Chapter 20 Chapter 20 Artillery enters the city

As early as the beginning of 1944 after the Battle of Changde, the Kuomintang government decided to confiscate the 12 38-type heavy artillery pieces of the 10th Army that had already exceeded their age in exchange for 12 American-style Seven-Five Mountain Cannons in order to reward the 10th Army for its desperate rescue in the Changde Battle.The Army Artillery Battalion was ordered to lead the entire battalion to Kunming, the rear area, and received 12 75-caliber mountain cannons. There were 3 artillery companies in the battalion, and each company had 4 brand new American mountain cannons.Seeing the shiny new cannon, everyone was very happy, and each of them laughed so hard that they couldn't keep their mouths shut all day long.I am so happy that you give me a punch, and I slap you. "Okay! Alright! Let's put more effort into the training in the future!" Lieutenant Colonel Zhang Zuoxiang, the battalion commander, was naturally happy and happy.But as the chief officer of the artillery battalion, he couldn't help himself.Under the careful guidance of the training staff at the headquarters and the US military advisers, everyone quickly mastered various essentials and operating procedures.

"Report to the battalion commander, the military headquarters is calling, the military situation ahead is urgent, and our battalion must return to the team as soon as possible!" The battalion correspondent reported hurriedly.Battalion Commander Zhang knew when he saw the telegram that he was going in.So immediately arranged to set off and return to construction. The officers and soldiers have long since returned home.It has been several months since I left the army. Although the scenery in Kunming in the rear is beautiful, life has improved and is much more comfortable than in the front.At least you can see beautifully dressed girls in mat gowns or Western-style fashions, arousing officers and soldiers' longing for a peaceful, stable and beautiful life.But as a soldier, it is his bounden duty to obey orders.Upon hearing the call from the military department, everyone's heart seemed to be on fire.Soldiers are born to fight.What's more, this group of brothers is not an ordinary army, but artillery.Cannon is the god of war!As soon as someone mentioned it before, don't mention the air, how proud and proud it is!Although you can't go face-to-face to kill the enemy, but blowing up a large piece, don't mention how happy it is.Therefore, the officers and soldiers quickly packed up their luggage, mounted the cannon and other equipment on the tractor and set off.At that time, the Guangxi-Kunming railway line had not yet opened, so we had to drive in by car.

According to the itinerary, it would not be possible to venture into the city two days before the Hengyang Defense Battle.Before that, there were some episodes.First, an accident happened when the batch of artillery was transported to Kunming, because the situation was chaotic at that time, a local miscellaneous army commander surnamed Wang detained both the men and the artillery, and promised that if all the officers and soldiers of the battalion stayed, they would all be promoted. Award. Battalion Commander Zhang of the Artillery Battalion went to Commander Wang and said, "The battle in Hengyang is tight, and 100,000 Japanese troops are approaching. You can't just ignore the Commander!" "Without the help of Commander Wang, this cannon cannot be transported back. If everyone is willing to stay with Commander Wang to get promoted and make a fortune, I, Zhang, is incompetent. I would like to go back to Hengyang alone. Die in front of Commander Fang is considered an accident! If you don't want to stay, and you are willing to go back to Hengyang to defend the city with Commander Fang and fight the Japanese devils together, we will kneel down together and beg Commander Wang for mercy and help. Our cannons are being transported back to Hengyang and sent to the front line. Now everyone, listen, those who want to stay stand, and those who want to go kneel!" As soon as the voice fell, the 500 people in the battalion behind them all knelt down with a plop, and there was no one Hesitating, they shouted in unison: "Please help Commander Wang, send us back to the Tenth Army, and fight the Japanese devils!"

