There are two flowers, one on each branch. Let's not mention the actions of the 97th Army in Lixian for the time being, let's talk about the people led by Duan Shuanghu. They set out early in the morning and moved very quickly. Just when Zheng Huzi was puzzled by the strange behavior of the Northeast Army bosses, Duan Shuanghu had already led his troops to approach the county seat of Gaoyang.

Ma An, the battalion commander under his command, set up a pergola and looked into the direction of Gaoyang, and said strangely: "Commander, this Sixth Route Army is really good at putting on a score." We've all arrived at this realm, and no one has come to greet us, so I don't want to give you face as a commander. ”

The Sixth Route Army is the aforementioned Guo Mo Village, and it is also the first group of people that Duan Shuanghu intends to meet on this trip.

Seeing Ma An's unhappy face, Duan Shuanghu scolded with a smile: "You kid knows a fart!" Face is earned by yourself, not by others. ”

"Phew!" A cavalry scout grabbed the reins of his war horse and stopped firmly in front of Duan Shuanghu's mount, and said loudly: "Report, there is a sound of gunfire in the direction of Gaoyang City, it is suspected that the Japanese army is attacking the city. ”

Duan Shuanghu was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "What about the others in your row?" ”

The cavalry replied: "Report to the commander, reconnaissance continues!" ”

Duan Shuanghu nodded and said, "Okay, let's explore and report again!" Then he said to the herald: "Tell me to go down and get ready for battle!" ”

The troops quickly spread out in battle formation, which couldn't have been easier for them with their training. Four infantry companies began to move to the flanks, a tactical maneuver that could be defended or attacked, and was a common tactic used in skirmishes. However, Duan Shuanghu has not yet decided whether to attack or defend. After all, the enemy's situation is unknown, and he must wait for the results of reconnaissance on the front line.

Fortunately, the cavalry reconnaissance platoon did not make everyone wait too long, and they quickly completed the reconnaissance by taking advantage of their speed.

"Report! According to our reconnaissance. A brigade of the Japanese army with two flat-fire guns and two infantry guns is storming Gaoyang City, and the West City Gate has been breached, and the Sixth Route Army is almost unable to resist it. ”

Battalion Commander Ma An was taken aback and scolded: "Grandma is a bear, didn't you say that Gaoyang is safer?" Why is there such a big group of devils! ”

They only had a reinforced battalion of more than 1,000 people at their disposal, which was not an advantage compared to a brigade of the Japanese army. If we take into account factors such as the quality of the soldiers, we will even suffer some losses.

Duan Shuanghu also regretted a little in his heart, he knew that Lu Dao should have acted with the 33rd Brigade, or borrowed another battalion to go north. But it's too late to regret it now, and friendly troops can't die if they are in trouble. So he hurriedly waved his hand to summon the herald. The order said: "Inform the 1st and 2nd companies to move west immediately, waiting for the opportunity to outflank the Japanese flank, and the rest of the troops will quickly move forward!" ”

According to his thoughts, it is best to take advantage of the chaos to catch the Japanese army by surprise. Then pick up friendly forces to break through. As for Gaoyang City, it can be given up for the time being. It is not too late to recover it after the main force of the 33rd Brigade arrives.

Inside Goyang Castle. An officer covered in blood stumbled over and hissed, "Commander-in-chief, the devil has come in from the West Gate." Let's get out of here. If you don't leave, it's too late. ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo stomped his feet in annoyance, sighed heavily and said, "Alas, withdraw!" ”

The officers and men of the Sixth Route Army were physically and mentally exhausted at this time, and their morale had fallen to the extreme. After receiving the order to retreat, everyone was terrified and rushed to the east or south gate. As a result, the establishment did not go far before it completely collapsed, and the soldiers were in a mess on the streets, and the ranks were no longer in the ranks.

Commander-in-Chief Guo shouted as hard as he could, and finally gathered a small group of men, but in an instant, he was scattered by the rout. Commander-in-Chief Guo himself was also squeezed to his feet, so he had to sigh and flee to the south gate with the chaotic crowd.

Behind them, the Japanese troops were rapidly moving forward in small groups and detachments, and successfully took several commanding heights to defend them. Its main force did not pursue and kill, but chose to overtake the pursuit from outside the city, trying to encircle and annihilate the Sixth Route Army in the open space at the city gate.

This trick seems simple, but it is very vicious, and since the beginning of the war, I don't know how many local troops have suffered big losses. The officers and men of the Sixth Route Army did not know that danger was coming, and they were still desperately fleeing forward. Many soldiers were so distraught that they threw all their guns and ammunition on the side of the road, and many did not even notice that their shoes had been lost.

