Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

Although the puppet Mongolian cavalry was trained by the Japanese, they were no match for the elite Japanese cavalry. Once the elite Japanese cavalry encountered such an ambush and blockade, they would definitely not continue to sit on their horses.

He had already dismounted and built a position, engaging in a positional battle with the Eighth Route Army.

Why was the Japanese army considered so powerful? It was because even if they were ambushed, they could leverage the surrounding terrain to construct temporary defensive positions. Once the Japanese established fortifications, it would be extremely difficult to destroy them. However, the puppet Mongolian cavalry lacked such tactical prowess. Wu Yunfei, commander of the 6th Mongolian Cavalry Division, was the quickest to react, fleeing the moment he saw the heavy machine guns. His escape threw the entire puppet Mongolian Cavalry Division into even greater chaos.

Follow Wu Yunfei and run away.

Wu Yunfei had no time to think about achieving great things right now. Although his pseudo-Mongolian cavalry division boasted 1500 men, its actual strength was only around 1300, with over 100 of them not being combat soldiers.

Now that so many people have been lost in one battle, Wu Yunfei is about to cry.

"Pah—the pseudo-Mongol cavalry had just escaped, but they were attacked again not long after.

The pistol that Xiahou Wen placed here also came into play at this time.

Xiahou Wen originally placed the pistol company here to help the guerrilla detachment block the main force of the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry division, but he did not expect that the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry would be directly defeated by the guerrilla detachment. When the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry fled in defeat, the pistol company came up from the flank and fired at their cavalry.

It's easier for the pistol team to shoot.

Their effectiveness was even greater because, unlike light and heavy machine guns, they wouldn't kill even horses. However, the pistol team would simply aim at the pseudo-Mongol cavalry on horseback, so many horses wouldn't be injured at all.

There were really heavy casualties.

Wu Yunfei no longer cared about what happened next. The only thing he was concerned about now was whether he could save his life.

He hastily retreated to the county town with a force of less than 200 people.

Chapter 162: Victory at Huangmen Valley

"Captain, deputy commander, we killed 337 Mongolian cavalrymen, wounded 341, and captured 218. In total, we killed, wounded, or captured 896 Mongolian cavalrymen. We also seized 627 muskets, 496 sabers, and 382 intact war horses."

"Have you asked them how many people there are in the Sixth Mongolian Cavalry Division?"

“About 1200 people.”

"That means there are only about 300 people left in the Puppet Mongolian Cavalry Sixth Division."

Xiahou Wen was overjoyed.

I couldn't help but laugh.

This is the dignified Sixth Division of the Puppet Mongolian Cavalry.

The officers here had all attended military academy, and the unit's advisors were all Japanese officers. Xiahou Wen was genuinely nervous when the Sixth Mongolian Cavalry Division was about to arrive. The Longguan base had just been established, and if the Mongolian Cavalry Division were to cause trouble, it would easily affect the base's morale.

For many years, the puppet Mongolian Cavalry Division had been active in Suiyuan, primarily targeting Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Daqingshan Detachment of the 120th Division. Despite being repeatedly defeated, it remained highly renowned. After all, while the Japanese army lacked puppet troops for combat, the puppet Mongolian Cavalry Division possessed a full complement of nine cavalry division designations.

Even if it were Fu Zuoyi's side, destroying a cavalry division of the puppet Mongolian army was a very good victory. The New Third Regiment was only a newly established unit. The current troops were all made up of local village associations, bandits, and horse bandits. Yet, they pulled off such a beautiful ambush.

Although the commander of the 6th Mongolian Cavalry Division, Wu Yunfei, fled, it was still a great victory.

Xia Houwen shouted, "In this battle, we defeated the Puppet Mongolian Cavalry Sixth Division and almost had it disbanded. Where is Comrade Feng Mulin?"

"I am here."

Xiahou Wen and Feng Mulin knew each other in the Pingxi Detachment.

It's just that I'm not very familiar with it.

But this time, the two of them worked together and achieved such a wonderful result.

"Comrade Feng Mulin, my great Commander Feng. Commander Feng and the guerrilla detachment gave us a big surprise. Your two heavy machine guns have beaten the Puppet Mongolian Cavalry Sixth Division to the point of having their designation revoked."

"Cavalry is a very useful branch of the military when used well, but a burden when used poorly. Some Japanese troops aren't using cavalry tactics, but are simply using them as a means of transportation. On the battlefield, they become infantry. This is because cavalry tactics are becoming increasingly unsuitable in the face of the hot weapons of modern warfare. I positioned two heavy machine guns and three light machine guns, and the puppet Mongolian cavalry simply couldn't break through our firepower network. Half of them were killed or wounded in a few hits. I heard that seven or eight puppet Mongolian cavalry divisions cooperated with the Japanese army to besiege the 35th Army of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, but the results were always less than ideal. This is because the Mongolian cavalry divisions' tactics are no longer suitable for the battlefield. They are not adapted to cavalry warfare in the era of hot weapons."

Feng Mulin looked down on the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry.

