funbook-pk Chapter 1067 Battle of Ludong
Chapter 1067 Battle of Ludong
Just as the small team was testing its tactics in Pujiang, Ma Leizi had already arrived in the provincial capital of Shandong, along with nearly 10,000 troops. Currently, the 72nd Army has nearly 17,000 troops around the provincial capital of Shandong.
After the two sides signed the agreement that day, under the leadership of the Qingzhou Garrison Regiment, the troops immediately launched a three-day battle to seize the capital of Shandong Province.
After our brothers suffered greatly in the city, with 1,950 casualties, we finally managed to retake it.
Of course, the Japanese suffered more casualties. In the street fighting in this city, a total of 11,000 people were killed, more than 3,700 were seriously injured, and more than 2,000 were lightly wounded.
All personnel have now evacuated across the Yellow River, and the middle section of the iron bridge over the Yellow River has been destroyed by the Japanese.
After a series of urban street battles, the Qingzhou garrison was almost completely destroyed, with most of its members, including the commander, sacrificing their lives.
Although the 72nd Army's training included urban street fighting, it didn't take much time, resulting in varying combat performance among different units. This led to our heavy losses in the provincial capital. If it weren't for the police force that had been lying in ambush there, our losses might have been even greater.
"Gather the brothers of the Qingzhou Garrison Regiment properly, and send their remains back as soon as possible. In accordance with the orders of the General Headquarters, the Qingzhou Garrison Regiment will be upgraded to the Qingzhou Garrison Brigade, and the remaining personnel will be promoted as appropriate."
When Ma Leizi saw the long line of martyrs' remains before him, his eyes reddened. These people had traveled from Qingzhou to the provincial capital in less than two weeks, and an entire regiment had been decimated. Even with advanced weapons, the battlefield was still brutal.
"Don't worry, Commander, the train will take them back this afternoon. In addition, there are still several hundred Japanese remnants in the city, and we are working hard to capture them. The problem is that we are having difficulty launching a counterattack to the north. Apart from the Yellow River Iron Bridge, we have no other means to cross the river."
Before Ma Leizi arrived, the temporary commander was the former commander of the Qingzhou Garrison Regiment. After that commander died in battle, the temporary commander became Lin Chang'an, the commander of the Penglai Security Regiment, who was the one reporting to Ma Leizi.
"No rush. A batch of river patrol boats will arrive from Qingdao tonight. Is the Yellow River water level okay?"
Ma Leizi's biggest worry is that the Yellow River's water level is not high enough. If even small boats can't get away, then our river patrol boats won't be of much use. Now that the Isogai Division has been severely damaged and retreated to the north bank of the Yellow River, their morale is low. We absolutely cannot let these guys get away.
The above refers to the entire Shandong Province. We can't just abandon the area north of the Yellow River; that would be a wasteful act.
"The water level is fine, but the current is rapid. If the river patrol boats don't have enough horsepower, they may have difficulty moving freely in the Yellow River. Moreover, the Japanese are also setting up defensive positions on the other side."
Lin Chang'an took out a map from the side, with two bright red dots on it. It was obvious that these were the blood of some commander, but he couldn't care less about that now.
"These guys still dare to brazenly build defensive positions. Where is the heavy artillery battalion I brought? Set up them on the banks of the Yellow River immediately. Without my orders, they'll keep firing, firing as many shells as they can get their hands on. All units with mortars larger than 100mm that can reach the other side, don't sit still, just keep throwing them down."
Ma Leizi, brimming with wealth, said that after occupying the Jiaodong Peninsula, various warehouses were built in different places, and they are now full. Li Shaoyi has already given him authorization. As long as he can take back the entire Shandong Province, he can do whatever he wants on this land.
"Yes."
Lin Chang'an's face lit up with joy, and he immediately went down to relay the order.
Before facing the defensive fortifications built by the Japanese on the other side of the river, the artillery caliber of their various units was too small. Although the 80mm mortars could hit them, the effect was not very good. Now that they have a heavy artillery battalion, let the Japanese wait and see.
The heavy artillery battalion had just gotten off the train less than half an hour ago. After receiving the order, they immediately mounted the 105mm and 155mm howitzers onto trucks and quickly drove towards the designated location.
The troops defending the banks of the Yellow River also received 120mm mortars, which can fire up to seven kilometers away.
The Yellow River, including the mudflats, is less than 2 kilometers wide, so we were able to attack any Japanese military targets that were visible to the naked eye. However, we were short of artillery shells before, and all the units were lightly equipped. The shells were very heavy, and it was difficult for one person to carry them.
The division commander is leading a large force over, along with a large amount of weaponry and equipment. A truck just drove by, and although it only unloaded twenty-four shells, that was enough for these two cannons.
"These Japanese devils were baring their teeth and claws at me just now, they probably meant that I couldn't hit them. Now they'll taste what it's like to be bombed. Brothers, aim your guns. We're the first unit to fire on the shore, don't embarrass our Wulian County Security Regiment."
Battalion Commander Hao of the Second Battalion of the Wulian County Security Regiment was watching his men with a tense expression. This group of artillerymen had previously used 81mm mortars. Although they had played with 120mm mortars in the training camp, they were not very proficient with them, so these guys would need some time to get used to them.
"Don't worry, Battalion Commander. Shall I go first?"
Company Commander Xu of the artillery company was originally an artilleryman in the 29th Army. When the 29th Army retreated from North China, he joined them. Later, after many twists and turns, he became a company commander in the security regiment.
To put it bluntly, his artillery skills were inadequate, which led to his failure in the regular army's assessment. However, it would be a shame to discard his artillery knowledge, which he could at least use; perhaps he could try his luck in the security regiment.
Battalion Commander Hao nodded heavily. "You've never embarrassed us before, and right now the brothers from other units are watching from the riverbank."
About 1,900 meters across the river, several Japanese soldiers were building a heavy machine gun position. The Type 92 heavy machine gun had already been brought over. They were cursing and swearing, clearly convinced that there were no large-caliber artillery pieces on this side and that they couldn't be hit.
Company Commander Xu silently took a breath of cool air, then checked the firing data again and again, before ordering his men to prepare to drop the shells...