War of Resistance: Glory of the Beasts

Chapter 482 That’s 217’s bottom line!
Shanxi, Baiyatai, 115th Division Headquarters.

"report!"

"The 343rd and 344th Brigades have arrived at their respective defense lines. The independent regiment is in the rear. Everything has been arranged. The commander of the 217th Regiment, Xu, has led nearly 3400 people to the Laoye Temple..."

After hearing this, everyone in the room, whether sending telegrams, giving orders, organizing documents, or looking at maps, raised their heads!
Director Luo asked, "How many people?"

"When the signalman reported it, it said 3400 people."

Director Luo looked back and said, "Oh my God, Commander, Xu Chaoyang's troops are almost as strong as half of our brigade!"

The 115th Division is an overstaffed division. In this case, Xu Chaoyang's troops are indeed less than half a brigade. But if compared with the brigades of the miscellaneous troops, the 217th Regiment has more troops!
The commander looked up and asked, "Did you see anyone?"

"I didn't see that, but Commander Xu said that his people have already arrived at the Laoye Temple. He said that when he left Yunyang, he sent a signalman to make arrangements in advance."

"This is the equipment data reported by the 217th Regiment..." Several small red-covered notebooks were handed over. When the division commander took them, the soldier said, "The extra notebooks, according to Commander Xu, are the total casualties from the old company to today's 217th Regiment. All the soldiers whose names and places of origin can be found are recorded. I hope the organization can give these soldiers a fair name and prove that they are not missing persons or deserters. They are the iron-willed men of the 217th Regiment and martyrs who died on the anti-Japanese front."

As soon as the commander opened the notebook, he saw bloodstains on it. It seemed that someone had left blood on his hands on the paper when recording these names, but all the words covered by the bloodstains had been retraced for fear that they would be forgotten if they could not see clearly.

Turning the pages further, there are still traces of gunpowder stains, tears or sweat, and wrinkled paper, but these words have been re-traced...

The chatterbox...died for his country in Taylor.

Crucian carp seeds...died for his country in Tongliao.

Donkey dung egg...died for his country in Rehe.

Gousheng, Xiaogadouzi...died their deaths in Chahar.

Among these soldiers with Northeastern style and the characteristic of "cheap names are easy to keep", some of them did not even have time to remember their last names, but we remember clearly in which battle they died!
Even the teacher could see the holes in the paper caused by the heavy brushstrokes due to the sadness!

It seems that every trace on the paper represents how difficult it is for the rest of the 217th Regiment to survive to this day.

Among them, a name called "Lao Huang" was also recorded, but he did not die for his country. It was simply written that he suffered lifelong disability and became mentally ill in the battle of Baitaizi in Xifengkou.

The division commander took a deep breath and opened the equipment record of the 217th Regiment. He became alert after opening it...

The Type 34 rifle, H13Y, etc., are the lowest-end models, and are made in China, the Liao-70 rifle. There are only of these rifles.
MG30, crooked handle, imitation Czech type, light machine guns are also a combination of Germany, Japan and China;

The heavy machine guns consisted of Maxim and Pheasant Neck;
The types of guns are relatively simple. As the shells of IG18 and French towed guns have been used up, the guns used by the 217th Regiment are only the Type 612 infantry guns used by the Japanese, but there are shells.
The records of hand grenades, hand grenades and various types of firearms bullets in this book read: I can’t find them all…

Can’t check it out!

It would be fine if the bullets weren't enough, but the hand grenades and hand grenades... The division commander swallowed his saliva. How could he know how much stuff Xu Chaoyang had taken away after capturing the Japanese headquarters in Shanghai? It would take a train to transport that much stuff!
They also have a cavalry battalion with more than 200 war horses. The equipment of one regiment is much richer than that of his division!!!
He came to his senses only when a hand was stretched out in front of the teacher. The teacher dodged to the side and saw Director Luo in front of him grinning at him: "What are you doing!" The teacher frowned and asked, and Director Luo responded: "Wipe your saliva."

