The content of this article is based on authoritative historical data, and there are citations at the end of the article.
On a spring evening in 1956, the sky in Shaoguan, Guangdong Province was unusually clear, and the breeze brought the sweet fragrance of flowers, making this ordinary day extraordinarily peaceful. In this warm climate, a middle-aged retired soldier is standing quietly on the old stone bridge, facing the setting sun, his figure stretched long.
A slightly dated but polished pistol pinned to his waist hides a hero's story, a story of a nearly forgotten hero.
Introduction: The background of the Jin-Cha-Ji Anti-Japanese War in 1939
In October 1939, as the autumn deepened, the Japanese army exerted unprecedented military pressure on China's anti-Japanese base areas, especially the Jin-Cha-Ji border region in the north. Due to its geographical importance and its status as a center of anti-Japanese activities, this area became the focus of Japanese attacks.
During this period, the Japanese army not only increased its military input, but also adjusted its tactics and strategy in an attempt to destroy China's anti-Japanese forces in one fell swoop. Norihide Abe, a veteran lieutenant general, is known for his expertise in mountain tactics and enjoys a reputation as the "flower of famous generals" in Japanese military circles.
His command of the so-called "clean-up" operation shows the importance that the Japanese army attaches to this operation. Norihide Abe has shown his command skills in many battles before, especially in the use of complex terrain.
Under Abe's command, the Japanese launched a simultaneous offensive from multiple directions, including infantry, cavalry, and artillery. They carried a large amount of military equipment and supplies, ready for a long battle. The scale of this operation was the most powerful of all previous Japanese operations in the region, and it showed its determination to completely wipe out the anti-Japanese base areas.
The setback of the Japanese army in the first battle and the strategic adjustment of the Chinese side
In the early morning of November 3, 1939, the 1st Battalion of the Japanese Army was fiercely counterattacked by the Eighth Route Army in a major battle to attack the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei border area. The main forces of the Japanese army, consisting of well-trained infantry and supporting artillery, tried to break through the defensive line set by the Eighth Route Army in the mountains.
However, the soldiers of the Eighth Route Army were already in position in the fortifications, hiding in earthen forts and woods, waiting for the enemy to come into range. At the beginning of the battle, as the sun rose in the east and the sky gradually brightened, the machine gunners and snipers of the Eighth Route Army began to fire at the Japanese troops who came into sight.
The Japanese infantry, while trying to cross an open area, came under intense fire. Mortars and grenades of the Eighth Route Army were widely used, inflicting heavy casualties on the Japanese army. In the fierce exchange of fire, the first battalion of the Japanese army gradually lost its organization, and some of the soldiers began to retreat blindly without effective command.
Yang Chengwu, the commander of the Eighth Route Army, quickly made a decision after observing this situation. He instructed the troops not to pursue a total and overwhelming victory, but to use guerrilla tactics to effectively deplete the enemy's combat effectiveness.
Immediately, the various detachments of the Eighth Route Army began to carry out controlled harassment and attacks according to the preset plan, and then quickly withdrew to the depths of the mountains and forests to avoid a head-on clash with the main force of the Japanese army. With the defeat of the first battalion of the Japanese army in the initial battle, Abe Norihide adjusted his strategy and decided to increase his efforts to clear the Eighth Route Army.
The Japanese then sent reconnaissance teams to try to determine the retreat route of the Eighth Route Army and a new assembly site. At the same time, Yang Chengwu, through intelligence and familiarity with the terrain, planned to set up a more complex ambush circle near the Loess Ridge. The loess ridge is a rugged terrain and surrounded by forests, providing an excellent natural barrier for guerrilla warfare.
A crucial blow in the Battle of Loess Ridge
By November 6, the morning in the Loess Ridge was unusually cold, and the autumn wind blew through the desolate valley with a biting chill. The vanguard led by Norihide Abe slowly advanced along the winding mountain road, and the steep ridges and dense forests of the Loess Ridge added many difficulties to its movement.
The terrain is extremely complex, with excellent views and numerous hidden trails and ravines, making it an ideal place for ambushes. At dusk, Abe's troops set up a makeshift camp on the ridge. After nightfall, he sent reconnaissance teams to try to scout the surroundings for possible Chinese military activity.
The scouts weaved through the woods and rocks in the faint glow of light and moonlight, watching for any signs of the anomaly. They found what appeared to be used campfire embers and discarded supplies, suggesting that Chinese troops may be nearby.
Despite this, the Japanese reconnaissance team failed to determine the specific ambush location of the Eighth Route Army. This was partly due to the Eighth Route Army's delicate use of terrain and its high degree of concealment, and their experienced soldiers knew how to leave the least amount of traces in the terrain. In addition, the Eighth Route Army also carefully arranged misleading signs, which further increased the difficulty of the Japanese army's reconnaissance.
As the main forces of the Japanese army arrived at Loess Ridge one after another, they began to deploy their forces according to the established plan, completely unaware that they had penetrated deep into the encirclement of the Eighth Route Army. The commanders of the Eighth Route Army observed the movements of the Japanese army and waited for the best opportunity to attack.
Their units had been concealed at a number of key positions in the Loess Ridge, and mortars and machine guns had been aimed at the most likely line of Japanese attack. Just as the Japanese began to relax their vigilance on the ridge and enjoy a short rest, the Eighth Route Army launched a sudden all-out attack.
