Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 258: The Chief's Favour

Changzhi station.

The Second Infantry Regiment stepped up its reconnaissance work along the Zhengtai Railway.

Zhang Dongkai, deputy commander of the 4th Cavalry Division, arrived in Changzhi area first.

Fang Ligong, who was originally in charge of directing the reorganization of the 9th Infantry Regiment, stood at the entrance of the military department to greet them.

Zhang Dongkai dismounted from his horse, stepped forward, and saluted obediently.

"Deputy commander Zhang Dongkai of the Fourth Cavalry Division reports to the commander."

"Deputy Commander Zhang, I'm Chief of Staff Fang Ligong. Commander Chu is waiting for you. Please come in."

"please."

Zhang Dongkai smiled innocently.

He took a step and followed behind Fang Ligong.

Chu Yunfei was standing in front of the battle map at this time.

Based on the current reconnaissance situation of various troops.

The Japanese army attached much more importance to the Beitongpu Railway Line and the Zhengtai Railway Line than before.

After suffering heavy losses, the Japanese invaders innovated their tactics and changed their original strategy.

His deployment in Shanxi and his strategic moves to win the hearts and minds of the people in North China far exceeded the strategies he remembered.

While the National Revolutionary Army's strength was increasing.

These little Japanese devils are also making progress, but the amount of strategic resources they consume is far greater than during the same period.

Chu Yunfei even suspected that Japan's current economic situation had already encountered major problems.

Support the Japanese invaders' large-scale operations, deployment, and construction of corresponding defensive fortifications.

How much money and food will this cost?

Are Americans also willing to lend them money?

After thinking for a moment.

Chu Yunfei really couldn't figure it out for a moment.

According to his memory of the war history, the Japanese army was unable to come up with the corresponding foreign exchange for purchase.

The Americans soon fell out with the Japanese.

What these old white people care about most is profit.

If there is no money, I'm sorry, but it seems that our cooperation will need to be terminated.

Of course, Chu Yunfei also knew that empiricism could be harmful.

Such thoughts are more impressionistic and even emotional.

After all, it has a certain relationship with the formation of the two camps after the start of the European war, and there are other objective reasons.

But Chu Yunfei really couldn't trust the moral integrity of this group of arrogant people. He had to prepare for the worst.

“Sun Ming, report the reconnaissance situation to the Second War Zone Commander Headquarters. The intelligence reported to the Supreme Command should be more concise, highlighting the Japanese troops’ deployment in Shanxi.

I would also like to attach my judgment: the Japanese army's increased resource investment in Shanxi will inevitably affect its domestic national economy.

The Battle of Wuhan is the last resort of the Japanese army. Chairman, please be careful in the direction of Guangzhou."

"Yes!"

The sound of footsteps came from behind.

Chu Yunfei turned his head and looked.

Fang Ligong stepped into the operations room.

Obviously someone received it.

Putting the baton aside, Chu Yunfei straightened his military uniform and walked out of the operations room.

"Zhang Dongkai of the 4th Cavalry Division sends his regards to Commander Chu."

Chu Yunfei smiled and returned the greeting: "No need to be so polite, Brother Zixing, please take a seat."

"Yes!"

In a three-dimensional combat map.

Intelligence from the 4th Cavalry Division came into view.

[Unit name: The 4th Cavalry Division of the National Revolutionary Army]

【Organization: 67%】

[Currently the main light weapon model: Type 44 cavalry lance]

[Currently the main equipped machine gun models: Czech light machine gun, Qilali light machine gun (National Equipment 7.92)]

[Current main equipment support weapon model: 60mm mortar]

[Currently mainly equipped with heavy weapons: None]

[Current equipment status: poor]

[Current logistics supply situation: poor]

[Current training level of the unit: Initial training]

Before Zhang Dong could figure out how to greet and flatter Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei got straight to the point and said, "I plan to transfer you to Yuncheng for training, and I will also send the cavalry regiment to assist you. You can still decide on your own regarding personnel arrangements, but I will make one thing clear in advance. When it's time for you to go to the battlefield, if anyone backs down, I, Chu Yunfei, will not agree."

Zhang Dongkai was startled, and immediately patted his chest and assured: "Commander Chu, there is nothing else to say. You give the order and we will execute it."

"Very good, tell me about your current situation."

