The Zhengtai Line raid was not all smooth sailing. At 10 o'clock on the 23rd, that is, the morning of the day after the 5th Regiment took Niangzi Pass, a Sakai armored convoy consisting of two armored patrol vehicles drove along the railway. After losing contact with the Niangzi Pass guards, they hurried to investigate the situation.

Historically, because of the sudden appearance of these two armored patrol vehicles, the Eighth Route Army's attack on Niangziguan Railway Station fell short, and it also caused great casualties. Fortunately, with the current strength of the 2nd Brigade, it is not a problem at all to deal with two armored patrol vehicles. The Sakai armored convoy had not yet seen Niangzi Pass, and was ambushed on the way. Four Bailu anti-aircraft guns opened fire at the same time, and a single salvo blasted the patrol car into scrap metal.

However, in this way, the 4th Brigade of the Japanese Army independently mixed also guessed that something must have happened in the direction of Niangzi Pass. So a reinforced brigade then set off from Yangquan and rushed straight to Niangzi Pass under the cover of armored patrol vehicles. However, the Japanese army never expected that the 105th Division of the 49th Army had been in ambush outside Yangquan for a long time, waiting for the Japanese reinforcements to be dispatched.

The night before, the 105th Division and the 2nd Temporary Brigade failed to cut off the railway line in time, resulting in more than 800 retired Japanese soldiers suddenly leaving the Niangziguan Railway Station, inflicting great losses on the 1st Regiment. For this reason, both the 105th Division and the 2nd Temporary Brigade were severely criticized by their superiors.

The officers and men were holding their breath, and the Japanese reinforcement brigade had just crossed Fengzhang Mountain (about 8.7 kilometers east of Yangquan in a straight line) when it was attacked by the 105th Division, which had been lying in wait for a long time.

The 105th Division originally belonged to the Northeast Army. In order to balance the relationship between the Northeast Army and the Eighth Route Army, Zheng Weiguo deliberately gave the numbers of the 105th Division and the 108th Division to the Eighth Route Army. The Eighth Route Army was responsible for its personnel, establishment, and logistical procurement. Command, training, and replenishment of weapons and medicines are still part of the Jicha Theater. It can be regarded as a joint construction unit of both sides.

At present, the commander of the 105th Division is Zhang Tingshu, deputy division commander and political commissar Yan Yuyao, chief of staff Jia Tao, director of the Political Department Zhang Gonggan, and deputy director Li Pingyi. Zhang Tingshu, hehe, who has watched "Feng Department of the Country", is the younger brother of the protagonist Zhang Tinglan. There is really such a person in history, he is the second son of the "auxiliary minister" Zhang Zuoxiang, and Zhang Xueliang is a classmate of the Northeast Lecture Wutang. Later, he served as the commander of the 112th Division. The 112th Division was one of the two most elite divisions of the Northeast Army (the other being the 110th Division). He fought a bloody battle with the Japanese army at Gubeikou for more than 20 days. This is rare in the history of the national army.

Of course, being able to become the commander of the 105th Division is mainly because of Zhang Tingshu's pro-communist stance. As early as 1933, that is, after the defeat in the Battle of Gubeikou. Zhang Tingshu realized that he could no longer fight a civil war. Therefore, he actively advocated the alliance with the Communist Party to resist Japan. He also invited underground party members Zhang Gonggan, Li Pingyi and others to propagate anti-Japanese propaganda in his troops.

Later, because of his opposition to the civil war, he was separated from the army for a time, and did not reappear until after the Lugou Bridge Incident. With the help of Zhou Gong. Zhang Tingshu formed the "First Guerrilla Column of the Eighth Route Army" in Taiyuan, preparing to absorb the Northeast Army. However, due to the complexity of internal contradictions, Zhang Tingshu himself was resistant to guerrilla warfare and feared difficulties, and finally failed. This time, the 105th Division was rebuilt, and it finally got its wish.

The Eighth Route Army also attached great importance to this. The General Headquarters has learned the lesson of the failure of the "First Guerrilla Column of the Eighth Route Army" and has also put a lot of thought into staffing. For example, Yan Kuyao, deputy division commander and political commissar, was a first-term student in Huangpu, received formal military education, and had been doing military transportation work in Yang Hucheng's department for a long time, and was good at dealing with officers from the old army.

Jia Tao, the chief of staff, was also from the Northeast Army, graduated from the Artillery Department of the Northeast Jiangwutang, and led the Tianjin Security Corps with Sun Mingjiu, Xie Fang (Xie Peiran) and others to suppress the "118 Riots" initiated by the Japanese plainclothes team. If it hadn't been for the timely and decisive handling at that time, Tianjin might have fallen six years ahead of schedule.

