Chapter 241 Distant Memories

"Reported that the 262nd Brigade has abandoned Hengling City and Zhenbiancheng on all sides and retreated to the Huanglouyuan line."

"Report, the call from Rong 3rd Regiment and Rong 4th Regiment have been moved to the East and West Daling."

"Reported, Commander Huang called and the replenishment regiment has arrived at the designated location and can launch an attack on the 1390 Highlands at any time."

...

As the troops on the southern front sent telegrams one by one, Chen Xiuwen, who had been standing in front of the map with his hands behind his back, took off the steel helmet on his head, and grabbed the shaved head: "How is the current situation of the Forty-first Regiment?"

"Teacher seat, the 41st Regiment is now firmly grasping the 262nd Brigade. Its main force has captured Hengling City and Zhenbian City respectively. The troops in the front line have already made fire in the Huanglouyuan area and the 262nd Brigade." Chief of Staff Qiao Zhen replied while gesturing on the map.

"Okay! Since the turtle of the Forty-first Regiment has been trapped, we will catch the turtle in the jar. Order to add a group to attack the 1390 Highland with all our strength. Be sure to capture the 1390 Highland at noon tomorrow; the 262nd Brigade and the 2nd Rong Brigade attacked the entire line." Chen Xiuwen slapped the table heavily and ordered.

"yes."

The Forty-first Regiment was surrounded, and a telegram requesting tactical guidance was sent to the Fifth Division Headquarters in Changping City, which caused an uproar. Since its establishment, there has never been a precedent for the entire gang to be surrounded.

"Your Excellency, please give orders!" The Chief of Staff walked to Seishiro Sakagaki, who looked solemn and asked.

Seishiro Sakagaki ignored the request of the Chief of Staff and stared at the map spread on the table. After a long time, he let out a sigh of relief and slowly raised his head.

"Don't think too simple about the Chinese army, especially the Honorary First Division of the elite Chinese troops opposite us. Don't forget that the 6th Division once suffered a great loss in this army. The commander of the Honorary First Division, Chen Xiuwen, is definitely not a simple character." Sakagaki Seishiro said, glanced at the Chief of Staff standing in front of him, and pointed to the map and said: "Look at this point, our army is currently concentrating the forces of the two brigades at the front of the South Exit, Deshengkou and Hengling, and attacked in three ways. At present, the defense of the northern line, the Rongyi Division is the middle line, and the southern line is the defense of the 262nd Brigade of the 88th Division. According to our air force reconnaissance, the 264th Brigade of the 88th Division is still deployed in the front line of Badaling Town. In other words, the strength of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 262nd Brigade of the 41st Regiment."

"Your Excellency, what you mean is that besides the 262nd Brigade, there are also troops of the 1st Division of the Chinarong Division? But you, the resistance of the Chinese army in Nankou and Deshengkou is still very tenacious, and our attacking troops have not made any progress."

Sakagaki shook his head and sighed, "This is the power of Chen Xiuwen. He is not like other Chinese generals. Sometimes he is cunning like a fox, and sometimes like a tiger. Don't forget that in the battlefield of Songhu, when the Sixth Division was attacking Songjiang, Chen Xiuwen would rather watch the 68th Army on the Western Front be wiped out. He ignored the entire western defense line and severely damaged the 11th Brigade on the southern front. I dare to conclude that Chen Xiuwen was reusing the same trick. At present, there are no more than four regiments to defend Nankou and Deshengkou. The remaining troops of the Rong-1st Division were united with the 262nd Brigade and surrounded the 41st Alliance on the southern front. Team." As he said that, Sakagaki looked at the Chief of Staff with some smugness: "However, my Sakagaki Division is not the 6th Division, and the South Entrance is not Songjiang. It is not so easy to eat my 41st Regiment. Order the 41st Regiment to shrink its forces and defend Hengling and Zhenbiancheng; order the 21st Regiment of Nakamura Brigade to reinforce the South Entrance immediately. As long as we take the South Entrance and approach Juyongguan, our army can counter-encircle the Chinese army surrounding the 41st Regiment. The center of the 41st Regiment blooms and can completely wipe out the main force of the 72nd Army of the Chinese army." After saying that, Sakagaki smashed the table with excitement and punched heavily on the position of the South Entrance.

...

"Boom, boom, boom..." The aircraft's bombs, 105,75mm shells, hit the Longhu Platform's position like dumplings.

