People are shining their swords, secretly helping the Iron Triangle in Northwest Shanxi

Chapter 231 Xinxian North-South Blocking Operation
The little devil's garrisoned Mongolian army and the First Army respectively sent troops to advance towards Xin County. They wanted to launch a revenge operation.

For the Japanese army, they suffered heavy losses in Xin County this time, and two major generals alone were killed.

With such casualties, they will definitely not give up easily.

The First Army has 2 troops, and the Mongolian Army has also dispatched 4000 troops.

More than 2 troops marched from north to south. Once they entered Xin County, the consequences would be disastrous.

The troops currently staying in Xin County for defense are mainly the 358th Regiment, which is a strengthened regiment.

They have four infantry battalions, one cavalry battalion, and one artillery battalion, directly under the reconnaissance platoon.

At full strength, the 358 regiment can have about 4000 troops.

But after continuous fighting, their current total strength is only more than 3000 people.

Moreover, the troops of the Zhangwu Cavalry Battalion have not yet condensed their combat effectiveness.

After Chen Ziyun received reports from Chu Yunfei one after another, he immediately adjusted his deployment.

The current time is more than ten o'clock in the morning on September [-], and there is still a lot of time before the system requires to stick to the county seat at midnight.

According to the marching speed of the Japanese troops, the mobile combat troops stationed in the Mongolian army in the north would be able to arrive at Xin County at the latest at three or four in the afternoon.

If it relies on the county for defense, it is very likely that it will be bitten by the Japanese army and fall into a full siege.

Therefore, Chen Ziyun hastily arranged for the Zhangwu Cavalry Battalion, attached to the Artillery Battalion, to defend the NA area of ​​​​the Hutuo River in the north.

This force is to rely on the Hutuo River for defense, and strives to block the troops stationed in Mongolia in the north bank of the Hutuo River.

Chu Yu's Seventh Battalion advanced to Xinkou Town for defense to ensure that they could support the battle at any time.

The brigade headquartered directly under the supply company with hundreds of troops, who were transferred to the county seat by Chen Ziyun to undertake the task of defending the county seat.

The system requires sticking to the county seat until midnight on the [-]th, as long as the county seat is under military control.

Arranging the supply company to undertake the defense of the county seat of Xin County, Chen Ziyun's meaning is obvious, he will not let the Japanese troops advance to the county seat to fight.

The second battalion, the third battalion, the fourth battalion, and the reconnaissance platoon were commanded by Chen Ziyun, and directly advanced to the front line defense of Baizi Mountain and Crouching Tiger Mountain.

"All ministries strive to stop the Japanese army outside the county seat before midnight."

"When it is necessary, the ministries can quickly transfer to the front line of Hesuo Town and Qicun Town."

"In addition, when evacuating the battlefield, it is necessary to set up minefields to slow down the advance speed of the Japanese army."

"Contact the guard company and get them ready, they're going to fight at any moment."

"Our combat goal is to hold down the Japanese troops as much as possible, and stick to Xinxian County until midnight!"

With a serious expression on Chen Ziyun's face, he personally issued the combat order.

At eleven o'clock in the morning, the various departments of the 358 regiment were mobilized immediately, and they quickly moved towards different areas.

After rushing to the designated area, the battalions immediately deployed actively.

The main force of the regiment set up defensive positions on the front line of Baizi Mountain and Crouching Tiger Mountain, and they were ready to stick to it.

Under Chen Ziyun's personal command, the three infantry battalions set up a line of defense.

At the same time, on the only way to Xin County, Chen Ziyun personally led people to set up minefields.

Even though time was running out, Chen Ziyun led his troops to dig anti-tank trenches.

It is worth mentioning that the Eighth Route local troops in Xinxian County actively cooperated with the 358th regiment when they saw the deployment.

Many people were mobilized, and everyone was busy together.

At one o'clock in the afternoon, anti-tank trenches successfully appeared on the only way to enter Xin County.

Chen Ziyun looked at the sweaty people who were evacuated under the leadership of local troops, and he was full of emotion.

At this moment, he truly realized that the common people are invincible!

If you rely on troops, such anti-tank trenches will never be dug out in a short period of time.

Ten minutes later, motor roars began to sound from the south.

After a while, armored vehicles began to appear in Chen Ziyun's telescope.

This is the armored force strengthened by the First Army. They have tanks and armored vehicles.

These armored units mainly come from the North China Front Army Command and the troops directly under the First Army Command.

However, the little devil's armored troops showed off their might during the entire war, that is, on the battlefield inside the pass.

Even when they fought against the Soviet army outside the pass, their so-called tanks and armored vehicles were completely vulnerable.

