Chapter 155 8. The enemy's reinforcements will not save them

While our attack group encircled and wiped out the reorganized 74th Division, the blocking forces launched a tenacious blocking battle against the aiding enemy.The resistance battle is a difficult position defense battle. Our army used the existing field fortifications to carry out tenacious resistance, like strong dams, blocking the enemy's impact wave after wave.The Kuomintang reinforcements from all walks of life were unable to advance, and even if they advanced, the progress was slow. On the morning of the 16th, none of the near and far reinforcements of the Kuomintang army arrived, and the reorganized 74th Division repeatedly called for help.Tang Enbo issued an urgent order to his troops in an almost pleading tone, saying: "Master Zhang Lingfu has been defending Menglianggu for days, fighting alone and in a difficult situation. I have ordered all the ministries to take action to act resolutely and desperately. Rescue our compatriots in danger, so as to carry forward the supreme martial virtue and glory of our revolutionary army. Those who linger and refuse to save in the face of danger are definitely not what my compatriots can bear, and Enbo can't bear to say." ("Detailed Report on the Battle of the First Corps in the Southeast Region of Mengyin")

At 8 o'clock, Chiang Kai-shek personally issued an order to the Kuomintang troops on the Shandong battlefield: "The main force of the Shandong Communist Army has attacked our army. This is the only good opportunity for our army to annihilate the Communist army and complete the revolution. All my soldiers should do their best to Seize this opportunity, unite as one, work together, keep in touch, move forward together, and attack the enemy in front of you, aiming to annihilate the communist army and carry forward the glorious and great achievements, so as to comfort the prime minister and the souls of the fallen soldiers. If you feel tired, hesitate, hesitate or Those who do not do enough to help, lead to the peril of friendly troops, and cause the communist army to slip through the net to escape, will definitely avoid the war by fearing the enemy, allowing the enemy to harm the country, and delaying the battle. Detailed report on the battle in the southeast region of Mengyin")

However, neither Tang Enbo's entreaties nor Chiang Kai-shek's intimidation could push the Kuomintang's reinforcements forward, nor could they save the reorganized 74th Division's fate of being destroyed alone.When the 74th Division was completely wiped out on the afternoon of the 16th, its 5th Army was pinned down by the 10th Column of the East China Field Army and just went south from Laiwu; ; The reorganized 65th and 25th divisions were strongly blocked by the 1st and 6th columns. On the evening of the 16th, they began to occupy the boundary card and advanced less than three to five kilometers; The strong resistance of the column and part of the 8th column began to occupy the line of Sun Zu and Taohuashan on the 16th, and the advance was less than 10 kilometers; Qingtuo Temple.

The 1st Corps of the Kuomintang Army was very troubled and helpless against the tenacious resistance of the various units of the East China Field Army, which has been recorded for many days.Only one day on May 16 was recorded as follows: "More than 5,000 people from Zhangguang Central of the Lunan Military Region" and "2,000 to 3,000 people from the Binhai Detachment have been harassing Linyi Avenue, Lintan Avenue, and Linyi Tangtou Avenue for several days, destroying our rear. The traffic and communications will be expelled by the 57th Division and the 2nd Brigade at any time." However, the Communist Army headquarters is familiar with the terrain and is covered by the people. "The entire 64th Division advanced from the vicinity of Maogou City to the vicinity of Bancheng City. In the middle of noon, it encountered an attack from the central part of... Zhang Guang in the southwest of Fangcheng. Pressing and attacking to the southwest" "The entire 25th Division... Captured the boundary card of Zhaojiadian at 14 o'clock", the Communist Army "continuously reinforced and repeatedly competed with me for the boundary card Tianma Mountain" "The entire 25th Division and part of the 65th Division are still Shiyan Mountain Huangya Mountain Boundary Brand Tianma Mountain Covering Fushan Mountain" fought fiercely with the communist army. "The 172nd Division and the 83rd Division of the 7th Army fought with the reinforcements of the Communist Army all night last night. At dawn, they continued to attack northward from the line of Sunzu Tianma Mountain." They encountered stubborn resistance from the Communist Army. "The entire 48th Division continued to attack in the direction of Shengmusu Village", and the Communist Army "still resisted steadily". ("Detailed Report on the Battle of the First Corps in the Southeast Region of Mengyin")

The Central Military Commission spoke highly of the role of the blocking forces. On the 17th, it pointed out in a telegram to Chen Yi and Su Yu: This time, the enemy's 65th, 25th, and 83rd divisions are so close to the 74th divisions. After fighting for 3 days, you will fight with one All the enemy can block the attack, and the enemy can't reinforce it.