Rebirth from the Ashes: Rebuilding the Red Soviet Area

The Meishan guerrilla brigade had 2000 troops, but now there are less than 1200 of them, with almost half of them lost.

But this time we seized a lot

攻击永安县城的部队装备了2门105MM榴弹炮，4门75MM山炮，24门迫击炮,36挺重机枪，120挺轻机枪

Half of the soldiers were equipped with MP18 machine guns and 20-shot revolvers.

Various shells and countless bullets

This is because there are not enough personnel, so they are equipped with less than half of the weapons.

November 26, 1935, 9:11 AM

Li Yan led the Meishan Guerrilla Brigade and fired the first shot in the attack on Yong'an County

This shot marks the beginning of the attack

2 105MM howitzers, 4 75MM mountain guns, 24 mortars, all firing parameters were marked early

Every shell hits the right spot

The tall city gate of Yong'an County was suddenly engulfed in flames.

The commander of the 249th Brigade of the 83rd Division, who stayed behind in Yong'an County, was giving instructions to Mei Ping of the 497th Regiment and Song, the deputy commander of the 498th Regiment, on the day's training of the new recruits.

After the Battle of Meishan, only less than 700 people of the 249th Brigade of the 83rd Division were able to fight.

More than 1000 people were recruited in two months, but they are still not combat-ready.

I heard the roar of cannons outside the command room.

The commander of the 249th Brigade leaned forward subconsciously and asked loudly: "Where are the artillery pieces firing?"

A signalman came in from outside and said, "Commander, someone is attacking Yong'an County, and the firepower is very fierce."

Mei Ping asked loudly: "Where does this power come from?"

The signalman said: "We haven't found out the enemy's origin yet."

Deputy Head Song said: "Could it be the Red Bandits?"

Mei Ping quickly shook his head and said affirmatively: "Definitely not"

"In the Battle of Meishan, our 249th Brigade suffered heavy losses, and the Meishan Red Bandits also suffered heavy losses."

"It is impossible to actively attack Yong'an County"

The commander of the 249th Brigade nodded and said, "From the sound of artillery fire outside, we can tell there's at least a division of troops."

"The Red Bandits absolutely cannot have such a strong attack power."

Deputy Head Song speculated: "Since it's not the Red Bandits, could it be the 19th Route Army?"

"There are only these two forces in western Fujian"

Mei Ping retorted: "It can't be the 19th Route Army."

“Since the failure of the Fujian Incident”

"The main military personnel of the 19th Route Army died, some fled, and the rest were divided by the Chairman."

“Those soldiers were even more scattered.”

“How can we organize ourselves to attack us?”

The commander of the 249th Brigade said: "You can know a person's face but not his heart."

"Although many high-ranking officers of the 19th Route Army were kicked out of the army, some middle-ranking officers were retained."

"If it is linked together by someone with ulterior motives, it is not impossible."

"Let's go up to the city wall and take a look."

The commander of the 249th Brigade, the commander of the 497th Regiment, Mei Ping, and the deputy commander of the 498th Regiment, Song, along with their guards, climbed the Yong'an County wall.

"Pick up the telescope and look towards the artillery fire.

Deputy Regiment Commander Song said: "Commander, you guessed it right, they are wearing our national army uniforms."

Mei Ping was speechless at this time.

The Red Army did not have such strength to take the initiative to attack Yong'an County.

In the whole of Fujian, only the 19th Route Army, which surrendered to the National Army, had this possibility and strength.

The commander of the 249th Brigade said: "It's difficult now."

"Listening to the sound of the artillery, these people have the strength of a full division."

"How did they collude right under our noses?"

"Which unit has mutinied again?"

"Why attack Yong'an County?"

“We have no information about this.”

Mei Ping said: "Commander, this group of people is firing fiercely."

"Most of us in the 249th Brigade are new recruits"

"I think we should immediately notify the division commander and have them return for support."

The commander of the 249th Brigade agreed and said, "Deputy Commander Song, you stay and supervise the defending troops."

"Don't let them get in."

"I'll go inform the commander."

Deputy Head Song immediately saluted and said, "Yes."

The commander of the 249th Brigade and Mei Ping quickly returned to the headquarters.

Mei Ping directly ordered the telegraph operator, "Send a telegram to the division commander."

"Say Yong'an City is under attack by an unknown force. Send at least one division of troops to support us immediately."

The commander of the 249th Brigade continued: "Add one more."

"We suspect it was a rebellion by the 19th Route Army"

"Have the division commander report this to the higher authorities and investigate the cause to prevent the rebellion from making a comeback."

Five minutes later, the telegraph operator looked up at the anxious commander of the 249th Brigade and Mei Ping and said, "Brigade Commander, we can't contact the division commander."

The commander of the 249th Brigade was surprised and asked, "What?"

Mei Ping analyzed: "Maybe the division commander is still on the road and hasn't turned on the radio?"

The commander of the 249th Brigade said: "No, according to the schedule, the division commander should have arrived in Longyan long ago."

Mei Ping said: "Why don't we report it directly to the headquarters?"

The commander of the 249th Brigade nodded and gave another order: "Send the two telegrams just now to the headquarters."

“See what they say?”