Chapter 342: Happy for Nothing

"Colonel! The head of the Nishihara Group sent a reply!"

"The Lieutenant General asked us to confirm again whether there are any marching pots of the Eighth Route Army among the captured spoils?"

Hearing this, Terauchi Isamu pulled the reins to force the Anglo-Norman horse under his crotch to stop running, and then stared at the signalman on standby on the left with a puzzled expression.

The look seemed to say: Am I crazy or are they sick? Is there any need to confirm a broken iron pot?

However, the orders of the superiors must be obeyed. The old devil first ordered the entire army to stop the pursuit and stay alert, and then asked the baggage team in the rear to carry the big black pot over.

After repeated observations, Terauchi Isamu sighed helplessly.

"Why are these bureaucrats who graduated from the Army University always pursuing some meaningless details? If we stop moving forward now, we will definitely lose the opportunity to catch up with the enemy's leaders."

"If you have time to be in a daze, why not pursue the victory?"

However, despite complaining, the old Japanese still said to the signalman:

"Call back and tell the group leader in the rear that the spoils we seized are the marching pots of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region Command."

Don't underestimate Nishihara Issaku. Although the old Japanese has not had any outstanding performance in recent operations, he is from the 34th Saber Group of the Army University.

To become a member of the Saber Group, you must be the top six graduates of each class of the Army University. This title is a symbol of honor and personal strength.

Even if Terauchi Isamu is a hereditary baron, he must obey the opponent's command in military operations.

A moment later, the telegram of the 14th Cavalry Regiment was sent back to Fengzhen. Looking at the affirmative reply in black and white, Nishihara Issaku jumped up from the stool excitedly.

"Haha! These lucky guys! They can get medals! It seems that Amaterasu is blessing our cavalry group!"

"Order Terauchi Isamu's troops! Immediately leave Datong with the spoils and return to Fengzhen Headquarters! Their current mission is to protect the marching pot at all costs!"

"Neighboring troops act immediately! Cover the retreat of the 14th Cavalry Regiment! Also! Contact the North China Army Aviation! Let them gather in Datong! The Eighth Route Army will definitely counterattack wildly without its commander!"

At the same time, Yano Otosaburo and Iinuma Mamoru also issued the same order.

There will be plenty of time to resolve internal conflicts later. The top priority now is to safely send the spoils back to the headquarters, otherwise all the small moves will be in vain.

The 26th Division, the 110th Division and the cavalry group units that received the order immediately moved closer to Terauchi Isamu's position.

The devils who were still rushing and fighting suddenly began to avoid the battle, which greatly facilitated the retreat of the Jin-Cha-Ji Military Region.

······

"Benshi, something is wrong?"

"Why did the Japs suddenly stop chasing us? Why do they seem to be changing their route? I personally think that it is highly likely that one of the friendly troops has been caught by the enemy!"

As things have developed to this point, the 59th Regiment has achieved its goal of strategic deception.

Through the remains of documents left in the combat meeting room, the Japs are now determined to believe that the Army Reorganization Expert is in Datong City.

Through the military supplies left on the retreat route, the soldiers of the two companies also led the enemy's most mobile cavalry unit to a route completely opposite to the Army Reorganization Expert.

Even if the 59th Regiment retreats according to the planned plan now, no one can say anything from the moral high ground.

However, when the "friendly troops" are in trouble, Li Dabenshi will definitely not stay out.

From his perspective, the Japs were just chasing us. The sudden change in the marching direction must have caused some unexpected situation, and there must be something wrong with the abnormality.

"Well, I agree with Shitou's idea."

"According to the time, the boss may have arrived in Huairen, and the escort mission is over. Prepare for battle. We have to make some noise to help the trapped friendly forces share the firepower."

"As long as the gunshots here are heard, we are not afraid that the Japanese will not split their troops."

As soon as these words came out, the soldiers of the two companies were eager to fight.

From the apparent combat power, the Japanese cavalry brigade has more than 300 people. And their two companies have more than 600 people, and they may even have a chance to crush them in a fight.

Although the Japanese cavalry is known as a noble army, its actual combat effectiveness is really not very good.

Facing the Eighth Route Army two years ago, the other side could still bully others with mobility and firepower. Now? There are enough submachine guns, light machine guns and mortar ammunition.

If the enemy dares to charge, the soldiers dare to put the gun barrel into the enemy's horse's mouth.

