EBE Chapter 278: The Sword Points to Taiwan 5, the Mongolian Army Enters Yanmen Pass
Chapter 278: The Sword Points to Taiwan 5, the Mongolian Army Enters Yanmen Pass
Snowflakes were flying everywhere, covering every corner of Yangquan City. The roofs, streets, and trees were all covered with a white coat.
The soldiers of the Independent Brigade stood under the city wall, their faces red from the cold wind, but their eyes were shining with victory.
They had just heard that the Japanese defenders in Yangquan had escaped. The news spread quickly among the team. Although they felt a little disappointed because they were unable to drive the enemy out of the city themselves, they were more filled with joy of victory.
"Comrades, we have won!"
A soldier shouted excitedly, his voice spreading through the cold air and stirring up cheers.
The snow in the sky was falling heavier and heavier, but the soldiers' hearts were filled with passion.
They formed a line with their heads held high and entered Yangquan City with firm steps, with pride and joy on everyone's face.
When the common people on the streets in the city heard the news, they all came out of their homes. When they saw that the incoming army was the Eighth Route Army, they began to line the streets to welcome them.
The faces of the common people were filled with joyful smiles. They waved their hats and handkerchiefs and cheered loudly. Yangquan City finally returned to the hands of the Eighth Route Army.
Li Yunlong led Zhao Gang and others into Yangquan, and they sighed as they walked.
"Political Commissar, I didn't expect that the Independent Brigade would take over Yangquan so soon. This time we will not leave and will completely make Yangquan our territory."
Zhao Gang nodded and said, "Commander, Yangquan has a lot of factories with a lot of industrial equipment. These things are very important to our base. I think we can dismantle all these equipment and drag them back."
Li Yunlong nodded slightly: "Political Commissar, you are right, these industrial equipment are very important for our base now.
The commander is building an industrial base, and these devices will definitely be of great help. Go and lead people to dismantle these industrial equipment and drag them back."
"Yes, Brigade Commander. I will arrange it as soon as possible." Zhao Gang replied.
As the order was given, the soldiers took quick action.
They entered the factory, carefully dismantled the machines one by one, and then transported them back to the base using horse-drawn carriages and manpower.
During this process, they were very careful not to damage these valuable equipment.
.........
the other side.
At the Lijiazhuang Command Center.
The map hanging on the wall was illuminated by a swaying oil lamp, marking the positions and movements of various troops.
Gundam was standing in front of the map, brows furrowed, thinking about the next battle plan.
"Report to the commander, the independent brigade sent back a telegram."
Gundam turned around, his eyes revealing expectation: "Read."
"The independent brigade successfully occupied Yangquan on the afternoon of November 11. The Japanese 5th Division stationed in Yangquan abandoned Yangquan and broke out. The independent brigade suffered no casualties during the siege and successfully captured Yangquan City." The communicator reported quickly.
Gundam was very surprised to hear the news.
He originally thought that the Japanese would fight to the death. After all, Yangquan was an important transportation hub on the Zhengtai Railway, and the Japanese would not give up this area.
Unexpectedly, the 37th Division escaped, which gave the Independent Column a great advantage.
He walked to the map, his eyes stayed on the location of Yangquan for a moment, then moved north along the railway line.
Now the Yangquan area including Niangzi Pass has been occupied by the independent column. As long as we continue to attack northward, we can gradually capture the mountainous areas of Yu County and Wutai County.
Gundam began to plan future strategies in his mind.
Once it is completely occupied, the base area of the independent column will be expanded to 1/6 of the Shanxi region.
Although most of the base area is mountainous, it is also an excellent hiding place. The independent column can develop quietly in the mountains, wait for the right time, and then give the Japanese a big surprise.
He immediately ordered the independent brigade to continue its attack northward, occupy the mountainous areas around Yu County and Wutai Mountain, and turn the entire mountainous area west of the Taihang Mountains into the base of the independent column.
The order was quickly conveyed to Li Yunlong, who stood on the city wall of Yangquan City, looking at the mountains in the distance, with a determined light in his eyes.
