When the 71st Army, which was responsible for the main attack mission, arrived at the position north of the town, he learned that the Japanese blocking position in the southeast was broken. { ?When hearing this news, the commander Song Xilian was also very surprised.

As he pursued the Japanese army breaking through and fled, Song Xilian knew very well that the Japanese army was still very good at defending. Even though his troops had the advantage, he still pulled the troops over until now.

What surprised Song Xilian even more was that the Japanese soldiers who were in charge of pursuing the 71st Army actually had many troops fighting to block the 71st Army, causing considerable casualties and delaying their arrival at the predetermined attack position.

As soon as they arrived, the 51st Army and He Zhengdao's troops successfully captured the Japanese defended positions in the southeast, which really surprised him. But he also knew that this was also good news for his tomorrow's attack.

At least for the Japanese army in the town, the southeast is closest to the town, and the attack distance is naturally the shortest. This means that the Japanese soldiers stationed in the town must send heavy troops to defend in the southeast.

With all the plans, there are only more than 10,000 Japanese troops near the town. If the Japanese divide their troops to defend other directions, then the 71st Army will have relatively fewer Japanese troops to deal with in the north of the main attack at that time.

After receiving a telegram from Li Zongren, Song Xilian quickly ordered the troops to start resting and reserve physical strength for tomorrow's battle. During this period, they should be the troops with the most frequent combat in the Fifth War Zone.

But if they refuse to take the lead, the 51st Army or 77th Army will steal the limelight again. During this period, the achievements they have achieved will be greatly reduced. Song Xilian is also very clear about this.

Although Chiang Kai-shek's permission was to fight this battle at all costs and strive to wipe out the 16th Japanese Division that was trapped in the town. However, Song Xilian still hoped that after the battle, the 71st Army could preserve as much strength as possible.

If you really want to fight all the old troops, even if Chiang Kai-shek gives him priority to replenishing the combat effectiveness of the 71st Army, it will not be possible in a short time. Military training and the military training will take a long time to complete.

He Zhengdao, who also learned that the 71st Army arrived, had already obtained confirmation from Li Zongren. The next general attack will be borne by the 71st Army. He Zhengdao did not find any surprises about this decision.

However, based on the current situation, He Zhengdao had a premonition that the next attack of the 71st Army would not go too smoothly. The Japanese who were forced to go to the dead end often had very amazing combat power.

If you want to clear out the more than 10,000 Japanese soldiers trapped in the town, it is probably not enough to rely on just one 71st Army. However, the 71st Army had previously fought and blocked, and then took on the combat mission to break the Japanese soldiers' block.

The 71st Army, which also fought for several days, did not have to attack immediately, but how could it be possible to recover its physical strength and state if it only took a few hours of rest? In contrast, the Japanese can still get a good rest in the town.

Thinking of this, He Zhengdao quickly said: "Look east, let our people go to the 51st Army and the 77th Army. Considering tomorrow's battle, I suggest tonight launch an attack by small troops.

For other troops, please find a place to rest quickly. Considering that the Japanese may send air force to assist in the war tomorrow, the two commanders should also ask the air defense matters to think about air defense. After all, there is not much time left before dawn.

As for our attack, we ordered the mountain artillery troops to launch a shelling attack into the town every half an hour. Remember, each shelling cannon is at most three mountain cannons. Each mountain cannon will be moved if it hits three shells, and do not fix a place."

Li Xiangdong, who heard these words, immediately smiled and said, "Commander, it seems that the Japanese will not be able to sleep tonight!"

‘Although this kind of exhausted military strategy does not cause much damage to the Japanese. But if we can cause some trouble to the Japanese, we should not be polite to the Japanese. Let Lin Tie’s reconnaissance battalion remember to observe the bullet points of the shells.

If you can find the places where the Japanese can store supplies, or the Japanese barracks and artillery positions, it would be great. If you can use artillery shells, try to solve the problems with fewer bullets.

As for the troops on the front line, they ordered them to be wary of the Japanese defensive counterattacks. In addition, they built hidden and air defense fortifications. I think the Japanese should bombard the positions we seized tomorrow, so that comrades would be careful.'

Compared with other Eighth Route Army generals, they often do not use weapons like mountain cannons easily. Similar to He Zhengdao, every time they fight, the shells will be used without hesitation, which is still different.

At least in He Zhengdao's opinion, if a shell can solve two Japanese devils, he still feels profitable. If an infantry attacks, it may sometimes take the life of a warrior to solve two Japanese devils.

Although artillery shells are very expensive and cherished these days, He Zhengdao always feels that the lives of soldiers are the most precious. As for artillery shells, as long as they win this battle, He Zhengdao believes that the capture will not be too small.

