Bright Sword: From Soldier to Brigade Commander

"The Imperial soldiers are honored to hear that the Chinese troops are coming to attack. Our army can completely annihilate you Chinese troops even without reinforcements! Do you dare to fight us in hand-to-hand combat?"

The Japanese soldier held the letter with great arrogance.

Su Fei asked Duan Peng to receive the letter and let the Japanese go away.

The troops here immediately entered the newly built anti-artillery cave.

Japanese artillery shells immediately bombarded.

How insidious.

More than a dozen shells filled the ground with billowing smoke and dust.

Humph.

Little trick.

Su Fei ordered the light artillery company to attack, and 40 mortars bombarded the walls of the Japanese county town and behind the walls to cover the infantry assault.

Heavy artillery aimed at enemy walls and gates to prevent the enemy from digging firing points in the walls.

The infantry company rushed forward in loose columns.

The Japanese army immediately fired up and down the city wall.

Mortar shells blew the Japanese troops all over the sky.

Captain Ozawa, the Japanese commander, couldn't believe his eyes. Was this still the Chinese army? Where did all these artillery pieces come from? Not only mortars, infantry guns, but also mountain artillery. The Japanese troops south of the county town were almost wiped out.

Ozawa, who was hiding in the firing point on the city wall, gritted his teeth and directed the machine gunners to fire fiercely.

The Japanese army had been operating the county town for a long time and had a squadron of troops, plus strong city defenses and the assistance of more than 1500 puppet troops. Captain Ozawa had never thought that he would be attacked by the Chinese army and that the county town's defenses would collapse.

Impossible, absolutely impossible.

In his eyes, any Chinese army that could fight against him, even a regiment, would not be able to win and would likely suffer heavy losses in the attack.

"why why?"

In fact, not only him, but all the more than 1700 Japanese and puppet troops who participated in the war made similar cries.

too frightening.

The Chinese army's firepower is too strong.

"Call for reinforcements, reinforcements!" Captain Ozawa no longer had time to brag.

With 200 artillery shells, the main forces of the two Japanese squads on the south city wall, a battalion of the Imperial Army, were almost wiped out.

The city walls were littered with corpses, and some Japanese and puppet soldiers jumped off the walls in a hurry and fell to their deaths.

The soldier with a seriously injured and broken leg was still crawling with difficulty, looking as miserable as a wild dog.

The firepower from the bunkers set up by the Japanese army in the city wall did cause certain losses to Su Fei's infantry, and more than 30 people died here.

However, the heavy artillery company's mountain artillery and infantry artillery fired at the enemy at a straight line, and basically, one shot could destroy a firepower point.

A shell flew into the city wall from the firing hole and exploded, turning Captain Ozawa, the machine gunner, the assistant gunner, other personnel, and some puppet soldiers into meat paste.

The small space made the explosion extremely powerful.

Elsewhere, a Japanese machine gunner was shot through the head by shrapnel and rolled backwards, frightening the other Japanese and puppet soldiers so much that they had a mental breakdown and turned around and ran away, crying and shouting.

"Oh my god!"

The battle was one-sided.

The firepower points carefully arranged by the Japanese army inside the city walls did not play a big role.

Before the attack, Su Fei's troops received intelligence and knew the approximate location of the enemy's firepower points. Therefore, the firepower points of the Japanese army's 8 bunkers killed and wounded more than 30 Su Fei infantrymen.

This was the only loss Su Feijun suffered.

Guided by artillery fire, the infantry rushed into the city. The Japanese army was stunned and had never experienced this kind of fighting. They had no choice but to open the north gate of the city and flee.

A squad of Japanese soldiers escaped.

The puppet army is a division.

In order to boost the morale of the Imperial Army, a force of 1500 people was organized into a division. The division commander and several officers were standing on the city wall, watching with binoculars in their hands, thinking they had a sure victory. However, in the first wave of bombing, they were blown into sewage.

The puppet army, having lost its command, fled with the Japanese army.

Su Fei soon got the news.

"Cavalry, move out!"

Two cavalry companies surrounded the enemy from both sides. Sun Desheng's cavalry company was the elite of the Eighth Route Army and the apple of Li Yunlong's eye. The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army cavalry company under Fang Ligong came to reinforce after traveling hundreds of miles. They were also quite powerful. The two armies attacked together, with more than 400 people. The horses' hooves sounded the gongs and drums of the earth, and the sabers shone in the sunlight, as bright as snow. The shouts were earth-shaking, which directly scared the Japanese and puppet troops silly.

The vast majority of the puppet troops surrendered, kneeling on the ground, holding their rifles above their heads, fearing they would be killed by mistake, and shouting loudly: "I surrender, I surrender."

The Japanese soldiers' short legs could not outrun the military horses, so they chose to commit suicide.

They were already terrified, and only a few of them gritted their teeth, knelt on one knee and shot. The remaining 20 or so people committed suicide with knives, and more than 10 people asked the Imperial Army to kill them.

