Devil's Army

Chapter 1887 Advance to Yiyang County

As it was getting late, the Second Brigade did not continue to pursue the fleeing Japanese troops, but instead cleared out Japanese strongholds in the surrounding towns and villages of Guixi County to consolidate the defense of Guixi County.

The next day, the First and Second Regiments continued to mop up the remaining Japanese troops around Guixi County. The Fourth and Third Regiments continued to pursue the fleeing Japanese troops along the Zhejiang direction.

When the Third Regiment pursued the enemy to Sanxianling Town, located in the northern mountainous area of ​​Yiyang County, they were blocked by the Japanese army.

Sanxianling Town is located at the junction of Yiyang, Wannian and Guixi counties. It belongs to the western section of Huaiyu Mountain and is surrounded by mountains on the east, south and west sides. The mountains are generally 400-600 meters above sea level. The complex mountainous terrain and dense forest vegetation provided favorable concealment conditions for the Japanese troops who were ambushing them.

When the advance reconnaissance troops of the Third Regiment arrived here and were ambushed by the Japanese troops, the artillery of the Third Regiment, which was prepared, immediately launched a fierce bombardment on the Japanese positions on Huaiyu Mountain.

The advance reconnaissance force of the Third Regiment quickly withdrew while the Japanese army was busy dealing with the artillery bombardment.

A fighter jet from the First Army, which was on a reconnaissance mission in the air, saw this and quickly swooped down, strafing the Japanese troops on the Huaiyu Mountain position.

The artillery of the Third Regiment ceased its bombardment, while fighter planes continued to straf the Japanese positions on Huaiyu Mountain. Soldiers from the First and Second Battalions of the Third Regiment then launched a fierce attack on the Japanese positions on Huaiyu Mountain.

The Japanese troops fought desperately, but their machine guns were quickly picked off by fighter jets as soon as they began firing.

Although the Japanese machine gun positions were destroyed by the fighter planes, the Japanese troops in the positions still stubbornly resisted the 3rd Regiment's attack by relying on various fortifications on the mountain.

With their excellent military skills, the soldiers of the Third Regiment used stones and mounds of earth to jump and fire at the Japanese troops in the fortifications on the hillside.

After several hours of fierce fighting, the soldiers of the Third Regiment finally captured the Japanese positions on Huaiyu Mountain and continued their advance towards Yiyang County.

The Fourth Regiment arrived at Zhukeng Town and then at Qingshan Village, where they encountered fierce resistance from the Japanese army.

Qingshan Temple is located in this village, where the mountains are high and the forests are lush, making the terrain extremely rugged. There is only one narrow mountain path winding its way up the mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, there is a main road, which is a transportation hub connecting Guixi, Yugan, Leping, Wannian, and Yiyang to Hekou Town in Qianshan County.

The Japanese army set up an ambush at Qingshan Hall (also known as Broom Mountain).

The first company of the Fourth Regiment arrived at Qingshandian and was immediately attacked by the Japanese army.

The soldiers found cover and lay down, then opened fire on the Japanese soldiers.

The follow-up troops of the Fourth Regiment arrived and immediately joined the battle. However, the road in front of Qingshan Hall was too narrow, and the soldiers of the Fourth Regiment could not spread out at all.

After half a day of fierce fighting, the soldiers of the Fourth Regiment were still unable to break through the Japanese defenses.

When the Fourth Regiment Commander heard that the Third Regiment had broken through the Japanese defense line at Huaiyu Mountain, he telegraphed the Third Regiment Commander, ordering him to send troops to encircle the Japanese forces at Qingshan Temple from the rear.

Upon receiving the telegram, the Third Regiment Commander ordered the Fourth Battalion to proceed to Qingshan Temple.

The soldiers of the Fourth Battalion arrived at Qingshan Temple and immediately built fortifications to block the Japanese army's retreat.

Knowing that the Fourth Battalion of the Third Regiment had blocked the Japanese army's retreat route and supply lines, the Fourth Regiment Commander launched a continuous attack on Qingshan Temple before dawn.

Due to the intense fighting and rapid ammunition consumption, the Japanese troops in Qingshandian had no choice but to urge the Japanese troops in Yiyang County to replenish their ammunition.

The Japanese transport team from Yiyang County was intercepted by the Fourth Battalion before it even reached Qingshan Temple.

After a fierce battle, the Japanese transport convoy was unable to break through the Fourth Battalion's defenses.

Upon receiving the intelligence, the brigade commander of the 2nd Brigade ordered the commander of the 3rd Regiment to send troops to encircle the Japanese transport convoy.