Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 493 Mobilization
"I didn't expect that Captain Tan was an old friend of General Liu. Unfortunately, he died on the battlefield of Hume Tower Fortress."

Chen Dechao learned about the relationship between the two from Liu Yongfu and said with regret.

"It is inevitable for soldiers to die on the battlefield. When we joined the army, we were prepared to sacrifice and die. Choosing the path of joining the army means facing risks. I believe that Captain Tan will not regret his choice if he knows about it."

"Since the battle of Hume Tower Fortress began, Captain Zhang is the third colonel-level officer to be killed in the battle. There are also seven or eight colonel-level officers injured. This is just a tentative attack. If we attack the fortress head-on, I don't know how many officers and soldiers will be sacrificed."

"The lives of Imperial soldiers are precious. We should try to reduce casualties as much as possible."

After learning from Chen Dechao the number of mid-level officers who were killed or wounded in the attack on Humeta Fortress, Liu Yongfu nodded in agreement and said, "So His Majesty agreed to General Chen's request to send naval ships to reinforce and cooperate with the army to attack Humeta Fortress."

"Captain Yang, Captain He, it's up to you to destroy the heavy artillery positions of the Hume Tower Fortress."

"General, rest assured, the navy will fully cooperate."

Yang Guangzong and He Linshu expressed their opinions one after another.

"Captain Zhang, please tell everyone about the situation of the Bonar Mountain Fortress Group, focusing on the approximate location of the enemy's heavy fortress artillery, so as to provide a reference for the navy's attack."

"It would be great to have naval gun support."

Zhang Kangren smiled and said happily: "Captain Yang, Captain He, after more than a week of attacks and probing, we have learned that the highest point of the Bonar Mountain Fortress Group is about 100 meters above the river. The fortress group is equipped with three 120mm fortress guns, four Gatling hand-cranked heavy machine guns, and 4 to 5 small and medium caliber artillery. The original garrison had about 10 people, and now it is estimated that there are only 1600 people left.

The three fortress guns are distributed on the west side of the mountain top commanding heights, facing the river bank. Heavy machine guns and small and medium-sized artillery are mainly distributed on the southern and eastern sides of the fort.

If we can destroy the enemy's heavy artillery and the heavy machine guns on the south side, and launch an attack from the south side of the foot of the mountain, the success rate of conquering the fortress group will be greatly improved."

"Captain Yang, Captain He, is there anything else you need to know?"

Zhang Kangren finished introducing the general situation of the Bonar Mountain Fortress Group. He asked.

"Thank you, Captain Zhang. No problem."

Yang Guangzong nodded in thanks, and then added: "Based on the on-site observations, I think it is more appropriate to deploy the two Yongxing-class light cruisers in the eastern part of Bonar Mountain, in the harbor area formed by the concave mountains on both sides."

"Yes, the concave harbor has a wide view, and the mountain on the east side of Libona is relatively flat, which is conducive to the naval guns launching long-range bombardments."

He Linshu agreed.

"Captain Zhang, your regiment has suffered more than 500 casualties. You will retreat to the camp this afternoon to rest and hand over the position to Captain Wen of the st Regiment of the rd Division. The st Regiment of the rd Division will be responsible for the subsequent attack on the Libona Mountain Fortress Group."

The navy reached a consensus on the attack. Chen Dechao looked at Zhang Kangren, who was standing aside with a bandage on his arm, and spoke.

"Brigade Commander, our regiment has suffered more than 7 casualties in order to capture seven outer positions. If we withdraw the troops now, all the efforts and sacrifices we have made will be in vain."

When Zhang Kangren heard that his immediate superior wanted to replace the troops at the last minute, he became anxious and spoke without thinking.

"How can you say that your efforts and sacrifices have been in vain? Your regiment has suffered heavy casualties. Going down to rest is also for your own good. The 1st Regiment of the 3rd Division will take over your attack and capture the Libona Mountain position. The final credit will also be yours. We are all imperial troops, and there is no distinction between us." Chen Dechao waved his hand and gave a firm instruction: "Alright, you are a grown man, don't be fussy like a woman, follow the order!"

