The 13th Division of the Japanese Army was originally a Japanese standing division. It participated in the Battle of Songhu, the Battle of Jiangyin, and the Battle of Wuhan, and the division was also one of the participating units in the Nanjing Massacre.

This time, on the orders of the commander of the Japanese Second Army, King Minoru Higashikurenomiya, as the vanguard of the Second Army, began to attack the defenders of Shinyang. And the first day of the offensive was more to buy time for the troops to recuperate.

In order not to give the retreating and defensive Central Army too much time to prepare, the Ogizhou Libing Command Division advanced all the way to the south bank of the Shihe River in the south of Gushi. Seeing that the blocking forces that had already established fortifications, they began to lay out an offensive combat plan.

Considering that the division had just finished the Battle of Lu'an, it did not take a break halfway. If you attack immediately, you will more or less cause your troops to enter the battle in a tired state. For this, on the first day he did not order an infantry attack.

By calling the Army Air Force and organizing a heavy artillery wing to carry out artillery bombardment, the 77th Army stationed on the south bank of the Shihe River continued to bombard and bomb for nearly a day. Looking at many collapsed fortifications, Ogisu Libing also felt very satisfied.

He believed that under the blows of today's air force and heavy artillery units, the Central Army that had built fortifications on the other side of the bank would certainly pay a considerable price. Most importantly, such an attack was an effective blow to the morale of the defenders.

On the other hand, the troops that have been given a day of rest and recuperation will surely attack tomorrow with full spirit. This state and emotional advantage will also bring his troops a victory. If you want to come to Ogisu, at least it should be!

Stationed in the temporary headquarters of the division, looking at the gradually darkening sky, Ogizhou Libing was still very cautious and said: "Order the troops, strengthen the garrison guard tonight." More sentry posts were also arranged around the troop stations to be vigilant against the enemy's night attacks. ”

Even if Ogizhou Libing felt that the Central Army was not their opponent, but when he arrived here at this moment, he still felt that he couldn't let his guard down. And he knows very well that the Huaxia troops at this moment are indeed good at fighting at night.

Perhaps they knew that during the day they had an air force for reconnaissance and bombing. If they have any troop movements, they are afraid that they will not be able to escape the detection of the air force. In contrast, it is more advantageous at night, and can occasionally sneak up on the Japanese army.

In this case, the Ogishu soldiers also did not want the troops to relax their vigilance because of rest. On the battlefield, any relaxation can bring heavy casualties to the troops. As a division commander, he did not want to make such a mistake.

At this moment, the officers and men of the reconnaissance brigade lurking near the Japanese garrison and artillery positions also saw the tight sentry posts arranged by the Japanese army at night. Seeing this situation, Li Xiangdong also felt that if he really launched a night attack, this battle was really difficult to fight.

At least at this moment, near the heavy artillery positions of the Japanese army, there are also many main forces of Japanese divisions and regiments. The presence of these units means that as soon as an incident occurs in an artillery position, these infantry will be reinforced in the shortest possible time.

If you can't storm the Japanese artillery positions in a short time, you will be blocked by these infantry. Even if the reconnaissance brigade is an elite unit, it must be possible to break through tonight's night attack at a high price.

In contrast, the infantry brigades, which are stationed not far from the artillery positions at the moment, may be sent to the front tomorrow to participate in the offensive. In this way, the infantry left to protect the artillery positions, perhaps only one infantry brigade.

The actions of the night reconnaissance brigade were more in the form of sniper infiltration, lurking in the vicinity of artillery positions in advance. In addition, the saber special combat team led by Zhu Fei also set their sights on the division headquarters of the Ogizhou Libing.

The snipers of the special operations team also quietly lurked in the hidden spot of the temporary headquarters at night. As long as the little devil doesn't get closer, I believe that these snipers who have observed the terrain during the day and are well disguised will soon find it.

After a day and a night of rest in the Japanese army, he finally walked out of the temporary camp in full condition. At this moment, in the headquarters of the 77th Army, the commander of the 37th Division, who was ordered to come, was also a little puzzled by Feng Zhi'an's order.

He even said very directly: "Military seat, our division has also been transferred to the south bank." If the Japanese army breaks through, won't all the blocking positions we built earlier be wasted? In that case, it will be difficult for us to hold on for seven days! ”

Regarding the division commander's doubts, Feng Zhi'an said very resolutely: "Don't worry, it is not so easy for the little devil to break through our defense line today." Transferring your division up is also to fight a defensive counterattack.

If we don't beat these arrogant little devils once, they won't know how good we are. If you continue to defend to the death, once the little devil breaks through the defense line of the 132nd Division, will your division alone be able to stop the little devil for four days? ”

The commander of the 37th Division, who was asked by Feng Zhi'an, but didn't know how to answer, didn't say much nonsense in the end. After all, for this division commander, he also felt too bored in the battle of defense.

Since the commander gave the order and seemed to be full of confidence, it was naturally difficult for him to disobey the order. In addition, he also knew that today would be the most violent day of the Japanese offensive. The 132nd Division's defense today, I'm afraid it will be very hard!

