Although the artillery bombardment of the little devils was very insidious, it also caused considerable losses to the reconnaissance battalion and the third garrison regiment on the blocking position. www.biquge.infoFortunately, the fortifications built earlier were very complete, and there were experienced veterans such as the reconnaissance battalion.

The recruits of the garrison regiment, who were originally a little flustered, finally withdrew safely into the anti-artillery pit under the guidance of the veterans of the reconnaissance battalion. As for those who were injured or killed, they were also moved to safety, including restriction.

Just when the Japanese army was preparing for the second round of attack, the heavy mortars that the reconnaissance battalion had not used earlier finally showed their magnificent faces at this time. Before the Japanese could set up an offensive camp, the reconnaissance battalion came with an artillery assault.

Looking at the attacking troops who were hastily dodging under the artillery fire, Major General Sakai of the infantry brigade also gritted his teeth and roared: "Baga! They even had an artillery unit, which had been hidden useless, just for the moment of counterattack. What a sinister opponent! ”

In the face of Major General Sakai's anger, the staff officers who stayed beside him felt that what they had done before was actually similar. Since the two armies are enemies, and they must fight to the death, they will naturally use whatever tricks work.

The infantry attack that had just been organized was completely extinguished by the artillery fire of the reconnaissance battalion. The Japanese artillery unit, which thought it would be able to rest for a while, could only carry out artillery counterattacks again to provide support to the attacking infantry.

As the Japanese artillery units opened fire, the artillery fire of the Eighth Route Army quickly subsided. It's just that just when the Japanese felt that they had successfully destroyed the artillery positions of the Eighth Route Army and organized an infantry attack again, the nightmare repeated again.

'Yaga! How come the enemy still has so many artillery? ’

If the Japanese army could see the artillery positions of the Eighth Route Army at this moment, they should know why their previous counterattack failed to destroy the artillery positions of the Eighth Route Army. This kind of artillery position arranged on the anti-slope plane, it is not easy to destroy it!

This also means that the artillery of the Eighth Route Army may not be able to hit the Japanese artillery positions, but it is still no problem to block the front of the offensive position. This means that if the Japanese army wants to organize an attack, it must be filled with their lives.

Looking at the Japanese attacking infantry struggling under artillery fire, the corner of the reconnaissance battalion commander's mouth showed a happy smile and said: "Damn, don't think that if we don't bring heavy artillery, you can shell our blocking positions at will."

If I can't beat your artillery, then I'll pick your infantry to blow it up. I'd like to see if you have more shells in stock, or if Lao Tzu has more shells in reserve. If the cannonballs are finished, Lao Tzu will send someone back to the city to pull it. Consume you! ”

Listening to the words of the reconnaissance battalion commander, Zhu Xinwen finally understood that the artillery position arranged by the reconnaissance battalion earlier still had such a magical side. When the Japanese artillery counterattacked earlier, the shells were basically flying.

Many of the shells seemed to hit the artillery positions of the reconnaissance battalion, but they had actually flown to the foot of the mountain. The artillery positions of the reconnaissance battalion, which were placed halfway up the mountain, actually did not receive any attack and ended the shelling unharmed.

The two rounds of artillery bombardment were ineffective, and a Japanese staff officer said: "General, the artillery position set up by the Eighth Route should be on the other side of their blocking position." Our artillery fire simply could not reach their artillery positions.

In this case, if we want to destroy their artillery positions, we can only attack by detouring around. Continuing to use artillery to fight back will only waste our precious shells. ”

The words of the operational staff officer made Sakai react quickly, and the Eighth Route Army arranged an artillery position on the anti-slope. To arrange such artillery positions, you also need some special terrain. Now, it doesn't seem like there are many good solutions.

Just when Sakai was annoyed that fighting like this would only increase the casualties of the attacking troops. A telegram sent by the division made Sakai say with some surprise: "Na! The main force of the Eighth Route Army has arrived in Zhengzhou City? ”

This telegram that had just been forwarded by the 14th Division was the telegram urgently sent by the Japanese Army's Special High Division to Tu Feiyuan. The above content is also very simple, that is, the Eighth Route Army has at least one main regiment stationed in Zhengzhou City at nightfall.

Tu Feiyuan, who received this telegram, quickly realized that the fighter plane that captured the city of Zhengzhou had disappeared. Immediately the telegram was forwarded to the infantry brigade, and it was also asked what was going on with them at the moment.

If the offensive has not yet begun, you can start to retreat at night and rush to the territory of Zhongmu to join the main force of the division. Of course, when retreating, it is also necessary to arrange a certain amount of blocking forces to prevent the pursuit of the Eighth Route Army at that time.

It's just that Sakai, who received this telegram, had a feeling of wanting to cry without tears, if this telegram had been sent earlier, maybe he would not have lost so many infantry. Several infantry attacks caused his infantry brigade to lose thousands of soldiers again!

In addition to the casualties of the soldiers, the artillery shells pulled from the division were also consumed a lot in several shellings. If I had received this telegram earlier, perhaps these people and these shells would not have been buried in vain.

