readsfreenovel Chapter 113: Siege of the Northern Army's 31st Division
Chapter 113: Siege of the Northern Army's 31st Division
Seeing that Fang Guoxuan was quite gentle, the villagers plucked up their courage and said, "Sir, this road is full of small hills, and it is difficult to walk on..."
After being introduced by the villagers, Fang Guoxuan got to know the surrounding terrain and had a plan in mind.
"Tianming, lead the team along the road on the right wing of Yanping and go around to the rear of the 31st Division." After letting the villagers leave, Fang Guoxuan called several officers together and gave them instructions.
"The Wei family led the 103rd Regiment and moved from the left side of Yanping to the flank of the 31st Division."
"Tomorrow morning at 31 o'clock, I will launch an artillery attack on the enemy's 102st Division. After the bombardment, you will immediately launch an attack on it. At the same time, I will let the nd Regiment launch a feint attack from the front to tie down the enemy's front."
Fang Tianming said worriedly: "Division Commander, several main regiments have been deployed, and you don't have many troops here."
"Don't worry. The division headquarters still has a firepower battalion and a guard battalion. The reconnaissance battalion and the engineering battalion can also participate in the battle at critical moments." Fang Guoxuan said nonchalantly.
Although the division's direct troops are large, the artillery regiment alone has 3,000 people, as well as non-combat personnel such as the logistics department, communications department, and medical team.
Although these people can also participate in the battle, Fang Guoxuan will not organize them to join the battle unless it is necessary.
In Yanping County, after another round of enemy artillery bombardment, the soldiers of the 102nd Regiment had become accustomed to the enemy's offensive rhythm and responded calmly.
Although there would be unlucky soldiers who were hit by shells from time to time, overall the casualties were still acceptable.
Fang Weiguo complained at the headquarters: "Damn it! If my troops had carried mountain artillery, we would have blown up the enemy's artillery positions immediately."
"Commander, a telegram from the division headquarters." Just as Fang Weiguo was complaining, the messenger came to report.
After receiving the telegram, Fang Weiguo showed his delight. He ordered, "Guards, go and call the commander of the 101nd Battalion of the 2st Regiment."
"The main force of the division has arrived. Your soldiers will exchange guard with our regiment tonight. Tonight, our troops will leave the city and feint an attack on the enemy's positions." Not long after, the battalion commander of the 2nd Battalion came over and Fang Weiguo introduced.
The commander of the 2nd Battalion did not hesitate and immediately replied, "Yes, Commander Fang."
At night, after the troops withdrew, the casualties were counted. It was found that 102 people of the 156nd Regiment were killed. After two battles, a total of 102 people of the 341nd Regiment were killed.
Because they were defending the city and had the advantage of geographical location, and were also under mortar fire, the 31st Division lost more than people.
Nothing happened that night. At 6:30 the next day, Fang Guoxuan had already set up an artillery position on the right side outside the north gate of Yanping City.
"Have all the units moved to the designated locations?" Fang Guoxuan asked the staff officer beside him.
The staff officer immediately reported: "Division Commander, we have received a telegram from the 104th Regiment, which has arrived at the designated location. At the same time, the 102nd Regiment is also ready for battle. There has been no news from the 103rd Regiment yet."
The 104th Regiment was located behind the enemy's 31st Division and was relatively easy to hide, but the 103rd Regiment was located on the right wing of the 31st Division's position, which was an open area.
Time passed minute by minute, and Fang Guoxuan looked at his watch from time to time, waiting for news from the 103rd Regiment.
"Division Commander, there's news about the 103rd Regiment. Because it's located in an open area, Regiment Commander Fang Weijia has divided the 103rd Regiment into three parts." At :, the chief of staff came to report.
"They are located in three directions on the right wing of the 31st Division. Commander Fang promised that after the artillery fire stops, the troops will launch an attack as soon as possible and will never delay the opportunity."
Fang Guoxuan breathed a sigh of relief: "Okay, we will fire at 7 o'clock sharp, and at the same time send a message to all the troops to get ready."
