Bright Sword: Technology is the primary productive force in war

In the summer and autumn of 1940, Japanese imperialism prepared to implement the "Southward Advance" policy and stepped up the implementation of the "cage policy" of "railways as pillars, roads as chains, and bunkers as locks" in the anti-Japanese base areas in North China, attempting to destroy the anti-Japanese base areas in North China, consolidate its occupied areas, and make China a rear base for its "Southward Advance".

In order to smash the "cage policy" of the Japanese invaders, strive for a more favorable development of the war situation in North China, and influence the national anti-Japanese war situation, the Eighth Route Army Headquarters decided to launch a large-scale strategic offensive campaign against the transportation lines and strongholds occupied by the Japanese army in North China. To this end, the famous Hundred Regiments Campaign was launched.

Since the independent regiment had been in a state of rest and recuperation after the encounter in Yangcun, Chen Yan did not participate in the first phase of the Hundred Regiments Campaign. It was not until September that the Eighth Route Army Headquarters issued the second phase of the battle order.

The commander urgently convened the commander of the 386th Brigade to hold an emergency combat meeting.

"I have already introduced the deployment of the second phase of the battle. Let me emphasize again that there are two fully-strength Japanese battalions stationed in the western section of the Zhengtai Railway. They are the core of this battle. Who are you going to send from the 2th Brigade?"

The brigade commander said without hesitation:

"No doubt about it, it can only be Chen Yan's independent regiment."

The commander was not surprised to send Chen Yan, but he did not expect that only one regiment would be sent.

"What? This is a Japanese army of 2200 people, and you plan to send Chen Yan to lead a regiment."

"Commander, please listen to me first, there are three reasons.

First, the independent regiment of the entire 386th Brigade has the best weapons and the strongest combat effectiveness. This guy is usually not idle. Everyone should know what they did privately some time ago.

He told his troops that as long as they didn't make a loss, even if they only seized one bullet, it would not be too little. Just like that, this guy is now very rich.

Second, this guy has been secretly recruiting soldiers. Although he only reports a full strength of 1500 people each time, I guess the independent regiment now has at least 2000 people, and no more, no less.

Third, the difference between the second phase of the campaign and the last one is that this campaign covers a large area, the fighting is too dispersed, and I don’t have any extra troops to support the independent regiment.

Just as the brigade commander analyzed, the independent regiment is now powerful and famous throughout northwest Shanxi. The total number of the regiment is as high as 2300 people, and each person is equipped with a three-gun rifle as standard. Maxim, crooked handle, and grenade launcher have been distributed to platoon-level troops; each company is equipped with at least 5 Type 31 heavy machine guns; the regiment has 60 Type 80 mortars and more than -caliber mortars, which can be said to be strong in men and horses.

The commander was still frowning. Right now China was engaged in a large-scale battle with the Japanese army, and there was no precedent of winning in a 1:1 confrontation, so he was still a little worried.

Once Chen Yan's side was defeated, the entire battle plan would be a complete failure, and it would be very likely that the army would be defeated like a mountain, forming a domino effect. Thinking of this, the commander felt a little uncertain and couldn't make up his mind. Can the independent regiment do it?

"Communicator, ask Chen Yan from the independent regiment to come over."

......

When Chen Yan received the order, he didn't know what it was about. He thought Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang were in trouble again, so he rushed to the headquarters as fast as he could.

After listening to the commander's explanation, Chen Yan immediately became excited when he heard that there was a battle to be fought.

"Chen Yan, don't brag about it. In order to cooperate with other teams to achieve the strategic goal, you are needed to firmly clamp down on the enemy in the western section of the Zhengtai Railway.

This is an important railway material warehouse of the Japanese army, and there are two fully staffed Japanese battalions stationed here. Although you are not the main attacker, looking at the overall situation, you are under the greatest pressure.

Moreover, judging from the terrain, it is all open ground, with no trenches or shelters. If the Japanese army rushes out, will the independent regiment be able to hold out for six hours?

"Reporting to the commander, a man should not say no, so you can rest assured."

"I might as well stop holding the enemy back and just take down the Zhengtai Road warehouse in one go."

Looking at the grinning Chen Yan, the commander raised his eyebrows.

"That's right, do you know how important this matter is? Your mission is to contain the enemy and buy time for the brother troops. Once you can't hold on, this battle will fail."

"If you get carried away and change the feint attack into a main attack, disrupting the rhythm of the entire battle, I will shoot you."

At this time, Chen Yan immediately saluted and said seriously:

"Reporting to the commander, the independent regiment guarantees to complete the mission and will never retreat until the last man dies in battle. Please give the order."

"Okay, that's encouraging. I'll celebrate your success when I get back."

"Forget about celebrating, leader, when can I resume my position as team leader?"

The commander looked at Chen Yan lovingly:

"You really know how to choose the right time to speak. I agree. As long as your independent regiment wins a great victory, it will be the first merit. I will then restore your position as the regiment leader."

"Thank you for your kindness, Headquarters Chief."

Chen Yan did not dare to be careless after returning to the independent regiment, and quickly called Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang to hold a combat deployment meeting.

"My two brothers, the headquarters has decided to launch the second phase of the Hundred Regiments Campaign and has assigned a combat mission to the Independent Regiment, to feint an attack on the Japanese army warehouse on the western section of Zhengtai Road to buy time for the brother troops."

When he heard that there was a war to fight, Li Yunlong's mouth stretched from ear to ear, "That's great, I missed the first phase of the battle, this time I can have a good time."

Zhao Gang was even more exaggerated. He quickly ran back to the room, got the 98K, and slammed it in front of the two men.

"Just do it, why waste time?"

Next, Chen Yan explained in detail the headquarters’ strategic intentions and the independent regiment’s combat missions.

"I have been to this warehouse. It is indeed difficult to deal with more than 2000 Japanese troops. We must make the soldiers take it seriously."

After listening to Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang's respective ideas, Chen Yan shook his head.

"Both of your methods are too passive. I, Chen Yan, cannot fight such a cowardly battle. We must not only win this battle, but also show the momentum of our independent regiment and show the arrogant Japanese army that we are not afraid even if it comes to a head-on clash."

"The Japanese warehouse is too open. If we move closer, there is still at least 300 meters of open space, and there are bunkers.

Once the troops are fully deployed, the Japanese can fire without restraint, and we will be sitting ducks. Just sending a small team there won’t solve the actual problem.”

Thinking of this, Chen Yan threw his pencil on the table.

"I think it's better to do this. Our mission this time is a feint attack, so we should adopt the method of besieging the point and attacking the reinforcements. Once the brother units open fire, the stationed Japanese troops will definitely be busy supporting other units. As long as we let them out, we will have the final say on how to fight this battle."

Chen Yan's thinking seems to be conventional, using the old methods of the Eighth Route Army. But Chen Yan is Chen Yan, and he never disappoints.

"Don't think that the method of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements is old-fashioned. As the saying goes, one trick can work everywhere. Whether the method works or not depends on who uses it."

Finally, Chen Yan said viciously: "If we want to win this battle beautifully, it depends on how ruthless we are.

I will not let the little ghost go to report to the King of Hell quietly."