The Japanese attacks did not stop from dawn to dusk. Wang Shaoping, who was bandaged on his head, hid in the anti-cannon hole of the circular fortification. At this time, he was no longer as straight and elegant as the staff officer in the servant room, with red eyes and hoarse voices. The soldiers' uniforms on his body were dirty and torn, with a lot of dark red blood stains printed.

Since the Second Regiment took over the position, he didn't know how many times the Japanese attacks had been repelled. The two battalions' troops were now less than one battalion left, and most of them were still marked. Even Wang Shaoping's own head was scratched by shrapnel. If it weren't for the guards around him who had pressed Wang Shaoping down tightly when a shell exploded and protected him with his own life, Wang Shaoping would have been heroic at this time.

"The Japanese are coming." The Japanese plane had just flew away and the shelling was still continuing. When they heard sharp whistles coming from the front positions, accompanied by observation whistles shouting.

"Brothers, enter the position." Wang Shaoping crawled out of the anti-cannon hole, shook the soil on his body, raised the official rifle in his hand, and ordered loudly.

Wang Shaoping lay on the second-line position, staring at the Japanese who were rushing up from the mountain. He attacked all day in turn. The Japanese went from one squadron at the beginning to the attack of the two squadrons to the end to a whole charge of a large squadron. They lined up in more than a dozen rows, wavy storm formations, accompanied by the Japanese shouting: "On-Zai, On-Zai!" They rushed towards the front line with overwhelming storm...

"The division seat, the Japanese in front of the south entrance have begun to increase their troops. Rong 1st Regiment and the Second Regiment are under great pressure." Qiao Zhen came to report to Shen Xiuwen in person with the telegram he had just received.

“What about the situation on the southern line?”

"The Japanese on the southern line did not try to break through, but instead reduced their troops to defend Hengling City and Zhenbiancheng. The 262nd Brigade and Rong3 Regiment. The 4th Regiment of Rong has attacked several times, but they have not broken through. The troops have suffered heavy casualties. The Japanese want to concentrate their troops to take down Nankou first, and then counter-encircle our troops."

"This old Japanese devil Sakagaki is a little bit furious." Shen Xiuwen held his hands in front of his chest and walked back and forth.

"Teacher, it's better to draw some troops from the southern line to reinforce the Nankou." Qiao Zhen thought about it and suggested to Shen Xiuwen.

Shen Xiuwen lowered his head and said nothing. Nankou was directing Cheng Dean and Wang Shaoping. If it were Wang Shaoping's request for help, he could completely obey it because Wang Shaoping was cautious and could withstand it for at least a while. But Cheng Dean was different. If he started calling, the situation in Nankou would be really very dangerous.

"The troops on the southern line cannot move, and send the division guard battalion to the rear wing of the south entrance. If the south entrance cannot withstand, you can consider giving up the south entrance. The special battalion is responsible for cover, and uses the mountains from the south entrance to Juyongguan to block the Japanese army layer by layer. It is necessary to persist until the 41st Regiment is wiped out."

"Then there are no troops around us. Is there a company left?" Qiao Zhen hesitated. It's not that he is afraid of death, but there are too many passes on the Great Wall, and the small Japanese troops are completely likely to penetrate Juyong Pass.

"Let Shen Yi lead the guard squad and the division headquarters staff form a warning unit and issue an order." Shen Xiuwen waved his hand and said firmly. However, his eyes were anxiously staring at the southern position on the map.

The entire Nankou line was in a stalemate. The Fifth Division and the 11th Mixed Brigade fought against the Honorary First Division and the 262nd Brigade of the 88th Division. The Japanese not only had planes, tanks and heavy artillery to assist, but also had an advantage in their strength. The reinforcements, Wei Lihuang's 14th Army was blocked by the Japanese's 20th Division in the Zhoukoudian area in the western part of Peiping, and it was difficult to advance. Although Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army was on the way to reinforce, it would take at least three days to come from Suiyuan, and it would not be able to relieve near-term thirst. Only Liu Ruming's troops stationed nearest to Nankou were unable to move.

Sun Yuanliang asked for help several times, but Liu Ruming was unmoved. In the end, he had no choice but to ask the Wuhan Military Commission for help. The telegram sent by Chiang Kai-shek to Liu Ruming was finally placed on the conference table of the command center of Zhangjiakou that had just been expanded from the 143rd Division to the 68th Army.

"Military throne, our troops must send troops immediately. The South Gate cannot be missed. Once the South Gate is lost, the lips and teeth are cold, and Zhangjiakou will have no danger to defend. The Division, you must think twice!" Chief of Staff Yang Ran could no longer hold it back and said to Liu Ruming.