"Kill me, quickly, please!"

"Taijun, I can't kill you. I, I can help you escape."

"No, I don't want to escape. Are we friends? Can you help me? Kill me, and all the money I have will be yours. Big Brother of China!"

Despite the Japanese soldier's desperate pleas, the Imperial Army soldiers chopped him to death with their swords in tears.

Japanese soldiers generally do not shoot at the head with pistols. They believe that if the head is chopped off or smashed, the soul is gone!

The stubborn Japanese soldiers were shot to death by Su Fei's cavalry with cavalry rifles.

There are also cavalrymen carrying machine guns, and they are worried that the rifles won’t hit the target accurately, so they just fire indiscriminately!

The battle lasted only 30 minutes and was over.

A Japanese infantry squadron of 175 men was annihilated, including 7 captured. More than 30 Japanese armed militiamen were also eliminated, 11 of whom surrendered voluntarily.

More than 250 puppet soldiers were killed or wounded, more than 940 were captured, and the rest were missing or escaped.

Su Fei's troops lost 37 infantrymen and were injured.

The cavalry lost 4 people.

Seized here were more than a year's worth of military rations stored by the Japanese army, a large amount of horse fodder, two mortars, one infantry gun, two machine guns, 12 light and heavy machine guns, 145 Japanese-style rifles, and more than 880 rifles used by the puppet army.

Su Fei was also surprised when he learned about the situation. No wonder Captain Ozawa was so arrogant. It turned out that he had 5 cannons.

The Japanese army's bullets and shells were rarely consumed, and they all became spoils of war for Su Fei's troops. More than 100,000 rounds of bullets alone were seized!

More than 200 mortar shells are also a valuable supplement.

After occupying the county town, the troops immediately evacuated to avoid being bombed by Japanese planes and causing losses.

The main force rested outside the city, and the artillery, machine gunners, and cavalry held meetings to discuss tactical gains and losses, coordination issues, and formulate better measures.

Fang Ligong immediately sent a telegram to the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, calling it a great victory in Linwu.

He also used a long telegram to report the outstanding performance of Su Fei's troops in Heiyagou.

Before and after this, news of the battle in Heiyagou gradually spread. The Eighth Route Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, and the Japanese Army all reported on the battle. The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army boasted that it was fought by its own troops, and the Eighth Route Army said that it had a large number of county brigades and militia participating in the battle, and that the independent regiment's cavalry had come thousands of miles to reinforce. In this way, the news of the great victory in Heiyagou spread like wildfire.

It was not only widely spread in the territory of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, but was also reported to higher departments of the National Government.

In addition to this time, the great victory in Linwu, because it was Fang Ligong's telegram, Chu Yunfei was absolutely convinced that the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army got the news, publicly commended and rewarded it, and announced that Su Fei would be rewarded with 10,000 yuan and promoted to brigadier general!

The troops were also reorganized into the First Brigade of Northeast Shanxi.

Fang Ligong was also promoted to Major General and Deputy Brigade Commander, and served concurrently as Chief of Staff.

"Brigade Commander Su, General Su, congratulations!" Fang Ligong held the telegram and bowed to Su Fei.

Su Fei smiled, feeling a little emotional. He had jumped from the Special Operations Brigade of the Eighth Route Army to the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and became a brigade commander again. But this time, he was a full-fledged brigade commander with the rank of Major General.

Strictly speaking, a brigade commander in the National Army could not be promoted to major general, and some division commanders were not even qualified.

This is what Su Fei of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army values ​​highly.

However, while showing respect for the Eighth Route Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army also demanded that they must cut ties with the Eighth Route Army.

Among the troops brought by Fang Ligong, there were many officers in charge of political strategy and ideology, and they were aware of the large presence of the Eighth Route Army in the troops.

If it is completely cut off, the superior will reward another 10,000 yuan.

Otherwise, the personnel of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army will automatically purge the Eighth Route Army in the army!

The troops are facing internal friction.

So, Su Fei made a decisive decision to cut ties with the Eighth Route Army!

He allocated 15 mortars, 1 infantry gun, some county brigades and militia brought out from Heiyagou, and handed them over to Xing Zhiguo, asking him to set up a separate unit, including Sun Desheng's cavalry and more than 500 newly captured Imperial Army soldiers.

Let them rebuild a regiment.

He can't have it both ways.

Xing Zhiguo and Sun Desheng were also very satisfied, as they did not suffer any loss.

What does it mean to have 15 mortars and 1 infantry gun?

These are luxurious equipment that even the main regiments of the Eighth Route Army do not have.

They also knew that once Su Fei became the brigadier general of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, he would be threatened by many parties, so appropriate separation was necessary.

They also agreed to support each other in future battles.

More than 300 people were recruited from the captives after screening and education.

Immediately build a fortress in Linwu County, focusing on digging tunnels and anti-artillery holes and air-raid shelters to deal with the enemy.

