During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, our army fought countless arduous battles against the Japanese invaders. During an operation to besiege a Japanese stronghold, our troops encountered a thorny problem. The Japanese troops hid in the fortified turrets, and with thick walls and dense firepower, stubbornly resisted the attack of our troops. Our army failed to attack many times, suffered heavy casualties, and fell into a stalemate for a while.
Just when the commanders were anxious about this, an old farmer passing by suddenly stopped and observed the battle situation with great interest for a while. He smiled slightly and said to the warrior beside him, "It's very simple! When the commander heard this, he hurriedly asked the old farmer what he had to say. The old farmer said mysteriously: "I have a way, I can make sure that the little devil can take the initiative to run out of the turret!" "
What did this ordinary old farmer come up with? Will his method really be able to break through the stubborn defenses of the Japanese artillery towers? How did our army use this strategy to achieve victory in the end?
During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, in order to consolidate its rule in China, the Japanese army built a large number of artillery towers as military strongholds. These turrets were not only the fortifications of the Japanese army, but also an important support point for its "encroachment" and "sweeping". The existence of the turret has brought tremendous difficulties and challenges to our army's combat operations.
Turrets are often built in strategic locations, such as villages, towns, vantage points, or traffic arteries. They are extremely sturdy, usually concrete, and the walls are often about one meter thick. The shape of the turret is mostly square or round, and the height varies from more than ten meters to more than twenty meters. There were numerous shooting holes on the top and around the turret, which was convenient for the Japanese to cover all aspects of firepower.
This sturdy construction made the turret resistant to attacks by ordinary infantry weapons. The weapons and equipment of our army at that time were relatively backward, and it was difficult to cause effective damage to the turrets. Even mortars and mountain artillery will not be able to destroy these "iron bucket" fortresses. The presence of artillery turrets greatly limited the mobility and attack effectiveness of our troops.
Turrets played an important role in the strategy of the Japanese army. They were not only fortifications, but also the "eyes" and "fists" of the areas controlled by the Japanese army. The Japanese army used the turret to monitor the surrounding area, and once it discovered the activities of our troops, it was able to quickly organize troops to carry out a "sweep". At the same time, the turret was also an important fulcrum of the Japanese army's supply line, providing a strong guarantee for its long-distance operations.
In the face of such a threat, our army often finds itself in a difficult situation in combat. Assaulting turrets often comes at a great cost. During an operation to besiege a Japanese stronghold, our army encountered such a problem. Relying on the advantages of the turrets, the Japanese stubbornly resisted the attack of our army. Our army failed to attack many times and suffered heavy casualties.
The commanders racked their brains to try to figure out how to crack it. It was proposed to storm with explosives packs, but this required soldiers to brave a hail of bullets to approach the turret, which was extremely dangerous. It has been suggested that tunnels be dug, but it takes too long to see results in a short period of time. Others advocated siege tactics, but this gave the Japanese a chance to reinforce them.
Just when everyone was at a loss, an old farmer passing by gave unexpected advice. This seemingly simple method has opened a breakthrough for our army to win. The wisdom of the old peasants not only reflects the wisdom and ingenuity of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance, but also demonstrates the power of the mass war.
How did this seemingly ordinary suggestion succeed in breaking the stubborn defense of the Japanese artillery tower? How did our army skillfully use this strategy and finally achieve victory? All of this starts with the old farmer's sentence "This is very simple".
Just when the commanders of our army were anxious about the predicament of attacking the Japanese artillery tower, an old peasant passing by caught their attention. The old farmer looked to be in his sixties, with a thin build, and his face was covered with the vicissitudes of time, but his eyes shone with wisdom. He paused and observed the battle with great interest, a thoughtful expression on his face.
The commander noticed the old peasant's unusual behavior and stepped forward to inquire. The old farmer smiled slightly and said, "Comrades, why don't you try using chili peppers?" This phrase immediately aroused the interest of the commander. The old farmer continued: "I grow a lot of chili peppers at home, which I usually use to cook vegetables and pickle pickles. Once, I accidentally sprinkled a large handful of dried chili powder in the yard, and the whole yard was choking with a spicy smell, and my family and I couldn't stand it anymore, so we had to run outside. "
After hearing this, the commander suddenly realized that this simple method could be the key to breaking the defense of the turret. This suggestion of the old farmer seems ordinary, but it contains profound wisdom. Not only did it make use of the common items around it, but it also cleverly avoided the difficulty of directly attacking the turret, and instead started with environmental factors, forcing the enemy to evacuate on their own initiative.