Later, Zhang Xueliang opened an officer training regiment in Wangqu Town, Chang'an County, south of Xi'an, to cultivate anti-Japanese strength and strength to transform the Northeast Army. Jia Tao and Fang Jiefang, Wan Yi, Li Youwen and others went to the cadre company for training again. The cadres and trainees of the cadre company were all personally selected by Zhang Xueliang, and the conditions were very strict, that is, those who were loyal to Zhang Xueliang, resolutely resisted Japan, were honest and honest, and had no bad habits, and there were a total of 120 people in the company. At present, the officers of the 49th Army are mainly from this cadre company. Because they were born in the Northeast Army, and they accepted the ideas of the GC Party, they can accept it in all aspects.

Whining...... With the roar of the train, Japanese reinforcements soon appeared in the field of view of the observation post. The reconnaissance squad leader observed it with a high-powered telescope, and suddenly his face changed, and he shouted: "Quick, contact the division headquarters immediately!" ”

The telegraph operator hurriedly turned on the radio and prepared to send the announcement.

Unexpectedly, the squad leader snatched the intercom and explained: "It's too late, I'll report directly to the division commander!" ”

Due to the short distance, the radio station was quickly connected. Master Zhang Tingshu said a little angrily: "What's the matter? What are you shouting in plain language, are you the first day of being a soldier? ”

Radios are different from telephones, and if you talk directly, any radio station in the same band can hear them. Like in the War of Liberation, Liao Yaoxiang was in chaos, and he directly shouted on the radio, "Go to Erdaogang to concentrate", and as a result, the 100,000-strong army was wiped out. Therefore, in battle, unless there are special circumstances, it is strictly forbidden to talk in plain language.

The reconnaissance squad leader hurriedly explained: "Division commander, the Japanese army came in an ironclad car!" ”

Master Zhang Tingshu was taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "What did you say?" Let's be clear! Is it an armored car, an armored patrol vehicle, or an armored train? ”

Due to the simultaneous adoption of multinational military standards (in fact, there are no standards), and the translation was not in place, China's military terminology at that time was quite confusing. Even generals with professional backgrounds are often confused. For example, the Ordnance Industry Administration of the Ministry of Military Affairs once purchased a weapon called the "anti-mine long-range gun". Just listening to the name, who knows what kind of thing Lu Dao is? In fact, it is the German-made FK16 75mm field gun. Anti-mine means that its tires can withstand the damage of most mine explosions, and long-range guns refer to its long range, because it is a literal translation from German, which gives it such a strange name.

The same is true for armored vehicles, patrol cars, and armored trains, which were mostly collectively referred to as ironclad vehicles at that time, plus they do have similarities and overlaps. Until now, it has not been clear in many military magazines.

The reconnaissance squad leader hurriedly replied: "It's an armored train!" Division commander, I counted, there were at least twelve carriages, the front of which were armed with cannons! ”

When Zhang Tingshu heard this, he couldn't help but gasp, and hurriedly said: "Okay, I know the way, you continue to observe!" ”

Yan asked the deputy division commander to ask, "What's the matter, Lao Zhang?" ”

Zhang Tingshu said anxiously: "The little devil came by armored train, and the original plan is going to be changed." Tell the engineer battalion to plant a few more explosives! ”

"What? Armored trains! Yan Kuo, the deputy division commander, was also taken aback when he heard it. Hurriedly asked: "Is it the kind of ironclad car used in the Central Plains War?" ”

Zhang Tingshu nodded and said in a deep voice: "Not bad! You have to think of a way right away, otherwise it will be bad if you let it rush to the lady's pass! ”

Deputy Division Commander Yan frowned slightly, and said a little angrily: "The intelligence personnel are too irresponsible. The Japanese army was armed with such weapons. We were not even informed in advance. "Actually, you can't blame the intelligence officers. Although the intelligence network of the Eighth Route Army was huge. But not many of them have received professional training, and the vast majority of them rely on ordinary people, and it is not surprising that armored trains have not been paid attention to.

An armored train is an armored railway vehicle that provides fire support to troops and fights independently along railway lines. It consists of a combat train and a base train, and generally consists of an armored steam locomotive, two or more armored carriages, or two to four railway flatbed cars for cover. The armored steam locomotive was located between the armored wagons, the coal water wagon was facing the enemy, and the locomotive was equipped with communication equipment and firing command equipment.

Due to the strong power of the train, the load capacity far exceeds that of the car, not only has good maneuverability, but also has excellent protection and tackling performance. In short, a super-chariot that maneuvered along the railway.

If most of the ordinary generals of the Eighth Route Army still don't know about the big killing weapon of Lu Dao, but Yan Kui is different, he is from the first phase of Huangpu, and he has seen the majesty of the "Generalissimo's Mansion Ironclad Convoy" when he was studying in Guangzhou. During the Central Plains War, although he did not directly participate in the war, as a member of the Northwest Army, he had also heard of it. If you don't have planes and heavy artillery, this game is a cheat.

