[Today's first update, there will be a second update later, the update is a little late, but every day will not be less]

After the Battle of Liaoyang, the military operations of Qing and Russia in the southern Liaoning region were temporarily suspended. The Russian army took advantage of tactics, but lost the strategic opportunity, because as the new troops of the eight towns of the Beiyang Army and the other six towns marched into Mukden one after another, the oath and hope of Major General Kendrachev to occupy the capital of the Qing Empire in Mukden within one month would be shattered, and the arrogance of occupying the entire northeast within three months would become implausible.

On the third day of the outbreak of the Battle of Liaoyang, the Qing and Russian armies also launched the first "gentlemen's war" on the eastern battlefield on the banks of the Heilongjiang River and under the city of Aihui.

On 6 September, Wang Shizhen, chief of the general staff of the Beiyang Army, accepted the invitation of Lieutenant General Stessel, commander of the Russian Amur District, to fight a decisive battle on behalf of the Beiyang Army, and the armies of the two sides deployed their respective armies in a vast area 3 kilometers south of Aihui City and 15 kilometers east and west of Aihui City.

Most of the armies in Europe currently operate in so-called straight formations. This tactic has been used for more than 200 years since the era of muskets, and the biggest advantage of this formation is that it can use the firepower of rifles on a large scale. In this era, in addition to the German army, which was equipped with magazine-type rifles, the armies of other countries in Europe were also equipped with old-fashioned single-shot rifles. Due to the limitations of firearm technology, it is very inconvenient to manually unload and load the rifle after shooting, resulting in a low firing rate, and an average of 12 seconds to complete a shooting action. For this reason, individual firepower is extremely limited, and only the effectiveness of a collective salvo can be used to destroy the enemy on a large scale.

At the same time, the artillery firing method is basically direct fire, and the shells are mostly kinetic energy strike methods, that is, the penetration is strong and the killing radius is limited.

Due to the financial resources of the Russian Army, only a few units have been equipped with Nagan magazine rifles, and most units still use the old Bodan No. 2 single-shot rifle, so it is normal for most generals of the Russian Army to still use linear tactics to increase their firepower.

However, the Russians are not stupid, and even if they use linear tactics, they are not the tens of thousands of people who are expected to form a long snake formation without intervals. Rather, it is made up of small linear horizontal formations. This method is conducive to effective command and dispatch under the coordination of the drum beat of the marching band. Basically, a company platoon is formed into a horizontal team to carry out activities.

The Russian army is arranged in a linear battle array according to the combat style of the European army, lined up in 100 infantry companies, each infantry company is a combat group, divided into three rows, arranged in a linear pattern, and each platoon acts as a frontal combat unit. The distance between the front and rear of each platoon is 10 meters, the distance between individual soldiers is 1 meter, and the distance between each infantry company varies from 50 meters to 200 meters according to the terrain and the direction of the main attack, and the whole army has more than 20,000 troops, and the battle line is 10 kilometers long.

In fact, any new tactics to replace the old ones need to go through the constant baptism of war. It can be seen that although the Russian army's combat mode is still stuck in linear tactics, it is no longer so intensive, and it is slowly evolving to a more flexible skirmisher combat mode. It's just that the transformation of the Russian army is too slow, and compared with the rapid transformation of the Beiyang Army opposite them, they lack a military theorist like Wang Chenhao.

Opposite the Russian army is the first town of the Beiyang Army, and at this moment the front-line fighters of the first town are already in place. On the surface, the Beiyang Army also formed a long linear formation, stretching for 12 kilometers, but in fact, the distance between individual soldiers was very long, and the enemy was not given the opportunity to concentrate secret firepower. At the same time, the squad and platoon are used as combat units, which are flexible and mobile.

The linear tactics are fought for firepower, and for this reason, the firepower configuration of both sides is also very exquisite.

On the Russian side, Stexel deployed 80 artillery pieces on the high ground behind the two wings, 40 on the left and 40 on the left and right, with the same light and heavy ratio. The only 12 heavy machine guns were placed in the open ground between several companies in the center, intent on breaking through from the middle. The cavalry was arranged on both flanks for flanking and shocking.

On the Beiyang Army, Wang Shizhen also deployed two artillery regiments on both flanks, each with 36 80 infantry guns and 18 150 heavy howitzers, with the tactical purpose of suppressing and destroying the Russian artillery positions. The 50 Maxim heavy machine guns in the first town were also deployed in several companies in the center, but contrary to the purpose of the Russian army, they were not used to break through the center, but to defend the front of the center. The 50 heavy machine guns of the second town were also equipped with the first town, and they were deployed in the sharp knife companies on the left and right flanks of the first town, and they would take advantage of the firepower advantage of the heavy machine guns to outflank the enemy on both flanks under the cover of the cavalry regiments on both flanks, and then surround the main force of the Russian army in the center in a roundabout way. The 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Town served as a reserve, and the two regiments of the 1st Brigade supplemented the left and right flanks of the 1st Town to strengthen the attack force on the left and right flanks.

Both sides have made military arrangements before the decisive battle, and of course the commanders of both sides will make some adjustments according to the changes in the battlefield situation.

At nine o'clock in the morning, Stessel set up his headquarters behind a ruined ruin on the west side of the southern city. Through the women's wall, Stessel carefully observed the movements of the Beiyang Army on the opposite side with a telescope.

