The general attack was launched in the evening, and the battle ended before midnight. The officers and men of the 1st Division, which had an armored regiment to cooperate with the siege of the city, also sincerely realized the advantages of having tank cooperation. Clearing out the remaining Japanese troops in the city has also become much easier than before.

Arrive at the Japanese headquarters that was destroyed by the heavy artillery battalion, and look at the Japanese army Osa, who was dug up. Zhang Cheng also knew that the person in front of him was the garrison officer of Ulanqab City. Looking at it like this, it is estimated that they did not even send a farewell telegram.

Thinking of this, Zhang Cheng ordered the troops to start transferring the supplies of Ulanqab City while cleaning up the battlefield. and ordered the Panzer Regiment to leave the city immediately, and then they needed to rush to Zhuozi and launch an attack on the 12th Division.

If the armored regiment is allowed to stay in the city, it will be more or less dangerous for the little devil's plane to appear after dawn tomorrow. After all, without the cooperation of anti-aircraft armament, the tank armor will not be able to fight back against the aircraft.

Regarding the puppet Mongolian army that was about to revolt, Zhang Cheng, who arrived in the city to inspect, looked at several elected representatives, and said very calmly: "Regarding your situation, my reconnaissance unit has made a detailed report.

It's not easy to get lost. I just want you to know that in our Eighth Route Army, merit is merit, and demerit is transgression. Although we can atone for our sins, we will still punish those who have committed the most heinous crimes.

Most of your division commanders and regimental commanders have already died in battle, and according to our army's principle of punishing the first evil, their death can also reduce some punishment for you. But then, it is up to you to cooperate with our work.

There is one thing I can promise in advance. We will treat those who were injured in this battle. As for those of you who survived, you also need to be vetted by our Department of Political Affairs.

Make sure that you have nothing bad and have not done anything harmful, and we will give you leniency. You can choose to join our Eighth Route Army, or you can choose to take a few dollars to return to your hometown.

In short, I hope that in the future, you will not have any psychological burden. As long as you cooperate with us, we will ensure your safety. If you want to fight the little devils, we are also welcome with both hands! ”

'Thank you, Commander of the Eighth Route Army! ’

'That's it! In our recent battles, there are quite a few officers and men of your puppet Mongolian division. If you want to truly reform and raise your head to be a person in the future, then make more meritorious contributions or accept the transformation.

Compared to our policy towards little devils, we have undoubtedly treated you a lot more generously. Next, we have more battles to come. If you want to get leniency, it's up to you to behave next. ’

'Rest assured, sir, we will behave well!' ’

gave these puppet soldiers a reassurance, and then the Eighth Route Army's collection of weapons from the puppet Mongolian army also became much smoother. While concentrating these puppet troops in the barracks, the Eighth Route Army also transported a lot of captured materials.

The leader of the reconnaissance detachment, who had been in contact with them before, also said in a timely manner: "Don't worry, you only need to cooperate with the registration and honestly explain what you have done in the puppet Mongolian army, and you will be treated leniently."

Don't try to deceive our censorship cadres, that will only backfire. If you have any questions, you may be lenient. These white noodles and meat sticks were all seized by us before.

Our division commander thinks that you have contributed a lot tonight, so he specially sent these things over, and then you asked the cooking soldiers to make some steamed buns, cook some meat and eat them well. Once the review is over, you'll be free to move around. ”

In fact, seeing these white faces and meat heads, many soldiers of the puppet Mongolian army felt a little surprised. After all, most of the things that the little devils give them to eat are very ordinary food. This kind of white face is really rare!

After a few surviving puppet army battalion commanders announced the news, many puppet Mongolian soldiers were also very surprised and happy. In their opinion, it was somewhat unwise to hand over the gun beforehand.

If the Eighth Route Army turns its face and denies people, then they will definitely die. But now it seems that these Eighth Route Army are still moral. This kind of white flour and meat can't be eaten by ordinary soldiers, and it is a good thing that can only be enjoyed by officers.

The puppet army in the city was all gathered for review and registration, and the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army who entered the city also began to raid the homes of those pseudo-Mongolian traitors. For these big traitors, the policy implemented by the Eighth Route Army was much more severe.

For the big traitors who refused to open the door and cooperate, the Eighth Route Army that carried out the arrest would often attack. In this way, the safety of their families cannot be guaranteed. If it took the initiative to open the door, the Eighth Route Army would not have engaged in any policy of punishing the company.

After receiving the telegram from the First Division, He Zhengdao, who was far away in Zhuozi, was also very satisfied and said: "Not bad! It took less than four hours to end the battle, and it seems that the combat effectiveness of the first division is still worthy of recognition.

