Xiao Feng's Blood Battle at Chen Zhuang

On September 26, 1939, the Eighth Mixed Brigade of the Shiyuan region launched the "Autumn Major Offensive" against our Jinchaji military district. Commander He Long of the 120th Division and Commander Nie Rongzhen decided to seize the opportunity and set an ambush to annihilate Shiyuan. Chen Zulun, the commander of the Fifth Regiment, and political commissar Xiao Feng assigned the second battalion commander Wu Yonggang to lure the enemy, but the enemy did not take the bait. During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the soldiers of the Fifth Regiment thought that the Japanese were cowardly, leading to complacency, ignoring even the challenge issued by Shiyuan. In the deep of night, Shiyuan personally led the Japanese troops across the Fifth Regiment's defensive line, heading straight for Chen Zhuang, intending to annihilate the headquarters of our 120th Division and the Jinchaji military district. Xiao Feng was still in deep sleep when he was awakened by a phone call from the district commander Xiong Botao, who reprimanded him fiercely. He urgently contacted Battalion Commander Wu, demanding a clarification on the enemy situation and ordered him to follow the Japanese troops to hold onto Shiyuan and buy time for the headquarters to relocate. Shiyuan was hindered by the 716th Regiment and turned to attack the defenses of the third battalion of the Fifth Regiment. The enemy used gas bombs to breach a section of the third battalion's line. Xiao Feng directed the new recruits to set fire to the Japanese in the reed marshes, reclaiming the position. Colonel Huang agreed with him on which regiment could kill or capture Shiyuan. The division ordered a general attack, with the Fifth Regiment serving as support for the 716th Regiment. After the battle began, Shiyuan broke through from the direction of Wansi Yuan. The division ordered all troops...