Seeing this situation, Commander Wang kicked over the chair and shouted: "Damn it! Fang Xianjue, you have the guts! Laozi Ge convinced you. You are all good men, and my surname Wang is not self-contained." Well, because of everyone’s loyalty, I, Wang, will take advantage of it.” Commander Wang did what he said, and sent people to the artillery battalion of the 10th Army and the artillery to the train. Unexpectedly, when I arrived in Guilin, I couldn't walk anymore.It turned out that when the Artillery Battalion of the 10th Army came to Guilin, Guangxi for a temporary rest and supply, the brand-new American artillery aroused the jealousy and greed of some people.The First Artillery Brigade had another bad idea, wanting to eat up the artillery battalion and return it to them.The brigade's hands and eyes were clear, and they actually got an order to incorporate the Artillery Battalion of the 10th Army into the 2nd Battalion of the 29th Artillery Regiment of the brigade, ordering it to be stationed in Jeonju.Due to the emergency of the war ahead, a large number of refugees retreated, the wagons were tense, the roads were blocked, and many arms were stranded here.Battalion Commander Zhang was helpless, so he had no choice but to send a telegram to the Kuomintang Military Committee: "...the battalion has been changing since we went to Yunnan, and it has been more than a month. Looking at the gate, the staff and the whole camp look forward to returning to Hengyang, like a wanderer looking forward to returning, especially since Hengyang faces the flat river on three sides and the river on the other... ".

At the time when Battalion Commander Zhang was helpless and at a loss what to do.The military department called and found it. "Commander Zhang, what did you do? The battle is approaching, why are you procrastinating. Haven't returned to Jian?" Battalion Commander Zhang got the savior, so he had to report to Commander Fang Xianjue quickly: "Military seat, we met in Guilin. We’re in trouble!” As he spoke, he told the commander of the detention, the order, and forced entry to the army one by one, just like a separated child meeting his mother, and even sobbed while talking.When Army Commander Fang heard this, he became very angry. He was angry at him for not fighting, but also forgiving him for his reluctance. He hated that on the eve of the war, some troops belonging to the national army series actually blocked the way and robbed them.But the bridge returns to the bridge, and the road returns to the road.There is no way, there is a muscle behind every army!So Fang Xianjue had no choice but to comfort Zhang Ying, and at the same time telegraph Chairman Jiang directly, asking for instructions.After hearing this, Generalissimo Jiang was furious, and immediately approved: the battalion will be restored immediately to participate in the defense of Hengyang.At that time, He Yingqin, the chief of staff of the Kuomintang, was shocked when he saw this telegram. A small artillery battalion commander actually sent a telegram directly to the Supreme Command, which is commendable for his courage.So, I personally ordered a commissioner to go to clear it. In this way, there were still only 6 cannons stumbling all the way, and marched towards Hengyang, which had been attacked on three sides and faced the river on one side.

In this way, although six cannons were temporarily detained.After all, Battalion Commander Zhang could carry six American mountain cannons and all more than 2,000 rounds of shells, and hurried on the train and traveled eastward.At that time, the peripheral war in Hengyang had already started.The situation is very critical. When the battalion arrived at Santang Station, which was more than 30 miles away from Hengyang, it met Li Yutang, the veteran commander of the 10th Army and the current deputy commander-in-chief of the 27th Army.The deputy commander told Battalion Commander Zhang: "I very much hope that your entire battalion can enter Hengyang City safely to increase the firepower of the defending troops. However, the enemy's vanguard has already crossed the Xiangjiang River in Dongyang. At present, all the troops on the west bank of your 10th Army are on alert. The troops are on fire. Your battalion may encounter the enemy on the way into the city. Your battalion's self-defense power is limited, and there is danger in return. The artillery is likely to be intercepted by the enemy. It is better to gather here and stand by. I will bear all the responsibilities! ?” Battalion Commander Zhang knew in his heart that this was the care and love of the veteran commander for himself and the entire battalion.But at this moment, there is no hesitation.So he resolutely said to the deputy commander-in-chief: "We must risk entering the city at any sacrifice. I am responsible for my own success!" But the deputy commander-in-chief had a hard time making a decision: he hoped that the six American mountain artillery would enter the city to strengthen the defense of the city. Firepower, but also afraid of encountering the enemy halfway, all the guns will be lost.Battalion Commander Zhang Zuoxiang immediately summoned the three company commanders to ask for their opinions. Without hesitation, all the company commanders unanimously advocated the risk of rushing into the city.Li Zhongqi, the company commander of the second company, was furious, and said boldly: "From Kunming to here, I have traveled thousands of kilometers. There are so many difficulties and obstacles. After finally reaching the door of the house, there is no way to go home!" What my brothers from the 10th Army did. They will fight into the city even if they die!" Yi Lian Lian Fang Yesheng waved his fist and said: "Who the hell is afraid of death, go back to your hometown!" Everyone knelt on the ground and swore: Live and die with cannons, people live and cannons survive, people die and cannons destroy!Li Yutang, deputy commander-in-chief, immediately expressed his support when he saw this, and presented his own gun, a small and beautiful Browning pistol, to Battalion Commander Zhang as an encouragement.Battalion Commander Zhang was so excited that tears filled his eyes, and solemnly saluted the old army commander with a standard military salute.

