At the command of the Zhangjiakou Independent First Division, Ji Hongchang, the division commander, looked at the calendar on the wall, with a numb expression. Although the heroic blockade resulted in brilliant results, he also faced huge casualties and was unacceptable. This was the most tragic battle he had experienced since he joined the army. Today is the 25th. Since the Zhangjiakou defensive battle started on August 1, the first and second defensive battles successfully blocked the Japanese army, and then a fierce street battle broke out. In just 24 days, he felt as long as a century had passed.

The tragic level of the battle is unimaginable. His troops have almost been replaced. The soldiers of the past have either been killed or injured. So far, according to effective statistics, his subordinates have suffered 23,000 casualties. In addition to officers above the regiment, the army has almost changed, and 80% of the middle and lower-level officers have been injured. If it is measured by personnel, he has almost invested four divisions in Zhangjiakou. If it is not for the strong ability to replenish the battlefield, his troops have been killed in name only. The officers and soldiers on the front line have been numb in the face of death, but as the chief officer of the front line, he is suffering from torture every moment.

There were several times when he wanted to apply to the War Zone Command to remove him and change his defense. He was so tormented that he finally gave up his thoughts. Thinking of Commander Mu said in the telegram: "No matter how much the price he paid, he must nail me to Zhangjiakou like a nail. The significance of Zhangjiakou's defense operations is immeasurable. This is an excellent opportunity for us to dampen the morale of the Japanese army. I will add more people to you. You must stay in Zhangjiakou until September 10. If you don't want to withdraw, I will order you to withdraw. Remember that behind you are all the people of Shanxi, their expectant eyes are staring at you, and don't be scared by the cruelty of the war."

Whenever he thought of Commander Mu's words, Ji Hongchang had confidence and desire to win. At this time, the Chief of Staff came in from outside and reported: "The last position of the artillery regiment was discovered and destroyed by Japanese bombers. Now there are 5 artillery left." Ji Hongchang said: "The artillery regiment was fighting bravely. Tell the artillery regiment commander to leave the soldiers with five artillery, and the others should withdraw first! Urban street fighting has reached this level, so it is not very useful to leave artillery." The Chief of Staff said: "The Artillery regiment commander requires participating in street fighting." "No! It is not easy to train an artillery, they must withdraw." Ji Hongchang said firmly.

The Chief of Staff looked at the calendar and said, "The division seat is still 15 days away from evacuation from Zhangjiakou. If we fight in this situation, it is not a big problem for us to complete the task as scheduled." Ji Hongchang said, "Don't be careless. The Japanese army suddenly stopped attacking for two days, especially the Japanese army changed defenses and transferred the 12th Division to strengthen the offensive. Perhaps the Japanese army should adopt a new style of attack. Therefore, we must be vigilant and not be careless."

Zhaozhuang Japanese Army Front Command, the front-line commander accompanied the civil engineering experts from Peking, are studying and solving the problem of street fighting in Zhangjiakou. At this time, the civil engineering experts stood in front of the sand table in Zhangjiakou urban area and said with a cautious tone: "At present, there is no successful model for urban offensive and defensive operations in the world military history, and there is no classic battle line to follow. This is a new topic for us. The Chinese have wisely adopted the tactics of urban street fighting, which is an effective tactic for the weak side to the strong side. How to crack it must be experienced in actual combat."

Kawatani Arisuke said dissatisfied: "There is no way to solve the problem. Our Japanese Imperial Army is invincible, and a small street fighting will stop us?" The civil engineering expert said: "God General, if you want to capture it in a short period of time, you must invest heavily. The only way is to launch a continuous attack and repeatedly compete with the opponent for key points. In this way, both sides will have to pay a heavy price, especially the price paid to the attacking side. Of course, is there a way to reduce casualties, but it takes time."

Kawatani Aisuke said: "It is exactly what the Chinese people want to invest in heavy troops and repeatedly. In the early stage of the war, we suffered heavy casualties. This method is not advisable. We were so consumed and could not afford it at the beginning of the war. So what good suggestions do you have to talk about?"

Civil engineering experts said: "My solution is to use the first-line flat pushing tactics without considering time. The entire front line forms a straight line, and the occupied land forms mutual defense and advance bit by bit. Considering the enemy's tactics, we also form two sets of troops, and the attacking troops occupy it during the day, and at night, we can use the blocking troops to stabilize the occupied land. Only by effectively curbing the enemy's counterattack can it work."

Kawatani Arisuke was overjoyed and said: "This method is advisable. Report it to the commander immediately and order the front-line troops to refine this tactic. The key is to prevent the Chinese army from using the tactics to fight back at night." Not to mention the Japanese who are good at learning, they can always find the key to the problem.

The Japanese army, who had been resting for two days, launched an offensive again. Surprisingly, on the first day of the battle, the Japanese army did not launch a full-line attack, but attacked fiercely at several points. It turned out that the Japanese army was to straighten the offensive front line. After the Japanese army achieved this goal, they stopped the attack. Then the Japanese officers and soldiers began to arrange cooperative defense on the entire front line. For example, to facilitate mobile combat between troops, houses and houses, courtyard walls and courtyard walls, and streets were opened to increase the effectiveness of cooperative defense. In addition, the defensive forces in the field must be deployed with a sufficient number of small counterattack troops.

