Chapter 246 The Entire Jin Province Is in Chaos

May 21, 1941, 2 p.m.

Compared with the Hundred Regiments Campaign, the defenses in Niangzi Pass have now been upgraded to a higher level.

The Japanese defenders tried to make up for their losses by building several semi-permanent fortifications at the railway station at the foot of the mountain.

In order to prevent the Eighth Route Army from using the Type 92 infantry gun to fire directly, even the materials used to build the bunkers and gun towers were changed from the original bricks, wood and stones to more solid steel and cement.

In a sense, the entire railway station has become like a thorny turtle shell.

The fortifications on the pass are even more exaggerated. The Japanese army not only repaired the original city gate tower and four gun towers, but also built two bunkers on the edge of the cliff.

Once someone attacks, the defenders can counterattack at 360 degrees without dead angles.

After learning from the last experience, the Japanese left enough manpower in the entire Niangzi Pass.

Even if there are troops out on patrol, there will be enough infantry stationed at each firing port in the fortifications, and even the ammunition depot will have a dedicated person in charge.

Kong Jie looked at the watch on his hand. Attacking Niangzi Pass was like a revisit to his old place, but his mood and strength were completely different now.

Last August, their entire regiment had only a modified version of the Type 92 infantry gun to support the scene, and the mortar was only 60 mm. Compared with the Japanese, the only thing worth praising was the infantry light weapons.

Now, Lao Kong patted Miss 75's high nose bridge, and his expression was very similar to Wang Yousheng.

"Be prepared for battle, and open fire directly after receiving the signal from Deputy Commander Xing!"

"Our three infantry battalions will buy enough time for your artillery! There are enough artillery shells, just call out the names one by one!"

As a fiery red signal flare was launched into the air, the commander of the artillery company of the independent regiment immediately pulled the fuse.

This comrade was the platoon leader who operated the modified version of the Type 92 infantry gun to aim at A and hit B and kill C during the Hundred Regiments Campaign.

After a month of training at the brigade headquarters, his skills have made great progress. In addition, with the data intelligence provided by the First Marine Regiment, every artillery shell is naturally a sure thing.

The muzzle of the M18 cannon flashed with a strong wind, and a high-explosive shell hit the target directly.

The gun tower on the left side of the main entrance of Niangziguan Railway Station was swallowed by a big fireball, and it looked like a burning coffin.

The Japanese army's reaction was not slow either. The squadrons qualified to guard important traffic nodes must be very capable.

The Japanese soldier in charge of the alert was obviously a veteran with rich experience. He judged the approximate location of the independent regiment's artillery position only by his ears and the experience summed up in many wars.

Two minutes later, the two squadrons in Niangziguan Railway Station completed the assembly.

Although there must be an enemy ambush outside, it is likely to cause heavy casualties if you attack rashly. But letting the enemy fire and knock down the fortifications is no different from chronic suicide.

"Quick! Target southwest! Enemy artillery position! Charge!"

"Keep your eyes open! Be careful of enemy ambush! It must be the Eighth Route Army! Any area suitable for ambush must be scouted!"

After the two squadrons of Japanese soldiers set off, they first sent a troop to explore the way.

The two squadrons stationed at Niangziguan Railway Station are subordinate units of the Type B Division. They are experienced and have strong combat effectiveness. In addition, after more than half a year of exploration, they have long been familiar with the surrounding environment.

But the problem is that Kong Jie does not play by the rules at all.

The independent regiment directly built a support point-type circular defense position on a high slope. The soldiers are divided into companies, and each company can form three support points.

These support points are all set up on high ground that is easy to defend and can control the main roads. A company-level position can form a tripod, which can support and coordinate with each other.

In order to confuse the enemy, Kong Jie also set up fake positions at the front and in the position.

In the entire circular defense position, the soldiers built earth bunkers, shelters, and A-shaped fortifications.

Although it is a product of temporary rush work, it is absolutely no problem to defend against artillery shells below 105 mm.

Combined with trenches, communication trenches, and shelters, it is simply a meat grinder. Even the French in World War I would have to knock down two before leaving.

When the Japanese soldiers arrived at the position, they were dumbfounded. Who was the attacker?

Our two squadrons together had less than 400 people. Why could we enjoy such luxurious treatment? In one night, there was an additional position at the doorstep. Are you all engineers?

Unfortunately, there was no chance to curse in the current situation. Miss 75 was a rapid-fire gun. If the Japanese soldiers hesitated for a while, the entire railway station's fortifications would be pulled down.

"It's a black card! Get on board!"

Half an hour later, the last Japanese soldier stepped on a landmine. At the same time, the 1st Marine Regiment in the pass also ended the battle. This transportation fortress running through Shanxi Province and Hebei Province was officially captured by the Eighth Route Army.

The enemy did not think about asking for help, but unfortunately there was no force to mobilize.

At this time, telegrams for help from various strongholds across the province flew to the Taiyuan Command like snowflakes.

