These two infantry brigades are not the kind of security divisions that are specifically responsible for guarding the occupied areas. The Third Division, to which it belongs, is the only two veteran divisions formed before the war by the Japanese Army's Chinese Dispatch Army. It is also a division and regiment in the 11th Army that is specially used for field battles.

Not only are there many veterans, but most of the officers are regular graduates of the army non-commissioned officer school. And the equipment is absolutely second to none in the entire China dispatch army. In addition to the large number of technical units temporarily equipped, its combat effectiveness and fighting style can be regarded as the most powerful in the entire Japanese and Chinese dispatch army. Far from being the infantry brigade to which the security division belongs can be compared.

Although its real combat effectiveness is only two infantry brigades, it can basically be equal to the 66th brigade, and such a reserve brigade is one brigade. Coupled with a large number of painstakingly managed field fortification groups, as well as the mistakes made by himself to underestimate the enemy, it is not surprising that Xiong Botao's first wave of attacks failed.

Originally, he really didn't look down on the Qingfeng Dian defenders who only had two infantry brigades, Xiong Botao's idea was to seize Qingfeng Dian during the march, intending to complete the closure of the encirclement as soon as possible. Therefore, as soon as they came up, without conducting detailed battlefield reconnaissance, they concentrated two battalions with two tank platoons to attack Qingfengdian from both ends of the Pinghan Railway, trying to directly take this strategic point between Baoding and Shimen in one fell swoop.

According to his assumption, it is not easy for an armored division and a motorized infantry division in his hands to take down this small, only two infantry brigades to defend Qingfeng Shop? But he didn't expect this Qingfeng shop, which didn't seem to be very inconspicuous, to make his first three kicks all fail.

Not only did the first two rounds of attacks fail, but after a whole night of fierce fighting, they seized the outermost trench in the entire Qingfengdian battlefield. The results of the battle were not large, but the casualties were not light. Six tanks were either damaged by mines or hidden anti-tank guns by the Japanese, and the two battalions suffered two-thirds of the casualties and had to be reduced to one battalion.

It was not that the troops were not brave in the battle, nor that the support of the armored corps was not strong. But in addition to the oncoming dense fire, even the faces of the Japanese infantry and artillery could not be seen, and the direct fire could not find where the enemy's fortifications were, how could this battle be fought?

The equipment for building bridges could not be found, the tanks could not pass through the blockade ditch, and could only attack along the narrow lines of the railway line. Or through the trench, take the method of direct fire cover. However, the first line of attack almost became the target of the Japanese anti-tank guns, and the second attack method was attacked from time to time, and the Japanese anti-tank guns hidden in the shadows sneak attacked.

The Japanese anti-tank guns were indeed outdated, but in the bunker of more than 100 meters, there was no problem in sneak attack. And even if it is impossible to penetrate the front of the anti-coalition tank, there is no problem with the sides and behind it. In addition to the trenches dug by the Japanese army, the inside is high and the outside is low, and it is difficult for tank guns to aim.

If he has not been able to attack for a long time, he is worried that the battle situation of the entire Baoding battlefield will affect the determination and battle process of his superiors, and even the progress of the entire campaign because he has been unable to complete the encirclement of the entire Baoding battlefield for a long time. Coupled with the loss of not light, Xiong Botao felt a little impatient in his heart.

On the one hand, he concentrated his forces and firepower, and adopted the method of attacking on two flanks, focusing on the north and south of Qingfengdian. On the one hand, sappers were constantly mobilized, and under the cover of tanks, they tried to fill in the three blockade ditches and open the way for the breakthrough of the armored forces.

Looking inside the binoculars, tongues of fire are emerging from inside and outside the entire Qingfeng store. Some of the fortifications even had firing ports, which were set up close to the ground, and cleverly used the artificially set terrain to carry out careful camouflage. If you don't get closer, you won't be able to find a ridge that is actually a Japanese machine-gun fire point, or an anti-tank gun fire point.

