Chapter 56: The Slow Marching Speed

  On March 12, 1938, the Japanese Eighth Division, Fourth Cavalry Brigade, accompanied by artillery units, set out from Duolun and began attacking Yang Junran's Guangfu County.

  The long Japanese army column stretched far and wide, with no end in sight.

  A small number of trucks and tanks and other mechanized equipment were deployed behind the entire troops, advancing slowly.

  Pack mules and other means of transportation carried gate after gate of artillery, slowly following behind trucks and tanks.

  The two wings of the troops were cavalry, with a total of two cavalry brigades and eight cavalry squadrons in the fourth division, nearly 2,000 war horses galloping non-stop on the grassland.

  The 36 120mm howitzers and 12 75mm field guns of the artillery regiment were treasured, concentrated in the center of the troops.

  The artillery regiment of the 8th Division was assigned to other troops and never returned, this time Uemura Kenji specially strengthened them with an independent field artillery regiment.

  Maeda Toshiie's face was filled with excitement, and every time he saw his powerful troops, he felt a sense of pride.

  Looking at his own Mercedes-Benz car, Maeda Toshiya was full of excitement.

  Such a car, but only such a general would have it, all imported from Germany.

  In the distance, ordinary motorcycle sidecars were used, with officers riding in them. After all, Japan's national resources were at stake and it was impossible to provide every officer with a Mercedes-Benz car.

  "Stop." Toda Yoshi shouted lightly to the driver in front of him.

  The driver slowly pressed down on the brake pedal and the sedan gradually came to a stop.

  Maeda Toshiie stepped out of the carriage and gazed at the troops marching in the distance, a faint smile on his face.

  But at this moment, the gunfire around them erupted.

  The Japanese army troops who were just marching, quickly made combat preparations.

  Some heavy machine guns and mortar launchers were quickly assembled together, aiming at the source of the gunfire.

  Several officers in the distance were shouting loudly, and two companies of Japanese troops rushed towards the artillery regiment.

  In just a few short minutes, the Japanese army was ready for battle.

  Machine guns have been adjusted and are ready for firing at all times.

  Rocket launchers and mortars are installed, waiting for the target to appear.

  Maeda Toshiie looked at the direction of the gunfire with a cold smile, he was very confident in his own troops.

  But a strange scene was discovered, the gunfire around had disappeared, replaced by a quiet prairie.

  Maeda Toshi frowned and returned to the car with some displeasure.

  Before long, a Japanese army lieutenant ran to the side of Lieutenant General Toshitsune's car, saluted and said: "Report to the division commander, the 4th Cavalry Brigade found Chinese cavalry troops, but now the Chinese cavalry has disappeared, don't know where they went, and the 4th Cavalry Brigade is not pursuing them either."

  Maeda Toshi slowly rolled down the car window, frowning and saying: "Tell the commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade to eliminate this group of Chinese cavalry for me. We can't let them affect our marching speed. What a bunch of fools."

  The lieutenant cheered and ran towards a motorcycle with sidecar parked nearby.

  Before long, the motorcycle sidecar began to gallop towards the distant cavalry.

  Maeda Toshiya furrowed his brow and signaled for the driver to continue forward.

  The driver started the engine and the sedan slowly began to move.

  But in a distant place, Liang Fei quickly released the intelligence through radio.

  Inside Guangfu County Town, Chahar Tuijin Brigade Headquarters.

  Yang Junran looked at the telegram sent by Liang Fei and frowned.

  Intelligence has now confirmed that this Japanese army should be around one division, and the large number of cavalry units have shown that the Japanese army has at least reinforced a cavalry brigade, otherwise they would not have so many cavalry units.

  "Chief of Staff, send a telegram to Liang Fei and let him find an opportunity to annihilate one unit of the Japanese cavalry. We cannot allow the Japanese cavalry to participate in the battle." Yang Junran put down the telegram and said to Fang Hanchin who was looking at the map in front of him.

  Fang Hanqin nodded and walked over to the radio next to him, speaking in a low voice with his aide.

  Looking at the map, Yang Junran's heart was actually a bit nervous.

  The Japanese army had a total of four cavalry brigades in China, and a cavalry group was established in the Kwantung Army. Now Yang Junran can at least confirm that this batch of Japanese troops came from the Northeast battlefield to reinforce, and it has only been a few days since they arrived.

  "Get me the Second Travel Department." Yang Junran said to his aide beside him.

  The staff quickly connected the second brigade's brigade department and handed over the microphone to Yang Junran.

  "Qin Litian is traveling for a long time, I am Yang Junran." Yang Junran quickly took over the phone and said.

  "Commander, I am Deputy Commander Yun Qiao Han. The commander has gone to inspect the troops." Yun Qiao Han's voice reached Yang Junran's ears.

  Yang Junran smiled slightly and said to Yun Qiao Han: "Assemble your troops immediately, there is an emergency combat mission."

  "Yes, Master."