The teacher also laughed...

No wonder the 129th Division was unwilling to lend the 217th Regiment. No one was willing to lend this unit out!
This is the confidence to stand tall, and this confidence is enough to challenge the Japanese invaders' ace troops.

"Pass on my order. Instruct the troops to only consolidate their own defense zone. The defense of Laoye Temple Heights will be handed over to the 217th Regiment. Give them your absolute trust!"

The 217th Regiment's combat record and the equipment they have make it more than worth it for the division commander to do so.

"Send a message to the 217th Regiment. During the intervals of guarding the Laoye Temple, if a better opportunity is discovered, they can decide on their own whether to go into battle. If support is needed, send messengers directly to the various troop stations to command and coordinate, and notify the division headquarters." He was not talking about negotiation, but command and coordination!

This is equivalent to giving Xu Chaoyang the greatest autonomy on the battlefield. No, it is even equivalent to giving him the command of the 115th Division!
But why did the teacher do this?

Because a snake cannot survive without a head!
Given the backwardness of our military's communication methods, radio stations cannot be allocated to regiments nowadays. We rely on manpower to transmit messages back and forth. In the time it takes to go back and forth, the fighter planes have long been gone. Now there is such a powerful force in front of us. If you don't take them as the main force, who will take you as the main force? This is not a matter of superiors and subordinates. This is a battlefield. On the battlefield, whoever has the best equipment and the highest quality soldiers should be the main force.

"Inform all the regiments on the front line. The 217th Regiment's request for cooperation in combat must not be rejected. Provide maximum cooperation while ensuring that the position is not lost. Attack the reinforcements when asked to do so and attack when asked to do so. No procrastination is allowed!"

The division commander knew that Xu Chaoyang still had nearly 3000 Northeast Army troops stationed near Taiyuan, but he never imagined that this unit was so well-equipped!
But they still underestimated the 217th Regiment. They had no idea what kind of trouble Xu Chaoyang's troops would stir up in Shanxi. What they didn't know was that even if these orders were not issued, the officers and soldiers under the 115th Division would still cooperate with the 217th Regiment. The main reason was that the job of picking up spoils of war was so tempting that the troops under them were all scrambling to do it!
At this moment, the Battle of Taiyuan also began to gradually unfold...

The Chahar Expeditionary Corps of the Japanese invaders Hideki Tojo and the Fifth Division of Seishirō Itagaki advanced towards Yanmen Pass and Pingxing Pass respectively. Yanmen Pass, the first of the Nine Passes, was strategically located and easy to defend but difficult to attack. The Tojo Corps was blocked outside Yanmen Pass, so they shifted their main attack direction to Pingxing Pass.

Itagaki Seishirō's 5th Division's 9th Brigade captured Hunyuan, and the 21st Brigade captured Lingqiu. Subsequently, Miura Toshitoshi captured the Dongpaochi Heights and approached Tuanchengkou, facing Gao Guizi of the 17th Division of the 84th Army across the mountain.

At that time, General Yan Laoxizi of the Second War Zone decided to take the initiative and sent 33 regiments of the 71st Division of the 8rd Army, totaling 115 people, to attack from the northwest. Our army's 4th Division responded with 21 regiments from the southeast, hoping to use the terrain to annihilate the st Brigade of the Itagaki Division outside Pingxingguan.

Xu Chaoyang was stunned for a moment when he received the news at the Laoye Temple. He didn't quite understand. The terrain outside Pingxingguan is dangerous and mountainous. Instead of taking advantage of the situation and defending it at this time, when the Japanese invaders have difficulty advancing their cars and need manpower to move forward in many terrains, you take advantage of the opportunity when they are tired and exhausted to attack. What are you trying to do by taking the initiative to attack?
But later he realized that it was not only our party and army that wanted to win the first victory over Japan, but also the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

Yan Laoxizi is in urgent need of a big victory to boost morale, especially when the record of the 29th Army's proactive attack at Xifengkou with broadswords and knives will be mentioned from time to time. When those who were pessimistic about the country's destiny said that the victory at Xifengkou might be my country's last victory against Japan, who wouldn't want to produce some good results to slap them in the face?
……

Laoye Temple, 217th Regiment Headquarters.

