilling to give up the main attack task, could only reluctantly agree. Ordered the troops to be stationed on the spot, repair the collapsed fortifications, and hand over the task of attacking to the infantry brigade that arrived later.

Although the 1st Battalion of the Security Regiment, which was previously responsible for blocking the Japanese infantry brigade, also paid a great price, the vast majority of officers and men were evacuated to the second defensive position alive. Seeing that the little devil stopped pursuing, the officers and soldiers were somewhat surprised.

Just when the battalion commander in charge of the second position was curious, the officer who stayed by his side to cooperate with the battle soon came with the news: "Second battalion commander, I just received news from the command headquarters that the big army of the little devils has arrived.

The little devil who had captured one of our positions earlier is now resting in place and waiting for his position. The little devil sent an additional infantry brigade and a dozen infantry guns, and they were coming towards our position. Commander ordered, let's be careful with the shelling! ”

"Yes! The little devils have brought all the artillery, so can we hold these positions? ”

"If you hold on for too long, even if you hold on, the sacrifice will be great. Didn't the chief say that we only need to hold off the little devils for an hour, and then we can retreat to the third line of fortifications. Wait, the command will send a mortar company over. ”

As soon as he heard this, the second battalion commander also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "That's good!" There are a lot of recruits in our battalion, and when they hear the sound of shells, they will pee their pants in fright. If I can't suppress the shelling of the little devils, I'm afraid I won't be able to hold it for too long! ”

"It doesn't matter! The commander had previously explained that the first battalion had withdrawn to the rear in advance to rest, and the third battalion sent another company over. Plus a combat platoon I brought, holding on for an hour, it shouldn't be much of a problem, let the brothers stay at ease! ”

Even on the battlefield, it seems that the battalion commander of the security regiment is directing the battle. But in fact, how to block the incoming little devils is the responsibility of the platoon commander sent by the command. In this regard, the second battalion commander and his subordinates did not feel that there was anything wrong.

In particular, the officers and men of the first battalion who had just been withdrawn had this experience. If it weren't for a combat platoon sent by the command to assist their battalion in blocking the attacking little devils, I am afraid that they would not be able to stop the Japanese army for an hour.

When the officers and soldiers on the defensive position began to prepare for the next attack of the little devils, Hu Biao pointed to the map spread out on the table and said: "There is a security regiment plus two task force companies, and it should not be a big problem to block the little devils outside the city until dark."

In order to avoid long nights and dreams, and not to give the little devil too much time to rest, tonight I will completely annihilate this mixed brigade outside the city, and strive to end the battle before dawn. I believe that when the time comes, the little devil should be very anxious! ”

"Yes, wolfhead! Just give the order! ”

"Good! The Security Corps and the 4th and 5th Companies of the Task Force are responsible for holding on to Long'an City and preventing little devils from stepping into Long'an City. The 1st Division, with the regiment as a unit, began to outflank in a roundabout way. Arriving at the offensive positions, the regiments were lurking and standby.

If you see the signal flare rising into the air, the whole division will start to compress the space for the little devils to move in regiments. Be sure to mix the little devils who invaded Nong'an City into a brigade before dawn and annihilate them all outside Nong'an City! ”

"Yes, wolfhead!"

"Before the start of the general offensive, the artillery battalion directly under the division will also participate in the offensive. Block first, then launch a general attack! As for the four regiments, which served as reserves, they were battalions as units, as reserves for the offensive troops, and also participated in the next general offensive! ”

Hearing Hu Biao's combat order earlier, the commander of the fourth regiment of the first division of the wolf army was somewhat anxious. In the first collective operation of the 1st Division, if their regiment had served as a reserve, it would really not have been able to win any battle.

In that case, how will he explain to the officers and soldiers of the whole regiment when he goes back?

Now that the Fourth Regiment is divided into four battalions, and the Fourth Regiment Commander enters the city and takes over the operational command in the city, it can also be regarded as giving the Fourth Regiment a chance to participate in the battle.

I learned that the Japanese army sent a mixed brigade and came directly to Long'an City. The first division and two regiments that were originally on standby in the Baise area were also quickly transferred to the side of Long'an City. It can be said that this is the first time since the formation of the first division that the whole division has attacked!

Even if he took over Qin Tianyou to command the siege and annihilation battle, Qin Tianyou didn't feel that there was anything wrong. In the final analysis, Hu Biao's position in this army cannot be replaced. In the First Division, Hu Biao can also replace Qin Tianyou's command authority at any time.

