sbdcsierra Chapter 170: The Battle of Changning Town
Chapter 170: The Battle of Changning Town
Changning Town.
With the help of the soldiers of the New 1st Regiment, the people of Changning Town evacuated to the rear, carrying large and small bags, pulled by carts, and carried in baskets.
"Everyone in the company, help your fellow villagers get more, don't be sneaky!"
A company commander, who was holding two chickens in his hands and had a fellow villager's child sitting on his neck, loudly instructed his comrades around him.
"Don't worry, Captain. We know what's going on."
A soldier carrying two baskets responded.
"The Eighth Route Army is still the best!"
An old man couldn't help but sigh as he watched the villagers of Changning Town fighting with their bare hands with the help of many soldiers from the New 1st Regiment.
"Don't worry, Director Wang. If the houses are damaged, we in the New 1st Regiment will help the people rebuild them."
Next to the relocating crowd, Li Yunlong patted his chest and made an assurance to the officer of the Eighth Route Army stationed in Changning Town in front of him.
"Houses are secondary. As long as we can win this time, it's more important than anything else."
Secretary Wang waved his hand generously and said, "As long as we can defeat the Japanese, our political officer in Changning Town is willing to help the people repair their houses themselves without bothering you."
"That won't work."
Li Yunlong waved his hands repeatedly: "If the brigade commander finds out, he will accuse me of bullying local comrades."
Soon, with the joint efforts of the military and civilians, the people of Changning Town took the valuables in their homes and entered the Taihang Mountains in the rear.
The entire Changning Town was left with only a bunch of empty houses and a new regiment of soldiers.
"This time, it is our regiment that will stop the enemy head-on. Time is short and the mission is heavy. I will not waste any more words and will directly arrange the mission!"
In Changning Town, inside the town government, Li Yunlong said to several battalion commanders who were called to the pre-war meeting.
"Captain, please arrange it!"
Zhang Dabiao said carelessly: "We can't wait any longer."
"it is good."
Li Yunlong nodded and said, "This time, the third, fourth, and fifth battalions will be responsible for blocking the enemy head-on, while the first, second, and sixth battalions will serve as the reserve."
"what!"
Zhang Dabiao scratched his head and said, "Captain, wasn't it our battalion's job to block the enemy from the front before?"
"How am I going to explain this to my brothers?"
"Yes, Commander, the people in our Second Battalion have long wanted to do something big."
The second battalion commander quickly agreed.
"Explain what?"
The fourth battalion commander said excitedly: "Usually it is your first, second and third battalions that take the lead in the attack. Today it is our fourth battalion's turn!"
"That's right. Although our Fifth Battalion was established later, we are not cowards. No matter what is said this time, we will go."
The fifth battalion commander stared with wide eyes and said firmly.
“Pah… that’s enough.”
Li Yunlong slapped the table and said, "This blocking battle is not like attacking the Japanese artillery towers in the past, nor is it about robbing the Japanese supply trucks passing by."
"Our main mission this time is to hold back the Japanese, wait for the friendly forces to form an encirclement, and then completely wipe out the 39th Brigade of the Japanese Army."
"Since we are trying to hold back the Japanese, we certainly can't just start beating them up and make them bleed."
"Not only can the first and second battalions not go into battle this time, but even the artillery battalion cannot go into battle."
"I must give the enemy the illusion that I can defeat Changning Town if I try hard enough."
"Ah this..."
The third battalion commander hesitated and said, "Captain, without the support of the artillery battalion, we can only endure the bombing of the Japanese! How many casualties will there be!"
"casualties?"
Li Yunlong sneered: "Without the artillery battalion, we won't fight?"
"If the Third Battalion Commander is afraid, my First Battalion can take his place."
At this time Zhang Dabiao spoke leisurely.
"Who said I was afraid?"
The commander of the third battalion, who was afraid that his mission would be snatched away, looked at Li Yunlong and said, "Just wait and see, Commander. Even without the artillery battalion, our third battalion can still withstand the enemy's attack."
"Yes, the Fourth Battalion can do it too."
The fourth battalion commander also made the promise.
The fifth battalion commander: "Me too."
"Row."
Li Yunlong smiled and said, "Since you are not afraid, then go down and prepare!"
"There is no artillery battalion support this time, so make sure the air-raid shelters are dug more securely so they don't collapse when bombed."
"Yes."
After the third, fourth and fifth battalion commanders went out with their men to dig trenches and air-raid shelters, Li Yunlong looked at the remaining Zhang Dabiao and the others and comforted them.
"Don't be discouraged. Once our friendly forces arrive, it will be your turn to go on the field."
"I hope that by then you can tear apart the Japanese 39th Brigade like a pair of sharp scissors."
"Don't worry, Commander. We will definitely let the devils see how powerful our New 1st Regiment is."
Zhang Dabiao assured.
...........
Two days later, the 39th Brigade of the Japanese Army, the th Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Army, and the th Artillery Battalion arrived outside Changning Town.
Looking at the barbed wire and trenches in front of Changning Town, Major General Sekigahara Roku, commander of the 39th Brigade, said to his adjutant beside him.
"Call the guide."
"Hi."
The adjutant nodded in agreement.
Soon, a timid man was brought over.
"Taijun, you called me?"
"Haha, Liu Sang, don't be afraid."
Guan Yuanliu asked in a friendly manner: "Tell me, besides this town ahead, are there any other roads leading to the 386th Brigade, the brigade headquarters?"
Sekigahara Roku knew very well that their mission was to attack the 386th Brigade, the brigade headquarters.
Destroy the arsenal there instead of fighting a trench war with these local rioters here.
"Yes, yes."
Guide Liu looked at the tightly defended positions ahead and replied hesitantly, "But these are all mountain roads, and a large army can't go there at all."
"Ah."
Guan Yuanli nodded and continued to ask: "Then do you know which unit is ahead?"
Hearing this, Guide Liu looked at the position ahead again and spoke.
"Judging from the level of care with which they dug their positions ahead, this should be one of the two main regiments of the 386th Brigade."
"Yoshi!"
Guan Yuanliu waved his hand with satisfaction: "Take Liu Sang down to rest."
After Guide Liu was taken away, Guan Yuanliu called two of his regiment commanders and the commander of the 6th Infantry Regiment of the Imperial Army, Wang Changgui.
When the three people arrived, Guan Yuanliu didn't waste any words and immediately gave instructions to Wang Changgui.
"Captain Wang, you will be the first to launch the attack."
"I?"
Although he was well prepared, Wang Changgui couldn't help feeling a little dissatisfied that he was used as cannon fodder at the very beginning.
But Guan Yuanliu didn't even look at him and continued to speak to the two captains.
"Captain Mano, you are in charge of this attack."
"Captain of the Japanese Air Force, you are responsible for guarding the surroundings and don't let the enemy attack you by surprise."
"Hi."
The two squadron leaders nodded in agreement.