Boom Boom Boom ...... The artillery units of the 33 Brigade began to launch a fierce bombardment of the villages occupied by the Japanese. There are not only mortar companies and rapid-fire artillery companies directly under the brigade headquarters, but also a mountain artillery company and an infantry artillery battalion temporarily assigned to the 33rd Brigade by the military headquarters.

Duan Shuanghu picked up the binoculars and observed for a while, and said with some disappointment: "The artillery effect is not good, and I am afraid it will not be of much use for infantry attacks!" ”

The number of artillery pieces is actually not small, but to attack four villages separately, the force is scattered. In addition, the Japanese army's fortifications were very strong, and it was difficult to achieve the desired results with some small-caliber artillery alone. After all, the most powerful of them are only four Type 41 mountain guns.

Brigadier Zhao Yunxiang was also observing on the side, but he was more optimistic than Duan Shuanghu. Seeing the Japanese fortifications being destroyed one after another, Brigade Commander Zhao's eyes narrowed with joy, and he said happily: "It's already very good!" It's a pity that the field artillery camp didn't come, otherwise the effect would have been better. ”

The field artillery unit also followed south, but because the speed of movement was too slow, it was still on the way from Xinxiang to Guantai. Duan Shuanghu shook his head and said, "I'd rather not use these big guys, this is our last hole card, and we have the confidence to keep it!" ”

"Kill!" The three-minute shelling was soon over, and before the smoke cleared, the soldiers rushed into the village with a roar. Da Da Da ...... Infantry on both sides began to strafe at close range with automatic firearms, and fierce street battles began!

The assault battalions of the 33rd Brigade made rapid assaults in company and platoon units, and soon opened several gaps in the villages where the Japanese troops were stationed. The follow-up troops soon rushed in through the gap, and the Japanese were not to be outdone. It's also a desperate counterattack.

Due to the absolute superiority of troops and firepower, the balance of victory began to tilt in favor of the 33rd Brigade, and the battle quickly spread from the entrance of the village to the entire village.

"Don't shoot, boss! We are all good citizens of the village! "The soldiers of the third battalion were rushing towards Zhangcao Village, but they didn't rush far before they encountered a large group of civilians. These fellows were frightened, and they only shivered, and even spoke with a trill.

When the company commander who led the team looked at it, he saw that these people were all young and strong, and there was not even a single woman or child, so he couldn't help but say suspiciously: "You are all from this village?" ”

One of the middle-aged men was like the leader of the group. Hurriedly replied: "Back to the boss's words." Not all, we were all forcibly recruited by devils from nearby villages! ”

The company commander said: "Fellow, you don't have to be afraid, we are the national army." Specially come to fight the little devils! How about leaving a few young people in this village to help us lead the way? ”

These young men looked at each other. None seem to be very happy. After all, guns don't have eyes. If there are three long and two short, who will support the old man and daughter-in-law in the family?

The company commander guessed one or two and hurriedly added a sentence. He said, "Ten oceans for each person who leads the way!" ”

But no one moved, so the company commander had to increase the size and said, "Twenty yuan, do you want to do it?" ”

Still no one moved, the company commander gritted his teeth and said, "A hundred yuan, don't pull it down!" ”

Hula, a dozen people stood up at once. Not only did the young Zhuang of Zhang Cao Village stand up, but many young people from other villages said that they were also familiar with this village and wanted to lead the way for the bosses. Some people even took the initiative to bargain, saying that fifty yuan would be fine. At one point, someone immediately bid to forty oceans.

The company commander was too lazy to talk to them, so he directly selected ten villagers who were in good health and assigned them to the company headquarters and each platoon. With the help of these living maps, the soldiers quickly interspersed, often suddenly killing from unexpected places for the Japanese army. The Japanese army was already small, and it was rushed by each company in four directions, and it was quickly crushed.

The same happened in Xueguozhuang Village and Nancao Village, which were quickly taken by the 4th and 5th battalions. The Japanese troops stationed in the two villages were either annihilated or fled in a hurry. However, the first battalion that attacked Guantai Village encountered a lot of trouble, because the fortifications in the outer villages were all built by young and strong farmers forcibly recruited by the Japanese army, while the core fortifications of Guantai Village were mainly built by Japanese engineers and baggage troops.

