Chapter 125 5. Hu Zongnan called a military meeting

Regarding the focus on attacking the liberated areas in northern Shaanxi, Chiang Kai-shek placed his expectations on Hu Zongnan. After Hu Zongnan received Chiang Kai-shek's order, he did not dare to neglect, and immediately secretly dispatched his direct troops in Guanzhong and southern Shanxi to gather in Luochuan-Yichuan in the southern part of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region. Liu Kan, who was stationed in the Guanzhong area, immediately led the Reorganized 17th Division, Reorganized 36th Division, and Reorganized 76th Division under his command of the Reorganized 29th Army, a total of 7 brigades, to Luochuan secretly. , Fu County assembled.

Dong Zhao, who was stationed in the southern Shanxi triangle area, led the reorganized 1st division and reorganized brigade under the jurisdiction of the reorganized 1st army under his command, as well as the attached mortar battalion and rocket troops, from Yuncheng Set off, cross the Yellow River at Yumenkou, pass near Hancheng, and gather in the Yichuan area.The 27th Division and the reorganized 90th Division had a total of 83. On the morning of March 11, many senior Kuomintang officers flooded into the small Luochuan County, and martial law was enforced throughout the city.American jeeps were parked outside Luochuan Middle School.

Hu Zongnan had arrived here from Xi'an the day before, convened a military meeting, and arranged for a military operation to attack Yan'an. Attending the meeting were: Pei Changhui, deputy director of the Xi'an Appeasement Office and director of the Luochuan Front Command Post; Xue Minquan, deputy chief of staff of the Sui Department; Army chief of staff, division commander, division chief of staff, brigade commander, etc. Hu Zongnan presided over the meeting, and Xue Minquan preached on the operational deployment. Xue Minquan pointed to the combat map hanging on the wall, and said: "Everyone! According to the relevant information held by the Sui Department, the total strength of the Communist Army in Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, the regular troops are the 1st Brigade, the 2nd Brigade and the 1st Brigade. The designation is unknown. The brigade has a total of more than 20,000 people, and with local armed forces, the maximum number does not exceed 50,000. The main force of the Communist Army's regular troops is located in Linzhen Town, Jinpen Bay, and the line of Laoshan, and there is a part that seems to be in the vicinity of Yanchang County. "

Xue Minquan looked at Hu Zongnan when he said this.Hu Zongnan nodded to Xue Minquan, signaling Xue to continue talking. With Hu Zongnan's tacit consent, Xue Minquan raised his voice and announced the specific deployment of the battle.All the generals attending the meeting stretched out their ears and listened to Xue Minquan's speech: "According to the strength and position of the Communist Army, the Sui Department decided that our army should be divided into two armies, the left and the right, and take a pincer offensive to encircle and annihilate the Communist Army in Shaanxi, Gansu and Ningxia, and occupy Yan'an. As well as the entire bandit area. The Right Route Army reorganized the 1st Army's mortar battalion and rocket troops for me, and attacked Yan'an from Yichuan via Nanniwan and Jinpenwan, occupied the northeast of Yan'an, and stopped at Guaimao. Left In order to reorganize the tank and heavy artillery units of the 29th Army, the Route Army attacked Yan'an from Luochuan via Niuwu Town and Qingquan Town, occupied its southwest area, and stopped standby in Zaoyuan. In order to reorganize the 24th Brigade, The 144th Brigade is the general reserve team, assembled in Luochuan. After the offensive started, it followed the right-hand army and advanced to support the two-way army. The road line from Wantong to Yan'an belongs to the Left Route Army. The 48th Brigade and the 84th Brigade under the jurisdiction of the Reorganized 17th Division are the second-line troops, responsible for protecting the rear communication line between Tongchuan and Luochuan, and following the progress of the battle Advance forward, build and protect the road between Luochuan and Ganquan, and ensure the supply of food and ammunition ahead.”

After Xue Minquan finished speaking, he returned to his seat and sat down. Hu Zongnan said to Pei Changhui who was sitting under him: "Director Pei, please add something." Pei Changhui said: "About the combat missions of various ministries, Deputy Chief of Staff Xue has already explained very clearly just now, and I have nothing to add. I will add other aspects. Our army has received support from friendly troops for this operation. Reorganization The main force of the 30th Division is still on guard at Linfen and Yuncheng in southern Shanxi, and a powerful part is serving as river defense in the Hukou and Yumendu areas to cover the right side of our army. In addition, the Sui Department has notified Ma Hongkui's troops to Qingyang , Heshui attack to support the operation, and Deng Baoshan's troops in Yulin attacked Suide. In this way, the total strength of our army for this operation is 34 brigades and 250,000 people. As long as all the troops of our army are sincerely united and fight bravely under the command of Chief Hu, Shaanxi The eradication of the North Communist Army is just around the corner!"

Pei Changhui's words seemed to be a shot in the arm for the generals present, and the dull atmosphere at the beginning of the meeting became a little more lively. In order to cheer up his subordinates, Hu Zongnan said: "Our army's military operation plan has been approved by the Ministry of National Defense, and we will strive to occupy Yan'an within three days, and report the good news to the president!" There was sparse applause.