It's okay to listen to what you claim, no one will really take it seriously. At the beginning, Sugiyama Gen claimed that he would destroy the Republic of China in three months, but now he is fighting harder and harder.

"Hehe, I've always wanted to fight the Japanese cavalry, and today I finally got the chance!"

"Captain! Leave the frontal blocking to me, and the side battlefield to Cheng Hai and his company. If everything goes well, the battle can be over within ten minutes!"

Magnet spoke in a relaxed tone and got straight to the point.

What era is it now? Are you still playing the horse and slash game?

Even if the Japanese cavalry speeds up, their company can rely on the firepower network organized by submachine guns and machine guns to stop the enemy.

Coupled with the firepower points deployed on the side, they can teach the Japanese cavalry a lesson in minutes.

"Hehe, it's good to be confident, but you can't underestimate the enemy. Guan Erye was careless and lost Jingzhou, let alone us."

"The first company was responsible for slowing down the Japanese cavalry, and the second company outflanked and provided fire support. After completing the task, the troops quickly evacuated the battlefield in platoon units."

“If there are any special situations or findings, report them promptly and take action!”

In fact, Li Daben was also very confident about this battle.

In just two years, he led his comrades in large and small battles. To be able to develop from a militia team to a main force group with a designation, there will naturally be no shortage of combat experience.

Even in terms of firepower alone, their regiment is ten times stronger than it was in 1939. How difficult is it to deal with a cavalry brigade?

While the 59th Regiment was setting up the battlefield, the 14th Cavalry Regiment once again received a call from the rear.

When Isamu Terauchi took the telegram from the communications soldier and read it carefully, an unhealthy blush immediately appeared on the old Japanese's face.

"Baga, what exactly is Nishihara Issei going to do?"

"This is just a common military pot. Why is he so obsessed with the Eighth Route Army's cooking utensils?"

"If we ask the alliance to retreat now, wouldn't it mean that I give up the opportunity to make meritorious deeds! Damn bureaucracy, how could the base camp let a pig become the lieutenant general of my younger brother's country?"

Hearing this, the communications soldiers on the side quickly retreated quietly, fearing that their commander would slap him in the face.

After a few curses, Terauchi suddenly realized what was going on.

Just like Nishihara Issaku always believed that a noble would not send random telegrams, he also felt that a lieutenant general from the saber group would not be a lunatic.

In this case, the problem lies with the military pot itself.

"Signal Corps! Get the code book quickly! See if the marching pot is a code word? What does it mean specifically?"

But at this moment, a crisp gunshot sounded suddenly in the distance.

When Isamu Terauchi was shot, his brains flew out, and half of his skull collapsed onto the face of the communications soldier. The whole person didn't even utter a scream, and fell straight from the horse.

This precise shot came from the hand of Magnet. As the most accurate shooter in the 59th Regiment, he killed the Japanese colonel with only one bullet.

There was nothing I could do about it, but Isamu Terauchi not only wore Shaobao, but also cursed in the crowd.

The above behavior clearly told everyone present that he was the supreme commander of the cavalry here.

"Your Majesty Colonel!"

"Enemy attack! There are enemies!"

"Charge! Find the Republican man in front of me! Pull him out! Give the commander his life!"

His own colonel died right in front of his eyes. This behavior was undoubtedly a shameful humiliation for the 14th Cavalry Regiment.

The lieutenant colonel who took over the command waved his riding crop, holding the reins with one hand and waving his saber with the other. The expression on his face was extremely ferocious.

As for a trap or a conspiracy?

Don't be kidding, the main force of the Eighth Route Army is running around with their tail between their legs. How could anyone take the initiative to expose their position at this time?

Moreover, it is a normal thing to encounter the enemy's defeated troops in street fighting.

"Kill me!"

After receiving the order, hundreds of cavalrymen followed closely. The death of a noble is no small matter. If they cannot kill the culprit, they will suffer the same consequences.

After rushing forward for more than 200 meters, the soldiers of the 14th Cavalry Regiment showed overjoyed expressions.

Because directly in front of them was a large open space.

Flat ground is extremely suitable for horses to run on, and can minimize terrain restrictions on cavalry. This means that our own side can exert its speed advantage, and it also means that the Eighth Route Army's sneak attack will have nowhere to hide.