Although the sappers and baggage soldiers were non-combat units, these soldiers had undergone rigorous military training, and their first-hand gun skills were even better than that of many veterans of the 33rd Brigade. After a hard battle, the first battalion finally entered the village of Guantai, but was soon driven out by the Japanese army.

The 2nd Battalion was ordered to attack the ferry port southwest of Guantai Village, and because it had to make a big circle, it was still on the way to the ferry at this time. The commander of the fifth company, who served as the vanguard, hurriedly ran back and said to the second battalion commander: "Battalion, a fierce battle is breaking out in the direction of Guantai, should we go to reinforcements or go to the ferry?" ”

"Grandma's, let's take Guantai Village!" Seeing that the attack of the 1st Battalion was blocked, the commander of the 2nd Battalion immediately changed the combat order of the brigade headquarters.

The companies of the 2nd Battalion quickly turned around and headed north, thinking that the attention of the Japanese army was attracted by the 1st Battalion and that they could pick up a big bargain. But he didn't go far when he was suddenly attacked by the Japanese army. The soldiers originally wanted to attack the Japanese army, but they didn't expect to be attacked by the Japanese army, and they suffered a big loss when they were caught off guard.

The commander of the second battalion was taken aback, hurried to the front line, and asked, "What happened just now?" ”

The commander of the fifth company, who was in charge of the main attack, gasped and said: "The battalion, it is really evil, we saw that we were about to rush into the village, but we didn't expect that a Japanese machine-gun fire point suddenly appeared in the open space in front of us. The brethren were defenseless and suffered great losses! ”

The second battalion commander blamed himself and said: "It's all my fault!" Hey, Kobayashi, are you injured? Out of the way? ”

Company Commander Lin's right arm had been bandaged with a first-aid kit, but there was still blood oozing out. He held the wound with his left hand, smiled and said, "It's okay, let the mosquito bite!" What do we do next? ”

The commander of the second battalion looked to the north, sighed and said, "The first battalion has also retreated, let's be alone, let's take the ferry first!" ”

The battle in the direction of the ferry was quite smooth, and only a small number of engineering units (not engineers) were temporarily assigned to the 4th Separate Mixed Brigade. Their will to fight was obviously inferior to that of ordinary Japanese soldiers, and as soon as the battle began, they fled in all directions, but they were finally annihilated by the second battalion.

The commander of the fifth company looked at the captured prisoners, and scolded with a smile: "Damn, that gang of devils fought so fiercely just now." Why are these devils so cowardly? ”

The deputy battalion commander speculated: "Could it be North Koreans or Taiwanese?" The soldiers hurriedly invited the battalion headquarters documents, but when they were interrogated, they turned out to be not two devils, but genuine widows.

It turned out that although these engineers were all Japanese, they were all highly educated "upper classmen", and before joining the army, they were either engineers or high-level technical workers, and they lived a good life. There is no way to enlist in the army, but it is somewhat difficult for them to calmly die for the "holy war".

After the 2nd Battalion took the ferry, the battalion commander immediately reported to the brigade headquarters. Zhao Yunxiang said: "What did you guys do just now? Did you do the gunfire behind Guantai Village? ”

The commander of the second battalion did not dare to hide it. Honestly confessed: "Report to the brigade." I ordered the fight. It's a pity that it didn't come down, and dozens of brothers were broken! ”

Brigadier Zhao Yunxiang said: "Then why don't you fight?" "It turned out that at this time, the third, fourth, and fifth battalions had all taken the three villages on the periphery of Guantai, but the most important Guantai village could not be taken for a long time.

The commander of the second battalion hurriedly said: "No, brigade." The Japanese army was very well guarded in the direction of the ferry. It's hard to rush in without artillery support! ”

Brigade Commander Zhao said: "I'll immediately transfer an infantry artillery squadron and a rapid-fire artillery squad to you!" ”

The second battalion is happy. said: "Xie Lu Xie Travel, Xie Lu Xie Travel!" ”

Brigade Commander Zhao smiled: "Wait a minute, fight well, don't forget to coordinate with infantry and artillery!" He hung up the phone.