The main force withdrew from the county town, and the captured soldiers retreated as much as possible, leaving behind a garrison company of more than 200 people. At the same time, the people in the county town were recruited and mobilized to join the army.

More than 150 people were recruited, some stayed behind to guard the factory, and some were taken away as guides.

Su Fei's guess was correct, the Japanese army came to retaliate immediately.

An infantry detachment of more than 600 people, equipped with a regiment of the Imperial Army, carrying 5 tanks, 5 mountain cannons, 10 machine guns and mortars, etc., was luxuriously equipped and aggressive, killing all the way from the east. There was also a Japanese army of hundreds of people in the north, a puppet army division of 2000 people, and a cavalry battalion of more than 350 people, attacking Linwu County from both sides.

The news came quickly, and the Eighth Route Army relied on a large number of guerrillas and militia to gather a lot of information.

However, this situation made Su Fei very depressed.

The Japanese army was frightened.

Don’t you dare to send a large force?

Su Fei also plans to use tunnel tactics to inflict heavy damage on the Japanese army once again.

The Japanese army did not use the iron wall encirclement and used the tactic of using a sledgehammer to kill a nut. It was their loss!

Everyone suggested evacuating Linwu County to avoid the enemy's attack.

This was true of the Eighth Route Army's Regimental Commander Xing Zhiguo and Cavalry Battalion Commander Sun Desheng, as well as Fang Ligong of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

"We can never defeat the enemy. Let's retreat while there's still time."

Retreat, retreat.

Tsk, retreating when weapons and ammunition were insufficient and performance was poor was helpless. Now, the situation is completely different!

Therefore, Su Fei planned to resolutely not retreat, and to use the inherent positional warfare, mobile warfare, and assault warfare to turn Linwu County into a meat grinder and a big millstone, and to strangle the Japanese devils here in groups.

As soon as the plan came out, everyone was shocked.

Su Fei pointed at the military map and said, "Those who are afraid of death can leave on their own!"

……

Su Fei personally stayed in the guard force of Linwu County, and more than 200 officers and soldiers, plus more than 50 local recruits, formed a garrison corps.

Fang Ligong and other officers led the large force to retreat and assisted in combat on the outside at any time.

Fang Ligong was a little confused: "Brigade Commander, are you acting as bait?"

Su Fei smiled: "What else?"

Fang Ligong could only sigh with emotion: "I admire you so much. Don't worry, Commander, I will cooperate with your tactical command 100%, and I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

Su Fei and Fang Ligong discussed the strategies for defending and attacking the county town.

They mobilized all the residents in the city to leave the county town to avoid retaliatory massacres by the Japanese army.

The people were very resistant. In their eyes, they were reluctant to move. How could they leave their homes? Moreover, the Japanese army had changed and no longer hurt the people at will. Okamura Yasuji was different.

you?

Su Fei still tried his best to urge the officers and soldiers to drive the people away.

The next afternoon, Japanese troops from the east arrived.

Surround first and then attack.

The battle was brutal. The Japanese army launched a fierce artillery bombardment at the beginning. The mountain artillery shells hit the city walls heavily, setting off a storm.

Su Fei's troops were mainly hiding in tunnels, a few were observing in the soldier caves on the city wall, and some were on the city wall, densely packed with sandbags to ensure safety as much as possible.

On the top of the city wall, the flag of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army was hung.

After the bombardment, the Japanese army drove hundreds of Imperial Army troops over.

Su Fei's troops immediately took up their battle positions, and when the Imperial Army approached, they opened fire and killed a large number of enemies.

Hand grenades and hand grenades were also thrown in large quantities during the bombing.

The Imperial Army suffered heavy casualties and was defeated and forced to retreat.

The Japanese army then bombarded and blasted the city walls again, this time destroying them inside and out.

The city walls collapsed in some places.

Japanese tanks also prepared for an assault.

The Japanese army's main attack direction was the east of the city.

Their artillery, tanks, and Japanese troops were all there.

Su Fei personally conducted reconnaissance and discovered the enemy situation. He immediately contacted the meritorious troops outside the city by telegram.

The main force led by Fang Ligong, carrying artillery and other weapons, were lying in ambush among some villages and hills on the outer line. Upon receiving the news, they immediately opened fire.

Su Fei's troops not only had telegraphs, but also captured Japanese walkie-talkies and radio equipment, which quickly informed them of the precise shooting parameters and bombing effects, guiding them to adjust direction and bomb fiercely.

The shells from the mountain artillery, infantry guns and mortars rained down on the Japanese troops and the artillery positions!

This attack was so sudden that the Japanese army never dreamed of it.

They also didn't know where the shells came from.

Japanese detachment commander Lieutenant Colonel Yamada was killed on the spot by the explosion.

Three of the five Japanese tanks were scrapped on the spot, and all four armored vehicles were destroyed.

A Japanese army of 600 men, including a main infantry company, assembled here, with more than 140 casualties.

More than half of the soldiers in an infantry battalion of the puppet army were killed or wounded!