The Iron-Blooded Army of Beacon Fire

Chapter 330 Outpost 2
In the dark and hot summer night, the mountains and terraced fields reveal their dark figures in the night background. The sound of horse hooves trampling on the rice fields and mud comes one after another. Groups of plain-clothed cavalry disperse in the dark wilderness, advancing with high vigilance.

This cavalry unit quietly searching and advancing in the dark night was the advancing column sent by He Wei.

After the advancing column set off from Banbi Mountain, it first quickly marched more than 20 kilometers in the form of a brigade-ready army. Then, after leaving the safe area and entering an area where enemy conditions might appear, under the command of Zhao Zhanhai, it began to switch to combat readiness. In the marching formation, the troops deployed in the order of cavalry platoon - mounted infantry company - communications and sanitary supplies units. After reducing the marching speed, they changed to combat readiness and search formation and marched steadily all the way.

In order to ensure the accuracy of the search, Zhao Zhanhai spread out the cavalry platoon in front, and pulled this elite cavalry platoon of more than 60 people into squad units to search forward with a wide front of four kilometers.

The horse-mounted infantry companies then advanced alternately in platoon units at a distance of 500 meters. The last ones to follow were the health units of the communications squad and the pack horses responsible for carrying ammunition and supplies.

The search queue of the entire advancing column must search every village and climb every highland and hilly place during the advance, and the search formation relies on roads.

Zhao Zhanhai, the commander of the advancing column, knew very well that the Japanese army had a lot of baggage troops and heavy equipment, and its large forces had to rely on roads to advance. The only way to conduct reconnaissance and search for the enemy was to search and advance along the roads.

In the mud on the side of the road, a cavalryman brandishing a saber jumped off the road. With a low whistle, he came to the advancing column commander Zhao Zhanhai and reported: "Column commander, ahead. We have searched everything within three kilometers and found no enemy. There is a village two kilometers away where all the people have fled and can be used for camping! "

Zhao Zhanhai looked at the dark sky and asked the cavalry: "Are there any other abnormalities? Have you encountered anyone?"

The cavalryman shook his head: "We only met some fleeing people. We pulled a few but didn't ask anything. We only heard them say that the people in the nearby villages and towns heard that Japan was coming, and they all ran away. Then there were some people who were fleeing. Some wandering bandits who were taking advantage of the situation and looting were making trouble everywhere, shooting and killing people and grabbing things on the road. We hacked a few to death with sabers and dispersed the rest."

Zhao Zhanhai nodded and said to the cavalry: "Okay, thank you for your hard work. Let me tell you, platoon leader, to stop searching and advance. We will camp in the village in front tonight. You go to guard sentries first."

"Yes!"

The cavalryman agreed and immediately ran away and rushed out.

At this time, Yang Biao, the company commander of the horse-mounted cavalry company formed based on the special agent company directly under the commando corps, came to Zhao Zhanhai and asked: "Sir, are we camping on the spot?"

"Well, we have to camp. I'm worried about an accident if we continue to organize searches at night. The horses also need to rest. Moreover, we are gradually approaching the war zone. There is a possibility of encountering Japanese troops anytime and anywhere. We still have to be careful. Let's go and let the brothers speed up. We’ll set up camp in the village ahead, and we’ll study our next plan after we’ve established a foothold in the village.”

"Yes!"

Following Zhao Zhanhai's order to camp, the horse-mounted infantry company and the communications, sanitation, and baggage horse teams that followed the horse-mounted infantry company began to gather their teams. Hundreds of war horses and pack horses gathered together and accelerated their advance, arriving at the place that had been occupied by the forward cavalry platoon. Searched villages.

In the village, the cavalry platoon sent by Zhao Zhanhai as the vanguard to search and clear the way had already completed the task of gathering the cavalry platoon and searching the village. When Zhao Zhanhai led his troops to the entrance of the village, the lieutenant of the cavalry platoon led by Zhao Zhanhai immediately galloped over. , reported to Zhao Zhanhai: "Sir, our platoon has searched the village three times. There is no one in the village and it is safe enough."

