Rebirth of the Republic of China: The Rise of China

The heavy artillery brigade of the Soviet Army had just finished shelling the first-line positions of the guard regiment, and an exclamation came from the surviving guard whistle of the first-line positions: "Regiment, the old man has begun to attack... Another battalion of heavy tanks , a regiment of old Maozi infantry..."

Hearing this news, head Zhang Jiaxin seemed to hear a big joke.Facing Zeng Zhiyuan, who was still on the ground beside him, he asked in disbelief: "Are you kidding? It's another battalion of heavy tanks... Don't tell me the old man has a lot of heavy tanks in his hands. He knows that this kind of attack is death. Also led by heavy tanks, they attacked us..."

Zeng Zhiyuan, who had fought this Soviet army several times, shook his head first.Afterwards, he said to Zhang Jiaxin with a worried face: "Commander Zhang, the situation is definitely not as simple as we imagined. Judging from my several encounters with the Soviet army, the commanding ability of the Soviet commander on the opposite side is very high. Absolutely I will not make such a decision to come here to die."

Zhang Jiaxin nodded in agreement, because the fact that the 55th regiment was almost completely lost was there. If the opposing commander was simple, they would never have caused such heavy casualties to the well-equipped 55th regiment.At the same time, it will not be at this critical moment to make a decision to immediately retreat the troops.

After a short period of contemplation, Zhang Jiaxin, who still had no clue, had no choice but to analyze to Chief of Staff Zeng Zhiyuan: "No matter what conspiracy the old Maozi has in this attack, it will be completely exposed to us when the battle really starts. However, since we have already guessed The attack in front of us is not as simple as imagined, so we can't use up all the chips in our hands at one time, we must keep a hand. In case of emergencies..."

Zeng Zhiyuan agreed with affirmative expression: "It is time to save one hand... Captain Zhang, what do you plan to do? If you don't have enough troops, the remaining hundreds of brothers in my 55th regiment are ready to wait for your orders. Restart Return to the battlefield to avenge those comrades who have died..."

After casting a grateful look at Zeng Zhiyuan, Zhang Jiaxin did not answer immediately, but ordered to several battalion commanders who quickly gathered around him: "First battalion commander, I will give you fifty bazookas, do you have the confidence to fight back?" This round of attack by Lao Maozi turned the heavy tank battalion dispatched by Lao Maozi into a pile of scrap iron again..."

"Please rest assured, the first battalion is guaranteed to complete the task..." After experiencing the blocking battle without any twists and turns just now.Several battalion commanders under Zhang Jiaxin's command can be said to be full of confidence.Facing Zhang Jiaxin's order, the first battalion commander replied confidently without even thinking about it.

A battalion of hundreds of officers and soldiers plus a hundred rocket launchers rushed to the position quickly.

Zhang Jiaxin, who was at the rear, also immediately raised his binoculars to observe every move on the battlefield.

100 meters...80 meters...70 meters.....

Under Zhang Jiaxin's gaze, when a battalion of heavy tanks of the Soviet army was about to enter the effective range of the bazooka, an accident happened: the torrent of steel from the Soviet army that was still advancing just now unexpectedly stopped.not only.A rush and ear-piercing whistling sound suddenly sounded from above the battlefield, and quickly reached Zhang Jiaxin's ears.

"No, it really is the old Maozi's conspiracy... Shelling. The old Maozi actually launched an indiscriminate artillery attack on the position at this time... The first battalion, my first battalion, hurry up. Communications, immediately order the first battalion to transfer..... "Zhang Jiaxin was shocked.Facing the sudden change in front of him, it was like being frightened.Roared incoherently.

Of course, no matter how fast Zhang Jiaxin's reaction was, it couldn't be faster than the flying speed of the cannonball.

Before the order had time to spread, the roaring shells had already landed on the first battalion's position like rain.

There was a burst of explosions that shook the mountains, and clusters of orange fireballs, like fireworks in the night, sprung up from the ground like bamboo shoots after a rain.In a blink of an eye, the blockade position that concealed an entire infantry battalion was shrouded in thick gunpowder smoke produced by the simultaneous explosion of hundreds of shells.

