When the 71st Army, which was responsible for the main attack, arrived at the position north of the town, it learned that the Japanese blocking position in the southeast had been broken through. Pen @ fun @ pavilion wWw. ｂｉｑUｇE。 Hearing the news, the army commander Song Xilian also looked surprised.

Chasing the Japanese troops who broke through and fled all the way, Song Xilian knew very well that the Japanese army was still very good at defense. Even if his forces were superior, he still hadn't pulled his troops over until now.

What surprised Song Xilian even more was that the little devils in charge of the pursuit of the 71st Army had many troops desperately blocking the attack, causing a lot of casualties to the 71st Army and delaying their arrival at the intended attack position.

And now, as soon as they arrived, the 51st Army and He Zhengdao's troops successfully captured the positions held by the Japanese army in the southeast, which really surprised him. But he also knows that this is also good news for his attack tomorrow.

At least for the Japanese troops in the town, the southeast direction is the closest to the town, and the attack distance is naturally the shortest. This means that the little devils stationed in the town must send heavy troops to defend in the southeast.

At present, there are more than 10,000 Japanese troops left near the town. If the little devils divide their troops to defend other directions, then the north of the 71st Army's main attack will be relatively reduced.

After receiving a telegram from Li Zongren, Song Xilian also quickly ordered the troops to start resting and reserve their strength for tomorrow's battle. During this time, they should have been the most frequently fought troops in the Fifth Theater of Operations.

But if they refuse, the 51st Army or the 77th Army will steal the limelight again. During this time, their record will also be greatly reduced. In this regard, Song Xilian is also very sober.

Although with Lao Chiang's permission, he fought this battle at all costs, and tried to annihilate the 16th Division of the Japanese army trapped in the town. But Song Xilian still hoped that after the battle, the 71st Army could preserve as much strength as possible.

If the old troops are really exhausted, even if Lao Chiang gives him priority to replenish the troops, it is not possible to restore the combat effectiveness of the 71st Army in a short period of time. It takes a long time to complete military training and running in with the troops.

He Zhengdao, who also learned of the arrival of the 71st Army, has been confirmed from Li Zongren. The next general offensive will be undertaken by the 71st Army. Regarding this decision, He Zhengdao also did not feel any surprises.

It's just that judging from the current situation, He Zhengdao has a hunch that the next offensive of the 71st Army will not be too smooth. The little devils who are forced to a dead end, the combat power that bursts out is often very amazing.

If you want to get rid of the more than 10,000 little devils trapped in the town, it is far from enough to rely on one 71st Army. But the 71st Army fought to block the attack before, and then took on the combat mission of breaking the blockade of the little devils.

The 71st Army, which had also been fighting for several days in a row, even if it didn't have to attack immediately, but only rested for a few hours, how could it be possible to recover its strength and condition? In contrast, the little devil can still get a good rest in the town.

Thinking of this, He Zhengdao quickly said: "To the east, let our people go to the 51st Army and the 77th Army." In consideration of tomorrow's battle, I suggest that we attack tonight with a small force.

For other troops, it is better to find a place to rest. Considering that tomorrow the little devils may send the air force to help in the war, I also asked the two army commanders to think about air defense matters. After all, there is not much time left until dawn.

As for our attack, the mountain artillery units were ordered to carry out an artillery bombardment of the town every half hour. Remember, a maximum of three mountain guns were used for each shelling. Three shells per mountain cannon are transferred, and one place is not fixed. ”

Li Xiangdong, who heard these words, immediately smiled and said, "Commander, it seems that the little devil won't be able to sleep tonight!" ”

Although this kind of exhausting tactics does not do much damage to the little devils. But if you can cause some trouble for the little devil, then don't be polite to the little devil. Let Lin Tie's reconnaissance battalion remember to observe the impact point of the shell.

It would be great if you could find the place where the little devils stored their supplies, or the barracks and artillery positions of the little devils. What can be solved with shells is better to solve with as few bullets as possible.

As for the troops on the front, they were ordered to beware of the little devils to fight a defensive counterattack. In addition, to build concealment and air defense fortifications, I think the little devils should bombard the positions we have captured tomorrow, so that comrades should be careful. ’

Compared with other generals of the Eighth Route Army, many times they will not easily use the weapon of mountain artillery. Similar to He Zhengdao, every time there is a war, the shells will be used sparingly, but it is still different.

At least in He Zhengdao's opinion, if a cannonball can solve two little devils, then he still thinks it will be profitable. If you attack with infantry, you may sometimes need to pay the life of a soldier to deal with two little devils.

In these years, although shells are very expensive, they are cherished. But He Zhengdao always felt that the life of a soldier was the most precious. As for the shells, as long as this battle is won, He Zhengdao believes that the capture will not be too small.