Xu Chaoyang led all his backbone members to hold a meeting at the regiment headquarters. At this time, the Laoye Temple Heights had been completely blocked by the defensive fortifications of the 217th Regiment and the 67th Army!

There are too many of them. Now we are not worried about whether we can defend the temple, but whether we can scare the Japanese if they come by putting so many people in the temple... If they are scared, the Japanese will not go into the ambush circle, won’t it delay things?

"report!"

A messenger rushed in from outside and stood at the entrance of the regiment, shouting: "The entrance of the regiment has been attacked by the devils, and the whole mountain is filled with the sound of gunfire!"

As soon as the messenger finished speaking, everyone in the regiment turned to look at Xu Chaoyang!
Pingxingguan to Tuanchengkou is only 20 kilometers in total. Actually, the scope of the entire Pingxingguan Battle was not that large... However, these 20 kilometers are not the straight and smooth road that people talk about, but a road that requires crossing mountains and ridges. If you have been to Lingqiu, Lingqiu County near Pingxingguan, you can see overlapping mountains in that county. If you walk up the mountains yourself, you will immediately understand what it means to "see the mountain and run the horse to death" when you step on the clouds.

But Xu Chaoyang discovered an opportunity at this time.

In real history, when Miura Toshitoshi of the 21st Brigade of the 9th Division attacked Tuanchengkou, the 21st Regiment of the 17th Brigade secretly sneaked into the rear of the 84th Division of the 71th Army from Xihekou and launched a pincer attack on it. However, the st Army had not arrived at the battlefield at this time. Gao Guizi could only hold on and wait for reinforcements, and was eventually defeated.

It was under such circumstances that the Japanese Army's Fifth Division earned the title of "elite". In two months, it traversed nearly a thousand miles across China and enjoyed a reputation of being invincible.

The Pingxingguan victory was achieved in this way. The commander of the 115th Division saw the arrogance of the Japanese and fought a fierce ambush, killing nearly a thousand enemies in one battle.

According to historical records, the officers and soldiers of the Fifth Division were arrogant and domineering. When they captured Tuanchengkou, they did not send out scouts to explore the way, and there were no search forces on the left and right. They just went straight into the pocket set by the 115th Division, thinking that China had no ability to deal with it.

How does that saying go? Those who bully you do so because of your weakness.

Those who deceive you do so because of your credulity.

But right now, Xu Chaoyang is in a battle situation and he must make a decision immediately!
"Somebody come!"

Xu Chaoyang shouted, "Report to the division headquarters and tell them that our 217th Regiment will defend the temple to the death and will not let our positions fall into the hands of the enemy, even by a tiny bit."

"Also, we have decided to divide our forces and march into the city gates of the corps, so as to achieve our first victory and boost our army's morale!"

"Yes!"

The messenger ran out, and the next second, Wang Tianhao looked at Xu Chaoyang: "Captain, how are we going to fight this time?"

Xu Chaoyang smiled: "Did I say we should fight now?"

"No... hey... you just finished talking!"

"That's not now!"

Xu Chaoyang pointed to the map and said: "Although there is only a short distance between us and the Japanese invaders, if our army wants to transport the Type 217 infantry gun to the range, we have to travel through mountains and rivers. By the time we arrive at the battlefield, we may be too tired to stand up... Therefore, the more urgent the battle is, the more stable you have to be. If you don't have the mind to stroll leisurely, you can't fight." Xu Chaoyang's leisurely stroll came entirely from the confidence in his equipment. Their is now stronger than the Japanese invaders!
"Wang Yuzhan, Zhu Rong!"