This strategy is unique in that it makes full use of the characteristics of the turret itself. Although the turret is strong, it is precisely this solid structure that restricts the circulation of air inside. If a large amount of paprika can be fed into the turret in some way, the confined space will allow the spicy flavor to build up quickly, creating an intolerable environment.
The commanders were both surprised and excited by the idea. They immediately convened a meeting of the backbone of the troops to discuss the details of implementation. It was suggested that mortars could be used to fire special shells filled with paprika near the turret, allowing the paprika to spread with the explosion. It was also suggested that chili powder could be carried in a kite or balloon and used to send it to the top of the turret for release.
In the course of the discussion, a young fighter had a whim: "Why don't we combine paprika and smoke bombs?" This suggestion was immediately well received. Smoke bombs themselves produce a lot of smoke, and if you add paprika, it not only increases the irritation of the smoke, but also spreads the paprika more evenly with the help of smoke.
In order to ensure the feasibility of the plan, the commanders decided to conduct a small-scale experiment first. They chose an abandoned earthen house as a mock target and tested it with homemade smoke devices and paprika. The result was exhilarating, and the smoke mixed with paprika quickly filled the room, and even the warriors standing in the doorway felt extremely uncomfortable with their eyes and nose.
This successful experiment strengthened the commanders' determination to implement the plan. They immediately organized personnel to collect large quantities of peppers and began to modify smoke bombs. At the same time, a detailed battle plan was developed, including how to cover the fighters who dropped pepper smoke bombs, how to block the area around the turret to prevent the enemy from escaping, and how to quickly occupy positions after the enemy withdrew from the turret.
This simple and ingenious suggestion of the old peasant not only provided a new idea for our army to conquer the Japanese artillery tower, but also reflected the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance. It proves that in a tough war environment, sometimes the most effective solutions can come from the most unexpected places.
With the gradual completion of preparations, our army is about to launch an unprecedented special attack on the Japanese artillery towers. Will the operation be successful? How would the Japanese respond to such an unexpected attack? The answer will soon be revealed.
With the completion of preparations, our army began to implement this unique plan for attacking fortifications. The action is set on a sunny morning, which is conducive to the spread of paprika. The commander divided the troops into three groups: the assault group was responsible for dropping pepper smoke bombs, the blockade group was responsible for cutting off the possible retreat of the Japanese troops, and the reserve group was ready for a final charge.
Before the start of the operation, the commander once again emphasized the importance and danger of the operation. He told the fighters: "Comrades, this operation, although it may seem simple, is still fraught with danger. We have to be careful and work closely together to achieve victory. "
At four o'clock in the morning, the blockade group quietly touched the favorable terrain around the turret and occupied a favorable position. Their task was to ensure that no Japanese army would be able to escape, and at the same time prevent possible reinforcements. The fighters in this group are seasoned veterans who are familiar with the terrain and are able to make a difference at critical moments.
At five o'clock sharp, the attack group began to move. They divided into several squads and approached the turret from different directions. Each squad carried specially modified pepper smoke grenades. These smoke grenades are not only loaded with a large amount of paprika, but also some other irritants are added to enhance the effect.
In order to cover the actions of the attack group, the artillery units of our army began to cover the turrets with fire. Although the shelling could hardly inflict substantial damage on the fortified turrets, the dense sound of artillery fire was well enough to drown out the sound of the attack group's movements.
Under the cover of artillery fire, the attack group managed to approach the turret. They quickly dropped pepper smoke grenades around and on top of the turret. After the smoke bomb exploded, a large amount of smoke mixed with paprika quickly spread around. Due to the special structure of the turret, the smoke quickly entered the interior of the turret through firing holes and vents.
At first, the Japanese did not seem to be aware of the danger coming. They are still conducting regular defensive shooting. However, as more and more chili smoke seeped into the turret, things began to change. The soldiers of our army heard violent coughing and shouting from inside the turret.
The assault group continued to drop pepper smoke grenades, enveloping the turret in a cloud of spicy smoke. At this time, the Japanese troops in the turret began to feel unbearable. Some Japanese tried to fire through the firing holes, but the thick pepper smoke prevented them from aiming, and instead allowed more smoke to enter the turret.
After about ten minutes, the situation inside the turret became even more chaotic. Our soldiers saw that some Japanese soldiers began to rush out of the small door of the turret, they covered their eyes, coughed incessantly, and obviously could not stay in the turret any longer.