In his heart of helplessness and frustration, Sakai still quickly said: "Call back to the division commander, and say that our department will find an appropriate time to retreat." Strive to join the main force of the division and regiment before noon tomorrow. ”

After replying to the telegram order of the division, Sakai continued: "Order the artillery units, except for the infantry artillery squadron, all the remaining artillery units to end the battle and prepare for retreat. The infantry began immediately and also ended a large-scale offensive.

Send an infantry brigade to cooperate with the infantry artillery squadron to attract the attention of the Eighth Route Army in a squadron scattered formation. The rest of the infantry units immediately set up their battalions and prepared to retreat in the direction of Zhongmu. ”

Even though he was bitter and depressed in his heart, Sakai still knew that it would be better if such a battle ended sooner. If they continue to entangle with such a difficult opponent, they will become very dangerous without follow-up reinforcements.

With Sakai's order, the artillery units in the rear quickly moved into action, regrouping the artillery that had been erected with great effort and preparing to pull it away. Naturally, all the remaining shells had to be loaded and pulled away.

Only squadrons of infantry artillery, because their guns were lighter and easier to move. Therefore, as an artillery unit to attract the Eighth Road, from time to time to carry out artillery bombardment on the Eighth Route blocking position in front, in order to contain the defenders on the position.

As for the withdrawn infantry, after collecting the bodies of those casualties, they also planned to pull them all to the rear for cremation. If they were cremated here, it would undoubtedly waste their precious evacuation time.

And the injured will naturally enjoy better treatment. The vacated cars will also be used to transport them to the rear hospital or to the city for treatment. In the face of this half-attack, no one felt unwilling.

In fact, the nearly two-day battle has already let the soldiers of the infantry brigade know that the Eighth Route Army fighting against them is really difficult to deal with. Most importantly, the overall situation is very unfavorable for them.

If they continue to attack Zhengzhou City, perhaps they may be besieged again. During the previous battle of Xuzhou, they had such a situation once, and they finally escaped.

And this time, it was the Eighth Route Army that rose in the north that surrounded them. Whether it will be as lucky as the previous time is really unknown. The long battle has actually caused many Japanese veterans to feel war-weary.

Especially seeing the battle in the past two days, the dead and wounded were all people on their side, on the other hand, on the side of the Eighth Route Army, they didn't fight each other many times. This kind of battle also made many Japanese soldiers feel aggrieved and helpless.

Now that the order to retreat is given, they naturally want to return to the rear as soon as possible to rest. Staying with the main force of the division will also make them feel safer. Who knows what other attacks will be encountered here?

The reconnaissance detachment, which had been monitoring the movements of the Japanese army, suddenly became lively when they looked at the rear camp of the Japanese army, which was supposed to be quiet. Many cars also started to load supplies, and they felt that something was wrong.

Soon someone said: "Hurry up and report to the battalion commander, see that this little devil seems to be ready to slip away!" ”

Although I don't understand why the Japanese army suddenly chose to retreat at night. But they all know that if the little devils want to leave, they can't let them go happily. 'When the enemy is tired, I fight, and when the enemy retreats, I chase' is also the principle of their fighting!

Receiving the news from the reconnaissance detachment, the reconnaissance battalion commander was also surprised and said: "Why did the little devil suddenly withdraw at this time?" Could it be that they felt that they could not attack our positions and chose to retreat? Is there another conspiracy? ”

Zhu Xinwen, who was staying on the side, thought for a while and said, "Could it be that the news of the arrival of our main force has leaked?" ”

In Zhu Xinwen's opinion, the little devil who was still attacking frantically before will suddenly choose to retreat secretly, which is somewhat confusing. But if you want to talk about conspiracy, it doesn't seem to be justified.

After all, as long as the little devils don't enter Zhengzhou City, they will be considered to have completed the task. The retreat of the little devils who are fighting now can only show that they are fighting very tenaciously, and finally let the little devils retreat.

But Zhu Xinwen knows a little bit about the toughness of the little devil. It doesn't seem to be an easy thing to make the little devils suffer and be soft. But at this time, he suddenly retreated, and he could only guess in the general direction.

'No matter! Ordered a forward reconnaissance detachment to keep a close eye on the movements of the Japanese army. Look at the little devil, whether he is playing a conspiracy, or is he really ready to retreat. Report the situation to the brigade commander immediately. Please indicate the next combat mission! ’

When the reconnaissance battalion fed back the information to Li Xiangdong, Li Xiangdong, as the brigade commander, had already received the 14th Division and divided his troops overnight in Zhongmu. One of the infantry brigades has already rushed to Kaifeng to deploy defenses.

In connection with what happened in Zhongmu, Li Xiangdong could basically confirm that the Japanese infantry brigade that arrived outside Zhengzhou should know that the main force of the Eighth Route Army had entered the city. In this case, they have missed the opportunity to seize Zhengzhou!

Since you know that there is no hope of taking Zhengzhou City, isn't it a wise decision to retreat? (To be continued.) )