Chapter 61 Chapter 7 Battle of Chenzhuang: A Beautiful "Model Annihilation Battle"

From March to May 1939, in order to destroy the rear organs and facilities of the Jinchaji Military Region of our Eighth Route Army, the Japanese invaded the hinterland of the Jinchaji Base Area, and attacked the eastern and western parts of our Beiyue District successively by means of combined raids and divisional "mopping up". Carry out a frenzied "sweep".Chenzhuang has become the focus of repeated "sweeps" by the Japanese invaders because of the rear offices stationed in the Jinchaji border area.The army and civilians in the Jinchaji border area united as one, rose up to resist, and smashed several "mopping ups" by the Japanese invaders in succession.

Chenzhuang is located 50 kilometers northwest of Lingshou County, Hebei Province. It is a small town deep in the majestic Taihang.It's so small you can't even find its name on some maps.However, an earth-shattering event happened in this little-known town: In September 1939, soldiers of the Eighth Route Army under the command of Marshal He Long cleverly set up an ambush here and wiped out more than 1,500 Japanese invaders.The Chenzhuang annihilation battle was called a "model annihilation battle" by the "Xinhua Daily" at that time. Although the town of Chenzhuang is not big, it is adjacent to Pingshan County on the south side of Wangmu Guanshan; it is connected to Fuping County through 15 kilometers of dangerous valley in the north; turning Tuoliang Peak in the west is the shortcut to Wutai, Shanxi; Along the winding valley of Lubai Mountain, Lingshou County can be reached, and its strategic location is very important.It is surrounded by mountains, and its terrain resembles a "gourd" for catching and subduing demons.During the War of Resistance Against Japan, it was an important base in the Jinchaji Border Region. The Border Region Government, the General Bureau of Public Security, the No. 2 Branch of the Anti-Japanese University (the predecessor of the Shijiazhuang Army Command Academy), the Supply Office of the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army, and many other agencies, schools, and national salvation groups were stationed here. it's here.Chenzhuang was not only the capital of the border area at that time, but also a strong anti-Japanese fortress in the Taihang Mountains. It always threatened the enemies along the northern section of the Ping-Han Railway (Peking-Hankou).Therefore, this area has become the main target of the Japanese army's previous "mopping up", and the enemy can't wait to remove this thorn in their side and thorn in their flesh at once.He sent planes to bomb many times, and in May 1939, he sent heavy troops to invade Chenzhuang in multiple ways. After being repelled by the soldiers and civilians in the base of the Eighth Route Army, he was ambitious and always ready for revenge.

After the Japanese invaders failed in their previous invasions, after more than four months of preparation, they re-formulated the "Autumn Crusade" combat plan.It was stipulated that the Japanese Independent 8th Mixed Brigade stationed in Shijiazhuang and the Zhengtai Line would attack Chenzhuang, an important town in the south of Beiyue District, in late September. Yoshishige Mizumoto, head of the 8th Independent Mixed Brigade of the Japanese Army, fell into contemplation after receiving the order from his superior, planning to find a clever plan to attack Chenzhuang.Suddenly, his subordinates came to report: "He Long led the 120th Division of the Eighth Route Army to the vicinity of Chenzhuang." The head of the Shuiyuan Brigade was shocked at first, then became suspicious, and ordered his subordinates to investigate again.

At that time, since the 120th Division led by He Long advanced into the enemy's rear, it has won many battles and victories, which frightened the Japanese invaders and shocked the entire North China.If He Long really leads the 120th Division to Chenzhuang, what kind of threat will it pose to the Shuiyuan Brigade's invasion of Chenzhuang?This could not but surprise the head of the Water Source Brigade. Soon, his subordinates reported again: "The 120th Division has indeed arrived near Chenzhuang." Shui Yuan hurriedly summoned his Japanese and puppet army leaders to discuss countermeasures.At this time, the North China Front Command of the Japanese Army also issued an emergency order of "only outsmart, not invincible", requiring Shuiyuan to use the latest tactics such as "surprise, surprise, encirclement, detour, deception, and sudden attack" to attack Chenzhuang. ".After more than half a month of careful planning and intensive preparations, the head of the Water Source Brigade decided to go out in person and lead a team to attack Chenzhuang.

On September 25, the head of the Shuiyuan Brigade led the 31st Battalion of the Independent 8th Mixed Brigade and the pseudo-guards in Lingshou, Zhengding, Xingtang, and Wuji counties, totaling more than 1,500 people (including more than 1,000 Japanese troops), and forced There were more than 200 recruiters and 10 carts, and Yu Lingshou began to invade the north aggressively.