This is exactly the moment that our army is waiting for. The blockade group immediately moved to intercept the Japanese troops who were trying to escape. At the same time, the reserve group also began to charge the turret. Although some Japanese troops stubbornly resisted to the end, most of them had lost their combat ability and were quickly subdued by our troops.
The whole operation lasted less than an hour, and our troops successfully captured this once headache turret. Compared to the previous assaults, the casualties of this operation were minimal, but the results were surprisingly good.
After the operation, our troops carried out an inspection of the captured turrets. The walls and floors inside the turret were covered with a layer of red paprika, and the air was still filled with a pungent spicy smell. Some of the Japanese soldiers who did not have time to escape were still weeping and coughing, apparently suffering greatly.
This successful operation not only destroyed an important stronghold of the Japanese army, but also provided valuable experience for our army to attack similar fortifications in the future. The commanders unanimously agreed that although this method of "pepper attack" seems simple, it actually reflects the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese military and civilians.
However, victory in the battle did not mean the end of the war. The Japanese army still occupies a large part of the country, and our army is still facing the arduous task of liberation. The success of this operation has given everyone confidence and proved that as long as the wisdom of the masses is brought into full play, there will be no insurmountable difficulties.
The success of the "chili pepper attack" tactic has aroused great attention from the top level of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army. Soon, a detailed report of this innovative tactic was sent to Yan'an, where it aroused the interest of Mao Zedong and other leaders. After reviewing the report, Mao Zedong spoke highly of this method of using civilian wisdom to solve practical combat problems. He pointed out: "This is precisely the vivid military embodiment of the mass line that we have always advocated. "
Subsequently, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army issued a circular to promote the experience of this operation to the whole army. Several key points were particularly emphasized in the briefing: first, we should be good at discovering and using the wisdom of the local people; the second is to make full use of the existing resources around us; Third, it is necessary to be bold in making innovations and not stick to traditional combat methods.
This circular evoked strong repercussions throughout the army. All units have organized study and discussions, and in light of their own actual conditions, they have explored how to apply and improve this tactic. In Shandong, some troops tried to replace paprika with chili water and spray it into the enemy's fortifications with a simple spraying device. In central China, some troops mixed chili peppers with other irritants to make more effective "complex" smoke bombs.
However, the promotion of the "pepper attack" tactic has not been smooth sailing. Some commanders were skeptical of such an unconventional method, believing that it was not "regular" enough and could affect the combat effectiveness of the troops. Still others fear that the enemy will soon find a way to deal with it, rendering this tactic ineffective.
In order to resolve these misgivings, the General Headquarters decided to send a special team to the troops in various localities to give lectures and demonstrations. This group consisted of commanders and fighters who participated in the original operation, and with their first-hand experience, they explained in detail to the units the principles, implementation methods, and precautions of the "pepper attack" tactic.
Somewhere in northern China, members of the group demonstrated to local troops how to make and use chili smoke bombs. They also made a point of emphasizing that when using this tactic, it is important to pay attention to the wind direction and weather conditions to ensure maximum effect. During the demonstration, one of the young fighters came up with an interesting idea: "Is it possible to make paprika in the shape of a grenade, so that it will be more convenient to throw." This suggestion was immediately endorsed by the panelists and was documented as a direction for further improvement.
With the deepening of the promotion work, the "pepper attack" tactic began to show results in various places. In Hebei, a guerrilla detachment used this tactic to successfully conquer a Japanese pillbox and liberate an important village. In Shanxi, with the help of this tactic, a certain unit of the Eighth Route Army captured a Japanese ammunition depot with very few casualties and captured a large amount of weapons and ammunition.
These successful cases have not only enhanced the combat effectiveness of the troops, but also greatly encouraged the morale of the military and the people. The local people saw that the Eighth Route Army could use such ingenious methods to attack the Japanese army, and they expressed their full support for the anti-Japanese army. Some farmers offered to provide chili peppers stored at home, while others organized to grow more chili peppers in case the army needed them.
The impact of the "pepper attack" tactic extends even beyond the military sphere. It stimulated the sense of innovation among the military and civilians, and people began to think more actively about how to use the resources around them to deal with the Japanese army. In some areas, peasants began to plant thorn grass on the roads that the Japanese army had to pass, making it difficult for the Japanese army to march. In other places, the masses came up with the method of making smoke bombs using the local method, which provided strong support to the guerrillas.
However, as this tactic became widely used, the Japanese army also began to take countermeasures. They installed ventilation equipment in a number of important fortifications and equipped soldiers with improvised gas masks. Despite this, the "pepper attack" tactic still played an important role on many occasions, especially in raids and skirmishes.