Duan Shuanghu was overjoyed when he saw him. said: "What good news makes you happy like this, the second battalion has already taken the ferry?" ”

Brigade Commander Zhao said: "Well, it was finally taken, and now the Japanese army in Taiwan has become a turtle in an urn." I plan to send a squad of artillery over to assist the 2nd Battalion in attacking from the back of the Japanese army, and the 1st Battalion attacking from the front to penetrate the Taiwan on both sides! ”

Duan Shuanghu nodded and said, "Okay!" Let the battalion commanders appease the soldiers, tonight is like climbing a mountain, although it is very difficult, but if you hold on a little longer, it will pass. ”

The artillery section was soon sent to the ferry. At the same time, the 1st, 3rd, 4th, and 5th battalions also launched a diversionary attack on Guantai Village under the cover of artillery.

Kitaro Shimizu, the chief of staff who remained in Guantai Village, was in a hurry to turn around in the command headquarters, and he had just tried to get in touch with the brigade commander Kawamura Dong, but he had never been able to get in touch. In fact, they have been out of touch for up to three hours.

The leader of the communications squadron, Koi Shoichi, said in frustration: "Your Excellency Chief of Staff, the brigade commander lost contact after sending a telegram of immediate reinforcements, and it is very likely that the radio station was damaged!" ”

Kitaro Shimizu's face became very ugly, Kawamura Dong has three radios in his hands, and the possibility of damage to all of them is too small, but this is already the best result. If the entire army of the Kawamura Dong Department was destroyed, Qing Shui Shaozuo shuddered, and the consequences made him dare not imagine.

Brigade Captain Hashimoto Mori suddenly broke in in a rage, and said with an anxious face: "Your Excellency Chief of Staff, the offensive of the Chinese army is becoming more and more ferocious, and if it continues like this, I am afraid that it will be difficult for the troops to hold out until dawn." ”

Kitaro Shimizu nodded with a heavy face and said, "Well, I already know the truth!" ”

Hashimoto Mori looked at Qing Shui with hope and said excitedly, "When will His Excellency the Brigade Commander be able to return to help?" ”

Kitaro Shimizu decided to tell him the truth, and said solemnly: "Hashimoto-kun, Your Excellency the brigade commander has not been able to contact him, and I am afraid that I will not be able to wait for reinforcements in a short time." Now we can rely on ourselves as long as we can. ”

Hashimotomori's face turned pale all of a sudden, and he said in a trembling voice: "Your Excellency, you mean that the brigade commander has ......."

Kitaro Shimizu hurriedly interrupted: "No! Hashimoto-kun, you're thinking too much, and we've only temporarily lost contact with His Excellency the Brigade Commander. ”

Hashimoto said, "Your Excellency, can we still get in touch with friendly forces nearby?" ”

Kitaro Shimizu shook his head and said, "The nearest is the 14th Division of Your Excellency Tsuchihara, but we don't have the authority to contact them directly. ”

Hashimoto Mori was anxious and said, "Your Excellency, the situation is so critical, can't you contact His Excellency Seiji Kazuki directly?" "Kazuki Kiyoji is the commander of the First Army, and the 129th Division and the 33rd Division were almost sent to a military court after they contacted and won a great victory in the southeast of Jinjin, but in the end they escaped by luck and only received a painless reprimand from the military department.

The Independent Mixed Fourth Brigade was directly under the First Army, so Hashimoto Mori hoped to get in touch with Kiyoji Kazuki directly to solve the dilemma in front of him.

Kitaro Shimizu sighed and said, "I'm sorry, I can't get in touch!" Seeing Hashimoto's puzzled face, he explained: "The commander is far away in Shijiazhuang, and the power of our radio station is not enough!" ”

The radio station at the brigade and regimental level was taken away by Kawamura Dong, and the radio stations of the Japanese army units in Guantai Village were not of much power, and it was difficult to contact the 14th Division 20 kilometers away.

Mori Hashimoto was dumbfounded when he heard this, and said anxiously, "Your Excellency, what can I do about this?" ”

Kitaro Shimizu suddenly stared at Mori Hashimoto and said sharply: "Either die in battle, or stay until dawn!" (To be continued......)