As the order was passed down, the nearly 800 members of the independent regiment quickly gathered.
The soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 2nd Battalion, Guard Company, and Artillery Company carried all their weapons and equipment and formed a dense column on the village road outside the compound of the regimental headquarters.
When Chen Liang heard the news and walked out of the regimental headquarters, the first battalion commander, Zhang Dabiao, immediately stepped out and reported at the top of his voice,""Regiment commander, all members of the Independent Regiment are ready for battle. Please give your orders!”
Chen Liang nodded at him. He looked around and saw nearly 800 fully-armed soldiers of the Independent Regiment lined up in a neat formation, ready to wait for orders.
The bayonet was like a forest, and the cold light was terrifying.
He couldn't help but feel excited. This was the first time he was truly commanding an entire regiment alone.
" Leave 30 guards behind to guard the fields. All the other battalions will join the battle. Our target is the Tiger Pavilion Stronghold. Advance at full speed!"”
"Let's go!" With a wave of Chen Liang's hand, the guard company immediately sent out 30 soldiers, all of whom were equipped with Thomas submachine guns, to stay behind.
The remaining soldiers turned around and rushed out of the village, marching towards the Tiger Pavilion stronghold.
……
The Tiger Pavilion Stronghold was located southeast of the Wang Fortress.
Because it guarded the highway, its geographical location was important.
Therefore, the Japanese army built a large stronghold here, consisting of twelve bunkers and four turrets.
The turrets were connected by brick walls. It was like a small city-like defensive fortress.
In order to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the stronghold, the Japanese had dug a trench around the bunker that was five meters wide and three meters deep on average.
Due to the irrigation of the nearby river, it formed a small natural moat.
The north and south sides of the stronghold were built against the mountains, and only the east and west gates allowed entry and exit.
The main road from Datong to Suiyuan ran through the east and west gates of Huting Stronghold.
The east and west gates were connected by a suspension bridge for passage.
If it was during normal times, with the firepower and offensive ability of the Eighth Route Army in the northwest region of Shanxi Province, it would be impossible for the Eighth Route Army to defeat the enemy.
As long as the Japanese army pulled up the suspension bridge, with 300 elite defenders, even if the Eighth Route Army came with 8,000 people, it would be difficult to take it down in a hurry.
That was why Zhang Dabiao was worried that it would be difficult to take down the Huting Stronghold with just 700 people.
The commander of the troops stationed at Huting Stronghold was a Japanese army officer named Sasaki.
This person graduated from the Tokyo Army Sergeant School and was originally a grassroots officer in the Japanese frontline field force.
In a clean-up battle a year ago, his left eye was shot and injured, so he was transferred to the Tiger Pavilion Stronghold as a commander.
Due to the sturdy fortifications and strong defensive capabilities of the Tiger Pavilion Stronghold, it was rarely attacked.
Sasaki being transferred here was also a good job.
It was also because this place was too peaceful.
As a result, the devils in the Huting stronghold were not very vigilant.
Unless there was a special battle order, they would not even close the drawbridge.
After all, this road was constantly used by merchants.
Today, Sasaki led his men to patrol the city wall as usual. Nothing unusual happened.
He returned to his command post and started drinking.
The Wang Fortress was not far from Tiger Pavilion.
Chen Liang led more than 700 soldiers of the Independent Regiment and finally arrived at a forest about three kilometers northwest of Huting Stronghold at around four in the afternoon.
Chen Liang asked Shen Quan to bring the main force into the forest to rest and recover their strength.
He and Zhang Dabiao brought more than ten guards to scout the area.
After observing the rough terrain and outline of the Tiger Pavilion Stronghold at a close distance, Zhang Dabiao, who was following behind Chen Liang, could not help but ask him,""Captain, the devils didn't close the city gates, and the drawbridge wasn't pulled up.
It seems that you're unprepared!"
"We came in a hurry and quickly, catching them off guard.”After Chen Liang finished speaking, he immediately brought them back.
On the way back, Zhang Dabiao was puzzled.""Guild Leader, are we going back just like that? Why didn't he scout the enemy's firepower and military deployment?”
"No need." "We have anti-aircraft machine guns, howitzers, fifty to sixty light machine guns, hundreds of submachine guns, and semi-automatic rifles."
Their firepower was definitely far superior to the Japanese in the stronghold, and they could easily suppress the enemy.
So, there's no need to waste time. Hurry up and go back. I'll arrange the specific attack!”
As they spoke, they returned to the forest and met up with the main force led by Shen Quan.
Without waiting for Shen Quan to ask, Chen Liang immediately ordered,""The enemy is unprepared. We will attack immediately.”
"First Battalion Commander!"
"Yes!" Zhang Dabiao stepped forward.
"I'll give you the guards and all the light machine guns in the regiment to form a fully automatic assault team.
You will lead the team. Conceal and meet the enemy first. The closer the better, but be careful not to expose your whereabouts.
After the artillery company finished firing three rounds of rapid-fire, they would immediately launch a surprise attack while the enemy was panicking.
Concentrate your firepower and stop the enemy from blocking the drawbridge and seizing the city gate.”
"Yes, Regiment Commander. Don't worry. I, Zhang Dabiao, can't guarantee anything else!" None of the hundred or so people in the assault team would leave the battle alive!”
"Very good. These words have boosted your morale. There's no time to lose. Go and prepare!”Chen Liang nodded and waved his hand.
Zhang Dabiao didn't waste any time and immediately went to pick a candidate.
Chen Liang then instructed Shen Quan," Second Battalion Commander, you will lead the second battalion. The first battalion will follow behind. Use more semi-automatic rifles to suppress the enemy."
I will personally lead the anti-aircraft machine gun platoon to fight side by side with you and implement fire suppression!
The artillery company advanced one kilometer forward and set up an artillery position on the spot. Ten howitzers aimed at the western wall of Huting Stronghold and fired three shots at the same time!
To provide artillery support for the attacking troops and cover the charging troops!”
"Yes, sir!" Shen Quan and the artillery company commander stood up and agreed, and then they split up.
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