Moreover, in such a small town, there are so many firepower points, the density of underground communication trenches, and the completeness of the fortifications and the ingenious setting are all rare since he joined the army. No matter how calm Rao is, Xiong Botao can't help but scold: "This little devil really has a fucking talent for digging holes." ”

In fact, these fortification groups are not a little uncommon for Xiong Botao. When the Anti-Japanese Federation was fighting in the northeast, the Japanese fortress groups and fortified areas that were cleverly designed and fortified surpassed the current Qingfeng shop. The difficulty of the battle and the price paid are far from being comparable to what they are doing now.

At least in those days, there were not so many artillery pieces of more than 100 mm caliber now, let alone so many tanks and aircraft. Moreover, the complex terrain in the mountainous area where the major fortresses of the Japanese army in the northeast are located is not comparable to the great plains of the Pingchuan River in central Hebei.

It's just that when the Anti-Japanese Federation captured the Japanese fortress, Xiong Botao was still his regiment commander in the Guannai army, and he did not experience the hard battles of that year. When attacking the fortified area of the Japanese army in Tongliao in 41, he also studied tank command on the Soviet side. Although during the exercise, there was no shortage of field fortifications to deal with the Japanese army. But this was the first time he had seen such a fortification.

Regarding Xiong Botao's impatience, Chen Hanzhang, who was in charge of the entire counterattack battle, repeatedly asked him on the telegram to be calm and absolutely not to be too impatient. With regard to the characteristics of the Japanese army's fortifications, it is necessary to devote more brains to the target. When making up your mind, don't be too hasty and listen to the advice of some of the troops below.

At the same time, Chen Hanzhang directly telegraphed the troops that the original plan to counterattack to the north was canceled. In addition to leaving part of the troops in favor of the commander's command, continue to capture Qingfengdian. And with a part of the army to the direction of Dingxian, ready to block the reinforcements of Zhengding and Shimen.

The main force was immediately south of Qingfengdian and crossed the Pinghan Railway. Advance to the southeast, the Angolan front. At the latest, within 16 hours, it is necessary to seize the front line of Anguo and Boye. Judging from the current battle situation, there is no need to attack northward in a roundabout group.

After receiving Chen Hanzhang's telegram, Xiong Botao's mind cleared up a little. After consulting with Lin Feng, the commander of the reinforced Ninth Division, the two decided to readjust and deploy. The 25th Regiment of the 9th Division was the main force, and the 1st Battalion of the 27th Regiment of the 9th Division, the 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Armored Division, and the engineer battalion directly under the 9th Division were strengthened as the attack troops.

One battalion of the self-propelled artillery regiment of the 1st Armored Division, the 1st Company of the 105th Howitzer Battalion of the Artillery Regiment directly under the 9th Division was reinforced, and the 3rd Company of the Cannon Battalion was used as supporting firepower. Li He, the commander of the 25th Regiment, unified the troops participating in the battle to launch an attack on the front line of Qingfengdian. The main force of the 1st Armored Division, reinforced by the 26th Regiment of the 9th Division, advanced to the front line of Anguo and Boye.

At the same time, the 27th Regiment of the 9th Division and the 69th Regiment of the 23rd Division, the 3rd Battalion of the 2nd Tank Regiment directly under the 1st Armored Division, an independent regiment of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region and the main force of the Artillery Regiment of the 9th Division, spread south along the Qingfengdian battlefield. Cooperate with the first section of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region to seize Dingxian and go forward to Mingyuedian.

As for Xiong Botao and Lin Feng, a division of labor was carried out. Xiong Botao pointed to the eastward advance cluster, seized Anguo and Boye, and was responsible for commanding the overall situation. Lin Feng was responsible for commanding the entire battlefield from Qingfengdian to Mingyuedian, and at the same time was responsible for coordinating with the surrounding troops of the Jinchaji Military Region.