Zhao Zhanhai nodded and asked, "I heard that you encountered some wandering bandits on the road. There were no casualties, right?"

The cavalry platoon leader patted his chest and said: "Sir, they are all unworthy rabble. They were scared away by charging with their war horses. We also hacked a few to death with no casualties. By the way, we also took a few guns from their hands." There are miscellaneous old firearms, a dozen mules and horses, and seven or eight horse-drawn carts, which are loaded with a lot of grain, as well as two large fat pigs, chickens, ducks, and fish, which are enough to give the brothers a beating sacrifice."

Zhao Zhanhai said: "Okay, I understand. By the way, what is the terrain near this village? Is there any fence or outer fortifications that can be used as cover?"

The cavalry platoon leader shook his head: "Sir, this village is not small, but there are no walls around the village, and there are no fortifications that can be used as defense."

After the cavalry platoon leader finished speaking, Zhao Zhanhai frowned, turned to the company commander Yang Biao of the horse-riding infantry company and said: "Captain Yang, send your platoon leader to take your troops and brothers from other units to the village for resettlement. Come with me to look at the terrain around the village and study the next plan."

Yang Biao said: "Yes! I will organize troops to enter the village immediately."

The main force of the advancing column quickly entered the village for resettlement. Hundreds of officers and soldiers and hundreds of war horses arrived in the village in a mighty manner and began to make preparations for camping and resettlement.

Zhao Zhanhai took the cavalry platoon leader and Yang Biao on horseback and walked around the village several times. After getting a clear understanding of the situation inside and outside the village and the distribution of roads in the village, he began to make defensive arrangements for the camp.

At this time, the advancing column has entered the area where it may encounter the enemy at any time and at any time. During the day, facing unknown dangers, the advancing column adopts the tactics of careful and repeated search and alternate cover march. When camping at night, it is natural to follow the tactics of the advancing column. Based on the actual situation of the campsite, on-site defenses were arranged to prepare for possible encounters with the Japanese army in advance.

Cadres at all levels in the advancing column have rich practical experience. Needless to say, Zhao Zhanhai has experience in fighting the Japanese army since September 18th. Yang Biao and He Wei came all the way from Xinkou and Jinling. The cavalry platoon leader from Ma Ji's command was also a veteran cavalryman for many years. He came from the mountains of corpses and seas of blood. Naturally, he had no problem with the basic defense deployment centered on the village. After several people walked around the village a few times, That is to say, the defense layout of the camp was finalized.

Immediately, after the officers and soldiers of the advancing column entered Zhuangzi, and after settling down for a while, the officers and soldiers began the construction of fortifications and defense arrangements in the camp villages as quickly as possible.

Since there was no external shielding or external defense around the village, Zhao Zhanhai decided to focus on the construction of fortifications in the village. Under Zhao Zhanhai's order, observation posts and machine gun fortifications were built on the roofs of all important houses in the village. Important roads in the village were Obstacles such as emergency deer villages were also set up. Shooting holes were drilled in advance on the walls of the houses where officers and soldiers camped. Debris that would affect the firing range around the houses that were to be used as firepower points were cleared away. Straws that were easily ignited in the villages were removed. , firewood and other items were also collected.

The ammunition, materials, baggage and communication equipment carried by the advancing column were all concentrated in the most central and core house courtyard in the village for protection.

After emergency construction by hundreds of veterans of the advancing column, the basic defense deployment centered on the camp villages where the advancing column was camped was quickly completed.

After the construction was completed, Zhao Zhanhai immediately ordered the troops to rest and have meals. The livestock and grain captured by the cavalry platoon from the raiding bandits during the day became the best supplies for the army.

After a while of killing pigs and chickens, burying pots to make rice, and boiling water to cook vegetables, the officers and soldiers of the advancing column, who had been advancing and searching for a day in a highly tense state of alert, finally found temporary relief from the comfort of hot and meaty food.

Late at night, in the village where the advancing column camped, in the command post of the advancing column, the commander of the advancing column, Zhao Zhanhai, who had just had a meal, burped and threw a pack of cigarettes on the table.