Jin Province is an area that the Japanese army has captured long ago, and most of them belong to the occupied area.

The little devil never thought that the troops of the Jinsui Army could pose much threat to them.

So when the war started, many heavy weapons have been withdrawn and left one after another.

We must know that in 37, almost all the divisions participating in the war in the North China region were equipped with large-caliber howitzers.

The First Army and the Front Army only had heavy artillery brigades and other troops.

Up to now, almost all of these heavy artillery units have been withdrawn and left.

Although the chariot troops were retained, most of what they owned were Type [-] tanks and armored vehicles.

At this time, the Japanese armored forces advancing from Yangqu to the Xinxian area had many vehicles of various types.

They have 24 tanks, 36 armored vehicles.

Among these vehicles, there are four Type 24 tanks, twenty Type [-] tanks, twelve Type [-] armored vehicles, and [-] Type [-] armored vehicles.

"Tuanza, they...they have so many tanks and armored vehicles, we...how should we deal with it?"

"The artillery of the Artillery Battalion is fighting in the north, and the mortars we equip can't deal with them at all."

"Tuan Zuo, if they forcefully break through, we will have no way to intercept them."

Some military officers also saw the Japanese armored troops, and their faces inevitably became a little panicked.

"Why panic? We have set up minefields and anti-tank trenches. They won't be able to break through for a while."

"Your troops are on the high ground, can these vehicles drive to the high ground?"

"See, it's just a Japanese Type [-] tank, a thin-skinned toy, and the steel core bullets of a heavy machine gun at close range can penetrate their armor."

Chen Ziyun put down the binoculars and said with a serious expression on his face.

The performance of these officers made him very dissatisfied.

After all, the officers are the soldiers' reliance, and any actions of the officers on the battlefield will have a great impact on the soldiers.

"Yes, group seat." Seeing Chen Ziyun's displeasure, the officers hurriedly replied.

Chen Ziyun was in the Independent 48th Brigade, but he had great prestige.

Especially up to now, although his position as infantry commander has not yet been formally defined.

But in the entire Independent 48th Brigade, everyone knew that Chen Ziyun was completely second only to Chu Yunfei.

Even Fang Ligong, chief of staff of the brigade, could not compare to Chen Ziyun.

Chen Ziyun's words stabilized the morale of the army, and the three infantry battalions were ready for battle.

However, the Japanese army was also very cautious. When they found trenches on the road ahead, all vehicles stopped immediately.

It didn't take long for a dozen cavalrymen who followed the armored troops to move forward quickly.

However, before these cavalry had time to get close to the minefields and anti-tank trenches, they were hit by fire from the high ground.

Dense bullets were fired one after another, and a Japanese cavalry fell from their horses in an instant.

The crisp sound of the Type [-] rifle rang out, breaking the silence in the Crouching Tiger Mountain area.

Seeing the situation ahead, the Japanese armored troops hurriedly began to retreat. Obviously they knew that the troops fighting here in Xin County had anti-tank weapons.

After evacuating to a certain distance, the turrets of the tanks began to rotate.

The 37MM tank gun of the Type 47 tank and the [-]MM tank gun of the Type [-] tank aimed at the high ground.

A grenade shot out and hit the high ground directly. They were conducting demonstration shelling.

There were only mortars on the high ground, and Chen Ziyun completely ignored the Japanese armored soldiers.

The troops of both sides temporarily confronted each other, and the little devil's troops did not dare to advance rashly.

They need to wait for follow-up infantry to arrive to assist them in combat.

As for the four infantry regiments behind the armored forces, their advance speed must not be so fast. It will take some time for them to come here.

At two o'clock in the afternoon, the infantry who set out too far had not yet arrived at the crouching tiger mountain battlefield.

However, the reinforcement troops of the Mongolian Army quickly advanced to the area north of the Hutuo River.

Major General Tanaka Shinichi, Chief of Staff of the Mongolian Army, is very active in combat, as long as it affects his combat, he will be desperate.

It was he who arranged for the troops stationed in Mongolia to assist Xin County before.

However, the troops commanded by Harada Kenzo came to Xin County and received a devastating blow. Even the major general Harada Kenzo was killed.

Tanaka Shinichi was furious, and this time he personally commanded the reinforcements to join the battle.

He planned to carry out a retaliatory strike in Xin County, so as to completely annihilate all the Jinsui Army and the Eighth Route Army.

When he came to the Hutuo River, he began to arrange for troops to cross the river quickly.

Hundreds of little devil cavalry crossed the river directly, and they were going to search the south bank to ensure that there were no ambushes on the south bank.