Liu Ruming didn't understand this truth, but he was very clear about the situation in Nankou. The Fifth Division and the 11th Brigade were all elite troops of the Japanese army, and even the Seventy-two Army could not stop it. How could he stop it? In fact, he still had little attention in his heart. He had turned his attention to Chabei. After the Great Wall War, the Japanese Kwantung Army occupied Chongli and Zhangbei in Chabei. In the past, Liu Ruming did not dare to conflict with the Japanese head-on, but now the situation is no longer needed. The main force of the Japanese army was concentrated in the front of the Nankou, and Chabei's troops were empty. Liu Ruming was still a little hesitant, but Chiang Kai-shek's order prompted him to make up his mind to march into Chabei and expand his territory. Nominally, he was conquering the lost territory and occupying righteousness. Even though Chiang Kai-shek knew that he had disobeyed the order, he could not say anything.

Liu Ruming's order was delivered, and Yang Ran hurriedly said, "Military throne, no! The south entrance is lost, and Zhangjiakou will be in danger."

Liu Ruming looked down on the Chief of Staff sent by Chiang Kai-shek to monitor him from the bottom of his heart. He slapped the table and said sternly: "Now is the best time to conquer Chabei and restore the rivers and mountains. I have decided, so Chief of Staff Yang doesn't need to say anything more."

In the Sixty-Eighth Army, Yang Ran had no real power. All the officers were basically old subordinates of Liu Ruming's Northwest Army. Seeing that Liu Ruming was stubborn, he called restoring the rivers and mountains. In order to preserve his strength, he was robbed by fire, Yang Ran could also sigh. There was nothing else but to report to his old boss Chen Cheng, Wuhan.

Two days later, after more than 2,000 casualties, the 262nd Brigade, the 3rd Regiment of Rong, the 41st Regiment and the 1st Regiment finally wiped out the 41st Regiment and recaptured the Zhenbiancheng and Hengling City. However, the news of this victory came too late, and the Nankou had been declared lost. The 1st Regiment of Rong, the 2nd Regiment, and the remnants of the Division Guard Battalion blocked the Japanese offensive troops from the front line from Nankou to Juyongguan. It was very difficult to fight the Japanese superior forces. Sakagaki Seishiro was also fighting his life at this time and went to the newly occupied Nankou for command. A regiment was completely wiped out, crushing his chance to blossom in the center. Now the only thing in front of him was to eliminate the 72nd Army as soon as possible and open the Pingsui Line, otherwise he, the division commander, would have been the end.

"Master, something is not good!" Qiao Zhen ran in with a pale face.

Chen Xiuwen was shocked. Qiao Zhen had always been very steady. Even though he was lost yesterday, he was so panicked. He hurriedly asked, "What's the situation?"

"Liu Ruming's 68th Army encountered three mixed brigades in Baimiaotan, Chabei and the Japanese Kwantung Army, and its vanguard troops were wiped out. The 68th Army is currently deploying defenses on the front line of Chongli. Except for the 7th Brigade of Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army, the remaining troops returned to Zhangjiakou to defend against Zhangjiakou, except for the 7th Brigade who left the 35th Army of Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army, who left the 7th Brigade to reinforce our troops, the rest of the troops returned to defend Zhangjiakou."

Upon hearing this news, Chen Xiuwen suddenly felt dizzy and hurriedly held the table so that he would not fall.

"Master, are you okay?" Qiao Zhen saw this and hurriedly stepped forward and supported Chen Xiuwen.

"This bastard Liu Ruming." Chen Xiuwen slapped the table hard and cursed with gritted teeth.

Although Liu Ruming's 68th Army was unwilling to reinforce Nankou, he attacked the Japanese army in Chazhou in order to seize territory. In just two days, he recovered Chongli and Zhang Bei, and was still yelling in the newspaper. For a moment, the 72nd Army, which was fighting in the bloody battle in Nankou, became an anti-Japanese hero who recovered lost territory. He easily captured Zhang Bei and Chongli, but Liu Ruming was still not satisfied and regained his greed. He wanted to capture the entire territory of Chabei in one fell swoop, and then chased Baimiaotan. As a result, the vanguard chasing troops who underestimated the enemy and collided with three reinforcement brigades of the Kanto Army led by Hideki Tojo, and was surrounded by the enemy. Seeing that the situation was not good, Liu Ruming hurriedly set up defenses inside and outside Chongli and the Great Wall.