Looking at the pile of tactical guidance requests on the table in front of him, Iwamatsu Yoshio fell into a stagnation, feeling as if he didn't know what year it was. He had talked with Shinozuka Yoshio before taking office, and the current situation is even worse than before.

The signalman who was waiting for orders saw that his commander was like an old man with dementia, and couldn't help but urged in a low voice:

"Lieutenant General?"

"What should we do next?"

Iwamatsu Yoshio slammed his fist on the table, and he almost roared: "What should I do? I want to know what to do too! I only have one independent mixed brigade left in the entire First Army, what can I do!"

"Give the order! All troops at all levels should go into the mountains! Run as far as you can!"

"Before you leave! Take away the roads, railways, bridges, transportation vehicles and all strategic materials if you can, otherwise blow them up!"

······

Eighth Route Army Headquarters, Southeast Shanxi Airport!

At 2:30 p.m., one Spitfire, twenty-two Hurricanes and one Gladiator landed, and with the sound of the piston engine flameout, twenty-four fighters stopped on the runway one after another.

Because the Hurricane's cockpit is not as smart as the Spitfire's bubble-type, and the pilot's rear view is not as good as the Spitfire, the comrades of the Air Force First Division who fly the Hurricane like to fly with the cockpit cover open.

As soon as he got off the plane, Fang Ziyi stretched his body on the spot.

"Captain, can you let me fly your Spitfire once? The 12 Browning machine guns are very good, but it's a pity that I can't feel the blood and flesh flying like the Western artillery."

"I heard from Principal Chang that the new Spitfire will not be in place until the end of the year, so let me experience it in advance."

If someone else had made this application, Captain Wang Hai would definitely refuse without hesitation. But the man in front of him was Fang Ziyi, and the two had an inexplicable relationship.

In addition, there were no enemy planes in the entire Jin Province, and the other party was also an old comrade, so it was understandable for him to have some fun.

After seeing his captain nod, Fang Ziyi immediately cheered comfortably. Previously, in the border aviation school, many instructors who came back from the border had tried to fly the Spitfire and were very familiar with the big Spitfire.

Finally able to fight with a new toy, North China Eagle quickly ran to the ground crew.

"Uncle Zhang, you don't need to bring auxiliary fuel tanks this time."

"Help me fill up the machine guns, cannons, bombs and Red Sun rockets! I want to let the little devils feel what real happiness is!"

In this battle, the main task of the Air Force 1st Division was to cooperate with the Marine Corps 1st Regiment to complete the attack on the enemy airport. All of them were operations within the province, and with the range of the Spitfire, there was no need to bring auxiliary fuel tanks.

For the target closest to the Jindongnan Airport, the plane did not even need 20 minutes from takeoff to arrival at the front line.

After all the mounted weapons were used up, the return speed was faster due to the light weight, and it only took a little more than half an hour for one trip.

As for the Japanese anti-aircraft weapons? Those small-caliber anti-aircraft guns, which were few in number, had no effect on the Air Force 1st Division.

What's more, the enemy had not had the opportunity to use field anti-aircraft weapons for a long time. Facing the sudden fighter planes, it would be a great honor to be able to shoot down one.

You can't always expect the Type 92 heavy machine guns and crooked handles to shoot down fighter planes with high HP and high defense.

However, the mission of the Air Force 1st Division is still somewhat difficult. After all, the superiors asked not to damage the runway too seriously.

After the ground forces eliminated the defenders, all the permanent airports and field airports in Shanxi Province would be their own. If they were destroyed by bombing, it would take time and effort to repair them.

Now the name of the Eagle of North China is not only circulated among the Japanese, but also used by his own comrades to tease Fang Ziyi.

After hearing the other party's request, the ground crew smiled.

"Okay, I know you like ground attacks the most! We promise to load you with ammunition, and then you can help us kill a few more devils to vent our anger!"

"Okay!"

After resting for half an hour, the preparation work of the fighter planes was completed one after another.

After everyone gathered, Captain Wang Hai said: "Everyone has worked hard. With another round, we can paralyze all the enemy's airports."

After the experience of the Zhongtiaoshan Campaign, the soldiers of the Air Force 1st Division are like iron men. The mission just now took only half an hour to go back and forth, so naturally there was no feeling of fatigue.

What's more, there is no need for air combat during the attack, and there is no need to maneuver to avoid anti-aircraft fire.

The only thing you need to do is dive to drop bombs, pull up and dive to strafe. The whole process is very easy, and there is no burden on the body for another four or five trips.

After receiving a positive reply, everyone came to the hangar together.

Twenty-four fighter planes loaded with ammunition and refueled are ready to take off at any time.

About twenty minutes later, the Eagle of North China returned to the battlefield.

With the sound of air defense alarms, six Type 97 fighters hurriedly took off to fight.

The Japanese pilots were unlucky. They had just escaped from Jincheng Airport, and only a few people were left in the entire squadron. They were about to retreat to Taiyuan after refueling, but they were hit head-on by Captain Wang Hai.