After finalizing the division of labor, Xiong Botao did not delay too long in Qingfeng Shop. He immediately commanded his troops to the east, continuing the interspersed attack. As for the one who was specially asked from the Eighteenth Division when Lin Feng was transferred from the chief of staff of the Eighteenth Division to the commander of the Ninth Division. The best regiment commander of the Ninth Division, whom he called him, gave Li He, the commander of the Ninth Division, where did not change a division, and Lin Feng was responsible for explaining the specific tasks. His subordinates, he himself will confess.

In fact, although he has always served as a reserve, when the first wave of attacks of the brother troops failed, he knew that he would be on Li He sooner or later. At this time, he had been observing the battle situation outside Qingfengdian, and constantly discussing the battle with several of his battalion commanders, summing up the lessons of the defeat of the brother troops.

After receiving the order from his division commander, Li Hezhi did not feel the slightest surprise. Looking at Li He, who had a resolute face in front of him and was unusually calm, Lin Feng did not hesitate to say directly to his old subordinate: "It is impossible for the main force to delay here for too long, Commander Xiong and I have studied the battle of Qingfeng Dian and your twenty-fifth regiment is in charge." ”

"Qingfengdian is a strategic point between Shimen and Baoding, whether it can be taken in the shortest possible time is related to the progress of the entire Baoding battle situation, and whether it can completely encircle and annihilate the entire strategic deployment of the five wings of the Japanese army on the Baoding battlefield. It's not easy to pick this burden, that's why I chose you. ”

"You are the best regiment commander of the Ninth Division, whether you can pick up this burden and complete the combat mission assigned by the headquarters depends on whether you, the regiment commander, are worthy of this title. If you need anything to tell me directly, as long as the division can take it out now, I can give it to you. But there are only so many troops, and it is impossible to increase any troops for you. ”

"My request to you is very simple, that is, you must seize the strategic point of Qingfengdian before the Japanese army retreats on the Baoding battlefield. And stuck here, before the arrival of the follow-up troops, even if it is fought to the point of a single soldier, the retreating troops of the Japanese army must be blocked here. ”

"I won't talk to you more about the meaning and impact of this battle. You are the commander of the main regiment, you know these things very well. But I can tell you that it was not only Commander Xiong and I who were paying attention to this battle, but also Commander Chen of Baoding. Even One, who is keeping a close eye on the battle. ”

After listening to Lin Feng's words, Li He looked at the two military and political chiefs in front of him, but without the slightest hesitation, he spoke directly: "Division commander, political commissar, since the division has decided to hand over the 25th Regiment to me in this battle, then I have one request." How this battle will be fought, I have the final say. The division can make requests, but they just don't give me any battle plans. Don't rush me after the battle has begun. ”

"As long as the division commander and political commissar agree to my request, I promise to take the Qingfeng shop within the specified time according to the division commander's request, and guarantee that it will be stuck here. In addition to giving me another flamethrower company and some more explosives, I don't want any more soldiers in the division, and I don't want any reinforcements. ”

Li He's request made Lin Feng and his political commissar Du Zifu stunned for a moment, but they were a little hesitant. It's not that I don't believe Li He, it's that the army's orders are orders. By doing this, you kid is directly throwing aside the supervision of your superiors, which is not allowed by the discipline and regulations and regulations of the army.

Looking at the division commander and political commissar who were a little hesitant, Li He didn't explain too much, but said quite confidently: "Division commander and political commissar, as long as you two agree to my request, I promise to take Qingfeng Store according to the requirements of the division, and I can't kill you to kill my head." ”

Maybe it was the confidence in Li He's words that moved his superiors, although Lin Feng hadn't answered him yet, Du Zifu, the political commissar who had not spoken before, suddenly spoke: "Okay, according to your requirements, the division commander and I will definitely not interfere with your command." Qingfeng shop fights, you can fight how you want, let's settle accounts after the autumn. ”