He knew it would be a difficult march, but also an important expansion.
After receiving Gaoda's order, Li Yunlong quickly sent troops to attack.
Although the weather was very cold, it did not affect the independent brigade's marching and fighting at all.
The 1st Infantry Regiment continued to attack Yu County and Wutai area. Zhang Dabiao led the soldiers of the 1st Regiment to advance slowly in the wind and snow.
The snowflakes were dancing in the wind, as if they were seeing the soldiers off.
Zhang Dabiao tightened his collar and said to the soldiers around him: "Comrades, although the weather is cold, there is a fire in our hearts.
Our targets are Yuxian and Wutai. We want to let the people there know that the Eighth Route Army is their protector. "
The number of Japanese soldiers stationed in these two areas is very small, only the size of a battalion. With the strength of a regiment, it is very easy to take over these two areas.
After two days of bloody fighting, Zhang Dabiao led the soldiers of the Zhengyi Regiment and successfully captured Yu County and Wutai County.
The independent column's control range was pushed from the original edge of Yangquan to Wutai County, near Dai County.
When the news was passed back to the Lijiazhuang Command Center, Gaoda showed a satisfied smile on his face.
...........
In the winter in Peking, the wind is cold and the snow is flying.
The atmosphere inside the North China Front Army Headquarters was tense and heavy.
In Ningji Okamura's office, angry shouts penetrated the thick wooden door and echoed in the corridor.
"idiot!"
Ningji Okamura slammed his fist on the desk so hard that the documents and teacups on the desk jumped up.
"Ozuka Yoshio is such a fool. Yangquan was lost in his hands again. He is such a waste."
The chief of staff in the office said, "Commander, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on Kozuka Yoshio.
No one would have thought that the Eighth Route Army would launch an attack in such a snowy and icy weather. The combat effectiveness of the independent column is very strong. "
The chief of staff paused and continued, "If it weren't for Yoshio Kozuka's decisive decision to have the 37th Division break out of Yangquan, the 37th Division might have followed in the footsteps of the 103rd Division. This would have been a more serious blow to the North China Front Army, and the headquarters would have blamed you."
After hearing the chief of staff's words, Ningji Okamura's anger calmed down a little.
He knew that what the chief of staff said was right. The North China Front Army could not afford to lose another division, otherwise it would not be able to explain to the headquarters.
He walked to the window and looked at the snowflakes falling outside, his heart filled with anxiety.
But now Yangquan has been occupied by the enemy and the Zhengtai Railway has been cut off, which will be very unfavorable for the battlefield on the front line.
Fortunately, it is winter now and there are no large-scale battles on the front line, so he must find a way to retake Yangquan in April or May next year.
After thinking for a moment, Okamura Neiji looked up and said to the Chief of Staff: "Chief of Staff, the First Army has suffered heavy losses in Shanxi. They can no longer suppress the Independent Column.
If the rest of the Chinese army is allowed to recover, the situation in the entire Shanxi region may change dramatically, so I decided to send the Mongolian troops into the Shanxi region to strengthen the First Army’s military strength.”
After hearing what Okamura Neiji said, the Chief of Staff nodded and agreed: "Your Excellency Commander, it is indeed a good idea for the Mongolian troops to enter the Shanxi region to strengthen the First Army. It can stabilize the situation in Shanxi."
The two men quickly met in the office and immediately decided to transfer more than 20 troops from the 60th Brigade and the 27,000th Division of the Mongolian Army to the Shanxi area to strengthen the military strength of the First Army.
This decision was undoubtedly a major military adjustment for the North China Front Army.
A gleam of determination flashed in Ningji Okamura's eyes. He knew that the war was far from over and he had to take more decisive and forceful measures to turn the tide.
He turned to the chief of staff and said, "Immediately issue an order to have the troops stationed in Mongolia prepare for action. At the same time, notify the First Army and have them prepare for the response."
The chief of staff stood at attention and saluted: "Hi, Commander. I'll do it right away."