From the heights of the hill, dense machine-gun fire and mortar shells rained down on the Japanese camp and marching path. The Japanese soldiers were caught off guard by the sudden onslaught of heavy fire and fell into confusion. The firepower of the Eighth Route Army was very accurate, forcing the Japanese to look for cover in the harsh terrain.
The Japanese command structure was very weak under the sudden attack, and many squads were unable to respond effectively due to the disorganization of the command. Some Japanese squads tried to counterattack or reorganize their positions, but their efforts were mostly in vain due to the limitations of the terrain and the firepower superiority of the Eighth Route Army.
Strike the enemy command with precision
During the fierce battle in the Loess Ridge, Yang Chengwu observed a seemingly ordinary courtyard on the hill through a telescope. The courtyard was occupied by the Japanese army, with a relatively strong wall and two houses with relatively separate layouts. The houses on the west side had doors and windows that opened and closed frequently, and Japanese officers came and went frequently, apparently as a temporary command post.
At the same time, Yang Chengwu noticed that the windows of the houses on the east side were boarded up, and only occasionally faint sounds could be heard from inside, which led him to speculate that villagers who had been captured by the Japanese might be imprisoned there. After inspecting the terrain and the enemy's situation, Yang Chengwu decided to take advantage of the firepower superiority of the artillery company of the Eighth Route Army to carry out a precise attack on the Japanese headquarters.
He summoned Li Erxi, the commander of the artillery company, and gave him this important task. Li Erxi was an experienced gunner with great skill in using mortars for accurate fire. Li Erxi and his artillery team quietly moved to a more favorable firing position in the darkness of the night, carefully measuring and adjusting the angle of the specific position of the Japanese command.
They used improvised rangefinders and maps to calculate the distance and trajectory of the shot, ensuring that the shells landed precisely on the target. During the whole adjustment process, Li Erxi repeatedly checked every parameter to ensure that it hit the right shot. In the early hours of the morning, Li Erxi ordered the gunners to prepare for firing.
The first shell pierced the night sky and landed precisely in the front yard of the house on the west side, causing an explosion that kicked up billows of dust and smoke. Immediately after, the second and third shells quickly followed, accurately hitting the house on the west side, and the powerful force of the explosion destroyed part of the structure of the house, causing serious casualties.
Throughout the shelling, Li Erxi and his artillery team took special care not to cause damage to the houses on the east side. Their carefully calculated firing angles and fire control ensured that all shells were concentrated only on the western side of the house and the surrounding area. This precisely controlled firepower demonstrated the Eighth Route Army's high level of skill and humanitarian consideration in the use of artillery tactics in actual combat.
As the shelling ended, Yang Chengwu ordered his troops to quickly dispatch a rescue team to the houses on the east side to rescue the trapped villagers. After ensuring safety, the soldiers carefully pried open the barricaded doors and windows and brought out the frightened villagers one by one. The rescue operation was careful and orderly, demonstrating the Eighth Route Army's unwavering commitment to protecting civilians.
Li Erxi's post-war honor and influence
In the battle of Loess Ridge, Li Erxi successfully destroyed the temporary headquarters of the Japanese army with his accurate artillery attack technology, which directly affected the trend of the battle situation and won a valuable strategic advantage for the Eighth Route Army. His bravery quickly spread among the troops, and the soldiers were amazed by his precision marksmanship, and he soon became known as the "sharpshooter".
This remarkable achievement also quickly reached the ears of the superior commanders. As a senior commander, Nie Shuai was very appreciative of Li Erxi's extraordinary skills and calm judgment on the battlefield. In recognition of his outstanding contributions and to encourage the soldiers to follow his example, Nie Shuai decided to personally present a pistol to Li Erxi.
This pistol is not only a recognition of his personal heroism, but also a symbol of anticipation of his bravery in future battles. The presenting ceremony was held in the troops, and the eyes of many comrades-in-arms and commanders were focused on Li Erxi.
In his brief speech, Nie Shuai mentioned Li Erxi's heroic deeds, and then handed him the beautifully decorated pistol, the handle of which was engraved with fine patterns, which looked particularly solemn. At this moment, Li Erxi received unprecedented honor, and his name and the title of "sharpshooter" have since become a good story in the Eighth Route Army.
Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, it is 1956. Li Erxi has long since retired from the war-torn years, but his heroic deeds still leave a deep imprint in people's hearts. That year, on a sunny day in Shaoguan, Guangdong, Li Erxi, who was already in middle age, participated in a photo activity to commemorate the victory of the Anti-Japanese War.
As a special guest, he carried the pistol given by Commander Nie that year and participated in a photo session. Under the guidance of the photographer, Li Erxi wore a neat tunic with a pistol hanging from his waist, and his unique appearance and historical significance stood out in the sun.
The photographer adjusted the lens to capture Li Erxi's eyes full of stories and his extraordinary temperament. His eyes were firm and deep, and although the years had carved their marks on his face, the spirit of valor and tenacity remained undiminished.
The click of the shutter sounded, leaving behind the heroic posture of this "sharpshooter". The photograph was later used in various exhibitions and commemorative albums, and became a symbol of civilian heroes in the War of Resistance Against Japan.
#头条创作挑战赛#
Resources:
Written by the main creative team of "Red Secret File". Red Secret File[M]. 2023
Liu Yuming, ed. Famous curators 100[M]. 1998