In that Red Age, wars and sacrifices had become commonplace, and good revolutionaries lost their lives every day for the sake of the country and the people. On May 23, 1942, five battles broke out in the wing, and the Eighth Route Army lost a total of four outstanding generals. So what happened on this day, and why was the battle so tragic?
The japanese army was so fierce that the Eighth Route Army was powerless
On 22 May, the 13th Company of Japanese cavalry directly blocked the Cangshi Road and sent the 41st Army and the Ninth Brigade to attack the base of the Eighth Route Army. According to the information intercepted by the Eighth Route Army before, the attack was supposed to be on the 23rd, but the cunning Japanese learned that the news may be leaked, and temporarily decided to change the attack time, causing the Eighth Route Army to have no time to react. Moreover, combined with the previous experience of fighting the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese army also adjusted its own combat methods. Their changes are mainly reflected in three aspects, first of all, it is to sweep up time. Previously, when the Japanese army carried out a sweep, the longest was only half a month, but this time the sweep lasted for two months. Secondly, the distribution of personnel in the Japanese army. According to the previous long-distance centripetal attack of the Japanese army, the Eighth Route Army could completely hit them by surprise in a penetrating way.
However, with the experience of previous failures, the Japanese army changed the distribution of personnel this time, basically arranging a Japanese soldier to guard every few meters, and did not give the Eighth Route Army any opportunity to intersperse at all. Finally, there is the Japanese way of fighting. This time the Japanese used a surprise attack, they would send out cavalry squads first, and only rifles. This group of people rushed out and engaged in a scuffle with the Eighth Route Army, and even if the Eighth Route Army won in the end, it would not be able to retrieve extra bullets and weapons that could be used from them.
In five large-scale battles, the Eighth Route Army suffered heavy losses
On May 23, five successive battles broke out in the wing, and the Eighth Route Army suffered heavy losses. Battle of Zhaohu Village: This was the first battlefield swept by the Japanese army, and since the Japanese army did not receive news from the traitors, they determined that there was an Eighth Route Army in Zhaohu Village. The day before, the Japanese army had blockaded the entire village of Zhaohu, but they knew that the Eighth Route Army knew the geographical situation here very well, so they did not dare to act rashly. When the Japanese hesitated, the Eighth Route Army successfully defeated them using tunnels and mines. Unfortunately, the other four battles ended in a slightly tragic end.
Battle of Cui's Village: On the morning of the 23rd, Zhang Renhuai and Chen Deren fled with two companies, not only to get rid of the enemy's pursuit, but also to cover other comrades-in-arms, so the marching speed was relatively slow. After arriving at Cui Village, Chen Deren decided to occupy Cui Village first and then make plans. Just as the Eighth Route Army rushed to Cui's village, the Japanese car took the lead in entering the village. Seeing the situation, the Eighth Route Army could only find another way out, who knew that the Japanese army had formed an encirclement. In this fierce battle, Zhang Renhuai and Chen Deren died heroically, and the entire second company suffered heavy losses.
Battle of Wangjiapu Village: After the Eighth Route Army discovered the traces of the Japanese army in liyuan villages in the north and south, it hid in Wangjiapu village to prepare for adjustment. Who knew that they happened to encounter the Japanese tank troops, and the regimental commander immediately decided to seize the village of Wangjiapu and take advantage of the night to break through. Under the attack of enemy shells and poison gas bombs, Guo Mufen ordered an immediate breakthrough. In this breakthrough battle, only nearly a hundred Eighth Route Army successfully escaped, and Guo Mufen, who was responsible for the severed rear, made a heroic sacrifice.
Battle of Lijiajiao and Renjiao Village: The Eighth Route Army encountered comrades-in-arms near Liujiajiao and also found thousands of civilians. In order to attract the firepower of the Japanese army and protect the people, the Eighth Route Army fought fiercely against them. Finally, the Eighth Route Army retreated to Lijiajiao and Renjiao Village, respectively, preparing to wait for an opportunity to break through. At seven o'clock in the morning, the breakout battle officially began. The battle was fierce, and although the Eighth Route Army repeatedly repelled the Japanese, it also suffered heavy losses. After the battle, Zhang Junfeng and many other Eighth Route Army soldiers died heroically. The only fortunate thing is that they managed to protect thousands of civilians and buy them time to escape.
In every victory in war, countless people have sacrificed for it
After these five fierce wars, the Eighth Route Army and the people in the wings joined forces and held on to this land until the end of the war and the complete liberation of China. This is undoubtedly good news for all Chinese, but for those who have already sacrificed, they cannot enjoy a peaceful life.
The victory of every war has been bought by countless people with their own blood and lives. Therefore, we should remember the stories of these revolutionary heroes and remind ourselves that war is cruel and that no matter what the final outcome is, countless lives will be lost. We, who live in times of peace, should do our utmost to preserve this hard-won peace and ensure that that tragic history will not be repeated.