If they can transfer their divisions over, they will serve as a reserve force. Perhaps in case of emergency, reinforcements of the 132nd Division can be carried out. Most importantly, Feng Zhi'an said that he would also go over tomorrow and set up the headquarters at the command post of the 132nd Division.

As the 37th Division began to stay behind the position of the 132nd Division, looking at Feng Zhi'an who arrived at the command post of the division headquarters, the commander of the 132nd Division was also very surprised: "Junzao, why did you come here?" It's dangerous here, so you'd better go to the rear! ”

'What's at stake?' Aren't you staying here together? Except for you and the chief of staff, everyone else should leave! Today's battle is under my personal command, and both of you are ready for me to fight back. ’

A short sentence made the commander of the 132nd Division equally puzzled. At this time, how is it possible to fight the defensive counterattack of the Japanese army? The little devils' troops are not vegetarians, and their aircraft artillery are not vegetarians either!

But in the face of Feng Zhi'an's insistence, and the staff officers of the division headquarters were driven away, the entire command headquarters was guarded by his henchmen. After a while, looking at Qiu Jingshan, who came by order, the two division commanders were very surprised.

'Staff Officer Qiu, are you here too?' ’

'Hmmm! On the orders of the commander, come and do a little coordination work. Please rest assured that the two division commanders have a foolproof plan for doing so. You'd better order your troops, and be prepared to defend and counterattack. ’

Even Qiu Jingshan said this, and the two division commanders began to mumble a little in their hearts. At least Qiu Jingshan's identity is not a secret to the two division commanders. At this time, Qiu Jingshan's appearance at the command headquarters is indeed a bit strange!

On the other hand, at this moment, Feng Zhi'an said with a serious expression: "You two stay here today, as long as you bring your eyes and ears." None of you are allowed to reveal what you have seen today. All this is for the future of our 77th Army.

And as to what it is, don't ask too much. When the time comes, I will tell you everything. Staff Officer Qiu, seeing that the time will not be long, I believe that the little devil is about to attack. Ask the death squad how prepared they were! ”

Yes, I'll contact them now! ’

The death squad is actually the code name of the Eighth Route Army's reconnaissance unit on the other side of the river. In order to ensure that this credit fell to the 77th Army, Feng Zhi'an also directly regarded the Eighth Route Army on the other side of the river as a death squad sent by himself when he commanded the operation.

watched Qiu Jingshan begin to order the telegraph operator to send electricity to the death squad. It wasn't long before a reply telegram was translated. And the radio station that received the telegram today was also brought by Qiu Jingshan.

As for the telegrapher who translated the telegram, he was also not familiar with the two division commanders. This situation made the two division commanders also feel that there must be some unknown secrets in this. But as long as it's good for them, they don't want to ask too much.

'Commander, the death squad is in place, now wait for the right moment to attack. According to the telegram sent by the death squads, they would take action when the bombardment of the Japanese planes was over and their heavy artillery began to bombard.

And we choose the time of the counterattack, preferably the time when the Japanese attacking troops cross the river. In this case, at least we have hope that the Japanese army's river-crossing troops will be completely annihilated. That way, we will have very little attacking pressure.

To the Japanese troops on the other side of the river, they said that they had a way to hold back. If there is any situation, they will also inform us on the radio station in time. In terms of timing, we must grasp it well. ’

Regarding Qiu Jingshan's answer, Feng Zhi'an also breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay! Then we'll see! ”

Although they couldn't understand the true meaning of Qiu Jingshan's conversation with Feng Zhi'an, the two division commanders knew it. At this time, a death squad should have lurked on the other side of the river. They will attack the Japanese from the rear when the Japanese attack.

If there really is such a force, maybe they really have the possibility of fighting a defensive counterattack!

Just when they were expecting the arrival of the little devil plane, the troops of the 132nd Division, who were in charge of the defense, also saw the Japanese troops that began to assemble across the river. Looking at these Japanese troops who were ready to attack, the defenders on the position also looked very nervous.

With the Japanese calling the air force, it appeared again over the battlefield. The defenders on the position also began to desperately drill into the anti-artillery holes. At this time, a string of bombs fell from the sky, and began to cripple the defenders and fortifications of the position.

When the Little Devil Air Force launched a bombing, the Japanese infantry assembled on the opposite side also began to cross the river and walk towards the blocking position of the 132nd Division. In this case, the 132nd Division's blocking looked somewhat pale and weak.

When the air force of the little devils flapped their wings and left, the Japanese troops who had already crossed the river also began to establish bridgehead positions. Batches of reinforced Japanese troops also crossed the river one after another to assemble, preparing to start attacking the blocking troops of the 132nd Division.

Li Xiangdong, who also saw the little devil's plane leaving, also said in a timely manner: "Lin Tie, they can act!" ”

'Yes, Brigadier! ’

The Air Force is gone, and it will probably take a while to come back. And this time is the best time for the reconnaissance brigade to move. Similarly, this time when the little devil Air Force is absent will also be the best counterattack moment for the 77th Army! (To be continued.) )