It's just that these cavalry came to the Hutuo River, and the machine gun company directly under the cavalry battalion on the south bank opened fire first.

The machine gun company fired four [-]-type heavy machine guns at different positions, and bursts of flames sprayed out.

A round of 7.7MM bullets continued to shoot, and a small devil cavalry fell into the river in an instant.

It didn't take long for the water in the river to turn red with bright red blood.

After losing more than 30 cavalry, the other Japanese cavalry quickly withdrew.

Tanaka Shinichi discovered that there were troops blocking the south bank, and he decisively issued a combat order.

Four cavalry artillery squadrons immediately started to act, and a towed cavalry field artillery was quickly deployed.

Sixteen 75MM cavalry field guns built artillery positions, and the black muzzles were aimed at the distance.

Soon, a series of grenade shells launched a fierce shelling towards the south bank.

It's just that when the Japanese artillery shells hit, the four heavy machine guns had already moved.

Shinichi Tanaka raised his binoculars to check, with a thoughtful expression on his face.

This time he brought 4000 troops, including cavalry, mechanized infantry, and mounted artillery.

There are 3000 cavalry units and mechanized infantry, and the rest are artillery, heavy troops and other units.

"The 13th Cavalry Regiment immediately detoured from both sides and quickly broke through to fight on the south bank."

"Independent motorized infantry brigade, break through directly by vehicle."

"Riding the artillery unit, cover the battle with all your strength!"

Tanaka Shinichi issued a combat order at the beginning, and he dispatched the main force to break through quickly.

The Hutuo River is not very deep and can be traversed on foot.

Cavalry and mechanized infantry, whether on horses or vehicles, can also pass.

Tanaka Shinichi intends to use the mobility of these troops to quickly pass through the Hutuo River and fight directly on the south bank.

He judged that the main force of the Jinsui Army and other troops here in Xinxian County would not defend here at the Hutuo River.

After all, the First Army sent about [-] troops, and Shinichi Tanaka felt that they would definitely concentrate their troops to defend the First Army in the south.

So Shinichi Tanaka arranged the main force to break through, and he thought it would be easy to win.

Only after these troops were mobilized, the artillery battalion immediately started shooting.

Six Bofors mountain guns and six Type [-] mountain guns fired continuously.

Five [-]-type mountain guns with detailed shooting parameter tables can quickly adjust the angle and shoot directly.

A grenade landed precisely in the Japanese cavalry.

With the sound of the explosion, the shrapnel quickly spread around.

For a time, gunpowder smoke filled the air and dust was flying.

The wailing of war horses and the painful wailing of little devils rang out.

After the other artillery is tested and calibrated, it will be fired immediately.

A round of grenades continued to shoot, and the Japanese cavalry and mechanized infantry were hit one after another.

The little devil troops who wanted to forcibly cross the river stopped immediately and dispersed to hide.

When Tanaka Shinichi saw this scene, his face was gloomy, and he roared loudly.

"Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, the artillery of the Jinsui Army has set up a sheltered position, and we are temporarily unable to locate their positions."

"According to the shelling just now, the opponent has twelve mountain cannons, and they have strong combat capabilities."

"This artillery unit must be their elite unit. Some artillery can achieve accurate hits without test firing."

"Your Excellency Chief of Staff, our artillery unit needs to readjust its position to avoid being exposed and being destroyed."

A Japanese major who commanded artillery operations ran over in a panic and hurriedly reported.

Tanaka Shinichi wanted to arrange for the artillery unit to start shelling quickly, but the little devil artillery had no way to carry out the order.

The artillery battalion set up a sheltered position, and the little devil artillery had no idea where they were.

The second is that the Japanese artillery positions need to be transferred, otherwise, once exposed, they may be hit, resulting in casualties.

Tanaka Shinichi was full of anger, but he had to let the artillery unit make arrangements.

The troops dispatched by the Mongolian Army were blocked at the Hutuo River and were temporarily unable to cross the river.

But here at Crouching Tiger Mountain, as a large number of little devil infantry arrived one after another, the main force of the 358 regiment was under greater pressure.

At 03:30 in the afternoon, as the First Army issued a combat order, the little devils launched a crazy attack.

The 224th Wing and the 225th Wing's six brigades were advancing towards Baizi Mountain and Crouching Tiger Mountain respectively.

Behind them, guns of different calibers provided cover.

75MM mountain guns, field guns, 70MM infantry guns, and 37MM rapid-fire guns.

All kinds of shells continued to hit the high ground, and a large number of little devils alternately covered and advanced.

(End of this chapter)