  After hanging up the phone, Yang Junran pointed to the map and said: "The distance from our encirclement of the Japanese army's mixed brigade is only a dozen or so days. This Japanese army should be urgently transferred from Northeast China. Now I lead the second brigade to attack their morale. Everything here will be handed over to you for command."

  Fang Hanchen's face was full of surprise beside him, he didn't expect Yang Junran would have such an idea.

  Yang Junran didn't care about Fang Hanqin's attitude either and ran out with his military cap.

  The cavalry regiment's troops gave the Japanese army a headache.

  For two hours, the cavalry regiment launched dozens of sorties, causing the Japanese army to advance in a stop-and-go manner, without even completing one-third of their journey.

  Maeda Toshisada was furious and specially drove his Mercedes-Benz to the Fourth Cavalry Brigade, severely reprimanding the brigade commander.

  This made the fourth cavalry brigade commander very embarrassed, but due to Toshiie Maeda's identity, he could only endure it.

  At 10:00 am, Yang Junran led the troops of the Second Division and met Liang Fei's cavalry regiment halfway.

  On a vacant lot, Yang Junran pointed at the map and gave combat orders.

  "Our current task is simple, to strike at the Japanese army's offensive spirit, they are rushing over from Northeast China, must be very tired, as long as we knock out their offensive spirit, future battles will be much easier. The outer cavalry units are our key target, Liang Fei your cavalry regiment needs to lure out a portion of their cavalry, concentrate the second brigade's troops to wipe them out, we'll slowly wear down these Japanese troops." Yang Junran said while looking at the map, speaking to the commander of the Second Brigade Qin Litian and Cavalry Regiment Commander Liang Fei.

  The two nodded and waited for Yang Junran's specific battle plan.

  "Yun Qiao Han, lead the second battalion's machine gun company and artillery company to quickly build fortifications. Qin Li Tian, lead the remaining officers and soldiers of the second battalion to rapidly advance to the front of the Japanese army, set up a minefield and ambush circle, strike the Japanese troops, but do not let them get entangled, must ensure that after fighting, they withdraw immediately. Liang Fei, lead a cavalry regiment to lure the Japanese forces over, concentrate the cavalry brigade and machine gun company, artillery company's troops, and annihilate the pursuing Japanese troops." Yang Jun Ran quickly issued the order.

  "Yes, sir." The officers quickly stood up and saluted.

  Yang Junran waved his hand, raised his binoculars and observed the situation of the Japanese army in the distance.

  The officers had already dispersed and were busy with their own affairs.

  Liang Fei leapt onto his warhorse and led a cavalry regiment of five hundred men in a swift charge towards the Japanese army.

  The 10 heavy machine guns of the Machine Gun Battalion and the 10 Type 94 mountain guns of the Artillery Battalion quickly set up their positions.

  Yang Junran held his own semi-formal rifle, found a suitable location, hid himself, and waited for the arrival of the Japanese cavalry.

  Qin Litian, who was far away, had led the troops of the Second Brigade to launch a forced march on the road ahead of the Japanese army.

  After the second trip of training, the speed has improved a lot and the cooperation is perfect.

  The fourth cavalry brigade commander's face was filled with helplessness as he looked at his troops beside him, but there was some discontent on his face.

  His own eight cavalry squadrons, with more than 1,600 war horses, plus the two cavalry brigades' machine gun squadrons and his division's own machine gun troops, logistics troops, etc., were also a force of over 2,000 men. His rank was also that of major general, but being scolded by Toshio Maeda made him feel like he knew nothing, just like a new graduate from military school, without any regard for his dignity.

  The tour leader's face was visibly unhappy at this point.

  Suddenly, the tour leader's face returned to calm and loudly shouted: "Cavalry Twenty-Fifth Regiment, prepare to charge."

  More than 800 people's cavalry twenty-five union team, quickly made good combat preparations, a four-four-style rifle had been taken out, waiting for the charge command.

  On one side, a Japanese army major with a very ugly face was waving his officer's sword and shouting loudly to boost the morale of his subordinates.

  Chinese cavalrymen in the distance have appeared within sight of these men, and all Japanese cavalrymen have shown their ferocity.

  Their own commander-in-chief was scolded by others, which is undoubtedly their shame, and this shame was given to them by the Chinese cavalry.

  "Kill them all." The battalion commander waved his own saber and shouted loudly.

  The Taisho officer whipped his warhorse and charged towards the Chinese cavalry at high speed.

  A cavalry unit of over 800 men quickly followed their officers and began firing at the Chinese cavalry.

  Liáng Fěi saw that he was still outside the range of the Type 44 rifle used by the Japanese soldiers, but they had already begun to counterattack.

  Even in the air, it seems as if one can feel the Japanese army's murderous aura.

  "Fall back, fall back and keep firing!" Liang Fei yelled loudly.

  The cavalry quickly turned their horses' heads and retreated towards the rear.

  The Japanese cavalry behind him had a murderous look in their eyes at this moment, and there was no longer any consideration.

  Their goal was simple: catch up with the detestable Chinese cavalry, kill them all off, and let their infantry comrades see just how brave the cavalry troops were.