Call back to the 1st Division and order the artillery brigade and armored vehicles that are cooperating with them to rush to the chief of staff first. As for us here, boil the little devils for a few more days. Solve the reinforcements on that road, and I believe that the 12th Division will be doomed again. ”

'Yes, Commander! ’

With the recovery of Ulanqab City, the independent column's anti-encirclement and suppression operation has basically entered the stage of sweeping up. Even if the North China Front wanted to organize another army to encircle and suppress, the current situation simply did not allow it.

If other garrison troops were to form an encirclement and suppression force, the Eighth Route Army, which was now active in North China, would be armed behind enemy lines, and the entire North China would be turned upside down. Use the whole of North China to exchange a Japanese army division, I'm afraid that the little devils don't have the guts.

After receiving the telegram forwarded by He Zhengdao, the night between the Central Committee and the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army undoubtedly added a little joy. As for the independent column's current operation, the central and general headquarters are still very sure that the base area will be expanded to Chahar.

The expansion of the base area means the growth of the Eighth Route Army and the expansion of the democratic regime led by the Eighth Route Army. It was discussed earlier that the central government, which would send capable personnel to Ulanqab to form a democratic government, also quickly began to arrange this matter.

As for the troops stationed there, they were naturally entrusted to the independent columns. As for the formation of the government of the border region, leading cadres will be dispatched by the central authorities. This has also given many cadres of central organs the opportunity to be released.

Although at present the main focus is still on military operations, it is still a matter of great joy that these political work cadres, who are not good at fighting wars, can be sent to other places to serve as government officials. And the cities where independent columns are stationed are undoubtedly developing well.

Wang Tianlin, chief of staff of the independent column, who also received the telegram, looked at the telegram sent by He Zhengdao, called a meeting of the military commanders under his command, and said: "Comrades, I have just received a telegram from the commander that the 1st Division has successfully captured Ulanqab.

Starting tonight, our temporary rapid responders have arrived from Ulanqab to join us. As soon as they arrive, it will be the time for us to fight back in full. So, tell our fighters next, get ready to fight back. ”

As soon as they heard this, the commanders of the Second Division who came to the meeting said excitedly: "Chief of Staff, have we taken Ulanqab?" ”

'Yes! The 1st Division, with the cooperation of the rapid reaction division, recovered the city of Ulanqab in less than four hours. This means that we have advanced several hundred kilometers further forward on our strategic front.

Maybe in a while, we will be able to attack the Rehe and Beiping areas. We just want to wait until that day, and we still want to build up strength. This time, our second division also suffered a lot of losses, and it also urgently needs time to rest! ’

According to the telegrams forwarded by various parties, Wang Tianlin, as chief of staff, also knew that the five infantry divisions of the independent column had also suffered considerable losses. If the casualties of the various units are added up, it is estimated that there are already tens of thousands of casualties.

In this case, it is also necessary to replenish the new recruits and let the troops recuperate. But no matter what, the harvest of the independent column this time is much greater than the casualties!

The rapid response division, which had taken a short break in Ulanqab and replenished fuel and supplies, soon marched to the area where the second division was located overnight under Zhang Cheng's order. The Japanese army was also unaware of their arrival.

When it was dawn, the marching rapid responders also found a hidden place to rest. Tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and automobiles all began to camouflage, and the alert troops began to rest.

As far as the officers and men of the Rapid Reaction Division are concerned, they now truly understand what it means to be a Rapid Reaction Division. Even the infantry who cooperated with them marched in cars. Tanks hit armored vehicles, and cars with artillery followed.

Compared with marching on two legs in the past, the rapid reaction division that is now provisionally formed can advance at a speed that is only farther than a day during the day. I don't go during the day, it's more to prevent the raid of the little devils.

The officers and men who came out day and night were also accustomed to the battles that came out this time. The Japanese planes that flew to Ulanqab City the next day saw a slightly lifeless Ulanqab City.

Since yesterday evening, the command of the North China Front has lost contact with the city of Ulanqab. The North China Front is undoubtedly very concerned about the loss of contact with the radio station. Early in the morning, planes were dispatched to the skies to carry out reconnaissance.

Just when the little devil's reconnaissance plane was a little confused about what was going on in the city and wanted to lower a little altitude to conduct low-altitude reconnaissance. The sudden burst of anti-aircraft fire in the city startled them.

At the cost of destroying a reconnaissance plane, the Japanese reconnaissance planes that came to reconnoiter finally came to a conclusion, that is, the city of Ulanqab was captured by the Eighth Route Army. This means that it is more difficult to rescue the 12th Division than before.

Taking Ulanqab City means that the Eighth Route Army's strategic depth is longer, and it also means that the distance to rescue the 12th Division will be farther away. The most important thing is that even if the 12th Division wants to break through. How did they come out so far? (To be continued.) )