After seeing the formation of the Beiyang Army, Zasulich next to him couldn't help but remind: "There is no gentleman's war in the East, and the Beiyang Army just did it, why is this?" Can't you see it, General? They're luring you into taking the bait! If you adjust your tactics now, it's still too late! ”

Stessel put down his binoculars, looked at Zasulic with a smile, and said, "You seem to be shrewd, why did you lose the battle?" ”

Zasulich's face suddenly turned ugly, and he said: "I was careless! ”

Stessel smiled faintly, and from Zasulich's words, he believed that it was his carelessness. So he smiled and said, "You all know that the enemy is insidious and cunning, how can I not know?" Are you really stupid enough to have a gentleman's war with those pigtailed soldiers? Despicable yellows don't deserve it at all! ”

Zasulic looked at Stessel in surprise, his face full of puzzlement.

Stessel and his adjutant, Colonel Valengin, looked at each other and smiled mysteriously.

Colonel Valengin explained: "General Zasulich, your outspoken words prove that you are still a model for the emperors. General Stessel would definitely be proud to know that the Qing army had won the battle. Therefore, the surname Suo will make a plan, put on a stupid appearance to show the enemy, let them despise the enemy, and let them fall into the trap. In fact, we will teach the enemy a hard lesson and let them know that the Imperial Army is not easy to mess with! ”

Surprised and delighted, Zasulic asked, "What is the plan?" Why is it hiding it from me? ”

Stessel smiled: "It is precisely because even you didn't find out that this was my ploy, which means that it is impossible for the braided officers on the opposite side to guess!" ”

Zasulic asked, "Then you can tell me now, right?" ”

Stessel nodded, and Valentin said: "The Qing army will think that they are taking advantage of it, and even plan to annihilate our army completely, so they will put on their main forces to fight a decisive battle with us, which will make their rear defenses empty." We are dragging the main force of the Qing army in the front, while our Cossack cavalry regiment has already secretly crossed the river from the upper reaches of Murususu, and it is believed that it will not be long before it will suddenly appear in the rear of the Qing army, and that is when it will be time for us to take revenge! ”

Zasulich's face was filled with admiration.

When the Russian army was brewing a big conspiracy, the generals of the Beiyang Army on the opposite side did not realize that the danger was approaching.

At nine o'clock in the morning, the time for the decisive battle agreed by the two sides had arrived. The Russian army took the lead in raising the flag according to the plan: "Please fire your army first!" ”

In the face of the "gentlemanly demeanor" of the Russians, Duan Qirui asked Wang Shizhen if he was also modest.

"What is humble with them? Fire now! ”

Wang Shizhen's order came from the end of the phone, Duan Qirui smiled bitterly and immediately gave the order to attack.

Knock knock!

On the artillery regimental positions on the east and west flanks of the Beiyang Army, 108 artillery pieces opened fire with a bang, and the shells whistled and fired at the Russian artillery positions.

Soon, the artillery of the two flanks of the Russian army returned fire, and 80 cannons bombarded the artillery positions of the Beiyang Army, which was also full of gunsmoke and flames.

The artillery of both sides chose to attack the opponent's artillery position at the first time, and both tried to suppress the enemy's artillery fire and provide artillery cover for their own infantry. Similarly, false targets were placed on the artillery positions of both sides to attract and confuse the opposing artillery. At this point, the quality of the artillery on both sides was very high, and for a time it was impossible to tell the winner from the loser.

After the fierce artillery battle began, both sides could not suppress each other for a while and could not attack the opposing infantry phalanx. The commanders of both sides were amazed by the enemy's gunnery, but both believed that their own artillery would soon defeat the other, so they ordered the infantry to advance.

The Russian infantry phalanx was the first to sound loud military music and drums, and the Russian infantry began to walk in place, adjusting their pace on the spot, and only began to advance when the pace was consistent.

At the same time, the Beiyang Army Division Bugle Team also played the "Beiyang Army March", which was adapted by Wang Chenhao from the German Panzer Division March "Themass". The soldiers of the Beiyang Army listened to this military music and walked on the spot, and when the second section was played, the soldiers on the front of more than ten kilometers walked in unison, and at the same time marched forward with guns.

Due to this type of engagement, the armies of both sides had to fire at a certain distance, and the fire of the salvo was exerted, and the Russian infantry could only fire within 70 meters of the firing distance. However, the shooting subjects of the Beiyang Army's regular training all require soldiers to be on target within 100 meters, so when the distance between the two sides is about 100 meters, the Beiyang Army stops advancing and takes the lead in firing.

"Shoot!" As the order was given, after a neat burst of gunfire, I saw that the advancing Russian soldiers were shot and fell down a large number.

And the Russian soldiers still stepped on the drum and continued to advance, and none of them shot alone with the well-trained, and none of them dodged the bullets fired from the opposite side, and every time they fell to one, the Russian soldiers behind immediately made up for it. The Russians still had to walk thirty meters before they could shoot, which was an order given by the officer before they set off.

However, it was this distance of thirty meters that inflicted considerable losses on the Russian army.

Pulling the bolt, unloading, and then loading, the Type 95 Mauser rifle showed its superiority at this moment.

Bang Bang Bang!

In less than 5 seconds, another volley of gunfire rang out, followed by another large number of Russian soldiers falling.

Then there was the continuous sound of gunfire, so that the advancing Russian soldiers were constantly shot and fell, and in a short period of time, more than half of the soldiers in the front row of the Russian army were killed, and nearly 1,000 people were killed and wounded.

As the Russian troops arrived within nearly 70 meters, their military music stopped, and the Russian troops also fired back. The marksmanship of the Russian soldiers is not weak, and the soldiers of the Beiyang Army have been shot and fell one after another. The front platoon fell, and the soldiers behind immediately came up to make up for it, and the soldiers of the medical team, which had long been ready, hurriedly came up to carry away some soldiers who were still alive after being shot for battlefield ambulance.

(To be continued)