Chapter 77 7. Inventory

Beiyue's anti-"sweeping" campaign in the winter of 1939, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd military divisions of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region and the 715th Regiment of the 120th Division. A total of more than 20,000 people fought 108 times.A total of more than 3,600 Japanese soldiers were killed and wounded, and one mountain artillery and one field artillery were seized, 9 grenades, 5 heavy machine guns, 16 light machine guns, more than 400 rifles, 170 artillery shells, more than 40,000 bullets, and hand grenades. More than 300 pieces, more than 80 war horses and a set of other military supplies.The Eighth Route Army suffered about 2,000 casualties.

This anti-"mopping up" campaign was a more protracted and more arduous battle launched by the Eighth Route Army against the Japanese invaders under severe circumstances in order to defend and consolidate the anti-Japanese base areas behind the enemy lines in Jinchaji. The main reasons for this victory are: 1. All ministries of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, the 715th Regiment of the 120th Division, and the Special Task Force, under the correct leadership of the military region and the correct command of heads at all levels, make full combat preparations based on objective and realistic, meticulous and thorough combat plans.

2. The Eighth Route Army has a good mass base. With the enthusiastic help of the local government and the masses, our side can clearly understand every move of the enemy.The enemy, on the contrary, is everywhere hated and opposed by the masses. 3. The terrain conditions are favorable to the Eighth Route Army and they are more familiar with it. 4. During the combat process, all commanders and fighters fought bravely and had the consciousness to resolutely execute orders. After the victory in the battle, 1939 was coming to an end. All walks of life in the border area sent a large number of congratulatory letters and telegrams, congratulating the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region on the victory of the winter anti-"sweeping" campaign, and praised General Nie Rongzhen for his excellent command and repeated outstanding achievements.Nie Rongzhen replied in the "Anti-Enemy Daily" and pointed out that Jinchaji became a strong Great Wall behind the enemy's war of resistance, which was "created by the flesh and blood of the elders and children of the whole border area."

On December 30, Mao Zedong and Wang Jiaxiang also sent congratulatory messages to Nie Rongzhen and others: