mtl008 Chapter 135: The Japanese read history and tried to recreate the Battle of Changping
Chapter 135: The Japanese read history and tried to recreate the Battle of Changping
This intention was also thought of by Yamamoto Ikki when he was alive.
The Eighth Route Army used siege tactics to consume their war supplies. Without ammunition support, the Eighth Route Army could only fight with sticks.
As expected of beasts born in an island country, they have the same understanding of resource scarcity.
The military industry of the Eighth Route Army was indeed backward, and it was difficult for them to produce their own firearms and ammunition. But Ding Wei's reserves were not something that could be consumed in one battle.
If things really get bad, you can still make up for it by repeatedly blocking the opponent.
Thinking of using up all Ding Wei's ammunition is really too much.
Knowing the general intentions of the Japanese invaders, Ding Wei was determined to fire a few shots to satisfy his desire.
"Notify Wang Chengzhu's artillery regiment that it's time to take them out for a walk."
"The Japanese have built so many fixed bunkers as targets. If we can't hit them accurately, everyone in the artillery regiment will have to raise horses."
Sun Desheng immediately stretched out his neck and asked, "What's wrong? What happened to the horse breeder?"
The Japanese discovered the actions of the Eighth Route Army, and Lieutenant General Abe Heisuke had a wise expression on his face.
Facing his chief of staff, Lieutenant Commander Kojima, a young staff officer wearing glasses and looking gentle and refined.
"I have read many ancient Chinese books and learned a lot from them. There is a very famous war in this area. They call it the Battle of Changping."
"It's hard to imagine that during the Warring States Period 2,000 years ago, hundreds of thousands of troops were mobilized to fight here."
Although both belong to the Warring States Period, the Warring States Period in their island country is more like children playing house.
Therefore, this group of inferior island beasts have always coveted the land of China, coveted this fertile land given by God, and coveted this ancient country with a long heritage.
"General, you are a rare steady person in the empire. I have benefited a lot from your guidance."
Abe Heisuke enjoyed it very much and liked being flattered by young people.
In life, you always have to have some hobbies.
His hobby is reading ancient books, and another interest is showing off his erudition in front of others.
In the Battle of Changping, the outcome of the battle was not determined by the commanders, but by who could not withstand the huge logistical pressure first after all the efforts of the whole country were put together.
Even today, supplying hundreds of thousands of people for combat requires a huge amount of combat supplies, which must be transported by cars, planes, and ships, but it still puts the empire under great pressure.
Just imagine how to supply food and drink to hundreds of thousands of troops during the Warring States Period 2000 years ago?
Reading these books also benefited Abe Heisuke. At least he was not like those crazy guys, and he always maintained a humble attitude.
After arriving at the First Army, he carefully analyzed several cases of failure.
I discovered a problem: in the process of fighting with the Eighth Route Army, the first wave often suffers the greatest losses.
The Eighth Route Army was good at using surprise attacks and close-range fighting to reduce the impact of its disadvantages of weak firepower and poor equipment.
This was a very clever way of fighting, but those stupid guys didn't realize the cleverness of the Eighth Route Army.
It was obvious that they could suppress the Eighth Route Army with more flexible means, suppress them with stronger firepower, and counterattack with solid fortifications, but they insisted on learning how to fight and draw their bayonets.
Blindly choose the dumbest way and fight the opponent in hand-to-hand combat.
"Also, the influence of the special forces on the battlefield cannot be ignored. Perhaps the best thing Yamamoto did was to teach the Eighth Route Army special operations."
“It’s really sad.”
Listening to the lieutenant general's speech, the chief of staff was filled with admiration.
"As you said, this group of Eighth Route Army is trying to destroy our fortifications by means of surprise attack. A few battles of waiting for the opportunity will be enough to wear them down."
Yes, yes, that’s exactly what Abe Heisuke thought.
Building a strong camp and fighting a stupid battle may not be a means of winning.
First control the northern part of Xin County, then control the Jinshan Mountains, and then fight back to the vicinity of Gang County.
As long as we build up the fortifications step by step, we will be able to push the Eighth Route Army back into the mountains again.
I hope so. Ding Wei’s artillery regiment is already in place.
The shells whistled and fell towards the observation position.
Zhuzi looked nervous, and he personally watched and observed whether the shells landed accurately.
The artillery regiment he had carefully trained had to come up with convincing means. Whether he could continue to drink with the commander depended on how well the artillery fired.
A rumbling sound came from a distance, and multiple shells hit the fortifications and bunkers. The blast waves destroyed the fragile civil engineering works.
The scene of multiple mountain and field artillery firing at the same time was truly shocking.
Ding Wei looked at the battlefield from afar. The front-line positions were engulfed in flames. Artillery shells fell one after another, covering the Japanese fortification area.
Bunkers, firing points, fortifications and trenches were blown to pieces.
The Japanese soldiers on guard hid in the cat ear holes, covering their ears with their hands, and the dirt on their heads kept falling.
The concrete fortifications that had not yet solidified were destroyed beyond recognition by the shells.
The anti-artillery fortifications built with logs also had a layer of skin peeled off, revealing a deep pit underneath.
Lieutenant General Abe Heisuke frowned, "The firepower of the Eighth Route Army is stronger than I expected. This firepower can go head-to-head with my 41st Division."
It is hard to believe that in the plains surrounded by mountains and rivers, we can encounter a group of regular troops with complete artillery.
After a round of artillery bombardment, the Japanese did not fight back, but organized manpower to repair the fortifications.
Highlight the ability to endure, and if you endure for a while, everything will be calm.
Kong Jie scratched his head. More than 30 artillery pieces fired continuously for one minute, hundreds of shells were fired, but not even a splash was seen.
The Japanese fortifications on the front side still maintained their normal level.
Mountain artillery alone is not an effective weapon for attacking strongholds.
This thing is the supporting firepower on the battlefield, and it is more lethal to infantry.
"Don't waste the shells. Give me a battalion of brothers. I will lead the team to rush over and cut down the enemy's defense line."
Ding Wei stopped Kong Jie's bravery, and then continued shooting, firing a few hundred shells at him.
After firing the shells, push the howitzer out.
The newly captured howitzer battalion got the chance to show off. A four-ton behemoth could not be handled by just a few people.
It required dozens of people to serve it, but the captured crawler tractor solved the big problem.
Otherwise, the pack horses Ding Wei had wouldn't be able to pull this thing.
Draft horses are larger in size and ordinary troops cannot afford to maintain them.
The artillery fire continued from morning to afternoon, and hundreds of stored artillery shells were used up.
Even Zhuzi feels like a spendthrift.
They are usually very stingy during training, wasting several tons of artillery shells on the Japanese fortifications. Isn't this just because they have money to burn?
The artillery regiment retreated, pushing out the howitzer battalion.
The Japanese front-line fortifications were smashed, and more than 300 soldiers were wounded. Even if they hid in the fortifications, they could not avoid being injured by the artillery fire.
There were also unlucky ones who happened to be where the shells landed and were destroyed by the power of the explosion.
Abe Heisuke smiled and changed the artillery. This group of Chinese soldiers really didn't have much artillery shells in reserve. As long as they used up all the shells, they wouldn't be a threat.
How could the backward Eighth Route Army understand the essence of artillery warfare? With their fragile production capacity, it is impossible to support the artillery regiment in combat.
"General, should we withdraw the soldiers on the front line? Our fortifications are not strong enough to withstand the bombardment of howitzers."
"No, no, no, they should feel honored to die for the empire. Pass on my order to transfer the infantry regiment in Shouyang to Xin County to prepare for battle."
"I have determined that when the Eighth Route Army's offensive fades, it will be time for my 41st Division to sweep across the north and solve the problem in northern Shanxi."
"Hayi, pass the order immediately."
The chief of staff strode out with a resolute expression on his face.