Sitting together with him were the lieutenant commander of the horse infantry company Yang Biao, the lieutenant platoon leader of the cavalry platoon, the lieutenant liaison officer sent by the naval force, and Liu Lu (Nishi Kanjiro), the captain of the assault team.

Zhao Zhanhai took out a cigarette and lit it, then dispersed the cigarettes for several officers and said: "Now our unit has settled down temporarily. We are currently deep behind enemy lines. Although it is already midnight, the surrounding situation is unknown. It is also unclear whether we will encounter enemy attacks at night. Unknown, I am going to send a combat outpost to conduct a powerful search forward, and choose a suitable place to stand guard on the spot to serve as the forward guard post of our corps. Do you have any objections? "

Yang Biao, the company commander of the horse-riding infantry company, said: "Sir, I agree, but it is dark now. It is not appropriate to let the brothers of the cavalry unit serve as the combat outpost. Let my infantry company take over."

The cavalry platoon leader smiled at Yang Biao and said: "It is true that the night is not suitable for our cavalry troops to search and advance, and the cavalry is too noisy at night, I am afraid there will be trouble. Captain Yang is right, I won't be brave, then. The infantrymen of Company Commander Yang have had a hard time." The lieutenant liaison officer sent by the Navy also said: "I am sent by the Navy. If a Japanese warship is seen on the riverside, it will definitely be under my control. I will take care of this Army matter. I won’t join in and cause chaos for you all.”

Zhao Zhanhai nodded, then looked at Liu Lu, the captain of the Rangers of the Assault Corps, and asked, "Does Captain Liu have any objections?"

Liu Lu bowed his waist and said flatteringly: "No opinion, no opinion, everything is decided by Chief Zhao."

Zhao Zhanhai watched Liu Lu curl his lips, a feeling of disgust arose spontaneously, and the fists in his hands clenched inexplicably.

Zhao Zhanhai really didn't like these Japanese prisoners of war who surrendered to the Rangers. Zhao Zhanhai even wanted to beat them when he saw them.

However, Zhao Zhanhai remembered what He Wei said to him before the advance column set off, and suppressed the disgust in his heart, and said to Liu Lu: "Captain Liu, this combat outpost is the front guard post of my advance column at night. It can be used at any time." There is a possibility of encountering the enemy. Please bring two of your Rangers to follow us to deal with emergencies."

Liu Lu stood up with a snap and replied loudly: "Yes!"

Zhao Zhanhai nodded, waved his hand for Liu Lu to sit down, blew out a smoke ring and said: "Then let's do it, Captain Yang, you transfer an infantry platoon from your company, and then bring Captain Liu and others from the Rangers, and then change after a short rest. In order to advance on foot, carry out a powerful platoon search forward. Pay close attention to the enemy situation ahead. Of course, do not go too far forward. The distance from this village should not be more than two kilometers. The infantry platoon that attacks after going forward two kilometers will immediately set up camp on the spot. , serving as the outpost of the main force of the column."

Yang Biao said: "Okay, sir, I understand. I'll go back and draw someone up immediately."

"Captain Yang, you must choose a capable platoon leader! My advancing column is the outpost of the main force in the rear. The defecation you sent tonight is the outpost of my advancing column. It is related to the safety of my advancing column. We must not be careless."

After Zhao Zhanhai finished speaking, he glanced at Liu Lu, the captain of the Rangers, and added meaningfully: "Captain Yang, take care of Captain Liu and others of the Rangers during the operation."

Yang Biao gave Zhao Zhanhai a knowing look and said, "Sir, I understand everything!"

Zhao Zhanhai then said to several other people: "Let's all disperse. We are all tired today. With Company Commander Yang's people at the front, I think we can have a peaceful sleep tonight."

Yang Biao and others immediately left and returned to their respective troops' campsites.
After Yang Biao returned to the company headquarters of his horse infantry company, he immediately asked the messenger to notify the platoon leader of the first platoon of the horse infantry company to report to the company headquarters.