Our army did not notice the changes in the Japanese army. In the division command post, a combat staff officer said: "The division seat, the Japanese army suddenly launched an offensive after two days of rest, but the offensive was not fierce. The Japanese army only launched an offensive on No. 3, No. 5, No. 21, etc., etc., and we found that the Japanese army straightened the offensive route and stopped the attack. I wonder what tricks the enemy was playing?"

Ji Hongchang pondered for a moment and said, "The Japanese army has no tricks. I guess the Japanese army will launch a full-line attack tomorrow, so I chose to straighten the defense line. The purpose is to effectively attack and assist in defense. I ordered the commando tonight to regain the lost target." Ji Hongchang made a misjudgment, and the counterattack at night became dangerous.

As night fell, the counterattack began as scheduled. A 300-person counterattack force in area No. 5 was divided into several groups and soon penetrated into the Japanese occupied area. The fierce gunfire sounded the same. In the darkness, a 20-person team crossed a street. They wiped out a Japanese machine gun position, then hid in a courtyard, and then passed through several houses.

"Captain, I feel something is strange. Don't you think it's too easy for us to fight back tonight? And I found that the courtyard wall and the house were connected. What did the Japanese think? Isn't this more convenient for us to attack?" The deputy captain asked while moving forward.

"Damn it! I also feel that something is wrong. In the past, the Japanese army had stubbornly blocked it. It seemed very easy tonight. Everyone should be alert and pay attention to searching and moving forward." The captain also felt that it was wrong. While they were speaking, they entered a courtyard again. Suddenly, machine gun sounds came from the darkness. In an instant, several team members were knocked to the ground. The team members lay down on the ground and then retreated into the courtyard passing by. Then they thought that the hidden machine gun fire point behind them instantly spit out flames. In less than 10 minutes, all 30 teams were killed.

In the two-hour counterattack operation, more than 200 counterattack troops of 300 people in the No. 5 area were killed or killed. That night, there were 2,000 troops participating in counterattack operations in the entire defense line, and 1,200 were killed or killed. The Japanese army's defense tactics were a great success, causing heavy casualties to the counterattack troops.

As expected, the Japanese army pushed forward 100 meters in the second day's attack and stopped the attack. On the afternoon of the same day, in the Datong War Zone Command, Fu Zuoyi said in an atmosphere: "The cunning Japanese army actually used this tactic, to steadily, to push steadily on the front line, and to strengthen mutual defense. If the counterattack is too difficult." Lin said: "Mr. Fu, I suggest canceling the night counterattack. Since the Japanese army has been fully prepared, we do not have to use the old routine. According to the analysis of the Japanese army's advancement of 100 meters today, the Japanese army has changed its plan and the timetable for occupation of Zhangjiakou is determined by the situation."

Fu Zuoyi said: "Frankly speaking, such measures have won time for us to complete the Zhangjiakou blocking mission. We ordered the troops to cancel the night counterattack plan and all joined the daytime blocking." Lin Jie said: "The Battle of Songhu has been outbreak for half a month. Both sides have been increasing their troops, and the battlefield is getting bigger and bigger. I suggest that the blocking operation on Zhangjiakou and Guyuan are ending in advance. In fact, we have achieved the expected goal of Zhangjiakou blocking operation. Now we give up this defense line and attract more Japanese troops to attack the entire northern defense line. At the same time, urging the Japanese army to launch a southern attack will play a certain role in alleviating the pressure on the battlefield in Songhu."

Fu Zuoyi said: "Yes! The battlefield in Songhu is heartbreaking, so you should give up the front line in advance. Deputy Commander Lin, when do you think it will be beneficial to choose to withdraw troops?" Lin pondered for a moment and said: "Today is August 28. I suggest starting the retreat preparations on the evening of the 31st. Before retreating, the entire line will launch a feint attack on the entire line and numb the Japanese army. The troops will begin to withdraw after midnight. The Japanese army is already a tired army and it is impossible to carry out pursuit operations. In addition, after Zhangjiakou retreats, two days later, Guyuan and Tu'ershan defense lines will also withdraw one after another, and strive to withdraw all of them before September 5." Fu Zuoyi said: "Okay! I will report to the Taiyuan General Command immediately and report our ideas truthfully."

Then Fu Zuoyi drafted a telegram to report to the Taiyuan Command. Lin Hui said: "General Fu, intelligence shows that the field airport built by the Japanese army in Dolon has been completed, and the commander-in-chief's prediction is correct. The next step is that the Japanese army will definitely launch a big model attack on Chahar. At present, the Japanese army has recruited three divisions from Chifeng to Dolon. Once Dolon enters the combat aircraft, I can't think of a more fierce offensive in half a month. The Japanese army's offensive on the Songhu battlefield is very strong, and the Japanese army must echo each other in the northern battlefield. Didn't the Japanese army propose to occupy China for three months?"
Chapter completed!