At exactly seven o'clock, at the 31st Division's position, the commander of the 31st Division was observing the movements of Yanping City with a telescope, while the soldiers of the 31st Division were queuing up for breakfast.
"boom."
"boom."
Suddenly, an explosion sounded on the 31st Division's position. The 31st Division commander hadn't reacted to what had happened yet, and said with an unhappy look on his face: "Messenger, go and see what happened."
"Commander, be careful." Suddenly, the guard next to him rushed over and knocked the commander of the 31st Division to the ground.
"boom."
A shell landed where they had just stood, raising a cloud of dust.
The 31st Division's position was suddenly in chaos. The soldiers who were getting their meals or eating were frightened and ran around in panic.
An officer commanded: "Quick, hide, hide."
Before order could be restored, a shell landed in front of the officer, sending him flying.
"Run and find a place to hide." The soldiers became more panicked under the continuous bombardment, and someone shouted in panic from time to time.
The commander of the 31st Division then realized that he was under artillery fire. When he thought of this, his first reaction was shame and anger.
Even if the main force of the Northern Army has not arrived yet, the troops they have moved to this area number two divisions and a regiment. How dare the other side take the initiative to attack? Do they look down on us?
Although he felt ashamed and angry, the commander of the 31st Division did not stand up. He was still pinned under the bodies of the guards, avoiding the artillery fire.
At 7:, the artillery fire had not yet completely stopped, and Fang Weijia ordered: "Brothers, charge."
The soldiers of the 103rd Regiment immediately launched an attack on the right wing of the 31st Division. When the 103rd Regiment attacked, the gate of Yanping was opened, and Fang Weiguo led the 102nd Regiment to rush out.
The 102nd, 103rd and 104th Regiments launched an attack on the 31st Division from three directions.
"Commander, the enemy has launched an attack on us." Three minutes after the artillery fire stopped, a soldier hurriedly found the commander of the 31st Division.
The commander of the 31st Division immediately ordered: "Quick, let the 311th Regiment hold the position, and let the 312th and 313th Regiments be on standby at any time."
He was now very glad that he had dug trenches and built simple fortifications on the position, otherwise he would have been completely unable to resist the enemy's attack.
"Division Commander, there are enemies on our right wing and in the rear." Before the messenger went out, another soldier came to report.
The commander of the 31st Division was a little panicked. He had set up positions in the front, but there were no positions in the rear. Moreover, in order to facilitate the siege, the troops were stationed on the flat ground in front of the hill.
If the enemy attacks from behind the hill, the terrain will be flat and there will be no strategic locations to defend.
Thinking of this, the commander of the 31st Division hurriedly ordered: "The 312th Regiment will go to the right wing, and the 313th Regiment will guard the rear."
"Quick, send a telegram to the 71st and 72nd Divisions immediately, telling them that our unit is under attack and requesting their reinforcements." After the soldiers went to pass on the message, the division commander gave another order.
"At the same time, send a telegram to the army commander, saying that our unit is under attack and asking for the location of the main force."
After Fang Guoxuan saw that his three regiments were engaging the enemy in three directions, he immediately ordered: "Let the firepower battalion go out and launch an attack on the enemy's left wing position."
"Commander, after the firepower battalion is sent out, the only combat force left is the guard battalion." The staff officer looked worried.
Fang Guoxuan didn't care about it: "No problem, transfer the guard company of the artillery regiment over here. If the enemy breaks out, we must beat them back."
Although Fang Guoxuan appeared calm on the surface, he was still worried inside. His troops on the main position were relatively weak. If the enemy concentrated their forces and rushed over, they could easily break out.
Moreover, he was not sure when he could defeat the enemy and was worried about the enemy's reinforcements in Pan County.
Although there are only 31 people in Pan County, if the 103st Division cannot be defeated in a short time, even if only one regiment comes from Pan County, the rd Regiment's line will be torn apart.
The staff officer had no choice but to follow the instructions and pass the order. In less than ten minutes, the firepower battalion launched an attack on the 31st Division.