GBP #162 - Li Yunlong is in a dilemma
#162 - Li Yunlong is in a dilemma
These were all response strategies that Ren Zhong had confirmed back when he was in Yang Village. According to Ren Zhong's estimation, the Japanese devils would come to carry out a large-scale mopping-up operation sooner or later. The Independent Regiment absolutely mustn't engage in a head-on confrontation during the mopping-up, but should instead break free!
Therefore, Ren Zhong had the Independent Regiment establish a second base in Heyuan, precisely because he was worried that if the Independent Regiment was encircled and suppressed, they would lose their base and have to start all over again.
Back then, Zhao Gang had presided over the discussion of the entire plan's response strategy, so even though the situation was more dire than expected, Zhao Gang still didn't change this major strategy.
"Yes, Political Commissar!" Wang Huaibao knew that this wasn't the time to dawdle, accepted the order, turned around, and quickly left.
If there were no accidents, the Japanese devils would arrive at the end of the road in Liujia Village in at most two hours. He needed to buy some time for the Political Commissar as quickly as possible.
Although deploying harassment now wouldn't be of much use, after all, time was too tight, and there wasn't even time to lay landmines, it could still cause some trouble for the Japanese devils and delay their actions.
The most important thing was what Zhao Gang had said, to find an opportunity to eliminate the Japanese devils' artillery in advance! This posed too great a threat to the Yang Village position. Yang Village didn't yet have permanent fortifications made of reinforced concrete, and its ability to resist artillery, especially mountain guns, was very weak.
"Xiao Li, immediately telegraph headquarters, the brigade headquarters, and the regiment commander that a Japanese brigade is invading my Yang Village. The enemy is numerous and we are few. I have already ordered the evacuation of Yang Village." After Wang Huaibao left, Zhao Gang looked at the map, frowned, and pondered for nearly half a minute. Unable to find a strategy to salvage the situation, he made the decision to retreat and said to the communications soldier.
The timing of the Japanese devils' attack was too coincidental.
So coincidental that Zhao Gang couldn't believe it was accidental.
The main force of the Independent Regiment had broken out to operate on the outer lines. Even if they returned to reinforce Yang Village now, it would be at least a day and a night later.
Moreover, the main force of the Independent Regiment was now also encountering the main force of the Japanese devils and was being held back. They hadn't yet completed their combat objectives and couldn't possibly withdraw without authorization.
"It's hard to say. General Junru's situation is too terrible. He was surrounded in less than 48 hours. Alas, our friendly forces..." The chief shook his head and sighed.
"No matter what, our promised strategic task of cutting off the Japanese devils' transportation line remains unchanged. We must ensure that the Tongpu Railway is paralyzed for half a month! Notify all units, don't worry about the affairs of the headquarters, go all out to complete the combat objectives! Then, carry out guerrilla warfare on the outer lines and await further orders!
We're preparing to move. Don't be reluctant to part with those bottles and jars. That little friend Ren had the foresight to think of a relocation plan for us in advance. Tell Zhang Wanhe that the arsenal and logistics must be evacuated immediately!" The chief looked at the map and pondered for a while before decisively issuing the order.
In the current situation, there was no way to avoid retreating.
Even if the attacking troops were recalled, it would be of no avail. The main force of the Japanese devils would pursue closely, and they might end up wiping out the gathered main force of the Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop! After all, the Eighth Route Army's weapons and equipment, even after Ren Zhong's round of strengthening, were still too far behind the Japanese devils.
The hardest of the weapons and equipment were those hundred or so 82mm mortars, which seemed like a lot, but a single Japanese division had 66 artillery pieces, including 18 Type 92 infantry guns, 12 75mm mountain guns, 24 75mm field guns, and 12 105mm howitzers!
It could be said that if a single division pressed over, even if the main force of the Eighth Route Army was concentrated together, its firepower wouldn't be enough to fight them!
According to the intelligence received, the Japanese devils attacking the headquarters were coming from two directions, with each brigade equipped with an artillery battalion, carrying 12 75mm field guns plus the brigade's 4 75mm mountain guns and 10 70mm infantry guns. The 26 artillery pieces on one main attack direction were opponents that even the three main regiments guarding the headquarters couldn't match.
After all, a main regiment was mostly equipped with 6 82mm mortars. The headquarters' special service regiment and the Independent Regiment were a little special, with an additional 4-gun 82mm mortar company!
Therefore, the chief quickly calculated that this was a defensive positional war, and there was no point in fighting it!
Tongpu Railway Line.
"Old Li, Yang Village is our old foundation, our heart. Are you really not considering saving it? Or should I take the Second Battalion back?" Kong Jie stared at Li Yunlong, somewhat anxiously.
The weapons and ammunition produced in Yang Village in a month were more than Kong Jie could get in a year of scavenging. To be honest, Kong Jie was really reluctant to give it up.
"Old Kong, that's a whole brigade. How do you want us to save it? I don't know that's our heart, but we have to accept the loss when the Japanese devils stab us like this." Li Yunlong's eyes were bloodshot. "Old Kong, don't even mention you taking the Second Battalion back. Even if I pull everyone back, it's useless. We don't have the capital to fight a positional war!"
"Not to mention that the headquarters has issued a strict order for us to go all out to destroy the Tongpu Railway Line, to ensure that not a grain of rice or a bullet can be transported south along the Tongpu Railway Line for half a month!"
"Old Kong, Old Zhao did the right thing. Besides, Ren has already prepared the base in Heyuan for us. Losing Yang Village temporarily is nothing. After we complete this combat mission, I will definitely pester the brigade commander for a chance to get revenge on the Ninth Brigade!"
"Deputy Regiment Commander Kong, our regiment commander is right. We don't have time to go back and forth. It is said that friendly forces had more than 100,000 people surrounded in 48 hours. If the Japanese devils' logistics aren't cut off, the First War Area in Jin Province, which has always been our mutual support, will collapse. To be honest, we can have a better life with Commander Wei's First War Area. Once the First War Area can't hold its ground in southern Jin and retreats to the south bank of the Yellow River, we will have to support ourselves north of the Yellow River, and life will be difficult." Zhang Dabiao persuaded from the side.
Li Yunlong glanced at Dabiao.
When did this reckless man Dabiao learn to analyze the battle situation? Or is it because he's thinking about the old brothers in the Northwest Army on Zhongtiao Mountain?
"This matter ends here. Send a telegram to Political Commissar Zhao, telling him to evacuate the family as soon as possible, and to evacuate the workers into the Heyuan base. The troops should disperse and carry out guerrilla warfare on the spot, making sure that the Japanese devils don't have an easy time." Li Yunlong waved his hand and made the final decision.
"The Japanese devils have deployed too many troops on the Tongpu Railway Line, obviously prepared in advance. Within two hours, two battalions from the north and south surrounded us. We had too little time to destroy the railway and highway, and we had to retreat without being able to damage much. Next, we will change our tactics. The cavalry company will feign an attack to mobilize the Japanese devils' main force, and the First and Second Battalions will separate to specifically attack the Japanese devils' bridges and culverts! We must paralyze the Tongpu Railway Line!" Li Yunlong immediately ordered.
Second update, asking for votes.