Soon, a dark-faced man wearing a double-breasted coarse cloth mandarin jacket and looking like an ordinary farmer came to Yang Biao's company headquarters.

After the black-faced man saluted Yang Biao, he said: "Company commander, you are looking for me!"

"Yonggui is here, sit down and talk."

Yang Biao pointed to the chair and motioned for the black-faced man to sit down. The black-faced man was not polite and directly pulled up the chair and sat down side by side with Yang Biao. His movements were very carefree and casual.

This black-faced man is Liu Yonggui, the platoon leader of the first platoon of the Cavalry Infantry Company. Since the Cavalry Infantry Company advancing into the column is actually reinforced by the special agent company directly under the Assault Corps, the Cavalry Infantry Company is essentially a member of the Assault Corps. Directly under the special agent company, so Liu Yonggui is also the first platoon leader of the special agent company directly under the commando corps.

This man was from the army. He was an old soldier who had joined the army before the Anti-Japanese War. He was an old man under He Wei and an old acquaintance of Yang Biao. He was a veteran of the 10th Division who had followed He Wei all the way from the Xinkou Battle.

During the Battle of Xinkou, Liu Yonggui was a corporal under He Wei. After He Wei led the troops to Jinling, Liu Yonggui was promoted to a sergeant by two levels because of his meritorious service in the battle at Xinkou. He served in the defense battle of Jinling. His performance was also very good. When the Assault Corps was established, Liu Yonggui was directly promoted to the rank of second lieutenant, promoted to an officer, and served as the platoon leader of the first platoon of the directly affiliated special agent company.

Yang Biao threw a cigarette to Liu Yonggui and said: "Yonggui, here comes the mission. Chief Zhao asked me to dedicate a platoon overnight to serve as a combat outpost. I think it will be your platoon. Search carefully, and the forward distance should not exceed two kilometers. After being released for two kilometers, you will find a place to camp on site and take up the task of outpost. "

"Company commander, are you still riding?"

"Don't ride on horseback. You're afraid there will be too much noise at night. Once you go out, spread out your formation and search on foot, just like the usual powerful search drills."

After understanding that he was just serving as a combat outpost, Liu Yonggui put the cigarette in his ear, stood up and said cheerfully: "Company Commander, I understand, I will go back to the platoon to arrange the arrangements now."

Yang Biao stopped Liu Yonggui: "Don't worry, wait!"

"Company commander, what's wrong?"

Yang Biao continued: "Not only are you acting alone, but Chief Zhao wants you to bring a few people from the Rangers with you just in case. You have to bring those few surrendered little Japs with you. They may be needed at a critical moment." These guys.”

Liu Yonggui suddenly frowned and said anxiously: "Company Commander, bringing those idiots with you may not be of much use. I still have to guard against them. If something happens, those little devils will come again." What to do if someone rebels on the battlefield?”

Hearing Liu Yonggui's objection, Yang Biao slapped his head and cursed: "Grandma, this brain is really hard to use. Just now, Chief Zhao reminded me to take special care of those little Japs Rangers. Damn it!" Just tell me to be on guard against them, I really need to be on guard against those guys, I don’t trust those little devils either.”

Yang Biao immediately stood up and walked around, thinking about how to keep an eye on Liu Lu and the other Rangers. Suddenly, Yang Biao's eyes lit up and he said to Liu Yonggui: "Damn it, there's a way. Let's go up to the second row." Platoon Leader Ou is a military academy student and speaks some Japanese. I asked him to go with you. Firstly, he can keep an eye on the Japanese prisoners of war. Secondly, he is a military academy student after all. Although he has never fought in a war, he has attended a military academy after all. , if you know more, I can help you strengthen your command when the fight starts. You can see if this can be done.”

Liu Yonggui thought for a while and then said: "Okay, this method is successful. It would be good to bring Platoon Leader Ou with this method. Then I will lead the people and set off now."

"Go! Bring more ammunition and be careful when searching."

"Yes!"

Not long after, the combat outpost reinforced infantry platoon sent by Yang Biao quietly left the village where the advancing column camped in the middle of the night and moved forward.

(End of this chapter)