Although the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry was trained by the Japanese, their fighting style was too simple. The greatest use of cavalry is not its charging ability, but its mobility. It is faster than infantry, which is its advantage.

Cavalry must never be used as tanks.

Even if we really want to attack the enemy's position, we can't do it in this way. We should ambush somewhere and suddenly catch the enemy off guard. This is how modern cavalry should fight.

But the pseudo-Mongolian cavalry division made a big mistake. This time, they used cavalry to charge their own deployed positions, but were directly crippled by light and heavy machine guns.

"Makes sense."

Xiahou Wen nodded.

After thinking for a while, he said, "Old Feng, where are you going next? Are you going to stay with us and develop the Longyan base with us, or are you going to go somewhere else? I haven't received any instructions."

"Before I came here, the commander and the political commissar spoke with me. The political commissar said that the Japanese army is currently short of manpower behind enemy lines. The Kwantung Army has the strongest manpower in the north, but their main force is currently guarding the Sino-Soviet border against the Soviet Army, and working with the puppet Manchukuo Army to encircle and suppress the anti-Japanese forces in the Northeast. The puppet Mongolian Army is mainly deployed in the Suiyuan area, fighting the 35th Army of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army. So now is the best opportunity. Let me develop in the direction of Chabei. Of course, how to develop in Chabei, the political commissar said that we should decide according to the situation."

The current Kwantung Army is not the Kwantung Army that was said to have a million troops in history.

At the time of the September 18th Incident, the Kwantung Army consisted of a single division. However, anti-Japanese armed forces in Northeast China mushroomed rapidly, with the Anti-Japanese Volunteer Army numbering over 300,000 at its peak. The Volunteer Army even attempted to attack major cities like Qiqihar and Harbin. While ultimately unsuccessful, the attacks still had a significant impact on the Japanese and puppet forces in Northeast China.

The Kwantung Army, relying solely on the troops at the time, was unable to suppress these anti-Japanese armed forces in Northeast China. Therefore, the Kwantung Army continued to expand its forces. Just one year after the September 18th Incident, the Kwantung Army had expanded to four divisions, four independent mixed brigades, and two cavalry brigades, with a total strength of over 100,000.

When the July 7 Incident broke out, the Kwantung Army had four divisions, two independent mixed brigades, two cavalry brigades, five independent garrisons (brigade level), and one aviation regiment.

In addition, the puppet Manchukuo army was reorganized in Northeast China, and a large number of police agencies were established.

Japan has established a large number of police forces in Northeast China.

When the Anti-Japanese United Army was encircled and suppressed, the main force of the Japanese army, the puppet Manchukuo army, and the police brigade formed the punitive team.

After the July 7 Incident broke out, the Kwantung Army also aggressively entered the interior of China to fight. Within less than six months, nearly half of the Kwantung Army had entered the interior of China, which resulted in a sudden increase in pressure on the Kwantung Army.

On the one hand, it was to fight against the Soviet Union, and the "Zhanggufeng Incident" had just broken out.

This made Japan increasingly wary of the Soviet Union. On the one hand, although the Northeast Anti-Japanese United Army had fewer people than the Volunteer Army, it was more flexible and maneuverable.

They relied on flexible and maneuverable fighting methods to attack Japanese and puppet troops everywhere and expand the influence of the Anti-Japanese United Army.

The status of Northeast China is becoming increasingly important.

Therefore, the Japanese military supported the expansion of the Kwantung Army. As a result, the Kwantung Army's strength has now expanded to nine divisions. However, facing the powerful Soviet Union and the increasingly active Yue Anti-Japanese United Army, the Kwantung Army still feels understaffed. Currently, the Kwantung Army has deployed over 300,000 troops, including Kwantung Army field troops, garrison troops, puppet Manchukuo troops, and local police forces, just to encircle and suppress the Anti-Japanese United Army.

Because of this, the Kwantung Army, despite being severely undermanned in the Battle of Wuhan, did not withdraw troops south. Without the Kwantung Army's current shortage of troops, the Jidong Uprising would have been so powerful. Because of the Kwantung Army's shortage of troops, and the fact that the North China Front Army was pinned down by the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Eighth Route Army, the Japanese army had not yet completed its encirclement of the Jidong Uprising troops.

Many people have noticed this.

Wei Hongjun also discovered it.

After the Eighth Column severely damaged the Second Independent Mixed Brigade, the Japanese army in the entire Chahar region was short of soldiers and major generals. This gave the Eighth Column an ​​opportunity to expand rapidly. Wei Hongjun was now considering not only the development of the Chahar base in the south, but also how to open up the Chahar base in the east and north, and considering the entire Chahar base.

Although Chahar has a small population, if we develop Chahar South, Chahar East, and Chahar North, we will have a vast base area. Although the population is not large, it is still around three million. It is not a problem to mobilize tens of thousands of troops.

"Chabei?"

