After receiving the post-war summary telegram from the Changzhi Independent Brigade, looking at the number of casualties of the Independent Brigade of nearly 1,000, He Zhengdao also felt a little uncomfortable in his heart. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info especially in this batch of sacrificed lists, many of them are veterans of the original reconnaissance regiment.

Although it was always said in the past that 'veterans don't die', in the face of such a large-scale battle, even experienced veterans dare not guarantee that they will survive every battle. It can only be said that their chances of survival on the battlefield are higher than those of recruits.

But for He Zhengdao, no matter whether it is a veteran or a new soldier who is sacrificed, it is his He Zhengdao's soldier. These soldiers died, and he all had to bear a certain amount of responsibility. And such a battle, He Zhengdao knows that there are many more in the future.

Even this battle of Shanxi, in a sense, was also proposed by He Zhengdao. Even if he was training troops, although such a large-scale training could beat a main force with actual combat experience, he also paid a high tuition fee.

Perhaps seeing the hidden self-blame in He Zhengdao's heart, Ye Jianying, as the chief of staff, also said in a timely manner: "Commander, the independent brigade can fight such battle losses, compared to other main forces, it is already very good.

At present, the ratio of battle losses between the national * army and the Japanese army, if they can play a one-to-one battle, they are worthy of great celebration. And this time, although the independent brigade lost hundreds of officers and soldiers, there were also nearly 1,000 light and serious wounded.

The 116th Division, which was able to break through from Xiangyuan, lost more than half of its troops at their hands. It can be said that the 116th Division, which broke through the encirclement, is basically crippled. Next, if they want to break through, it is almost impossible.

With a battle loss of nearly 1 to 4, it is worth rejoicing for any unit. Moreover, among the officers and men killed and wounded this time, the number of officers and men who newly joined the independent brigade was relatively large. Overall, we won the battle! ”

Facing Ye Jianying's comfort, He Zhengdao smiled bitterly: "Chief of Staff, I understand all the truths you said. It's just that as a commander, seeing this cold number, thinking about those living soldiers passing away like this, I really blame myself.

Even if I know that this time the Independent Brigade fought really well, and it also played the backbone of our Northeast Anti-Japanese Coalition Army. But when I think of thousands of families who will face such a bad situation, I really don't know how to explain it to their parents and relatives.

In fact, people have always said that I am good at using surprise soldiers. In fact, only I know that many times I arrange my troops, the first thing I think about is this tactic, and what kind of price we will eventually pay.

If the gains and the costs don't meet my requirements, I'll usually reject this tactic. Surprise soldiers can often have the effect of making a big deal with a small one. But this time, in the face of the entire Shanxi dispatch army, it is impossible not to fight a tough battle.

When I think of the faces of the soldiers who have lived in my mind since the formation of the Independent Regiment, I sometimes feel ashamed of them and their relatives. But I know that this is war, and many times I can't help myself.

As a commander, I am often responsible for the battle, and I want to make the sacrifice of these soldiers more meaningful. When the telegram is sent back to the Independent Brigade, we must do a good job in registering the casualties and dealing with the aftermath.

As for the martyrs who died in the Battle of Shanxi, I will apply to the Central Committee and the General Headquarters to build a martyr's cemetery near Taiyuan for them, and bury them there for our descendants to pay tribute to in the future.

Maybe this is the only thing I, as a commander, can do for them. When we don't have to worry about the war, maybe I'll take some time to see these martyrs buried everywhere! ”

Hearing He Zhengdao say such words, perhaps in the eyes of some high-ranking generals, He Zhengdao is a little too benevolent. But Ye Jian should know that now the Eighth Route Army will have such cohesion, and it has a lot to do with He Zhengdao.

From the Long March, He Zhengdao gave glorious burial treatment to most of the soldiers who died under his command. Many ordinary soldiers know that even if they die on the battlefield, they will not be forgotten by future generations.

Even their families receive pensions from the army. In the future, their families will also enjoy better treatment than ordinary military families in the control area of the Eighth Route Army, and they will be allocated more invalid fields.

This kind of rule that you can enjoy extremely high courtesy after death made many young people from ordinary peasant families very eager to join the Eighth Route Army. Even in the eyes of many people, going to the Eighth Route Army as a soldier can't even pay military salaries.

But the Eighth Route Army's special regulations on treating the families of military martyrs are very comforting even for those families who send their children to the army. Although they have lost a loved one, they can make a better life for their living relatives.

After He Zhengdao was saddened by the officers and soldiers who were killed and wounded under his command, Li Xiangdong, who was far away in Xijing, received a telegram from the Independent Brigade. The reconnaissance troops at the front were also instructed to pay close attention to the movements of the 116th Division's breakthrough troops.

So what is the 116th Division preparing for at this moment?

