As a military commander of the Eighth Route Army, He Zhengdao sometimes thought about leading his troops and participating in the war in the south. But He Zhengdao knew better that the south was the self-reserved territory of the Central Army, and it would not be easy for the Eighth Route Army to set foot in it.

Even the Red Army, which is now reorganized into the New Fourth Army, was not ordered by the Nationalist Government to develop in the southern area. Although judging from the current situation, the development of the New Fourth Army seems to be much better than in history.

However, He Zhengdao understood that the better the development of the New Fourth Army, which is located in southern Anhui, the easier it will be to arouse the vigilance of the Nationalist Government. The distance between the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army was very long, and sometimes they wanted to carry out rescue, but they were afraid that the distant water would not be able to save the near fire.

Regarding the war in the south, He Zhengdao is concerned. But he still paid more attention to the north, to be precise, the northeast, which is now controlled by the Kwantung Army. Recovering the Northeast is what He Zhengdao really wants to do.

Today's Northeast China, after the control and development of the Kwantung Army, the industrial system they established in the Northeast is very important for the Eighth Route Army and even in China. If it can be recovered and digested, it is believed that it is very important to enhance the industrial strength of Huaxia.

In that year, the Soviet Red Army recovered the Northeast, although the territory was handed over to the Eighth Route Army for management. But many industrial bases established by the little devils in the northeast were demolished and taken away by them. In He Zhengdao's view, this is undoubtedly a pity.

If the independent column under his command can recover the three eastern provinces in advance, it will be very important for both the Eighth Route Army and Huaxia. With the industrial system established by these little devils, He Zhengdao believes that the strength of Huaxia's industry will be rapidly improved.

At least in terms of steel production, as well as military production, China will make great progress. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in history, I believe that the use of Wanguo brand weapons and equipment will not happen again.

I just want to do this, but I'm afraid there is still a long way to go. He knows the importance of the Northeast to China, but how can the little devil not know the importance of the Northeast to them? The recovery of the northeast will inevitably lead to a frantic counterattack by the Japanese army.

This time, the 12th Division of the Japanese Army went south, although there was an invitation from the North China Front. But what really made the Kwantung Army agree to send the 12th Division south, and it was more because they felt that the independent column began to threaten their defense area.

Although the role of the Kwantung Army was more to deal with the Soviet Far Eastern Army. But they were also worried that the Chinese troops would counterattack the northeast. After all, the importance of the Northeast today cannot be overlooked for them.

Looking at the main force of the Second Division and Wang Tianlin who arrived in the rain, He Zhengdao also went to greet him in person. The officers and men of the Second Division, who saw the commander standing on the side of the road and waiting, rushed here to join the Third Division, also looked very happy.

'Lao Wang, benevolence and righteousness, have worked hard all the way! ’

'Commander! The three regiments of the 2nd Division have all arrived, please give the commander an order for combat! ’

Listening to the salute of Xu Renyi, the commander of the second division, He Zhengdao said with a smile: "After rushing such a long way, you will ask for battle as soon as you come, your division commander is somewhat inconsiderate of his subordinates!" Don't be in a hurry, eat something first and then let the troops rest.

Looking at the weather, it is estimated that the rain will not stop until the evening. In such weather, I'm afraid that the little devils won't be able to break through. So, even if you want to launch a general attack, you have to wait until the evening to start it. You have worked hard all the way, so take a break and recover your strength. ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

The officers and men of the Third Division, who also knew that the officers and soldiers of the Second Division would arrive today, had already prepared hot meals and soup. Even the change of clothes for the officers and soldiers has been prepared by the Third Division.

As for the preparations of the officers and men of the Third Division, the officers and men of the Second Division who rushed to the meeting were naturally very happy. When old comrades-in-arms who were familiar with each other met in the past, they naturally had endless topics to talk about. Just after eating, the officers and men of the Second Division quickly entered a state of rest.

Compared with the Japanese troops in Kongjiagou at this moment, most of them wore raincoats or hid in the dug pits to rest. The troops of the Eighth Route Army on the periphery also hid in the tunnels dug in advance to rest, and they did not wake up until nightfall.

The platoon commanders of the company, who had been notified earlier, also began to direct the troops to sort out their equipment and prepare for the meal. As for the next time, when to participate in the battle, we will not know until the division commanders and regiment commanders who went to the headquarters for a meeting will return.

While eating dinner, many officers and men of the Second Division, who came during the day, were watching the rain gradually change outside. I still hope that the rain will stop when they attack tonight, which will be more conducive to their attack!

In the temporary headquarters, the commander of the main force of the 2nd Division, who arrived at the 3rd Division, gathered together with the regimental-level commander of the 3rd Division and began to accept He Zhengdao's combat orders. For tonight's battle, all the main commanders are looking forward to it.

In any case, it is a great honor for every officer and soldier to participate in tonight's battle to encircle and annihilate the 12th Division of the Japanese Army. Compared with the first division and the fourth division, there are five divisions, they are too far away to catch up, and the second and third divisions are undoubtedly lucky.

Looking at He Zhengdao pointing to the Kongjiagou sand table made, he said slowly: "The little devils currently trapped in Kongjiagou have a total strength of less than 10,000 people. And now, with the arrival of the 2nd Division today, we have more than 30,000 troops here.