Therefore, in the mid-to-late twenties and early thirties of the 19th century, many Chinese warlords were equipped, and some of them were modified by themselves, and appeared on the battlefield many times. Whenever an armored train appears, the battle situation is bound to be fierce and abnormal, and it is jaw-dropping!

As early as March 1927, Zhang Xueliang led the Feng army into Henan and fought fiercely with Gao Rutong, the general of the direct army, in Zhengzhou. Gao Rutong was brave and personally led the ironclad car to attack the Fengjun position, and the Fengjun also drove a train of ironclad cars to meet the battle. When Gao saw the Fengjun ironclad car, he ordered his subordinates to slow down, and after touching the Fengjun ironclad car, he quickly hooked it, and then increased the horsepower to drag it back. However, Feng Jun drove out a train of ironclad cars to hook the back carriage and drag it in reverse. Gao Rutong's train could not withstand the horsepower of the two locomotives of the Feng army, and was dragged to the Feng army's position. But Gao Rutong's infantry saw this and attacked bravely.

The commander of the Feng army was afraid that the position would be broken through, so he used the artillery on the car to aim at Gao Rutong's train and bombarded it, and the shells pierced through three carriages, and when the ironclad car was dragged into the position, it was found that Gao Rutong was dead, and his chief of staff, Shen Qichang, was also dying.

On May 25, the "Central Plains War", there was also a decisive battle between ironclad vehicles and ironclad vehicles. Xu Tingyao, acting commander of the 1st Division of Chang Kaishen's Central Army, led his troops to attack along the Longhai Railway and found that the "Zhongshan" ironclad car controlled by the other side was firing. This brave and warlike division commander Xu immediately transferred two ironclad cars, the "Great Wall" and the "Yungui", loaded them with large iron hooks, and then personally led the two trains into the enemy formation, trying to hook the "Zhongshan" and drag it back.

Division Commander Xu, like Gao Rutong, obviously did not take into account the danger of the opponent's close-range artillery fire, and as a result, the ironclad car was overturned, Xu Tingyao was seriously injured and evacuated, and the battle ended in tragedy. (Alas, how nice it would be if the Japanese devils were so fierce?) ）

China's armored trains at that time were all modified from wagons, and the power was so terrifying, you can imagine the armored trains of the Japanese army. However, armored trains are as good as they are, but they have an Achilles' heel, that is, they must move along the railway line. As long as the railroad is cut off, it can't move.

"Notify the engineer battalion to immediately detonate the railroad tracks in the Fengzhang Mountain section." Zhang Tingshu gave the order very decisively. As soon as the railway was broken, the Japanese armored train obediently lay down.

However, it didn't last long, and the Japanese armored train actually started again. It turns out that armored trains often have equipment and spare rails for repairing railways, and a little glitch really can't stop it.

The scouts quickly discovered this and hurriedly returned to report. Zhang Tingshu waved his hand and said, "Pass the order." Let the brothers not panic and do not be impatient, now it should be the Japanese who are in a hurry! ”

Yan asked the deputy division commander to calm down at this time, and said with a smile: "The division commander is right, no matter how much the little devil can build roads, he will not be as fast as us." As long as you blow it up a few more times, you have to force the little devil to get out of the car and walk. ”

Master Zhang nodded and smiled: "That's the truth!" ”

Sure enough, as expected, due to the serious damage to the railway ahead, the Japanese had to divide a squadron. Searching forward under the cover of an armored patrol vehicle. On the one hand, it was to prepare for an ambush by the Chinese army. On the other hand is also the front railway of the protection. However, the 105th Division was afraid of armored trains, not armored patrol cars, so it quickly surrounded this small force, and then forced a large Japanese army to come to help.

The Japanese army had no choice. I had to leave a squad to guard the armored train. The rest of the personnel all got out of the car and reinforced. At the end, it was surrounded by all three regiments of the 105th Division in the valley area east of Fengzhang Mountain.

Although the 105th Division was only a light infantry division with an unsatisfactory composition (the Eighth Route had high requirements for the mobility of the troops, and the heavy equipment was unified under the headquarters of the 49th Army), the strength of the troops was far above that of a large group of the Japanese army.

In terms of military sources. The backbone of the 105th Division is all veterans of the Red Army who have experienced the Long March and have rich combat experience; Most of the recruits are young exiles from Northeast China, with a high level of education and strong learning ability. After more than two months of training, the technical and tactical level of the troops has been markedly improved.

In terms of equipment, the 105th Division had a mountain artillery battalion (12 mountain guns), a combat anti-aircraft artillery battalion (12 Bailu type anti-aircraft guns), and a small anti-aircraft artillery company (four Surotong 20-mm anti-aircraft guns). In addition, the regiments had mortar companies and heavy machine gun companies.

