Chapter 183 5. More than 6,000 enemies were wiped out in 3 days

At 3:30 on August 18, Peng Dehuai issued an order to "annihilate the enemy's 36th division in an ambush posture".Order the 3rd Column (and command the two regiments of the Suide Army Division) to attract Zhong Song's front echelon with a force, and use the main force to resist Liu Kan's troops and prevent the enemy from joining the 36th Division.Concentrate the 1st and 2nd columns, the teaching brigade, and the new 4th brigade, first annihilate the rear echelon of the 36th division, and then wipe out the front echelon to achieve the effect of annihilating the enemy. In the morning of the same day, the main force of the field army confronted the enemy. Due to the heavy rain, the enemy's rear echelon retreated to the Shajiadian area in a hurry.

On the evening of the same day, Yesi received a telegram and learned that the Jialu River was swollen due to heavy rain and could not be waded in vain. Mao Zedong and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China could not move northward, and instead marched northwestward in the rain, and they were not yet out of danger.Peng Dehuai estimated the distance between the two enemy forces on the map with his fingers, and said nothing with a stern face.He sat and stood, contemplating the map.There was no sound in the combat duty room.The staff officers went in and out of the cave with light hands, for fear of disturbing his thinking about planning and annihilating the enemy.Peng Dehuai asked the staff to inform the troops, continue to closely monitor the enemy, and report immediately if there is a situation.In the past few days, he only drank a few mouthfuls of millet porridge every day and rarely slept.

After the battle on the 18th, Liu Kan did not reinforce Zhong Song but continued to advance northward with five brigades of the main force. On the 19th, they occupied Shenquanbao and Jia (Jia) County.Zhong Song led the reorganization of the 36th division headquarters and the 165th brigade, and built field fortifications on the high ground near Shajiadian.At this time, Zhong Song discovered that the main force of the Northwest Field Army had not crossed the river, but near his troops, he urgently sent the 123rd Brigade of his former echelon to retreat to Shajiadian.Peng Dehuai analyzed the situation of the two enemy troops and judged that the enemy had not grasped the intention of the Northwest Field Army, so he was determined to annihilate the 36th Division first.At the same time, the deployment was adjusted appropriately, and the new 4th brigade fought against the 123rd brigade that came back.

On the 19th (19-21), Peng Dehuai reported to the Central Military Commission: "It is planned to encircle both sides of the enemy near Shajiadian at dawn on Minghao (Tian) and annihilate them. After succeeding, we will annihilate them one by one in the northeast." 3 At that time, Mao Zedong personally prepared a reply from the Central Military Commission: "I fully agree with your combat plan for the 36th Division." The main force rendezvous", thus ending the 19-day long and dangerous march since Xiaohe's departure.On August 21, the central government sent a special telegram to the central working committee, the central rear committee and all strategic areas saying: "Everyone is safe", in order to relieve the concerns and worries of all parties.

At dawn on August 20, the 1st and 2nd columns attacked the reorganized 36th Division.The 123rd Brigade of the division turned back from Wulongpu in order to relieve the siege of its division headquarters.In the afternoon, he was surrounded by the Field Army Teaching Brigade and the New 4th Brigade near Changjia Mountain.Peng Dehuai ordered: Resolutely wipe out the 123rd brigade and not allow it to approach westward.In this way, the two brigades of the reorganized 36th Division were divided into two places, all surrounded, and the two echelons before and after could not look at each other. In order to quickly destroy the besieged 36th Division before Liu Kan arrived, Peng Dehuai issued a mobilization order to wipe out the enemy: "The complete elimination of the 36th Division is the beginning of our shift from strategic defense to strategic counter-offensive on the Northwest battlefield, and the beginning of regaining Yan'an and liberating the Northwest." ” To carry forward the spirit of infinite heroism, “Immediately wipe out the 36th division, capture Zhong Song alive, and call on you to complete the combat mission successfully before the evening of this day”!The whole army was excited and high-spirited, and launched a fierce charge against Zhong Song's division.

Hu Zongnan received a call for help from Zhong Song and immediately ordered Liu Kan to reinforce him.He also urgently called Liu Ziqi, commander of the 123rd brigade: "Stay on the sidelines and wait for reinforcements. We will send planes to participate in the battle." The 3rd Column and the 4th and 6th Regiments of the Suide Division struggled to block the attack, making it difficult to advance.Even his guards were dispersed for a time.Before dusk, they were still more than 30 miles away from Zhong Song's position.The reorganized 36th Division, which advanced alone, can only make a dying struggle alone.

Zhong Song, who was arrogant for a while, was furious because he hoped that the reinforcements would be hopeless.Seeing that the situation took a turn for the worse, the positions were lost one after another, the radio station was destroyed, and the communication between all parties was cut off, so he and Li Riji, the commander of the 165th brigade, changed clothes and disguised themselves, and fled in the dark.After a fierce battle, the field army annihilated the headquarters of the reorganized 36th Division and two brigades at dusk that day, with a total of more than 6,000 people, and captured the brigade commander Liu Ziqi.