"Yes!" Zhang Dongkai nodded, and then continued: "Currently there are 1,300 cavalrymen and 550 direct troops, equipped with four 60mm grenade launchers, and 130 shells left.

The main cavalry rifle used was the Japanese Type 44 cavalry rifle. The entire division had a total of 23 light machine guns and no heavy machine guns.

It now has three regiments, namely the 10th, 11th, and 12th regiments. Each regiment has about people.

Chu Yunfei frowned slightly: "So few people?"

Each of his cavalry regiments has 800 cavalrymen.

Zhang Dongkai sighed: "Hey, sir, we have no choice. The higher-ups have not given us any reinforcements. We have no soldiers and no horses. What else can we do?"

If it is compiled normally.

A cavalry regiment has at least a thousand people, and if non-combat personnel are included, the number would be around thirteen to fifteen thousand.

Normally, a cavalry division has three cavalry regiments under its command.

Each regiment has three to five cavalry companies, and the full strength of a company is 128 people.

Including the various direct-affiliated teams, the total strength should be around 3,800 to 4,500 people.

If organized according to the model troops of 35, a cavalry division would have a full strength of 6000-7000 people.

The direct team also has a motor vehicle company and an artillery company.

It is precisely because the Nationalist government did not specifically reorganize the cavalry divisions and other organizations that work in this area has been at a standstill.

(There is basically no information on this subject, and there is no systematic research in China. If any readers have read this, please comment.)
Although the overall condition of the 4th Cavalry Division is not as good as that of the Ma family army cavalry division.

After completing the corresponding repairs.

After all, it still has a certain combat effectiveness.

The cavalry units of this period were not used as shock troops to break through the enemy's defenses.

In most cases, they are used as pursuit troops.

It is mainly responsible for rapid mobile support, reconnaissance and other related tasks.

Of course, if we can do so before the enemy's defense line is deployed.

Directly attacking the commander's command post can also achieve considerable results.

Many commanders of the National Army were killed by the Japanese army's raid tactics.

As many people know, Yoshio Shinozuka once ordered a cavalry brigade to attack General Zhang Zizhong's headquarters in the Battle of Huangchuan, but was then repelled.

anyway.

Chu Yunfei explained seriously, "I know that Brother Zixing and Brother Zhiting (Division Commander Wang Qifeng) are classmates and good friends. I, Chu Yunfei, did not ask you to come from the Ninth War Zone to annex your troops."

"But at present, our Second War Zone is indeed lacking a cavalry unit that can provide rapid mobile support."

Zhang Dongkai nodded frequently. It was the first time he met a general as direct as Chu Yunfei.

"Well, your three regiments will be reduced to two regiments, leaving the position of the 12th Cavalry Regiment. I will send Mark Ying there."

have to.

One moment he said he had no idea about their troops, and the next second he asked them to give up an entire regiment.

Zhang Dongkai was about to say something when he was interrupted by Chu Yunfei.

Chu Yunfei had no intention of discussing this with Zhang Dongkai.

He immediately added, "As for the people, weapons, guns, and cannons you are lacking, I will provide you with them."

Having said that, Zhang Dongkai simply nodded and said, "Yes, Commander Chu, please rest assured that we will cooperate with your reorganization work."

Chu Yunfei nodded and continued, "Sun Ming, send a telegram to the Second War Zone Commander's Headquarters, asking Commander Yan to help reorganize the Fourth Cavalry Division."

"Yes."

Sun Ming nodded and turned to leave.

Chu Yunfei continued, "Brother Ligong, you have experience in this area. The reorganization of the Fourth Cavalry Division will be handed over to you."

"Yes, please rest assured, Commander Chu."

"Brother Zhiting, Brother Zixing, you are both veterans in military affairs. I don't think I need to tell you too much about how to lead troops, how to train troops, and how to fight." Chu Yunfei's tone slowed down a bit, and then he stood up and said, "I still have to go to Qin County to command the next counterattack on Taiyuan. Brother Ligong, I'll trouble you to entertain me."

"Yes!"

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly and immediately left the operations room with his guards.

As for Zhang Dongkai himself, he was extremely shocked.

Chu Yunfei acted decisively and turned around and left as soon as he finished speaking. Didn't Zhang Dongkai come so quickly just to negotiate or even discuss terms?

Chu Yunfei made all the arrangements for him very clearly, which made Zhang Dongkai unable to come back to his senses for a while.