When 079 and 192 appeared at the same time, it basically meant that there was no place in the sky or on the ground that was safe.

With almost no chance of survival, all six Type 97 fighters chose to avoid 079 and launch a final charge at 192.

After all, that 192 killed countless ground units. If you can make some contributions before you die, it seems to be a good choice to exchange your life for a devil.

But they didn't know that Captain Wang Hai and Fang Ziyi had exchanged vehicles.

Facing six climbing Type 97 fighters, the 192 Hurricane blew up an enemy plane in the air with its energy advantage. Then it made a complex maneuver and successfully circled the enemy's six o'clock position.

Before dying, the Japanese pilot widened his eyes.

"Damn! Why is this happening? Isn't it said that the 192's air combat capability is average?"

"You shot down two of your own fighters in one round. You tell me that this level is just average and can only lick the ground? Damn intelligence department! You are all parasites of our country!"

After dealing with the enemy planes, 24 fighters began to attack the ground under the guidance of the 1st Marine Regiment.

After the dive, bombs of different weights fell accurately on the Japanese defenders' positions outside the airport, and each explosion symbolized death.

On the ground, even though the Japanese positions had anti-artillery holes, the formation was scattered. But in the face of such intensive bombing, there were still heavy casualties and wailing everywhere.

"Baga!"

"Why are there so many enemy planes! Where did our land aviation die!"

After hearing the words of his lieutenant colonel, a surviving soldier replied weakly: "I heard that most of them died in Zhongtiao Mountain, and a small part was sent thousands of miles away and died in Luoyang."

Just as the Japanese lieutenant colonel was about to reward his subordinates with two big beatings, several loud charge horns sounded from all around.

Zhao Gang led a battalion of the 1st Marine Regiment and the regiment-level troops under the new 10th Brigade to attack Yuncheng Airport!

······

Taiyuan, the First Army Headquarters

In the communication room, Iwamatsu Yoshio paced back and forth, like an ant on a hot pot, and anyone could see his impatience.

Suddenly, a communication soldier stumbled in. Because he was too anxious, he tripped over the threshold and fell to the ground in a very embarrassed manner.

But the old devil did not blame his subordinates for being rude, but pulled him up, and then hurriedly asked:

"How many troops responded to my call? Where is the Eighth Route Army now?"

From the moment Okamura Neiji left, Iwamatsu Yoshio ordered the surviving soldiers in the province to move to Taiyuan with weapons, ammunition and daily necessities.

The Eighth Route Army's strength was too strong. The 129th Division entrenched in southeastern Shanxi alone was not an opponent that the remnants of their First Army could match.

In order to prevent the situation of being divided and annihilated like the Hundred Regiments Campaign, it was obviously a wiser choice to defend Taiyuan City.

After all, according to the experience of the army of our country, it is difficult to knock down a solid city wall.

To be honest, the M18 cannon of the Eighth Route Army is very powerful in field battles. But when facing a city wall of several meters or even dozens of meters, a caliber of only 75 mm is not enough.

They used the Type 89 150 mm heavy cannon and spent a lot of effort to conquer the city wall.

After hearing the question from his immediate superior, the Japanese signalman didn't even have time to salute. He directly opened the roster in his hand and began to report intelligence.

"Report to the commander! The troops within 50 miles of Taiyuan City have returned to the team one after another!"

"But more than 90% of the county defenders bordering the Eighth Route Army's base in southeastern Shanxi have lost contact with the headquarters."

"Based on the intelligence provided by the Special High Technology Department, we have reason to judge that most of the warriors did not successfully transfer, and it is likely that they were blocked by the Eighth Route Army."

Ideals are full, but reality is very skinny.

Yoshio Iwamatsu thought that he had given orders very quickly, but he didn't expect to be surrounded and blocked by the Eighth Route Army. There was nothing that could be done about it, as the enemy had too many people.

With a try-it attitude, the old devil asked a strange question:

"Are there any news about the Jinsui Army? Have they sent troops to put pressure on the vicinity of the Eighth Route Army base?"

"Did the hidden agents in the county town that was given to Yan Baichuan send back any valuable news?"

This was obviously a desperate attempt. No matter how much the Jin faction jumped around, it was still a force of the Republic of China. In the case of a major defeat suffered by the North China Front Army, it was impossible for the enemy to defect.

What's more, the Eighth Route Army is now in full swing, who dares to trouble them?

Unexpectedly, the signalman quickly gave a firm answer.

"Report to the commander! No!"

"According to the news from the intelligence personnel, the Jin faction even took the initiative to show weakness to the Eighth Route Army and has sent envoys to the base in southeastern Shanxi."

Although he had already guessed the result, the bitter fact still disappointed Yansong Yixiong.

At this point, even if their First Army and the Jinsui Army were added together, it would be useless. They were no match for the Eighth Route Army at all.

I was warned again today~