At noon on September 21, 1948, the 13th Column of the East China Field Army occupied the commercial port in the western district of Jinan, captured Wang Yaowu's first line of defense, and threatened Wang Yaowu's second-line basic defensive position outside Jinan.
The enemies in the city of Shangbu were basically annihilated, but sporadic battles continued, and from time to time a column of fire rose in the mall, and the smoke and sulfur often provoked a coughing sound...
Gao Rui, commander of the 30th Division of the 13th Column (a native of Laiyang, Shandong, a founding major general), was leading the division's personnel to observe the terrain when he overheard someone shouting: "The commander is coming!" ”
He hurriedly turned his head back, and Zhou Zhijian, commander of the Thirteenth Column of Huaye (Hubei Dawuren, founding lieutenant general) stood behind him with his guards, holding up telescopes and looking out of the city.
"Commander, the command is coming up?" Gurry asked.
"Nothing." Zhou Zhijian was still looking out.
"How did you get here, here are stray bullets flying..."
"How can I not come!"
Gurry knew that if he asked any more questions, the commander might be "out of temper."
This is Zhou Zhijian's consistent style, every time he attacks a city, he must personally go to the front line to observe the terrain and organize the deployment, so he is also most disgusted that some people say "danger" and advise him not to go to the front line.
At this time, the commander of the Thirty-eighth Division, Xu Tishan (a native of Huoqiu, Anhui, a founding major general), also rushed to the forward position.
Zhou Zhijian put down his telescope and said to the two division commanders: "In order not to give the enemy a chance to breathe, the corps headquarters ordered me to cooperate with the friendly and neighboring columns to quickly form an offensive to break through Wang Yaowu's outer city defense line... I have decided to launch an attack on the Yongsui Gate, southwest of the outer city, and its frontal assault at 200 meters on either side..."
After saying this, he turned back and said to the chief of staff, "Tell them about the defense system of the enemy in the outer city." ”
The chief of staff said: "The outer city wall of Jinan is made of stone and large bricks, which is about 7 meters high and about 8 to 9 meters thick. The city gate tower is built as a support point, and the top of the city wall is built with a mother fort every 100 meters, and a sub-fort or a shooting bunker is built at about 10 meters. ”
He continued: "There are dark forts and fire launch points in the middle of the city wall, and there are single forts and zimu forts along the outer edges of the city, and the tunnels are connected to the city. There is also a moat and 1.5 meters of barbed wire outside the city, and the city gates are lined with forts on both sides, and there are auxiliary obstacles such as rejecting horses..."
Gao Rui and Xu Tishan glanced at each other and realized that it was not difficult to attack the stronghold.
"The enemy's defense system is strong, and our determination to conquer it is also determined!" Zhou Zhijian looked at the outer city, his eyes were like fire, "Tell me, how will this battle be fought?" ”
Gurry unfolded the map, quickly drew a few arrows with a red pencil, looked up, and his eyes shone with wisdom, "Commander, my opinion is that it is not appropriate to concentrate forces to attack, it is best to take multiple breakthroughs..."
"Yes!" Xu Tishan felt the same way, his eyes lit up, and his voice was full of the unique texture of soldiers, "Each break is the best strategy!" This will not only disperse the enemy's firepower, but also facilitate the various units of our unit to coordinate with each other and cooperate in combat. ”
Zhou Zhijian seemed very interested in this, and said to the chief of staff: "Spread the map for me!" ”
As the map unfolded, his gaze cast, his eyebrows rising steeply, like two swords unsheathed.
After a few minutes, Zhou Zhijian suddenly raised his head, smiled at the corner of his mouth, and said loudly: "Good, good idea!" ”
Then, his finger pointed to the opposite side, "Just on this outer city defense line 200 meters in front, move up three regiments and open three breakthroughs!" ”
Then, he decisively issued the order: "The 109th Regiment of the Thirty-seventh Division is in the direction of the main assault in the front of Yongsui Gate; the 111th Regiment is breaking through on the north side of Yongsui Gate, the 112nd Regiment of the 38th Division is attacking on the south side of Yongsui Gate, and the other regiments are column reserves... Do you get the idea? ”
The two division commanders replied, "Report Commander, I see!" ”
Zhou Zhijian thought for a moment and then said to the chief of staff: "Inform the Thirty-ninth Division, I order them to remain in the southwestern suburbs, surround Qinglong Mountain and Ma'anshan Mountain, cover the flank safety of the Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Divisions, and block the enemy who may break through." ”
Just then, a shell flew from the enemy position in the outer city and landed about 20 meters away from them.
With the agility of an old soldier, Zhou Zhijian shouted "Lie Down" and at the same moment pushed down a staff officer next to him.
In just a few seconds, the shell exploded, the mud was emptied, and it fell heavily in the shape of a heavenly goddess scattering flowers, scattering them all over their bodies...
After the staff officer said "it's dangerous," he scolded again: "Rabbit cubs, I'll let you toss and turn for a few days!" ”
Zhou Zhijian shook the dust, calmly and calmly, and laughed: "You see, the enemy is always so affectionate, just found a place to dig a grave for them, he used a cannon to thank us." ”
Gurry couldn't hold back any longer: "Commander, you must hurry up and get out of here!" ”
"What, you gave the order?"
Gurry was stunned and thought: You are a superior and I am a subordinate, I dare to give you orders, but this is too dangerous, even if I "commit the following crimes", I will let you leave here quickly.
Thinking of this, he said "with a straight face": "This is the position of the Thirty-seventh Division, my territory, and you must obey my orders!" ”
Zhou Zhijian smiled and said, "Well, there is no place for me here... I obey your orders. ”
At 18:00 on the same day, the battle to conquer the outer city began. By 3:00 a.m. on the 23rd, all of Zhou Zhijian's thirteen columns had entered the outer city, and Wang Yaowu's second line of defense had been destroyed in one fell swoop.