There is a feeling of powerlessness.

Chu Yunfei had all the initiative in the conversation and did not give him any chance to refuse.

The advantages and disadvantages are laid out clearly.

The advantage is that they can also become a division commander or deputy division commander.

The downside is that you can’t expect to get a salary without doing anything in the future.

As for the others, that is naturally even more impossible.

"Deputy Commander Zhang, Commander Chu has arranged a welcoming banquet for you..."

"Commander Chu..." Zhang Dongkai was a little confused. This was a welcoming banquet, and he was going to fight a war. What was going on?

"There is a war in the north, and he needs to go to command the battle." Fang Ligong said seriously.

"Sir, the cavalry division is ready for battle."

Fang Ligong hurriedly motioned for him to sit down: "Deputy Division Commander Zhang, the Battle of Zhengtai Road has nothing to do with you and me. The main participating troops are the 196B Infantry st and nd Regiments and the Heavy Mortar Battalion under the Flying Tiger Honor Division."

"Then this is?"

"New recruits need to be integrated as soon as possible. Only fighting can promote their growth. This move is also to consume the Japanese army's manpower and strategic resources, maintain our army's presence on the railway line all day, and force the Japanese army to deploy more combat forces in Shanxi to reduce the pressure of the battle in Wuhan."

"The encirclement and annihilation battle carried out at the Yangquan Niangziguan section of the Zhengtai Railway forced an entire Japanese division to move north. The enemy commander will surely pay more attention to the Shanxi region in this battle."

Zhang Dongkai was even more confused. He wondered, "The more the Japanese devils there are, the more trouble we will have."

For them, there were basically no victories before this.

As for the great victory and good news, they are all contained in the telegram.

To be honest, they were seven parts skeptical and three parts convinced as to whether it was really a great victory.

"How could this be a problem?" Fang Ligong was also puzzled by Zhang Dongkai's thoughts.

"These little devils are not easy to deal with. I have led my troops to fight against the Japanese cavalry before. The shooting accuracy of these Japanese soldiers on the bumpy horseback is also very high, which is different from us."

Normally, cavalry units would dismount and build positions during combat, just like an infantry encounter.

But the very few well-trained Japanese troops were different.

Although they are not so perverted as to fire machine guns on horseback.

However, the hit rate of using a lance is still about 30%.

In other words, Zhang Dongkai had no confidence in engaging the Japanese troops head-on at this time.

Fang Ligong suggested: "Since we have seen it, why not I accompany Deputy Division Commander Zhang to Qin County to observe the battle."

"Qin County?" Zhang Dongkai asked, "Is it the place where your army annihilated the 4th Brigade of the Japanese Army?"

"Well, the target of this battle is the enemy's 20th Brigade and the 40th Brigade, which can be considered a semi-old rival. The commander of the Southern Route Army has already made a meeting. The scale of this battle will be controlled below 30,000 people to avoid a large-scale conflict with the Japanese army, so as to avoid it turning into an unmanageable decisive battle."

A part of the 2nd Infantry Regiment's forward guard position.

Liu Wang put down the telescope in his hand and said, "It's right to retreat after firing a few shots here. It's too close to Taiyuan, and their air force support is too fast. We can't fight against the Japanese planes."

"Deputy commander, after all, we are just harassing the Japanese troops. We are not really going to fight them. Let's fire a few shots and then retreat."

Liu Wang nodded: "Yes, judging from the previous reconnaissance operations, these little devils will not pursue our army."

As for the place where Liu Wang was observing with the telescope, it was the Japanese army's fortification group, which was called the Nanguan stronghold by the Flying Tiger Honor Division.

It is also one of their goals in this round of battle.

Liu Wang was carrying out a feint attack mission.

The combat mission of the more than 800 people he led was to attract the attention of the main force of the Japanese army.

Let’s talk about the Nanguan stronghold.

This was a nail driven into the southeastern part of Shanxi by the Japanese army.

The specific location of this stronghold is about 30 kilometers north of Nanguan Town.

The location is quite critical, and it was also one of the battlefields where the Japanese Army's 4th Brigade was annihilated.

As the commander of Shanxi's First Army, Umezu Michijiro naturally knew the importance of this place.

The main force of the Nationalist Army in southeastern Shanxi wanted to launch a large-scale attack to the north.

This is the only way.

same.