For the next battle to encircle and annihilate the Japanese army in the town, if the 71st Army can really take it down by itself, then He Zhengdao will not snatch any loot. If he is asked to send troops to assist, he will definitely not let go of the spoils.

At least He Zhengdao is still very interested in the materials that the little devils brought into the town, as well as the heavy artillery that is still preserved. In this place, many of their supplies need to be captured before they can be replenished.

If you really want to use materials from the base area, whether it is the consumption of time or manpower and material resources, in He Zhengdao's view, the price is quite high. In this case, if you can replenish the supplies through seizure, why not?

On behalf of the Eighth Route Army on the battlefield in Wuhan this time, He Zhengdao already had a record of encircling and annihilating the 10th Division. This means that he has already certified his 'name' for the Eighth Route Army. All that's left is how to get the most out of it.

In order to set up the Central China Military Region in the Dabie Mountain area, the funds and materials needed are not a small amount. As for the central government and the headquarters, the help that can be provided to He Zhengdao is not too much.

The Eighth Route Army, which had successfully negotiated with the Soviet Union and bought a large number of supplies with real money, actually had little money in its pocket. This means that they still have to live a hard life in the future.

In the case of self-reliance, He Zhengdao naturally knows the importance of materials to them. This is also the reason why He Zhengdao is not undertaking the main attack mission, but has been complaining about the huge casualties of the troops.

Not only did it keep a low profile, so that it would not make the central army too vigilant, but it could also reap certain benefits, so why not do this kind of good thing that kills multiple birds with one stone? And now, it is far from the time to steal the limelight of the Central Army.

With the issuance of He Zhengdao's order, the reconnaissance troops occupying the southern position also successively strengthened the pit fortifications built by the Japanese army before. Considering the possible surprise attack of the little devils tomorrow, the fortifications built need to be able to withstand air attacks.

As for the blocking fortifications deployed at the entrance of the town to confront the little devils, the reconnaissance troops did not put much fortification to build. The reason is that the reconnaissance troops still wish that the little devils would come out and attack them!

What's more, if the little devil wants to come out at this time, he also needs to go through the monitoring of the reconnaissance detachment and those minefields that have not been stepped on. It can be said that the 67th Army in the southern position at this moment is the most leisurely and relaxed force.

After receiving the advice given by He Zhengdao, Xu Youchang also realized that there was not much time left until dawn at this moment. Compared to He Zhengdao, there are not many troops here, and they just find a few safe places to hide, but they have to place a large number of troops.

For a time, including the 77th Army, small units were sent to attack the Japanese army, and the rest of the troops began to prepare for tomorrow's air defense. In this way, the Japanese also felt that the pressure of their attack was greatly reduced.

In response to such a situation, Keisuke Fujie, who had no way to rest, was also surprised: "Give up attacking with a large army and attack by attacking with a small force." What kind of conspiracy are these people playing? ”

In Keisuke Fujie's opinion, if he wants to capture the town he is holding, night is undoubtedly the best opportunity. At this time, the troops of the Fifth Theater did not seize the time to attack, but weakened the intensity of the attack, and there must be something wrong with this!

On the other hand, the tired chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, division commander, they may have felt that they have reduced the intensity of their attack because they have successfully surrounded us!" They should know that they will not be able to break through the line of resistance we have laid out in one night. ”

'Really? What about the southern position? ’

Compared to the situation in the east and west, Keisuke Fujie was most worried about the southern position. The reason is also very simple, the troops who took the southern position were the troops of He Zhengdao of the Eighth Route Army that caused them to fall into trouble.

'Nothing happens! According to the reconnaissance of our forward observation posts, their attacking troops, having established fortifications at the entrance of the town, do not seem to have sent troops to attack us. I think they should know that our main force is still there! ’

The chief of staff's explanation made Keisuke Fujie somewhat unconvinced. He always felt that whether they could successfully hold on here this time was only afraid that they would have to watch out for the Eighth Route Army that had seized the southern position in the end.

Perhaps this concern is a bit of a shame in the eyes of Keisuke Fujie. But after fighting all the way, Keisuke Fujie already felt that He Zhengdao was good at using strange soldiers. This kind of opponent is enough to kill if you are not careful.

'Order the forward observation posts, strengthen the vigilance, send more alert troops, and keep an eye on every move of the Eighth Route Army. I always feel that behind this quietness, I am afraid that there is a conspiracy that no one knows. We need to be careful! ’

Listening to the words of this division commander, the chief of staff is not easy to refute. In fact, through this series of battles, He Zhengdao has shown the edge of the Eighth Route Army to the 16th Division.

This unit, which has a proud record in the north, still retains a strong attack power even if it comes to fight in the south. If they don't take too much precautions, they may really repeat the fate of several other annihilation divisions! (To be continued.) )