"Since this is the case, we will rush into the city even if we die. Because we are an important part of the glorious 10th Army, each of us is a member of the 'Tarzan Army'. The infantry brothers are now fighting against the enemy. Fighting, what reason do we have to stand by and watch?" Seeing that the entire battalion was full of emotions, Battalion Commander Zhang couldn't help becoming impassioned. "I ordered the troops of each company to be divided into two groups, one for the attack group and the other for the artillery protection group. The attack group opened the way in front, the artillery protection group covered on both sides, and the battalion directly subordinate team was responsible for breaking the rear. Everyone rushed into the city! The order of advancement is the first company, the second company, the third company, and finally the battalion directly under the battalion. Do you understand?" "Understood!" All the officers and soldiers answered in unison. "Brothers, let's go!" Battalion Commander Zhang gave an order, and the whole battalion officers, soldiers, horses and artillery marched towards Hengyang together.

At this time, across the verdant Yumu Mountain, sporadic gunshots could be faintly heard.Although the Hunan-Guangxi Highway under our feet is uneven and dusty, it together with the Hunan-Guangxi Railway constitutes the lifeline of the southeast and southwest of my country.In order to rush to repair these two roads, how many migrant workers died, and how many engineering brothers fell in the mountains beside this road.Now the damned Japanese devils actually want to snatch it from us, cut off our lifeline, and turn it into the lifeline of the Japanese bandits themselves.Can you promise him?Never!The officers and soldiers of the entire artillery battalion had only one thought, which was to go back to the city and fight the enemy side by side with the infantry brothers of the 10th Army.

"Where are we going?" Zhang Battalion Commander asked. "Report to the battalion commander, we have arrived at Toutang. We found a small group of enemy troops nearby." After finishing speaking, observer Yu Guanghui handed the multi-power binoculars to the battalion commander. "Notify all units, strengthen vigilance, move forward quickly, and be ready to fight at any time!" "Yes!" Yu Guanghui turned and rushed forward. At this moment, there was a series of intense gunshots ahead.Battalion Commander Zhang ordered the artillery team to keep up with the team, and the second and third company attack teams touched up from the left and right sides, and cooperated with one company to charge the enemy across.The whole battalion rushed over.It turned out to be the vanguard search team of the devil's vanguard.After several small-scale encounters without any danger.Finally approached the West Bus Station at dusk.Suddenly, a large group of troops moved in front, and some of them had already occupied the high ground in front.It's over!The artillery battalion, which was preparing to blow up the cannons for a desperate fight, was pleasantly surprised to find that the top of the hill was actually one of its own people - the troops of Battalion Commander Xiao Wei, the 1st Battalion of the 30th Regiment of the 10th Division.Finally returned to the arms of the 10th Army.The brothers from the two battalions laughed and cried excitedly, ran, jumped, called and hugged each other.Still, Battalion Commander Xiao is rational and knows that now is not the time to be happy.While immediately reporting to Commander Ge Xiancai to the army commander, he immediately ordered some brothers from the battalion to help the artillery battalion move the cannons and shells to the city.In this way, the Mountain Cannon Battalion directly under the Military Headquarters finally entered the preset artillery position in Fengshu Mountain with six brand-new American mountain cannons and more than 2,000 rounds of shells two days before the Hengyang City Defense Battle.Ready to fight the Japanese invaders.

"It would be great if those six mountain cannons could also be transported into the city!" Battalion Commander Zhang still couldn't forget the detained six mountain cannons.This has become his lifelong regret!