Commander Guo looked behind him while running, and said suspiciously: "Strange, the little devil doesn't seem to be chasing closely!" ”

Huang Youwen, who once served as a company commander in the Feng Army, is currently the deputy commander-in-chief of the Sixth Route Army. Hearing this, his face changed, and he shouted, "It's not good, they must be trying to ambush us in front." ”

The officer next to him questioned: "The little devil is behind us, and it is a detour, can he still run in front of us?" ”

Huang Youwen waved his hand and said: "It's too late to explain, we have to gather the troops immediately, otherwise it will be the end of the whole army." ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo hurriedly said: "Okay, you come to command!" From now on, we all listen to you. ”

Despite the unification of orders, the troops could not be put away. Mainly because the establishment collapsed and orders could not be conveyed at all. The two commanders, Guo and Huang, were so anxious that they couldn't gather their troops, and could only watch as the brothers huddled together and crashed into the muzzles of the devil's guns.

100 meters, 50 meters, 10 meters...... The soldiers rushed out of the gates of the city, and before they could cheer, they were fiercely attacked by the Japanese troops outside the city. The crowded city gate suddenly lay down in blood.

Huang Youwen smashed his fist on the wall brick and said in frustration: "Alas, it's all over now!" The little devils have blocked the city gates. We're messing around like this now, even if we fight it out, we can't rush out. ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo hurriedly said: "What about the East Gate and the North Gate!" Let's go to the East Gate right away, the devil shouldn't be so fast! ”

Huang Youwen said bitterly: "It's useless! The troops are now scattered and useless to go anywhere. Commander-in-chief, if you don't let the brothers disperse and break out, maybe you can get out of the city. ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo said categorically: "No! This team was pulled out by us with great difficulty, and we can't just disperse. After saying that, he shouted loudly, and by virtue of his usual prestige, he finally miraculously gathered a group of warriors. These people are the backbone of the troops, and their will to fight is relatively resolute. Guo Mocun planned to organize them into a death squad and make a bloody way for the large army.

Huang Youwen said in surprise: "Commander-in-chief, what do you want to do?" ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo patted him on the shoulder. Said tiredly: "Lao Huang, this army will be handed over to you." You must bring them back safely to the base. As he spoke, he turned to the death squad fighters behind him and said, "Comrades, the little devils don't give us a way to live, let's fight with them today!" Sacrifice yourself for the country, just today! ”

Now that they are in a desperate situation, the hearts of the warriors are at peace. Isn't it just death? What's the big deal, it's a good guy again after eighteen years! So they all crossed their hearts and shouted: "Fight, fight!" ”

The indomitable momentum and deafening shouts quickly spread outside the city, and the Japanese soldiers looked at each other. Didn't understand what was going on.

However, the Japanese commander seemed to be very experienced. He said with a grim face: "Suoga, it's just a battle of trapped beasts. Don't be nervous, machine gunners get ready! ”

Rumble! As soon as the words fell, a cannonball flew over. The Japanese soldiers were taken aback. They all fell down. The commander shouted angrily, "Yaga. It's where the cannon is fired. Do you have eyes that go up to your buttocks? ”

The other Japanese officers and soldiers also shouted and cursed, they did not expect that the Chinese reinforcements had arrived, and thought that their own artillery had missed their position. Because in battle. It often happens that they are mistakenly fired by their own artillery.

Boom Boom Boom ...... After a test shot, the artillery of the school, which was exactly the target of Zhuyuan, soon began the second round of bombardment. The Japanese ambush position was quickly covered in gunsmoke, and many soldiers were blown up as soon as they leaned out. At this time, they finally realized that there were enemy troops attacking, and many people panicked and shouted nervously.

In Gaoyang City, Commander-in-Chief Guo was about to lead his troops to charge, but Huang Youwen hurriedly stopped him and said, "Wait a minute! Commander-in-chief, you listen, the sound of artillery outside is very strange, as if our reinforcements have arrived. ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo's eyes lit up, and he said excitedly: "It must be General Zheng Weiguo's men and horses who have arrived, I heard that they are in Lixian, but I didn't expect to come so quickly!" Lao Huang, let's immediately go all out and attack them inside! ”

Huang Youwen shook his head and said, "We still don't know what the situation is outside the road, and it is easy to suffer if you rush out of the road." ”

When Commander-in-Chief Guo heard this, he felt that it made sense, and hurriedly asked the troops to occupy the south gate first to wait for the opportunity. Coincidentally, as soon as the troops took control of the terrain, the Japanese troops inside the city also surrounded and tried to squeeze them out of the city.

