Chapter 229 Wanting a Destroyer to Enter the Yellow River

As we all know, the Eighth Route Army has three main divisions.

Among them, the main tasks of the 115th Division and the 129th Division are to fight against the enemy. These two divisions fight the devils while opening up bases. The strength they have grown over the years is a world of difference compared to the initial situation.

But the situation of the 120th Division is special. They do not attack actively many times. They are mainly responsible for defending the border area and are responsible for blocking all enemies east of the Yellow River.

In addition, the base area in northwest Shanxi is mostly mountainous, and it is the one with the most difficult living conditions among the three bases.

In the original timeline, at the end of 1940, the main force and local armed forces of the 120th Division added up to only 51,000 people. When the 359th Brigade returned to the border area, its apparent combat effectiveness dropped a level.

However, after the Yellow River came in, the base area in northwest Shanxi underwent earth-shaking changes. The most direct manifestation of this is that there is no shortage of supplies such as weapons, ammunition and food.

With strong logistical support, the 120th Division expanded its base area while developing its head.

Although it experienced three sweeps last year and responded to the call of the headquarters to participate in the Hundred Regiments Campaign. But now the main force and local armed forces, together with more than 80,000 people.

Even the influence of the base has spread to Suiyuan, achieving the true meaning of defense and development, even the army morale wizard praised it.

In this Zhongtiaoshan battle, the 120th Division is closest to Yuncheng due to its geographical location.

After repeated consideration, the deputy commander-in-chief gave the task of supporting the western battlefield to Division Commander Hu Zi.

However, this road of hundreds of kilometers is not easy to walk, mainly because the army is now larger, unlike before when there were only infantry, and it is easier to march.

In order to take care of the three artillery regiments, it originally took a day and a half to ride a bicycle, but now it has taken more than five days.

But all the efforts are worth it, and the current situation of the 36th and 37th Divisions of the North China Front Army shows everything.

After rigorous test firing, the three artillery regiments obtained relatively accurate parameters.

In the middle and rear of the position, there is a temporary high platform. This is the artillery command post of the 120th Division. The artillery commander holding a portable communicator took a deep breath and prepared to issue an attack order.

Beside him, a group of artillery staff were nervously calculating data.

This is the brain of the three artillery regiments. Large-scale artillery battles require very high command requirements. Artillery observation posts, command posts and positions are required to work together perfectly.

All information sent back from the observation post is summarized by the staff and then sent back to the artillery position. The entire closed loop is indispensable.

After making all preparations, the artillery commander issued the final order to the three regiments.

"Fire!"

Before the devils could react, the first round of 144 shells with a whistling sound that tore through the air fell behind the two devil divisions at three different angles.

Although the caliber is only 75 mm, the performance of the large chamber strong charge is still so stable.

In the eyes of the parties involved and the front-line observation post of the preserved garrison, this is the effect of several 105 heavy howitzer groups plowing the land.

Although the requirements for artillerymen in barreled guns are very high, they must not only understand mathematics but also be able to draw.

But after nearly eight months of practice, the new and old artillerymen have almost touched Miss 75 from inside to outside, and everyone is as familiar with her as their own wife.

The firing rate of a single gun is more than 15 rounds per minute, which makes the rear of the two divisions fall into smoke and explosions.

The entire west side of Zhongtiao Mountain is shaking, as if the rocks on the mountain will shake down in the next second.

The soil was blown away by the shells again and again, and then poured down, and the power of modern weapons was fully demonstrated.

Even the devils who attacked the Third Army and the Eighth Army frequently turned back, and the earth-shaking artillery strikes scared the island infantry who had never seen the world.

Under the reckless firing, lucky enemies were constantly killed by artillery.

Blood, ashes and limbs irrigated the land in southern Shanxi again and again, and the vegetation will definitely be more lush next year.

In the observation post of the 120th Division, Commander Hu Zi raised the telescope on his chest, and he had a clear view of the magnificent scene of the artillery explosion.