The head of Zhang Jiaxin, who stood in the back with a dumbfounded face, although he did not personally experience the specific power of this shelling.However, the scorching air waves generated by the explosion of countless shells at the same time swept towards him in the first place.Zhang Jiaxin, who was standing on the ground, was almost knocked to the ground by the air wave because he didn't stand firmly.

Seeing the scene in front of him, Chief of Staff Zeng Zhiyuan was also shocked, and muttered to himself: "I didn't expect that the old Maozi really had a conspiracy... At this time, the artillery fire is covering, and the frontline troops of the enemy and us are so close. Don't the Lao Maozi's army worry about accidentally injuring their own troops?"

At this moment, the shocked Zhang Jiaxin had slowly eased from his tension.Hearing Zeng Zhiyuan's question, Zhang Jiaxin said with a distressed face: "Accidentally injure your own troops, Chief of Staff Zeng, you are overthinking... If the old man was afraid of accidentally injuring his own troops, he would not lead us to attack with heavy tanks... "

"Now I finally understand why the old man dispatched a heavy tank battalion to attack us when he was wise to die. It turned out that all of this was to lure us to sink to the surface of the position. Then, with unprecedented Covered by artillery fire, we were wiped out on the ground...you fucking old man, this move is really ruthless, and in a blink of an eye, one of my battalions was blown up just like that..."

Under Zhang Jiaxin's reminder, Zeng Zhiyuan quickly formed a complete tactical strategy in his mind.However, when he really understood the specific thoughts of Lao Maozi, his face, which was originally bloody, had unconsciously turned pale.

Facing Zhang Jiaxin beside him, he said with a worried face: "Tuan Zhang, follow the old Maozi's style of play. Unless we destroy the opponent's artillery position, otherwise, it won't be long before our troops will be blown up by the opponent. net….."

"Yes..." The expression on Zhang Jiaxin's face became serious in an instant.

After a long sigh, he opened his mouth to analyze Zeng Zhiyuan: "If the troops enter the position later, the Soviet offensive troops will be under the cover of tanks and completely enter the grenade throwing range. At that time, facing the Soviet offensive troops thrown out With the rain of grenades, our defensive troops will also suffer heavy losses. The position will also be untenable..."

Hearing this, Zeng Zhiyuan's tone became even deeper.Facing Zhang Jiaxin.He asked back with a painful face: "Commander Zhang, since that's the case. Are we going to just watch the old Maozi's artillery fire continue to kill us, eventually destroy us, and occupy the position we have paid a huge price to hold..."

Zhang Jiaxin shook his head, the solemn expression on his face was quickly replaced by firmness, and replied: "No, there is still a way, and it is the way you just proposed... Find a way to destroy the Soviet Artillery Unit, even if it cannot be completely destroyed The Soviet artillery unit must do everything possible to disperse the fire density covered by the Soviet artillery, minimize our army's losses, and persist until dawn..."

"As long as we persist until dawn, under the attack of our army's air support, the Lao Maozi's artillery unit will not be so arrogant."

Zeng Zhiyuan's eyes flickered for a moment, and then they became gloomy again.Facing Zhang Jiaxin, he said in a low tone: "Commander Zhang, if we can destroy the heavy artillery unit of the Soviet Army, our 55th regiment will not lose so much... In the absence of air support, we only have more than 100 guns in our hands. Artillery. It is impossible to be the opponent of Lao Maozi's two heavy artillery brigades."

Zhang Jiaxin shook his head and said: "Chief of Staff Zeng, when your department is defending, you know that the position can be held. Just try not to use our limited heavy artillery... And now, if you don't use artillery fire to counterattack, the two of us Not only will the entire army be wiped out because of this. We have worked so hard to stop tens of thousands of old men all night, and they will all slip away under the cover of heavy artillery. At that time, the entire battle will end in our disastrous defeat..."

"Compared with the final fiasco of the battle, the loss of more than 100 heavy artillery pieces. Our National Defense Forces can still afford it..."

After finishing speaking, before Zeng Zhiyuan could react, Zhang Jiaxin had already opened his mouth to order: "Second Battalion Commander, immediately gather troops and prepare to reinforce the First Battalion... Communication Corps, immediately connect to the frontline headquarters, I want to talk to the division seat, Call for artillery support...."