Although in terms of troops, we have an absolute advantage. But you should all know that little devils are crazy. Especially when they know that they will die, those little devils are afraid that they will fight back even more crazily.

For this reason, what you commanders have to do in tonight's battle is to order your troops not to carry out a quick attack. Give me a steady push forward. As soon as there is a position to gnaw and move, call in our artillery for support.

For tonight's siege and annihilation, I have only one request, and that is that the attacking troops must minimize their losses. During this period of hard fighting, I believe you all know that the casualties of each division of our column were not small.

When it comes to this final battle, I don't want any more heavy casualties. As long as you carry out the tasks you have received, the little devils are afraid that they will not last until dawn. After this battle, our anti-encirclement and suppression operation can be regarded as a complete success. ”

'Yes, please rest assured, Commander, we will not fight hard with the little devils!' ’

As regimental commanders of independent columns, most of them are He Zhengdao's old subordinates. They all knew that He Zhengdao was sensitive to the number of casualties in his troops. usually reports the situation, and He Zhengdao is also more concerned about the casualty figures on his side.

If the ratio of enemy and enemy losses is too high, and the own side still has an advantage, then the officer who leads the command will not only have merit, but will also accept severe criticism from He Zhengdao. made the mistake of being greedy for merit and making progress, and He Zhengdao was never soft in dealing with it.

'To the east, tonight is the frontal attack, or is it up to your reconnaissance brigade to attack with the armored regiment. As for the artillery brigades, they will carry out shelling for half an hour before the offensive. But our heavy artillery will not be used again tonight.

As you are all aware, we have a limited number of heavy artillery shells captured at the moment. In our arsenal, we did not succeed in copying the shells used in heavy artillery, and the shells we captured were one less than one shot, so we had to save some money.

It's just that the mountain artillery and field artillery of the artillery brigade, as well as the artillery regiments of the two main divisions, will participate in the shelling of the general offensive tonight. After the shelling began, your reconnaissance brigade, in conjunction with the armored regiment, smashed the core area of the little devils.

Remember, don't push too fast, just like you did last night, and play steady. If you break through the little devil's defensive line, you will let the main force of the 2nd Division that cooperates with you take over, and completely encircle and annihilate the remnants of the enemy.

When you attack the core, the terrain is not suitable for the armored regiment. When the time comes, you will need to carry out hand-to-hand attacks. However, artillery units will also be supported at that time.

In a word, I hope that after the attack begins tonight, at dawn, we will be able to end the battle and begin to retreat. After this battle, we believe that there should be no more major wars within this year, and you can rest for a while. ’

For the reconnaissance brigade to once again be given the task of taking on the task of the main attack, the commanders of the main forces attending the meeting were naturally a little envious. But they also knew that if they wanted to compare their combat effectiveness, their main regiments were indeed inferior to the main regiments of the reconnaissance brigade.

'Yes, Commander! Reconnaissance brigade, guaranteed to complete the mission! ’

'Good! It's six past five, giving your troops two hours to prepare. At eight o'clock tonight, the general offensive begins! ’

'Yes! ’

As the main regiment commanders and division commanders who participated in the meeting left the headquarters, He Zhengdao looked at Wang Tianlin, the chief of staff, who had been resting for an afternoon, and said with a smile: "Lao Wang, after this battle, we can also go back to Yulin." My sister-in-law is about to give birth, right? ”

As an old Red Army and the chief of staff of the independent column, Wang Tianlin, with the help of Xiao Jinguang, also found a peasant girl in Yulin to marry. Although the wedding was simple, Wang Tianlin also felt very happy.

Thinking of being rescued from the enemy camp by He Zhengdao at the beginning, and now being the chief of staff of the major general of the independent column, Wang Tianlin knows very well that without He Zhengdao, there may not be everything he has now. For this, he is naturally grateful.

Referring to his daughter-in-law and the soon-to-be-born child, Wang Tianlin rarely blushed but said with a smile: "Well, it's almost like to be born!" However, I asked the political commissar by telegram a while ago, and it seems that he should not be alive yet! ”

'Okay, after this battle, I'll let the car regiment take you back first.' When my sister-in-law gives birth, if you are not around, you will feel worried. Not being able to watch a child be born is also a regret for fatherhood.

I haven't given birth yet, and I guess your child is waiting for you to go back before he wants to come out! When the baby is born, you can treat us to a good drink! ’

'It should be! However, there is no need to go back early, right? ’

'Why is it not necessary?' This is the most important thing in life, and it can't be delayed. Moreover, after this battle, all that remains is post-war reconstruction. What does it matter if you take a break for a while? That's it! ’

'Yes, thank you, Commander! ’

The longer he gets along with He Zhengdao, the more Wang Tianlin can feel the mature side of He Zhengdao that does not match his age. At least in the matter of commanding operations, many division commanders and regiment commanders of independent columns will involuntarily forget the true age of He Zhengdao.

The independent column can have the current scale, and this young commander can be described as a hard worker. This kind of winning streak has also made He Zhengdao now the most beloved anti-Japanese general among the generals of the Eighth Route Army and the Chinese Anti-Japanese War! (To be continued.) )