Devil's Army

Chapter 1898 Blocking the Japanese Army in Changshan County 1

Xianxia Ridge is a strategically important location, belonging to the main peak of the Xianxia Mountain Range. It runs from northeast to southwest, with a total length of about 100 kilometers and an average altitude of over 1,000 meters. The main peak, Dalonggang, has an altitude of 1503 meters.

The Third Regiment Commander set up an air force observation post on the summit of the main peak of Dalonggang, and assigned a squad of army aviation soldiers to be stationed there to keep an eye on the movements of the Japanese army in the Zhejiang direction.

Moreover, the Xianxia Ridge is mainly composed of mid-mountain terrain, with slopes exceeding 25° and valleys generally 500-800 meters deep, forming a V-shape. The steep slopes and narrow valleys limited the Japanese army's marching speed and troop deployment, making it difficult for them to leverage the advantages of large-scale troop operations.

There are six major passes on the mountain, including Xianxia Pass, which is known as the "Key to Southeast China" and the "Throat of Fujian". These passes are strategically important, such as Xianxia Pass, which has 360 steps and 28 bends, stretching for 10 kilometers. It is majestic, easy to defend and difficult to attack.

The Third Regiment Commander knew that Xianxia Ridge was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and that the main Japanese force would certainly not attack Yushan County from the direction of Xianxia Ridge. However, it was highly likely that they would send elite troops to launch a surprise attack on Yushan County from this direction.

He arranged for the Third Battalion of the Third Regiment to build defensive fortifications along the mountain to block Japanese sneak attacks.

Meanwhile, the 3rd Regiment's directly subordinate companies and troops were stationed outside Xianxia Ridge, ready to provide support at any time.

The 4th Battalion of the 3rd Regiment and the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the 4th Regiment deployed and laid mines along the Changyu Highway and the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway to prevent a counterattack by the main force of the Japanese army in Zhejiang.

At noon, the commander of the Third Regiment received a telegram from Jiang, the captain of the First Army's air force stationed in Nanxiong, inquiring whether it was necessary to send additional air force to launch a night attack on the Japanese forces in Zhejiang after they returned to base in the evening.

The defenses along the Changyu Highway and the Zhejiang-Jiangxi Railway are not yet in place. The Third Regiment Commander immediately sent a telegram requesting a night raid on the Japanese forces in Zhejiang if possible, to buy them time to build their defenses.

Captain Jiang replied: It is difficult to detect the air raid target for the night raid. Can the troops point out the air raid target for them?

The third regimental commander immediately replied, saying he would send a small elite force to attack the assembled Japanese troops and to indicate the targets for their air raids.

At 2 p.m., the direct subordinate company of the 4th Regiment and the 1st Company of the 3rd Battalion, carrying a large number of hand grenades, marched covertly along the Changyu Highway toward Kaihua County and Changshan County.

Upon entering Changshan County, Company Commander Wang of the directly subordinate company discovered Japanese scouts stationed there. However, instead of alerting them, they allowed the scouts to pass through.

Who knew that this group of Japanese scouts did not head straight for Yushan County, but instead continued to conduct reconnaissance along the way.

To avoid revealing their whereabouts, Company Commander Wang decisively sent men to annihilate the group of scouts.

The Japanese scouts, outnumbered by the enemy, were quickly wiped out, and then Company Commander Wang continued to lead his troops toward Changshan County.

On his way to Changshan County, Wang Lian discovered a patch of grass suitable for ambushing the Japanese army.

Not far from the bushes, there are two ditches parallel to the path.

Company Commander Wang arranged for his soldiers to ambush in the ditches on both sides of the path. He also sent several scouts to investigate the movements of the Japanese troops in Changshan County.

By this time it was completely dark, and the air force of the First Army had already returned to base.

The scouts discovered that the Japanese troops had already assembled and were loading onto trucks, preparing to head to Yushan County.

The scout immediately ran back to report to Company Commander Wang.

Company Commander Wang immediately ordered the communications soldier to send a telegram back, instructing them to notify the air force to come over.

The assembled Japanese troops began their march toward Yushan County.

The truck headlights, like a swarm of fireflies migrating through the world, surged in an orderly fashion toward Yushan County.