Two generals from the Northeast Army stood up. The bandages on their bodies had been removed. After resting for this journey, their broken arms no longer had to be hung on their chests. "You two must transfer a regiment of troops from the 67th Army. These men will do nothing but transport half of the Type infantry guns in our hands to a position that can bombard the entrance of the regiment."

"Yes!"

"Mancangzi!"

"exist!"

Man Guangzhi stood up.

"You only have two rounds of artillery fire. In the first round, after the gunfire at Tuanchengkou stops, you need to use three rapid shots to hit the Tuanchengkou high ground immediately!"

"We will never allow the Japs who have occupied Tuanchengkou to laugh out loud. I don't fucking want to hear it!" Xu Chaoyang raised his chin high, his face looking extremely ferocious!

"Let's get started." Mancangzi was rubbing his hands together.

"After the shells are fired, move your position immediately. This time I have assigned you a thousand-man regiment to protect your artillery position. It is unlikely that the Japanese invaders will be able to break through the defense and attack you. But you have to be smart and never wait for the shells to fall on your head."

"After the artillery position is moved, immediately aim at the East Running Pond!"

"We have killed two high-ranking Japanese officers, but we have to try the little fellow like Miura Toshiji as well. After all, pickled vegetables are always a must-have at our table in Northeast China."

"Always fight!"

"To!"

"Lead a thousand soldiers, Wang Yuzhan and Zhu Rong will supplement your troops. All Type 34 rifles must be replaced. Take as many H20Y as you can. As long as you can carry the bullets, I will transfer them to you. Machine guns... 10 Type 30 rifles and MGs. I have only one request!"

"You cannot move until the Japanese invaders launch an attack on the 84th Division's flank. Even if they do, you cannot move!"

"You have to wait. Wait until Gao Guizi's troops retreat because they can no longer resist, and the Japanese occupy the entrance to Tuancheng. Wait for our artillery to bombard Tuancheng first. Even if you see the first explosion point where the shells fall, that is your signal to charge. You must take Tuanchengkou in one fell swoop!"

"Yes!!!"

"Yu Minghao!"

"To!"

"Lead a thousand soldiers and hide in a suitable ambush location at the edge of Dongpaochi. If the 21st Brigade is defeated and retreats to Dongpaochi, intercept them there. Those remnants will not have the energy to fight you. So, in addition to the necessary machine guns, all of your men should take Type rifles. Select soldiers who are good at shooting and fire accurately at the retreating Japanese invaders during the ambush."

"The 217th Regiment was born to conduct ambushes. There must be no problems in this battle!"

"Yes!" After Yu Minghao responded loudly, Xu Chaoyang continued, "This is not a battle of firepower. Machine guns are enough for the defense of the position, so bring as little as possible. Bringing too much will only be a burden."

"Wang Yuzhan!"

"arrive."

Xu Chaoyang was much more polite to the two regiment commanders of the Northeast Army: "I'll have to ask you to be Chang Zhan's deputy for the time being..."

"No grievance, Lao Ding, I want to avenge General Wu Keren right now!"

As soon as the word "Laoding" was called out, everyone in the room looked at Xu Chaoyang. They had never thought that this big brother and team leader would one day become "Laoding"!
Xu Chaoyang nodded: "Zhu Rong, don't go to the battlefield. Your hand is not fully healed yet. Come with me to garrison the Laoye Temple."

"Yes!"

At this moment, Xu Chaoyang took out the letter from his pocket and said, "Everyone listen carefully. This is the punishment given to me by our division commander after Old Yang stabbed that grandson of 770 for me. But the leaders of the 115th Division suppressed it."

"I won't tell you how Lao Yang treated you..." He pointed at Liu Gen'er and said, "I wish Lao Yang had made your pants for you, didn't he?"

"I just want to say one thing. If you don't take this opportunity to punish Lao Yang and take him off his head, don't fucking call me Big Brother from now on!"

"Yes!!!"

At this moment, everyone in the regiment straightened up, because Lao Yang was always the bottom line that their 217 would not allow anyone to touch!

That's my biological mother!

(End of this chapter)