Zhang Huxiao, the commander of the guard division, as the commander-in-chief of this decisive battle, when the vanguard guards rushed to the battlefield, Zhang Huxiao, the division commander, also rushed to the headquarters where Xiong Shaowen was.

Before he had time to catch his breath, the telegram for help from Zhang Jiaxin was delivered to him.

After reading the telegram, Zhang Huxiao quickly shifted his gaze to Xiong Shaowen, and asked, "Mr. Xiong, how many large-caliber heavy artillery do we have in our hands that can fight old Maozi..."

Xiong Shaowen, who had a good understanding of the strength of the opponent, said without thinking: "One heavy artillery brigade and three heavy artillery regiments, a total of more than one hundred heavy artillery with a diameter of more than one hundred millimeters..."

Zhang Huxiao analyzed in a deep voice: "Our three heavy artillery regiments, Lao Maozi's two heavy artillery brigades, that is, six heavy artillery regiments, the firepower ratio is one to two. If we have a hard-to-hard frontal artillery battle, we will suffer a lot. Maybe it won't work. How long will it take for the entire heavy artillery group to be in danger of destroying the entire army..."

Just when Xiong Shaowen was about to say something, Xiong Shaowen changed his subject, and then continued: "However, if the artillery does not counterattack, the two infantry regiments guarding Lao Maozi's breakthrough will be completely wiped out. The fat that seems to have been bitten into the mouth in front of us will slip away, and the battle we have worked so hard to lay out for so long will end in our failure..."

Seeing Zhang Huxiao who looked hesitant in front of him, and Master Xiong Shaowen who had been looking forward to this annihilation battle in front of him for a long time.Without even thinking about it, he opened his mouth and said: "Mr. Zhang, what is there to think about? We have won such a good situation at the cost of thousands of soldiers' lives. We must not give up all our previous efforts... If losing a heavy artillery brigade can kill [-] old men in front of us." The aggressors were left on the battlefield and wiped out. No matter how we count this battle, we have won...”

Regarding Xiong Shaowen's idea, Zhang Huxiao nodded noncommittally.However, the hesitant expression on his face did not dissipate in the slightest.

Facing Xiong Shaowen with a worried face, he asked back: "Mr. Xiong, I will settle the account you said. However, the difference in artillery strength between the enemy and ourselves is too great. I am worried that even if we pay the price of three heavy artillery regiments , can't stop these old men. If the situation really becomes like this, not only will we gain nothing, but we will also lose three heavy artillery regiments for nothing..."

When this professional question was raised, Xiong Shaowen, who was not an artilleryman, immediately shut his mouth.However, no matter what, he didn't want to let the piece of fat in front of him slip away.

After a brief silence, he suggested to Zhang Huxiao: "Mr. Zhang, can you persist until dawn with the three heavy artillery regiments? The two of us have nothing to say. I mean, call the three heads of the heavy artillery regiment. Ask them specifically. As long as they have confidence, I think we can keep fighting this fight."

With Zhang Huxiao's acquiescence.Guo Zhengtao, the commander of the Heavy Artillery Brigade, was quickly brought before the two of them.

After paying a military salute to Zhang Huxiao and Xiong Shaowen, Guo Zhengtao asked expectantly: "Two commanders, is there a battle... You don't know, for half the night, I was surrounded by the brothers below." Please drown out the voice of battle. Brothers have said: As the artillery unit of the National Defense Army, we can definitely watch the infantry brothers being bombed in front, but we are idly standing by and resting. Please ask the two division commanders to issue combat orders. The heavy artillery brigade has already Be ready to fight at any time..."

Zhang Huxiao, commander of the Guard Division, and Xiong Shaowen, commander of the [-]th Division.The two subconsciously looked at each other and smiled.Zhang Huxiao stood up and said, "Brigade Commander Guo, we have considered letting the Heavy Artillery Brigade participate in the battle. However, the strength of Lao Maozi's artillery force is more than twice that of ours. If we rashly join the battle, I am worried that the Heavy Artillery Brigade will suffer heavy losses. Even the entire army was wiped out..."

As soon as Zhang Huxiao’s voice fell, Guo Zhengtao, who was eager to join the battle, retorted righteously: “Mr. I believe that even if we know that participating in the battle is death, the brothers of the Heavy Artillery Brigade will not frown... Please Commander Zhang to issue an order..."