The order was issued, and the four regiments under the command of the 1st Division quickly set out from the lurking valley and dispersed and concealed outside the city of Longan. Officers and men of the 3rd Regiment of the 1st Division had already stationed in the blocking positions on both sides of the highway near the highway where the Japanese mixed brigade had passed.

These positions were dug in advance, but the positions were not external but internal. This also meant that if the Japanese mixed brigade wanted to retreat from this road, it would have to break through the defensive blocking position of the third regiment. Otherwise, you can only stay honest!

When the Japanese army began to attack the Yonganseong Security Regiment, more than a dozen infantry guns took the lead in opening fire and launched artillery bombardment on the defensive positions constructed by the Security Regiment. The infantry in charge of the attack had already begun to bend their waists, ready to attack at close range.

Looking at the shells that kept flying to the position, the mortar company, which had already formed an artillery position behind the position, also quickly adjusted its muzzle. When the artillery shouted the adjusted password, the artillery company commander immediately said: "Five rapid fire, release!" ”

Compared with the range of the infantry guns used by the little devil at the moment, the range of the mortars equipped by the artillery company is similar to that of the infantry artillery. The most speechless thing for the little devil was the two mortars used by the artillery company, one of which was also captured from the Japanese army.

As far as Hu Biao is concerned at this moment, some Japanese-made mortars that he captured earlier have been issued to the guerrillas and garrison units one after another. The standard artillery purchased from Menia was used to equip the 1st Division, which was intended to be regularized.

USE THE CAPTURED JAPANESE 97-TYPE 90MM MORTARS TO DIRECTLY SHELL THE INFANTRY ARTILLERY POSITIONS OF THE LITTLE DEVILS. THERE WERE ONLY DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED 20 Type 82MM MORTARS, AND SOME SHELLS WERE AIMED AT THE LITTLE DEVIL INFANTRY LINED UP IN THE OFFENSIVE CAMP.

As more than 20 mortars of the artillery company opened fire at the same time, the little devil artilleryman who was shelling the defensive position of the security regiment said with a stunned face: "What about it? There is artillery in the defenders of China? Damn it, dodge quickly! Quick, spread out! ”

When the shells fell one by one on the artillery position, the sound of explosions soon came from the artillery position that the little devil had just built. The little devil infantry, who was advancing forward, also quickly experienced the taste of being shelled.

The little devil officer who organized the attack said with a depressed face: "Baga! How could the Chinese army have artillery? Damn it! This is in trouble! If we don't destroy the artillery of the Chinese army, we want to take the opponent's defensive position, but I'm afraid it will be very difficult! ”

Takeshi Sakurada, who was supervising the battle in the rear, also quickly saw the situation on the battlefield ahead. Seeing the shells fired from the rear of the defenders' positions, Sakurada Takeya said with a shocked face: "What about it? Is this security regiment still equipped with artillery units? ”

"Your Excellency, Brigade Commander, judging from the sound of the explosion, it seems to be our Type 97 mortar. In addition, there are Type 20 mortars, which are often used by the Chinese army. These two mortars have a range similar to our 92 infantry guns! ”

"Yaga! Quickly, send another artillery squadron up, and be sure to destroy the artillery units of the Chinese army. Damn it! What do those people do in the special high class? A security regiment is equipped with so many mortars, why hasn't it been investigated? ”

As a mixed brigade, Sakurada Takeshi also brought an artillery brigade over this time. In addition to the infantry guns equipped with two squadrons, there was also a relatively light seven-five mountain gun. Originally, I was going to wait for the siege, but I didn't think that I would have to pull it over now.

For the Japanese army, which is unprotected as the attacking side, if the defender's artillery cannot be destroyed as soon as possible, then in the process of attacking, the defender's artillery will bring a mortal threat to the attacking little devils, so that the Japanese army cannot attack smoothly.

The officers and men of the 2nd Battalion of the Security Regiment, who had already taken refuge in the anti-artillery tunnels, also breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the sound of shelling coming from behind the position. For them, even if they know that it is safe to hide in the tunnel, they still feel unsure.

Every time the little devil's shell hit the position, the anti-artillery tunnel would tremble, and the loose falling sand and gravel also brought a lot of pressure to the officers and soldiers of the security regiment. Now that their artillery fire is fired, they feel a lot more at ease!