Xia Houwen looked at the map and said, "The Japanese army's strength behind enemy lines is indeed insufficient. The few troops they have have been drawn to eastern Hebei, which presents a good opportunity to develop a base in Chabei. I have some contacts with the local Party committees in Chicheng and Chongli counties. I believe the guerrilla detachment can be deployed to Chicheng and Chongli counties. Both of these areas are mountainous, and the locals say that this area is full of mountains and gullies, making it a good place to develop a base. However, there is a downside: these areas are too mountainous, so there is a serious shortage of food. If you go there, you need to be prepared to suffer."

"That's not a problem. I was in the same situation when I fought in Weibei. In fact, the biggest problem for my troops isn't these things, but our soldiers' homesickness. We all find it hard to leave our homeland. Many soldiers are already complaining about Longguan, which is about 200 miles away from their hometowns. If we continue north, I'm worried about the instability of military morale."

"This is indeed a problem. You need to work on them."

Xiahou Wen nodded.

He understood this, too.

The Chinese have a very strong sense of being a countryman.

But the army always had to fight. Especially an army like the Eighth Route Army, which had ambitions for the whole world, needed to fight constantly. However, this was the guerrilla detachment's business, and since he was the commander of the New Third Regiment, he couldn't say much.

Changing the subject, he said, "Your guerrilla detachment made a great contribution in this battle.

The spoils of war will be split in half between our New Third Regiment and the Guerrilla Detachment. <1 Xia Houwen was quite generous.

After all, the guerrilla detachment made a great contribution this time, especially the two heavy machine guns of the guerrilla detachment made a greater contribution.

"no need."

Feng Mulin shook his head.

Feng Mulin was currently stationed in the New Third Regiment's territory. He would need to cooperate with the New Third Regiment in establishing his own base in Chabei. Furthermore, if he wanted to expand into Chabei, he would need the New Third Regiment's help in providing food for his troops.

It would be a bad idea to compete with the New Third Regiment for the spoils at this time.

Therefore, Feng Mulin said, "Secretary Xiahou, please replenish my ammunition and give me another hundred war horses. The rest can be handled by yourselves, New Third Regiment."

"How embarrassing."

"We are just the guys. There's no point in asking for so much stuff."

"Then I would like to thank you on behalf of the comrades of the New Third Regiment."

Xia Houwen was very happy.

After all, our army is expanding very quickly.

With this seizure, the troops will be able to have one gun for each person.

"Secretary Xiahou, the Chicheng underground party has information to hand over to the New Third Regiment."

Chapter 163: Attack on Lion Ridge

"What is this place for?"

"Shiziling was a key Japanese stronghold in Chongli, located approximately fifty miles north of Chongli. It was a major town in northern Chongli, with Guyuan County to the north, Zhangbei County to the west, and Fengning County to the east. The Japanese established a pseudo-township office and a pseudo-police station, as well as a security detachment, at Shiziling. The pseudo-police station had approximately eighty police officers, and the security detachment consisted of a squadron of approximately one hundred officers. About a mile east of the pseudo-police station was a Japanese stronghold. There used to be a small Japanese detachment here, but recently only a single detachment remains. The pseudo-township office, pseudo-police station, and security detachment were primarily established to protect the opium production there."

Xiahou Wen and Feng Mulin came together to meet the guests.

Xiahou Wen called Feng Mulin because Feng Mulin was planning to establish a base in Chabei. Chicheng was the front station for the Chabei base, but also served as a rear base for Chabei. So, although Chicheng was located in Chadong, it was crucial for establishing the Chabei base.

The underground party's activities in Chadong and Chabei areas were not frequent.

There are limited roots here.

But that doesn't mean there's no foundation. There are still underground party activities in these places. The person who came to see Xia Houwen this time was a liaison from the Chicheng underground party. They had heard that Xia Houwen's New Third Regiment was active in Longguan, so they came to find the New Third Regiment and deliver intelligence to them.

"Opium? Opium is grown here?"

"Yes. This area is not only the place where the most opium is grown in Chongli, but also the place where the most opium is grown in the entire Chahar region. All this opium is managed and sold by the Japanese themselves.

More importantly, almost everyone with a bit of money here smokes opium. It's reported that one-third of the Japanese army's pay in the Chahar area came from this opium income. Therefore, the Japanese army attaches great importance to this place. In the past, when the Japanese army had sufficient manpower, the number of Japanese and puppet troops deployed here exceeded 400. Recently, the Japanese and puppet troops have been insufficient, so now there are only about 200 local Japanese and puppet troops.

"So, who are you looking for?"

Xiahou Wen was very confused.

Lion Ridge was important in Chongli, but that was Chongli's business. The New Third Regiment had only just established the Longguan Anti-Japanese Base Area and didn't have the energy to care about Chongli County, dozens of miles away. Besides, even if there were only two hundred Japanese and puppet troops, what could they do?

Since Lion Ridge is so important, the Japanese and puppet troops would certainly not deploy troops haphazardly. There must be a well-established stronghold here, which means the defense is very strong. It would be difficult to capture such a stronghold without heavy firepower such as artillery.

The new third regiment has just been established.

There was no problem in attacking the traitorous troops and setting up some ambushes. However, Xia Houwen would not attack the strongholds of the Japanese and puppet troops. With the current combat effectiveness of the New Third Regiment, attacking the Japanese strongholds would be courting death.