"Okay..." Zhang Huxiao said appreciatively.

but.Zhang Huxiao did not give the order right away, but asked with a serious face: "Brigade Commander Guo, now I ask you. If the heavy artillery brigade participates in the battle now, can it suppress and disperse the heavy artillery firepower of the Soviet army. At the same time. Will this artillery battle Persevere until dawn, that is, the arrival of our air force support...."

He saw Brigadier Guo Zhengqing, who was eager to make a guarantee, in front of him.Zhang Huxiao continued to answer with a serious face: "I don't want to hear any big talk, I just want to hear the truth. Because your answer is related to whether our National Defense Forces can win the whole battle. Therefore, I hope you can answer this question carefully. Heavy Artillery Brigade Can you hold on until dawn when the air support arrives..."

Brigadier Guo Zhengqing, who was looking forward to it, finally fell silent, frowned, and began to think about the answer...

1 minute, 2 minutes.....

After a full 5 minutes, Guo Zhengqing's dignified facial expression changed slightly.Facing Zhang Huxiao in front of him, he assured with a confident face: "Please rest assured, Mr. Zhang, the Heavy Artillery Brigade promises to complete the task..."

Zhang Huxiao and Xiong Shaowen, who looked serious, also breathed a sigh of relief subconsciously, and ordered to Guo Zhengqing: "In this case, Brigadier Guo, I agree to your request... The heavy artillery brigade will immediately join the battle to suppress and disperse the Soviet heavy artillery. Firepower..."

As a veteran brought out by Yu Xiansheng, the artillery commander of the National Defense Army, the bloody battle that the Ludong Garrison Division, the predecessor of the National Defense Army, experienced with the Japanese army has always been vividly remembered in the mind of Brigadier Guo Zhengtao.

In that battle, facing the elite Japanese army with absolute superior firepower, the only artillery battalion owned by the Ludong Garrison Division insisted on relying on less than [-] mountain cannons to persist until the end of the battle, and beat the Japanese artillery force hard. I can't tell the pain.

In Guo Zhengtao's eyes, that classic artillery battle can be summed up in just a few words, and it was proposed by the commander-in-chief Li Guosheng, that is "guerrilla warfare".

Infantry can fight guerrilla warfare against an enemy with absolute superiority, and artillery can also fight guerrilla warfare. …

Guo Zhengtao, who received the order, did not leave the headquarters immediately. Instead, he borrowed the phone from the headquarters and connected directly to the three heavy artillery regiments, saying: "All the heavy artillery brigades have them. Companies as units, one kilometer apart from each other, find positions on their own, aim at the Soviet heavy artillery group, and immediately prepare to fire... After the deployment is completed, each department will report to me as a company."

Under Guo Zhengtao's anxious waiting, just 10 minutes later, the phone that Guo Zhengtao had just put down rang.Subsequently, the voice of the company commander of the heavy artillery brigade rang through the telephone receiver.

"Report to the brigade, one regiment and one company are ready to fire..."

As soon as the words fell, another report came to Guo Zhengtao's ears: "Report to the brigade.... The first heavy artillery brigade and the second regiment are ready to fire, please fire..."

The brigade commander Guo Zhengtao quickly showed an expression of relief.Facing the microphone, he ordered with a serious face: "Now I order, one regiment and one regiment, two regiments and one regiment, fire immediately... After the five rounds of rapid shooting are completed, immediately move to the surrounding area at least 500 meters, and the speed must be fast..."

As soon as Guo Zhengtao gave the order, the order to "fire" came from the microphone.Then, a series of deafening explosions sounded from behind the position.The sharp whistling sound of the shells passing through the sky also reached everyone's ears.

Although the firing speed of the heavy artillery was slow, it still took less than a minute for the skilled gunners of the heavy artillery brigade to fire five rapid shots.

The short and rapid whistle of shells had just ended, and Brigadier Guo Zhengtao, who received several requests for firing orders, ordered again into the microphone: "Now I order: one regiment, two companies, three regiments, one company, fire immediately...five rounds After the rapid shooting, quickly move to the surrounding area for at least 500 meters..."

"Boom boom boom... woo woo woo..." The roar of shells that had just stopped for less than ten seconds sounded again in the air... (to be continued...)