If the 71st Army could really take it down with its own strength to fight the Japanese army in the town. He Zhengdao would not have robbed any spoils. If he was asked to send troops to help, he would definitely not let the spoils go.

At least He Zhengdao was very interested in the supplies transported by the Japanese into the town, as well as the heavy artillery that were still preserved. At this place, a lot of their supplies needed to be replenished.

If you really need to use materials from the base, regardless of time or manpower and material consumption, it seems to be quite expensive. In this case, if you can seize supplementary materials, why not?

This time he represented the Eighth Route Army to fight against the Wuhan battlefield, He Zhengdao had already achieved the record of encircling and annihilation of the 10th Division. This means that he had already proved the name of the Eighth Route Army with himself. The rest is how to obtain the greatest benefit.

If you want to establish the Central China Military Region in the Dabie Mountains, the funds and materials needed are not the same as a small amount. However, the central and headquarters can provide He Zhengdao with not much help.

The Eighth Route Army, who had successfully traded and bought a large amount of supplies with real money, had little money in their actual pockets. This means that they still need to live a hard life next.

In the case of self-reliance, He Zhengdao naturally knew the importance of materials to them. This is also why He Zhengdao was not taking on the main offensive task, but was constantly complaining about the huge casualties of the troops.

Not only do we keep a low profile, we will not make the Central Army too vigilant, but we can also gain certain benefits. Why not do such a good thing that can kill multiple goals in one fell swoop? Nowadays, it is far from the time to steal the limelight from the Central Army.

With the issuance of He Zhengdao's order, the reconnaissance forces occupying the southern position also strengthened the pit fortifications built by the Japanese army before. Considering that the Japanese may launch a surprise attack tomorrow, the fortifications built need to be able to withstand air strikes.

As for the blocking fortifications deployed at the entrance of the town and confronted the Japanese, the reconnaissance troops did not place many fortifications to build them. The reason is that the reconnaissance troops were eager for the Japanese to come out to attack them!

What's more, if the Japanese want to come out at this time, they still need to wading through the surveillance team's surveillance team and the minefields that have not been stepped on. It can be said that the Sixty-Seventh Army in the southern position is the most leisurely and relaxing force.

After receiving the advice given by He Zhengdao, Xu Youchang also realized that it was not much time since dawn. Compared to He Zhengdao's lack of troops here, he found a few safe places to hide, but they had to place a large number of troops.

For a time, small troops were sent, including the 77th Army, to harass the Japanese army, and the rest of the troops began to prepare for tomorrow's air defense. In this way, the Japanese army also felt that the attack pressure they were under was greatly reduced.

In response to such a situation, Fujie Keitsuki, who was still unable to rest, also said unexpectedly: "Give up the attack of the large army and attack by small army. What conspiracy are these people doing?"

In Fujie Mesopotamian's opinion, if he wants to capture the town he is defending, night is undoubtedly the best opportunity. At this time, the troops in the Fifth War Zone did not seize the time to attack, but instead weakened the offensive strength. There must be a problem with this!

On the other hand, the chief of staff, who looked tired, said: "Secretary Commander, they may feel that they have successfully encircled us to reduce the attack strength! They should know that they will not be able to break the blocking line we arranged in one night."

‘Is that so? How is the situation in the southern position?’

Compared with the situation on the east and west sides, what Fujie Keifu is most worried about is the southern position. The reason is also very simple. The troops that took down the southern position were the troops of He Zhengdao, who caused them to fall into trouble.

‘Nothing is going on! According to the reconnaissance of our frontier observation post, their offensive troops have established fortifications at the entrance of the town, and it seems that they have not continued to send troops to attack us. I think they should know that our main force is still there!’

The Chief of Staff’s explanation made Fujie Etsuo somewhat disbelief. He always felt that whether they could successfully hold on here this time was afraid that they would eventually be wary of the Eighth Route Army that seized the southern position.

Perhaps this kind of worry seemed a bit ashamed to Fujie Meifu. But after fighting along the way, Fujie Meifu already felt that He Zhengdao was good at using surprise weapons. Such an opponent would be fatal if he was not careful.

‘Order the frontier observation post to strengthen the vigilance, send more alert troops to keep a close eye on the move. I always feel that behind this silence, I am afraid of unknown conspiracies. We need to be more careful!’

Listening to the division commander's words, the Chief of Staff was not easy to refute anything. In fact, through this series of battles, He Zhengdao had already shown the edge of the Eighth Route Army to the 16th Division.
Chapter completed!