The Japanese army wanted to launch a large-scale invasion of southeastern Shanxi, and this was also one of the Japanese army's attack routes.

Michijiro Umezu spared no expense in building fortifications here in preparation for the next strategic adjustment.

At this stage, it can be used as a defensive facility to blockade the southeastern Shanxi region until the Battle of Wuhan is over.

This place became the Japanese army's forward base.

Liu Wang naturally understood this principle.

Otherwise, why would Xue Jie devise a combat plan for him to launch a feint attack here?
Because according to the intelligence from previous reconnaissance.

The Japanese army stockpiled guns, supplies, and food here.

There were also three squadrons of Japanese troops and a battalion of puppet troops stationed there, with a total combat force of nearly 800 people.

At a time when the vast majority of the Japanese First Army in Shanxi was confronting the 14th Army Group and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

We can also assign so many people to guard this direction.

Naturally, there is no need to emphasize too much the importance the Japanese army attached to this place.

The more the Japanese army values ​​a place, the easier it is to attract support and attention from the main forces of the Japanese army after the attack.

It's just that this place is not suitable as a battlefield.

Since we are going to conduct actual combat training, we naturally need to choose a suitable place to fight.

Chu Yunfei didn't have many options.

One is the western Hebei region, and the other is along the Zhengtai Railway.

Today, the Japanese army has accumulated heavy troops in Yangquan, Niangziguan and other places.

It is almost impossible to repeat the same trick again.

Leaving Changzhi and heading towards Handan to engage in a field battle with the Japanese army was also a sign of stupidity.

Chu Yunfei is also short of ammunition now. If he fights with the Japanese army in the plains without heavy weapons, the losses will inevitably be huge.

Training troops is not for the purpose of sacrificing lives, so it is naturally impossible to choose the direction of Handan City.

After much deliberation, they finally chose Qian Bojun, who had retreated to Shouyang and before retreating to the southeastern Shanxi region.

He led his troops to launch a surprise attack on the old base of the 121th Infantry Brigade of the Japanese Army (Chapter ).

That is the line between Hougou and Kucang villages.

This place is located between Yangquan and Shouyang, and the width of the battlefield is less than two kilometers.

It has now become the main battlefield for the 2nd Infantry Regiment's next battle.

Inside the front-line command post.

After Chu Yunfei arrived, he learned the details of the battle plan proposed by Xue Jie.

In its detailed introduction.

Chu Yunfei had a preliminary idea.

in short.

Mainly night attacks and raids.

The first wave of attacking forces consisted of three companies with a total combat strength of about 600 men.

The main responsibilities are still related to sabotage and harassment.

Imitating the Eighth Route Army's guerrilla warfare tactics, they carried out harassment for several consecutive days in an effort to induce the Japanese troops to take the initiative in attacking.

Then, the main force of three battalions was used to annihilate the Japanese attacking forces.

same.

If the Japanese army continues to retreat.

Two Type 92 infantry guns would be pushed to the front line to launch the most direct attack on the Japanese firepower points.

Chu Yunfei nodded with satisfaction.

Consciousness quickly immersed in the three-dimensional combat map.

There are only two soldier cards.

They are all organized at the battalion level of the Japanese army.

Belonged to the 114th Division of the Japanese Army.

This unit is mainly composed of veterans who have enlisted for the second time, and the average age is around 28 years old.

Although his physical fitness has slightly declined, he is not lacking in combat experience.

I have some knowledge of guerrilla tactics, but not much.

From the overall situation.

There were not many Japanese troops stationed in the surrounding areas.

Together they are only two battalions.

This place is not suitable for large-scale troop attacks, nor is it suitable for rapid maneuvers of artillery units. It is indeed the most suitable battlefield.

Sun Ming on the side asked curiously: "Fake monk, we are wearing the uniforms of the Shanxi Suiyuan Army, won't the Japanese notice it?"

"No, because many of the Eighth Route Army soldiers used the uniforms we provided. The main difference between the two sides was the armbands. Because it was night, it was difficult for the Japanese to find the difference unless they observed closely."

Sun Ming nodded thoughtfully.

No wonder Commander Chu has been pushing the Eighth Route Army to wear the uniforms of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, and it actually has such an effect.
I don’t feel well and have a fever. I don’t know if it’s an infection from the wound on my foot or a cold.

Just taking a break, and checking some information, I will update once every two days to save my life.
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(End of this chapter)