The North China Expeditionary Army, which was already in a stalemate for the Nankou war, keenly caught the fighter after receiving this news. As long as it could eliminate the 68th Army and capture Zhangjiakou, Nankou and Juyong Pass would be defeated without any attack, and it could also surround the 72nd Army, which was severely damaged by the Fifth Division and the 11th Mixed Brigade.

...

In less than three days, the outer positions of the 68th Army collapsed instantly, and Zhangjiakou became an isolated city. The pressure on Juyongguan was also very great. The Japanese had given up the southern defense line. In addition to Suzuki Shigekaku's 11th Mixed Brigade attacking Qinglong Bridge, the Fifth Division concentrated its main force and attacked Juyongguan with all its strength. It was only seven kilometers from Nankou to Juyongguan, and there were about ten hills. Often one hill was fighting for one hill several times. Rongyi Division suffered heavy losses, and the Japanese heavy artillery could already hit Juyong's city.

Since the Battle of Chabei broke out, Chen Xiuwen has not closed his eyes for three days and three nights. He not only has to command the frontal defense, but also has to always pay attention to the battle situation in Chabei. When the 68th Army was attacked by three elite brigades of the Kwantung Army, it was not only the newly recovered Chongli and Zhangbei fell, but also lost all the peripheral positions in Zhangjiakou. It was only a matter of time before Chen Jin knew that Zhangjiakou's loss was only a matter of time.

"No, if the troops continue to fight like this, they will suffer too much casualties and must retreat." Chen Xiuwen threw the pencil in his hand on the map. "As soon as Zhangjiakou fails, our defense at the front line of Juyongguan will have no meaning. If we keep guarding, there will be a danger of being surrounded and we must retreat immediately."

"Where can you retreat?" Qiao Zhen asked.

Now that Zhangjiakou has been surrounded, it is obviously impossible to retreat on the way back and forth. To retreat to the southeast, it requires crossing the mountains. In addition, there is a defense of the 20th Division of the Japanese Army in Zhoukoudian, which not only blocked Wei Lihuang's 14th Group, but also cut off the retreat route of the 72nd Army.

"Retreat west, and then take advantage of the dry season to cross the Sanggan River and retreat southward to Shanxi. Immediately call the military headquarters and ask the commander for instructions."

...

On the banks of the Sanggan River, the main force of the 72nd Army had crossed the Sanggan River and retreated to the Tianzhen line in Shanxi. However, the Fifth Division was firmly stalked and pursued. At the Nankou, the Fifth Division and the Ei-1st Division had a stalemate for half a month. Not only was the 41st Regiment eliminated, but it also caused great casualties to the Fifth Division. Seishiro Sakagaki could not swallow this and ordered his subordinate Nakamura Brigade to eliminate the Honorary First Division, which had more than half of the casualties at all costs.

"Boom, boom, boom..." The Japanese heavy artillery shells hit the Sanggan Riverside position. The Japanese on the other side were covered by artillery fire, and the Sanggan River water that was only not at its knees rushed towards the defensive position on the other side.

Chen Xiuwen personally led the secret service camp and a battalion of Rong San Regiment to hold on here for a long time and repelled several attacks from the Nakamura Brigade.

"The division seat, the military seat is called, we can withdraw." The secret service battalion commander Peng Hui ran over to report.

Chen Xiuwen, who had a smoke on his face, suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, sat in the trenches, took out a wrinkled cigarette from his pocket, and lit it and took a beautiful sip.

"Down with this attack from the Japanese, and then the troops alternately cover the retreat."

"yes."

The Japanese attack was finally repelled and the troops retreated quickly.

"Master, please retreat quickly." Peng Hui ran to Chen Xiuwen, who was still in the command post, was watching the movements of the Japanese on the other side with a telescope.

"Are all the brothers withdrawing?"

"The first battalion of Rong San Regiment has been withdrawn. Tang Cheng led a company behind the secret service camp. Let's withdraw the teacher's seat."

"Okay, retreat." Chen Xiuwen put down the telescope in his hand.

As soon as he finished speaking, a sharp whistling sound suddenly came from the air.

"No, the Japanese cannon attack and lie down." Chen Xiuwen's face changed suddenly and he shouted to the soldiers of the retreating secret service camp.

"Boom." Before Chen Xiuwen could lie down, a 105mm shell exploded not far away, and the powerful shock wave suddenly pushed Chen Xiuwen to the ground.

"Master's seat, Master's seat..." In a trance, Chen Xiuwen heard the desperate shouts in his ears, but the sound became farther and farther.
Chapter completed!