Generally speaking, the popularization and application of the "chili pepper attack" tactic has not only achieved remarkable military results, but more importantly, it has embodied the work style of the Communist Party of China, the Eighth Route Army, and the New Fourth Army in relying on and believing in the masses, and has demonstrated the wisdom and creativity of the Chinese people in the War of Resistance Against Japan. The success of this tactic has opened up new ideas for more military-civilian cooperation and joint resistance to the enemy in the future.
The successful application and widespread promotion of the strategy of "chili pepper attack" has left a strong mark in the history of China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This innovative tactic not only achieved remarkable military results, but also had a far-reaching impact on the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression led by the Communist Party of China ideologically and strategically.
First of all, from a military point of view, the "pepper attack" strategy provides a new way of thinking for solving the problem of casualties in the offensive battle. Prior to this, the Chinese army was often forced to attack the Japanese army's fortified pillboxes and artillery towers, which inevitably caused a large number of casualties. The application of the "pepper attack" strategy cleverly made use of the structural characteristics of the Japanese fortifications and the physiological reaction of the human body, and achieved the greatest results at the minimum cost. For example, in a certain place in Hebei, a certain unit of the Eighth Route Army used this tactic to capture a Japanese stronghold in only half an hour, and its own casualties were only two minor injuries. This tactic of using the small to win the big and the weak to defeat the strong has greatly improved the combat efficiency and morale of the Chinese army.
Second, from an ideological point of view, the proposal and implementation of the strategy of "tackling tough peppers" embodies the work style of the Communist Party of China, the Eighth Route Army, and the New Fourth Army in thoroughly implementing the mass line. The idea of this strategy comes from ordinary farmers, and its material comes from chili peppers in daily life, which fully shows that the people are the creators of history and the source of wisdom. In Linyi, Shandong, after hearing that the Eighth Route Army needed chili peppers, the local people spontaneously organized a "chili donation campaign" and collected thousands of catties of chili peppers in just a few days, which effectively supported the army's operations. This kind of scene of the army and the people working together to resist the enemy has been staged in various parts of the country, and this has greatly enhanced the cohesion of the anti-Japanese forces.
Third, from a strategic point of view, the success of the "chili pepper attack" strategy provided an important enlightenment for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression led by the Communist Party of China: that is, how to give full play to the subjective initiative and take advantage of the enemy's weakness to creatively carry out guerrilla warfare and movement warfare when weapons and equipment are at an inferior's edge. This idea was further developed and applied in the later War of Resistance Against Japan. For example, in a certain place in Shanxi, a certain unit of the Eighth Route Army borrowed the idea of "attacking fortified peppers" and made a special smoke bomb using the local abundant chili peppers and lime, which successfully expelled a Japanese patrol and protected the safety of local villagers.
In addition, the promotion process of the "pepper attack" strategy itself is also a successful experience summary and promotion example. After receiving the report on this strategy, the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army quickly organized a special group to study and popularize it. They not only refined and improved the original plan, but also made appropriate adjustments according to the actual situation in various places. In a certain place in Jiangsu, due to the lack of local pepper production, the local troops tried to use other irritating plants instead, and also achieved good results. This kind of flexible and adaptable approach to local conditions fully embodies the CPC's work style of seeking truth from facts.
The historical significance of the "chili pepper attack" strategy is also reflected in its influence on China's military thinking in the future. The success of this strategy has broken the traditional mode of thinking about operations, and has encouraged the army and the people to actively innovate and make full use of the resources around them to carry out struggles. In the later period of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, this innovative spirit was further developed. For example, in the War of Liberation, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) repeatedly used similar unconventional means to achieve victory. In the Huaihai Campaign, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) took advantage of the support of the local masses to organize a large-scale transportation team of migrant workers, solved the problem of logistics and supply, and laid the foundation for the victory of the campaign. This practice of combining military and civilian use and making full use of civilian wisdom can be said to be the continuation and development of the spirit of the strategy of "tackling tough problems with chili peppers."
Finally, the "chili pepper attack" strategy has also left us with valuable historical enlightenment. It teaches us that when facing a strong enemy, we should not limit ourselves to traditional ways of thinking, but should give full play to creativity and find new solutions. It also reminds us that the power and wisdom of ordinary people cannot be ignored at any time, as they are often able to provide surprising solutions. These enlightenments are not only of guiding significance in the military field, but also applicable to work in other fields.