When the Changzhi Independent Brigade completed the blocking mission and began to take stock of the losses in the blocking battle. The 116th Division, which successfully broke through, is also counting its troops. After all, when they broke through, the troops were also very scattered.

At the meeting place where the troops were ordered to break through, a group of troops who looked very embarrassed also arrived one after another. Looking at these divisions and troops that were converging one after another, the division commanders of the 116th Division also shed tears of pain in their hearts.

Before the attack on Jincheng, he had more than 20,000 main troops under his command, and when he broke through from Xiangyuan, he also had more than 10,000 troops under his command. And the troops that are now converging one after another add up to less than 5,000.

Most importantly, most of these troops that broke through were infantry and a small number of cavalry. As for the artillery and baggage units, they are now all converted into infantry. Dragging artillery and supplies on the road, they also couldn't go far.

Looking at the figures counted by the chief of staff of the division, the division commander of the 116th Division also gritted his teeth and said: "Order the troops to rest here for one night!" Although we suffered heavy losses this time, the Eighth Route Army that blocked us was afraid that it would not be easy.

However, for the sake of safety, let our rearguard troops be sure to keep an eye on the movements of the Eighth Route Army. Once it is discovered that the Eighth Route Army has sent the main force to pursue, it will make every effort to intercept and block the attack, and buy time for the main force to break through.

According to the current strength, the division and regiment were reorganized into four infantry brigades, with the brigade commander or wing commander temporarily serving as the group commander. Either way, we're happy to be able to break through. But now, it's not time to relax.

Tell our soldiers to make the most of their rest tonight. Starting tomorrow, we must rush to the area bordering Hebei with all our might. Only then can we really relax, you know? ”

'Hey! General, understood! But what should we do next? If you break through together, the target is only afraid to be too big. There is still a long way to go from here to where the front army is receiving the troops.

According to the information forwarded by the front army, we still need to face the blocking of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route next. Most importantly, most of the marching routes we chose next were not major roads. The speed of the march, I'm afraid that I can't get up fast! ’

Faced with the concerns raised by the chief of staff, the division commander suddenly fell silent for a moment and said: "Convey my order first, let the troops complete the reorganization!" The remaining route to break out, let me think again. ”

'Hey! General, then I'll go and deliver the order first! ’

After saluting the equally tired division commander, the chief of staff quickly left the improvised temporary headquarters. Looking at the troops that were gathering one after another, most of them were exhausted and even demoralized, and the chief of staff was even more worried.

With such morale, how could they successfully break through to Hebei?

However, the division and regiment have been fighting repeatedly during this period of time, and these officers and men have been able to hold on to it until now, which can be regarded as very good. If you are too demanding, I am afraid that it will also make the officers and soldiers of the division and regiment complain!

Several surviving brigade commanders and wing commanders were summoned and the order was announced for the reorganization of the troops into four infantry brigades. The only surviving brigade commander, naturally, also temporarily served as a wing commander.

In the face of such a temporary demotion, no one will feel aggrieved. After all, at this moment, the hands of several wing commanders actually have not many troops themselves. Being able to serve as an infantry captain at the same time can be regarded as a heavy use of them.

When the order is issued, the officers below will naturally declare responsibility for the reorganization. Several officers who were temporarily serving as infantry captains also said in a timely manner: "Chief of Staff, what are we going to do next?" ”

'The general is still thinking about it!' However, the next dozens of kilometers of road are just afraid that it will be difficult to walk! It's really hard to imagine that the Eighth Route Army has grown so fast, and their troops are so tenacious! ’

If in the past, they still looked down on the Eighth Route Army, which was good at guerrilla warfare, then the battles during this period of time have allowed them to see the unique side of the Eighth Route Army. Especially in this assault, the independent brigade impressed them even more.

Obviously, they have the advantage in strength, but they can face their decisive breakthrough. In many cases, the independent brigade responsible for the interdiction was equally resolute. Even when some units broke through, they even engaged in white-knuckle battles with the blocking troops of the Independent Brigade.

There were some small blocking positions, which were captured by the Japanese even if they were heavily attacked. But these blocking positions, which were mostly guarded by a single company, often fought to the last man, and inflicted heavy losses on the Japanese troops who broke through.

In the early years, when they advanced into Shanxi, they also fought against many Chinese troops. But this is the first time they have encountered such a tenacious force. And the consequence is that they will lose a lot of money.

Even after the chief of staff talked with the brigade commanders and the captains for a while, the chief of staff said thoughtfully: "It seems that we can successfully break through this time, and there should be some luck." You two wings should be considered lucky.

As expected, the Eighth Route Army, which was responsible for blocking us, should have been given a minimum time to block by their commander. If that's the case, I'm afraid our next breakthrough road won't be too easy! ”

Even the Japanese Army in this era has always believed that they are the strongest army in the world. But this time, they really know that there is such a force in Huaxia that will truly become their biggest opponent and mortal enemy in the future! (To be continued.) )