The Japanese army in the city had only one squadron, but their combat effectiveness was far stronger than that of the remnants of the Sixth Route Army, so although the number of troops was small, they had been pressing the Sixth Route Army.

Fortunately, the officers and men of the Sixth Route Army had terrain to rely on, and the soldiers fought desperately to defend it, and they fought very resolutely. Although the Japanese army had the advantage on the scene, it was not easy to swallow the remnants of the Sixth Route Army in one bite.

This is where the benefits of playing defensive battles come in, not only to minimize the enemy's advantage, but also to bring out the potential of the fighters. Putting oneself to death and then living is what it says.

At the same time, Duan Shuanghu's main force also engaged in a fierce battle with the Japanese army outside the city. Both sides are elites who can fight well, their tactical level, weapons and equipment are comparable, and their will to fight is also comparable, so it is difficult to give up and distinguish for a while.

Huang Youwen observed on the city wall, and saw that the battle between the two armies was in full swing, so he hurriedly shouted: "Commander-in-chief, the time has come, you quickly command the brothers to charge, and I will lead people to break the rear." ”

Commander-in-Chief Guo was overjoyed and said, "Good! Brothers, when reinforcements arrive, rush with me! over little Japan! ”

When the soldiers heard that the reinforcements had arrived, their hearts were overjoyed, and their courage was immediately doubled. One by one, they shouted and rushed, killed, and quickly came out of the city gate.

At this time, the Japanese army was fighting fiercely with the third and fourth companies, and the blockade of the city gate was not so tight. The soldiers of the Sixth Route Army rushed to their deaths and took advantage of the situation to kill.

When the battalion commander Ma An saw it, he was overjoyed and said: "Commander, look, the Sixth Route Army has been killed!" ”

Duan Shuanghu said happily: "It's a good time, the whole army will press on and beat the little devil!" ”

The third and fourth companies quickly sounded the trumpet of the charge, and the soldiers marched forward bravely, and after a desperate battle, they quickly rushed to the Japanese position. The Japanese army was attacked by the enemy on its belly, and its positions were lost one after another, and it gradually fell behind. But they are indeed very tenacious, and they are still desperately resisting in this situation. The soldiers could clearly see the faces of the brothers of the Sixth Route Army, but they were always separated by the Japanese army, and they could not rush through.

Duan Shuanghu watched the attacking troops retreat again, and said with a headache: "Damn, these devils are really difficult!" ”

Battalion Commander Ma An hurriedly comforted: "Commander, don't worry. The first and second companies are making a detour and will be able to rush in for reinforcements soon. ”

As he spoke, a dense burst of gunfire was heard from the southwest. It turned out that the 1st and 2nd companies quickly outflanked them after hearing the sound of gunfire in the direction of the south gate on the way to the west. Unexpectedly, the Japanese army happened to come from the west gate to reinforce it. The two armies collided head-on, and without saying a word, they fought fiercely together.

Duan Shuanghu smiled bitterly: "Yes, don't expect reinforcements from them. It's a fucking bad fight! ”

When he was depressed, the Japanese troops in front of him suddenly retreated westward. They originally hoped that the troops left behind by Ximen would come to support, but now that the reinforcements were blocked, there was no point in continuing to fight. As soon as they withdrew, Duan Shuanghu transferred the first and second companies back.

Seeing that they could not take advantage, the Japanese commander retreated in the direction of Baoding very recklessly. Watching the enemy retreat like a tide, the surviving soldiers of the Sixth Route Army fell to the ground one after another as if they had collapsed.

Commander-in-Chief Guo brought Huang Youwen and other officers to thank him, and said excitedly: "Commander Duan, if you hadn't suddenly rushed to reinforce today, our Sixth Route Army would have all been handed over here." ”

Duan Shuanghu said: "Don't be so polite, we will be brothers in the same trench in the future." I'm a person who likes to go straight, are you willing to take my command? ”

Chief Guo commanded them for a moment, and hurriedly said: "Yes, of course I do!" As long as it's a devil, we'll fight whatever you say! ”

Duan Shuanghu then incorporated the surviving more than 300 people of the Sixth Route Army, and because of their small numbers, they were directly incorporated into the Ma'an camp. Guo Mocun is a party member and happens to be the political commissar of the Third Division, and Huang Youwen is proficient in tactics and serves as the chief of staff of the Third Division.

In the afternoon of the same day, the 33rd Brigade also arrived in Gaoyang and took over the local defense. Duan Shuanghu's headquarters will continue to the north, and the next stop will be Anxin County in the Beiyangdian region. (To be continued......)

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