The political commissar of the military region beside him shook his head helplessly. His old partner was dissatisfied with what he saw in the forward command post, and had to drag him here to observe.

If he hadn't stopped him, the other party might have slipped to the front-line artillery observation post.

Fortunately, portable communicators have been popularized to the regiment level, and the telephone lines have been pulled long ago, otherwise he would never let a division commander leave his post.

Commander Hu Zi also became more and more excited as he watched, fully interpreting what it meant to have gradually increased firepower, and the corners of his mouth began to rise.

He pulled out his beloved revolver with his right hand and pointed it to the sky, and picked up the phone with his left hand to give orders to the artillery regiment commanders one by one, as if he had returned to the days when he started with two kitchen knives.

"It's the gun that almost killed Zhang."

"You can't see the impact point, it's a depression! Two large artillery groups in the east and west! Concentrate your firepower! Hit his command post and logistics support center!"

"Push all the guns forward! Push as close as you can! Even if you have to put them on the shoulders of the commandos!"

"Do you know what it means to put bayonets on cannons and hit the drowning dog? Aim and shoot! Beat up these damned little Japanese devils!"

After hanging up the phone, the bearded division commander took out his pipe and took a big puff.

After seeing the expression of his own political commissar, he touched his big beard a little embarrassedly.

However, the political commissar also understood the other party. After all, no matter what period, the troops did not have such powerful firepower. The scene just now, even he, who has been educated abroad, has never seen it.

"Haha, three artillery regiments. If it is calculated according to the organization of preserved fruits, it is a Type A artillery brigade!"

"I didn't dare to think about such a rich battle before. Last year, our division ranked last in the Hundred Regiments Campaign. Although we have our own expertise, I just feel unhappy!"

"Now it's good, we fired the first shot to support the battle! It's exciting! It's exciting!"

It's a pity that the current artillery regiment of the Eighth Route Army is a bit simple, equipped with only the M1897 75mm cannon.

Although the number is not less than that of the Japanese Type A division, it lacks the larger caliber 105 or even 155, and there is still some gap in power compared with the European military powers.

However, it can only be used for the time being, after all, the weight of more than 1 ton has reached the carrying limit of the Eighth Route Army.

Even if Huang He uses the research slot to point out 105 and 155, the troops can only watch with envy. What's more, the current artillery is very powerful, and it is definitely enough as long as Taiyuan is not attacked.

Judging from the current road conditions in Shanxi, it is almost impossible without a tractor like Shandong Kong Fuzi. If you really want the Eighth Route Army's field troops to use heavy artillery, you have to wait until the recovery of Shanxi Province to build more roads.

Political Commissar Guan looked at the watch on his hand. From the beginning of the battle to now, the artillery fire has lasted for two minutes.

The smoke and fire in front made him unable to see the enemy's position clearly.

"Hu Zi, the three regiments fired at least 4,300 shells. According to the weight, it is almost 26 tons."

"Should we let the artillerymen slow down and not waste it so much? After all, our opponent this time is two divisions."

This is not because Political Commissar Guan is stingy, but mainly because it takes some time to change his mentality.

Just like when the soldiers first came into contact with French weapons, they got used to it after using them more.

However, the Japanese were the attackers, and they had no trenches or anti-artillery holes. All the defensive fortifications on the first position of the Third Army were destroyed in previous battles.

In addition, the 120th Division attacked suddenly, without any preparation and with extremely high density, the enemy would definitely not have a good time under such bombardment.

Moreover, it was not just the army that was attacking now.

Above the 36th and 37th Divisions, the 100 fighter planes of the Air Force 1st Division were still licking the ground in an immersed manner.

"Why are you in such a hurry? People should not break their promises. If you say you can defeat one-third of the enemy, you must do it. Let the artillerymen practice more. Such opportunities are rare."

"This is my first time fighting with the Air Force. I feel very comfortable. In just one and a half years, we have surpassed the Japanese in firepower. I have to thank the Yellow River when I go back."

"I even suspect that if the Zhongtiaoshan Battle was two years later, maybe there would be destroyers of our Eighth Route Army providing artillery support on the mother river, and the army, navy and air force would go together."

