Chapter 63 3. The Japanese army occupied Chenzhuang

At dawn on September 26, after the Japanese army occupied Ciyu, Shuiyuan Yizhong ordered a force to cross the Cihe River, launched a fierce attack on the position of the 719th Regiment in Beitanzhuang, and surrounded the 719th Regiment's position in a roundabout way.After being blocked by the 719th regiment, Shuiyuan ordered to stop the attack again.At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Shuiyuan ordered the troops who had entered Nantanzhuang, Beihuoying, and Beiwuhe to withdraw immediately to Ciyu Town.Soon, Shui Yuan ordered to retreat to Lingshou with large supplies such as mountain cannons and carts, assuming he wanted to return to Lingshou immediately.

"No, the water source has to run!" The 719th regiment, which had been monitoring the enemy, immediately reported the enemy's movements to the division chief.In order to find out the intention of the Japanese invaders, the head of the division ordered the 719th Regiment to attack Ciyu Town with a force that night.However, the enemy still steadfastly defended the town, only retaliated with firepower, and remained unmoved.Is the water source really going to retreat?Or do you have other plans?The heads of the 120th Division were in deep thought. In fact, Shui Yuan has long coveted Chen Zhuang's piece of fat.If the meat is not enough to eat, the water source will not let it go, not to mention the attack on Chenzhuang is still the order of the superior.It's just because I can't figure out the true and false of the eight roads, it has been difficult to speak.The cloud of mist thrown by the water source in front of him to return the soldiers to Lingshou is actually using what they call "progressive tactics of mountain crusade", also known as "sword tactics".Shuiyuan's plan is to first feint attack in the direction of Beitanzhuang with a small force, and lure the main force of our 120th Division to the area; The posture of withdrawing troops deceives and confuses the 120th Division.After the main force of the 120th Division was attracted to the front line of Beitanzhuang, he avoided the truth and turned empty, but his main force took a small path and rushed to Chenzhuang with light clothes.

In the early hours of September 27, Shuiyuan Yizhong left 500 people and most of the heavy weapons to guard Ciyu Town. Attack Chenzhuang via Yanchuan and Changyu trails.However, the Eighth Route Army did not discover this new enemy move at this time, and was still waiting for the enemy to throw themselves into the trap at the original ambush position. The enemy traveled lightly, and arrived at the southeastern part of Chenzhuang before dawn, and was about to enter the village a few kilometers away.At this time, some cadres of the Eighth Route Army and some people who will be evacuated in the future are still stationed in Chenzhuang.Seeing that these people were about to be surrounded by the enemy, at this critical moment, a gunshot suddenly rang out!The crisp gunshots pierced the silence before dawn, and also shattered the sweet dream of the water source attacking Chenzhuang.

It turned out that a group of students from the second branch of the Anti-Japanese University were training on the hillside in the southeast of Chenzhuang. After discovering this situation, they immediately opened fire to block the enemy and delay the enemy's actions; , organizations and the masses of the people, immediately transferred to the northern mountainous area. It was such a group of brave anti-university students who saved the lives of officials of the Eighth Route Army and many innocent people at critical moments.Since they were weak and unable to hold on at this time, they withdrew from Chenzhuang at around 10 am after all the people were safely transferred.After they withdrew, the Japanese army occupied Chenzhuang immediately.

Mizumoto Yoshishige, who thought the sneak attack was successful, was so happy that he immediately reported to the Japanese Army Headquarters in North China. The main idea of ​​the report was: "According to the new tactics instructed by Your Excellency, I will find the enemy's weaknesses, catch them by surprise, and carry out clever attacks with a bold and brave spirit. Therefore, without a major battle, Chenzhuang, the capital of the Jinchaji border region, was occupied in one fell swoop. I am reporting to you at Chenzhuang." After receiving the praise from the headquarters, he boasted to his subordinates: "The imperial army captured the capital without major casualties. I have left Chenzhuang, the capital of the border region, and I cannot help but say that (I) is a genius commander.”

Looking at Chenzhuang where the gunpowder smoke had not yet cleared, the head of the Water Source Brigade was elated.Today is the annual Mid-Autumn Festival.Shui Yuan ordered his men to kill pigs and sheep to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and the "great feats" made by the imperial army.Hearing this order, the Japanese and puppet troops were like a group of bloodthirsty beasts, slaughtering chickens, ducks, cattle and sheep in Chenzhuang with their bloody hands.For a while, the screams of the livestock being slaughtered and the wild shouts of the Japanese and puppet troops mixed together, like howling ghosts and wolves.When the North China Front Command of the Japanese Army in Beiping received this report, the enemy chiefs couldn't help but beam with joy, boasting that "the occupation of Chenzhuang without a major battle is the genius of the commander and the victory of the new tactics."

Objectively speaking, the occupation of Chenzhuang by Shuiyuan was due to the misjudgment of the Eighth Route Army. They had been waiting for the enemy along the banks of the Ci River, but they ignored the defense around Chenzhuang, allowing the enemy to take advantage of the loopholes.