Chapter 62 Pingxingguan Great Victory Second Stage 1

  The Japanese army's resistance was not weak, their marksmanship was not inaccurate, and their tactics were not unorthodox. However, when faced with countermeasures specifically designed to counter the Japanese army's tactics, even the elite soldiers of the 5th Division had little chance of fighting back. They didn't even have time to take the grenade launchers off the trucks, or wipe the gun oil off the bullets of their Type 92 heavy machine guns. Unfortunately, the enemy would not give them another chance, as victory on the battlefield is often decided in an instant, and also depends on pre-battle preparations.

  Apart from the new village middle school that was blown to smithereens at the beginning, the Japanese army led by Hashimoto Shunsei resisted quite stubbornly. Although he was lucky enough to drive his car to a place close to the cliff, causing the bullets and grenades of the Eighth Route Army to be unable to cause harm, he even personally commanded the light machine gun to fire at an exposed command post of the Eighth Route Army.

  Innumerable soldiers of the 116th Division still clearly remember that at the mobilization meeting before the war, a tall and imposing figure excitedly said: "When fighting, don't talk about benevolence and righteousness. Even if you do, it's only for your own people. Those beasts who only kill civilians don't deserve it. There is only one way to deal with them - thoroughly eliminate them, physically and spiritually! If you want to prevent them from defiling your sisters and compatriots, if you want to prevent them from killing your relatives and friends, brothers and sisters, you must thoroughly eliminate them!" The passionate soldiers raised their bayonets and vowed to kill the Japanese army - this beastly troop!

  The 115th Division's three regiments and the 116th Brigade's one regiment, in just a few hours, annihilated the Japanese army. They destroyed over 77 Japanese cars, more than 200 carts, killed over 1,200 Japanese soldiers (many were blown to pieces by the electrically detonated thunder cannon, with only two hands and two feet remaining), over 100 puppet Mongolian soldiers, seized over 600 guns, more than ten light and heavy machine guns, sixteen Type 89 grenade launchers, two Type 92 infantry cannons, and over 10,000 cotton-padded jackets. Commander Lin looked at the scattered rifle parts that had been blown up, as well as the many bullets that had been burned black and exploded, and felt endless regret in his heart. "The method of ambushing is indeed not bad, but the captured materials are really too scarce!" Holding a gun barrel that had been burned black, Commander Lin said with endless regret, looking out at the distance.

  In Lingqiu County, 100 miles away, Gao Quan also prepared for his first battle since the start of the war.

  "Victory! Commander Lin has already launched a battle at Pingxing Pass!" Vice-Commander Chen excitedly exclaimed, holding the freshly translated telegram from the radio station. His beaming smile made Gao Daquan's expression look even more gloomy and difficult to read.

  Actually, Gao Quan's heart was also struggling at this moment. The decision to attack Lingqiu County was made by Gao Quan himself, and if it failed and the troops suffered heavy losses, Gao Quan really didn't know how to face the leaders, especially since he had disobeyed orders and acted on his own initiative. This would be punishable by death under both party discipline and military law! However, if this battle was won, the enormous victory and benefits for the Eighth Route Army's prestige would be immeasurable! After all, this was the first time Chinese troops had retaken a county seat from the Japanese since the start of the war on the main battlefield. The impact on the determination and confidence of the Chinese military and civilians would also be immeasurable! Especially in the face of the Nationalist Party's continuous loss of territory and personnel.

  "Vice Commander Chen, prepare to attack the city! Also, when I go to the front line to command before the exam, you stay behind and guard the command center, then send this telegram to the Eighth Route Army headquarters!" High Daquan said all this very calmly, suddenly feeling empty inside as if he had put everything down, looking at the distant sky, his mood also improved a lot.

  "What a long journey! Are we going to attack the county town occupied by the Japanese army in broad daylight?" Deputy Commander Chen stared at Gao Quan, who was calm and composed, with an air of detachment, as if it had nothing to do with him. He was speechless for a long time.

  Then he slowly said: "Commander, the Japanese have so many small steel cannons and machine guns. If we rush in, isn't it... too impulsive? Moreover, the logistics supply point guarded by the Japanese has a large number of firearms and ammunition. In addition, the Japanese can summon air support at any time. If we cannot defeat the enemy quickly, the enemy's planes will isolate our reinforcements outside the county seat. At that time, we will face a large number of enemy reinforcements rushing over from all directions! What if we are surrounded... Especially since our troops have no ability to attack fortified positions!"

  Deputy Commander Chen, who had just finished listing out the disadvantages faced by the 116th Division in one breath, was still staring intently at the young General Gao in front of him, although he had always admired his commanding abilities, but at this moment...this was really like a child's impulsive move. Deputy Commander Chen was extremely eager to change General Gao's mind, even if it was just a little bit!

  "Indeed, we are not good at taking fortresses, but we excel in mobile warfare. We are not good at taking fortresses, and this newly emerged army urgently needs a tough battle to temper the troops. Otherwise, we will always be guerrilla fighters and not a reliable and well-fighting army of the Party that can both fight mobile warfare and take fortresses!"

  "So although we launched a surprise attack on the enemy at noon, the enemy's vigilance was not low! We were able to easily suppress the Japanese army into a small area within the city, and if they were trapped in a small courtyard, it would be even better! Our artillery will encircle the Japanese army perfectly!" Gao Quan said with a smile on his face, exuding unshakeable confidence. In just a few decades, the People's Liberation Army's ability to capture fortresses would reach new heights! From wall-piercing warfare to bayonets on cannons, and explosive demolition methods, it was all dazzling to behold!

  Moreover, Gao Quan also deeply knew that "the night combat capability of his own troops was not very good, and it was far inferior to those old Red Army troops with strong will! Moreover, during the night battle, the power of the artillery was difficult to play a role, and the command of the troops was easily confused. At that time, the casualties of the troops might increase even more. The Japanese planes also found it hard to exert their firepower when the two armies were intertwined, especially the Pingxingguan Great Victory was the best example." Of course, Gao Quan did not say these words out loud, but instead immediately led several combat staff officers and a guard company into the vanguard troops to make battle arrangements.

  According to the battle plan of Chief of Staff Yang Ming, the 349th Regiment and Xue Xi's Regiment attacked the enemy from the southeast and north respectively. The Special Operations Battalion served as a reserve force, while the Guard Battalion and Reconnaissance Battalion lay in ambush outside the city, preparing to surround and annihilate more than 400 enemy soldiers who would escape from the city.

  However, based on the Japanese army's combat will known to Gao Quan, such a deployment was clearly a waste of troops and extremely inappropriate. To this end, Gao Quan strongly opposed the public opinion and launched a crushing attack on the Japanese army. The eight battalions of the 349th Regiment and the Snow Shame Regiment attacked the Japanese army from four sides, while Gao Quan personally led the special operations battalion and reconnaissance battalion as the spearhead, attacking the enemy from the east, then directly inserting into the Japanese command post and logistics supply station.

  Two chapters