It's a pity that Commander Hu Zi's idea will fail. Given the water level of the Yellow River, destroyers are definitely out of the question. The width is indeed enough, but the depth is far behind.

If it is replaced by a small gunboat with a very shallow draft, it may really help to fire two shots.

From the start of the test firing to the end of the shelling, the three artillery regiments were busy for four minutes.

The troops at all levels of the 120th Division were all shocked to see the hail-like shells, and their morale was so high.

Even the veterans who walked through the grasslands and climbed the snow-capped mountains had never seen such a scene.

After the last round of artillery fire stopped, the 36th and 37th Divisions seemed to be divided into two sections. One side was where the living stayed, and the other half was where the ashes were buried.

It was a pity that the soldiers didn't know how many Japanese officers died under their own artillery fire.

In the observation post, Division Commander Hu Zi picked up the phone on the table and began to issue attack orders to the brigades and regiments.

"Everyone start the attack according to the plan, but remember not to rush!"

"We have plenty of time this time, wait for the friendly forces on the opposite side, and try to double-attack the Japanese!"

As the order came out, several red flares rose into the sky.

The exciting and rapid charge horns also sounded on various positions. The familiar sound made the soldiers excited, and they picked up their weapons and attacked the enemy.

"Kill!"

······

Time went back to ten minutes before the 120th Division attacked, in the Japanese Western Front Joint Command Post.

At this time, the atmosphere in the tent was very harmonious. Lieutenant General Iseki Ren of the 36th Division, Lieutenant General Ando Nijuzo of the 37th Division, and Major General Wakamatsu Heiji of the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade gathered together.

In order to deal with the sticky Third Army, they gathered 25,000 people in two divisions and one brigade.

When the attack was not going well before, Okamura Ningji would send a telegram every half an hour to ask about the battle situation, which really tortured the three of them.

Now that the first position of the western front defenders has been breached, the pressure from the superiors has finally been reduced.

Although the casualties of the soldiers are serious, the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade with the smallest number of people has suffered more than half of the casualties.

But what does the life and death of the subordinates have to do with these officials? Anyway, there will be a source of soldiers after the victory, and the contributions of the three of them will not be less.

After discussing the next offensive tactics, Ando Nijuzo looked at the two colleagues in front of him, and he said a little depressed:

"I don't know what happened in Taiyuan. Why hasn't the new batch of supplies arrived yet? It's an hour late."

"Our division has consumed a lot of resources. There is only one day's worth of ammunition left, and we have lost a lot of weapons. Only the food is better, barely enough for two days. The medicine is much worse, even the bandages are used up."

"Is that newcomer Iwamatsu Yoshio looking for kickbacks?"

The two ignored each other's last complaint and nodded in agreement.

Because the Eighth Route Army's First Air Division often visited the battlefield, the three field troops that did not go to the maintenance company suffered serious equipment losses, and there was even a shortage of heavy machine guns on the front line.

It is reasonable to have more food reserves, after all, dead people don't need to eat.

The situation of the 36th Division and the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade is not much better. If the supplies are not in place tonight, they will have to stop the pace of the offensive.

Jing Guanren waved to the staff officer on standby, and then casually said:

"Send a telegram to the rear to urge them later. I don't want to give up the defense line that I have finally broken through."

"By the way, are there any unusual movements between the Eighth Route Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army? This battle has been fought for five days, and it is still a one-on-one duel so far. I am really not used to it."

"By the way, ask how many Yellow River crossings the 41st Division has occupied. This is related to how many prisoners we can capture."

In fact, the three of them could no longer wait for the so-called supplies. When the deputy commander-in-chief decided to attack the North China Front Army, he sent reconnaissance troops in advance to find out the enemy's supply lines and supply time.

An hour and a half ago, the five transportation routes of Zhengtai, Tongpu, Baijin, Pinghan and Pingsui were attacked at the same time.