As long as the enemy can be found, whether with mounted archery or saber, he can easily take off the enemy's head.

"accelerate!"

"Everyone speed up! I've already seen that Republican man!"

At the call of Lieutenant Colonel, the Japanese all waved their riding whips. The war horse was stimulated and accelerated one after another, and was about to approach the position where the magnet would fire.

Suddenly, something unexpected happens.

Ta da da. Ta da da.

Regular short bursts of fire sounded, and the Japanese cavalry rushing at the front turned over, as if they had hit a wall of air.

"idiot!"

Following the sound, the Japanese Lieutenant Colonel who took over suddenly had eyes wide open.

Not far away, directly ahead, the Eighth Route Army built a defensive position with three light machine guns as the core. Due to the darkness of night, no one could discover it in time.

"Spread out, the enemy's firepower is not strong! Charge forward and kill those Republic of China people!"

"Machine gun team! You attack from the flanks and must suppress the Eighth Route Army's light machine guns!"

Being able to become a lieutenant commander means that the Japanese's commanding ability is naturally not bad.

There were only three light machine guns in front. The impact speed of their cavalry was fast enough, and it didn't take long to sprint 200 meters. With the opponent's firepower, there won't be any big losses after the troops disperse.

Even if the Eighth Route Army still retains a hand, it will be difficult to have any impact on the battlefield.

Following the order from his own lieutenant, the Japanese cavalry instantly dispersed in an attack formation. The machine gun team went around to the side and dismounted, setting up crooked handles to shoot at the 59th Regiment.

When he saw that he was a hundred meters away, Li Dafeng gave the order to attack without hesitation.

Originally, he just wanted to cripple the Japanese cavalry, but he never expected that the enemy would not even conduct a reconnaissance but charge directly with the entire army. He would only be able to wipe out all the enemies easily.

"beat!"

Suddenly, the firing of rifles, submachine guns and light machine guns resounded across the battlefield.

The side positions were the most exaggerated. Facing the unprepared cavalry, the light machine guns with good shooting range were no different from massacres. Just one face-to-face shooting, dozens of Japanese fell down.

This scene made the Japanese lieutenant colonel so angry that he almost died on the spot.

At this point, he realized that there were actually Eighth Route Army who dared to ambush them. This was not because the Japanese were arrogant, but mainly because Li Dabenshi did not play by the rules at all.

Your main forces are retreating. Aren’t you afraid that the gunshots will attract our reinforcements?

However, the Japanese had no choice. Now there are enemies on three sides, and only attacking can kill a way out.

The Japanese of the 14th Cavalry Regiment gritted their teeth and continued to charge. While they kept shooting, they hid their bodies behind the horses as much as possible.

Everyone held their breath. As long as they could reach the Eighth Route Army’s position, they could show their saber skills that they had practiced for several years.

The intentions of the Japanese were obviously not hidden from Li Dabenshi’s eyes. Facing the enemy’s desperate assault, he waved his hand to signal everyone to open fire.

"Hand grenades! All 50 small guns!"

"The Japanese have come from afar, we can't treat them badly."

Saber? What era is still playing close combat, isn't automatic firepower good?

Two minutes later, the battle was completely over.

Relying on nearly a hundred submachine guns and a dozen light machine guns, the Japanese were unable to rush to the front of the 59th Regiment until they died. Looking at the corpses on the ground, Li Daben immediately ordered:

"Count the casualties and cover the wounded first!"

"Shitou, go and see the body of the Japanese commander, maybe you can find some useful information."

"Before you shot, the old Japanese kept cursing, maybe his superiors issued some messed up orders."

······

Fengzhen, the joint command post of the Mongolian Army.

Compared with the laughter and joy before, the combat meeting room at this time was frighteningly quiet.

Three Japanese lieutenant generals sat in front of a corpse in silence. The depressing atmosphere made the staff officers around them dare not breathe.

Good news, the Datong battle is over. Now the troops of the three divisions are cleaning up the battlefield. They have once again captured the gateway town of Shanxi.

Bad news, Terauchi Isamu is dead.

The most important marching pot disappeared without a trace, and everyone was happy for nothing.

"Mr. Nishihara, what should we do next? How should we explain to General Okamura Yasuji?"

"I heard that the North P has even drafted a telegram to the headquarters. If we return empty-handed, won't it be another slap in the face of the general? When he gets angry, he doesn't recognize his relatives!"