Historically, Lunan's "railway guerrillas" once forced the landing of an armored train of the Japanese army, and the method adopted at that time was a long-term siege. The Japanese stayed in the car, did not eat or drink, and had no choice but to surrender at the last time. But this method will definitely not work now, and if it drags on for a long time, the Japanese reinforcements will have already arrived. Therefore, if the Japanese army stayed on the armored train and did not get down, there would really be no way to take it for a while.

But this time the Japanese army got out of the turtle shell by itself, so it would be easy to deal with. A brigade of more than 1,000 people lined up in a one-kilometer battle line at most, and set up mountain artillery to bombard all the way, and no matter how capable the troops were, they could not parry. After a long day of fighting, the Japanese suffered all the casualties, and the temporary second brigade rushed to reinforce and quickly wiped out this brigade. In the evening, Division Commander Zhang also organized a death squad and took advantage of the night to take down the armored train. It's just that the boiler was damaged by the Japanese army and couldn't be opened. Division Commander Zhang Tingshu had no choice but to send someone to unload the weapons on the train, and then load explosives on the train and blow them up.

Niangziguan side is weak because it is an independent mixed 4th brigade, and there are no other troops nearby to mobilize, so the Japanese army did not dare to counterattack that day, but the Eighth Route Army was a little eager to try and wanted to take the opportunity to defeat Yangquan as well. At that time, Yangquan was the headquarters of the 4th Brigade of the Japanese Army, which was more than 70 miles away from Niangzi Pass. If this section of the railway were to be completely destroyed, the results would be even greater.

But Zheng Weiguo later vetoed the request. Because Yangquan was a well-fortified city, in addition to the regular army that was independently mixed into the 4th Brigade, there were also a large number of Japanese expatriates. Although these guys are nominally ordinary people, in fact, many of them have received military training, and many of them are retired Japanese soldiers with strong combat effectiveness.

In the previous "Xinle Battle", the 41st Group Army had an absolute superiority in strength and firepower, and finally it was taken with heavy casualties. Such a war of attrition Zheng Huzi never wanted to fight again. However, considering that Yangquan did have an important strategic position (the key to the east of Jin), Zheng Weiguo still ordered the 105th Division to send a regiment to occupy Shiyuan Peak southwest of Yangquan to prevent the Japanese reinforcements in Taiyuan.

On the other side, the battle in the direction of Jingcheng Pass was much more intense. On the morning of the 23rd, the 14th Division of the Japanese Army stationed in Shijiazhuang besieged Luxian with heavy troops. In order to avoid heavy casualties, the 385th Brigade withdrew from the county seat after a little resistance, and then blocked the Jingcheng Pass area to the west of the county border.

Due to the tremendous momentum of the Japanese army, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army transferred the special service regiment and the heavy artillery regiment to help. The two sides fought fiercely until dark.

On the 24th, the battles in the direction of Yangquan and Shijiazhuang became more and more intense. It turned out that the Japanese Minister of War Admiral Seishiro Itagaki severely reprimanded the emperor and ordered him to resume traffic on the Shotai Line within a week. Itagaki Seishiro had no choice but to strictly order the commander of the North China Front, Tada Jun, to increase his troops as soon as possible.

The pressure was transferred layer by layer, and the commander of the First Army stationed in Shanxi, Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinozuka, ordered the 109th Division stationed in Yuci to immediately move west along the Zhengtai Line. Tada Jun also sent an additional independent mixed 8th Brigade stationed in Xingtai to reinforce the 14th Division, in an attempt to open up the Zhengtai Road in the way of "east-west advance".

Zheng Weiguo was not idle, and immediately ordered the 105th Division to attack southwest of Yangquan to block the Japanese 109th Division. He also ordered the Provisional 2nd Brigade of the Eighth Route Army to advance from the area north of the Zhengtai Line to Taiyuan and threaten the flank of the 109th Division. At the same time, the 108th Division was ordered to move south and attack the 14th Division from the flank.

After a week of fierce fighting between the two sides, the Japanese army on the Western Front finally took Shiyuan Peak and relieved the siege of Yangquan, but then it was blocked in the area of Fengzhang Mountain. On the Eastern Front, the Japanese army reoccupied the county seat and the coal mine of Jingcheng, but then they were stubbornly resisted by the Eighth Route Army, and often occupied positions that were difficult to occupy during the day, and were recaptured by the Eighth Route Army at night. After such repeated tossing, the Japanese army suffered heavy casualties, and it was impossible to fight Xiulin Town (about seven kilometers away from the county seat of Jingcheng, but it was all mountain roads or canyons). (To be continued......)

PS: Uh, cheeky begging for votes!