It was still a familiar raid. The local armed forces of the Pailu Army, who were familiar with the road, brought militia and ordinary people to destroy or seize all the supplies transported to Zhongtiao Mountain by the First Army.

Suddenly, the sound of the air defense alarm resounded over the joint command post.

The three old Japanese soldiers picked up their belongings reflexively and ran to the nearby anti-artillery cave. Such skilled movements, you can tell at a glance that they have been bombed many times.

"Baga! Didn't the people in the headquarters say that they could buy half a day?"

"Why are these damn planes back again after only four hours!? When can the incompetent Army Aviation regain air superiority? Are we going to be ridden on our heads and shit all the time?"

"Go, go!"

When the three just came to the entrance of the anti-artillery cave, several shells fell one after another.

Some shells hit the position, and some even fell into the resting place of the reserve team. The troops, which were already in chaos because of the air defense alarm, immediately became chaotic.

They stopped and looked at each other, and a strong sense of fear still arose.

Seeing their own superior blocking the door in a daze, the fearful staff pushed the old Japanese soldiers into the cave on the pretext of safety first.

"Gentlemen, if I saw it right, it seems that the enemy's artillery is testing."

"According to the trajectory of the shells, the enemy's artillery position seems to be far away from us. I don't know if it's my illusion, but those shells seem to be fired from our north."

As soon as Anda 23 opened his mouth, the atmosphere in the anti-artillery cave suddenly dropped to freezing point.

The lowest rank among the people present was a colonel. Based on their combat experience, if there really was an enemy in the rear, the enemy would have at least three artillery groups.

Not to mention how terrifying it would be to be quietly touched behind them, just the unknown number of artillery would be enough to make them drink a pot.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, there were endless and violent explosions above the anti-artillery cave, and the originally solid cave roof began to fall mud.

Boom boom boom!

Reason gradually disappeared from the eyes of the devils, leaving only a deep sense of powerlessness and fear.

Just by listening to the sound of the explosion, Anda 23 was sure that the enemy's artillery had used at least 105mm large-caliber heavy artillery. That thing is no joke. One shell can wipe out a squad of soldiers.

Two minutes later, the bombardment still did not end.

At this moment, the Japanese began to wonder if the bear in the north had moved south.

······

In addition to the Third Army, the Eighth Army also assisted in the defense of the Zhongtiaoshan West Line.

Although this unit is a central army, its combat effectiveness is very poor and can only be considered a third-rate unit.

The 27th and 165th divisions under the army are both newly established units. Both officers and soldiers have almost no combat experience, and the conservative estimate of recruits is more than 70%.

Such a unit is not only distrusted by friendly forces, but also looked down upon by the enemy. .

When the 36th and 37th Divisions attacked the Third Army with heavy troops, the enemy attacking the Eighth Army was only the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade.

This independent mixed brigade was originally a local garrison unit. Although it was urgently assigned artillery, logistics troops and other units before the war, its combat effectiveness was not very strong.

However, Wakamatsu Heiji was good at attacking the enemy's heart. He obtained intelligence about the 27th Division from the Special High Technology Department and mastered the personal information of all officers in the entire division.

When attacking the first position, the Japanese attacked fiercely while asking the puppet army to surrender.

Fortunately, the top leaders fought to the death, and a group of officers led the recruits to fight to the death. But their own strength was weak and they could not stop the enemy's advance for a long time.

In the end, the division commander, deputy division commander and chief of staff were all killed. The regiment commanders had no effective command and could only lead their soldiers to retreat from the first line of defense to the second line of defense.

However, the 16th Independent Mixed Brigade was not doing well either. They suffered nearly 3,000 casualties and were seriously injured.

On the 27th Division’s position, several regiment commanders were gathering together to discuss whether to flee or fight.

But at this moment, the Japanese position was attacked by fierce artillery fire. They saw many Japanese being executed by artillery with their own eyes, and their originally low morale was instantly restored.

Red supplies, small grass flowers, and bald heads had to praise them. The enemy’s weakness gave the remnants of the 27th Division the courage to break through to the Third Army.

It’s still very dark, my speed is really slow...