"Sir, our regiment can still fight. Please give us another chance. I beg you."

Chen Dechao was firm in his attitude and left no room for bargaining. Seeing that his request was ineffective, Zhang Kangren turned his attention to Liu Yongfu.

"General Liu, Battalion Commander Tan died in the battle to attack Mount Libona. Taking Mount Libona was also Battalion Commander Tan's unfulfilled wish. Please give our regiment another chance for Battalion Commander Tan's sake."

Zhang Kangren was sincere and sincere, and he brought up Tan Yaofang to play the emotional card. Liu Yongfu couldn't refuse, so he suggested: "Brigade Commander Chen, Commander Zhang's troops have been entangled with the enemy in Libona Mountain for more than a week and are more familiar with the enemy's situation. Leaving them will also be beneficial to the subsequent attack of the 1st Regiment of the 3rd Division. I think we should leave some troops behind."

"The 1rd Division is the main force attacking the Libona Mountain Fortress Group. Since you have spoken, I would like to thank General Liu on behalf of the st Regiment of the nd Mixed Brigade."

Chen Dechao took advantage of the situation and thanked Liu Yongfu for his leniency, then kicked Zhang Kangren and reminded him, "Zhang Kangren, why don't you thank General Liu for his help!"

"On behalf of all the officers and soldiers of the 1st Regiment of the 2nd Mixed Brigade, we would like to thank General Liu for his support." Zhang Kangren said as he bowed solemnly.

"Alright, alright, Captain Zhang, there's no need to be so distant."

Liu Yongfu stepped forward, helped him up, and said with a chuckle, "Captain Zhang, you should leave behind an infantry battalion with the most equipment and personnel to fight with Captain Wen."

"Captain Wen, I will transfer three infantry battalions from the First Regiment of the Third Division, and one 3mm artillery battalion, two 75mm light mountain artillery companies, three 65mm light mortar companies, eight heavy machine gun groups, and 3 grenades from the entire division. A total of 60 8mm field guns, 4000 15mm light mountain guns, 75 18mm light mortars, and eight Jianye Type 65 heavy machine guns. I will give you reinforcements. You and Captain Zhang must fight well for the Libona Mountain offensive and don't lose face for the Third Division."

"Don't worry, Commander. We will never bring shame to the Third Division. We will conquer Mount Libona even if we have to!"

Lieutenant Colonel Wen Bingzhong, the commander of the 1st Regiment of the 3rd Division, is just in his early thirties. He is at the age of full vigor and ambition to make achievements, and his words are powerful.

"Follow Captain Zhang to familiarize yourself with the position. Tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock, after the navy has taken care of the heavy artillery position, launch the attack on time."

Liu Yongfu gave the order, and then left with Chen Dechao and others and headed towards other positions.

At 7 o'clock in the morning, the fog in the jungle gradually dissipated, and the sun showed half of its face. The position about six or seven kilometers away from Mount Libona was full of soldiers.

Wen Bingzhong, commander of the 1st Regiment of the 3rd Division, is announcing the commendation order issued by the headquarters.

"On October 10, the First Mixed Brigade and the Fourth Guard Brigade of the Empire used 17 troops to completely wipe out the enemy's Ninth Division, the First Regiment of the Second Division, the Fifth Regiment and other 1.4 troops. Our side suffered 2 casualties. Pang Zhenyun has made outstanding contributions. He is now awarded the Third Class Yunlong Medal and his rank is promoted to Major General. His specific position will be adjusted after the war.

Hu Kunshan was awarded the First Class Medal of Renaissance and his military rank was promoted to Colonel.

Shen Dehui was awarded the First Class Restoration Medal and his military rank was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.

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All officers and soldiers of the 1st Mixed Brigade and the 4th Security Brigade were awarded a second-class merit, and related rewards will be distributed uniformly after the war.

On October 10, the Imperial Atlantic Fleet dealt a heavy blow to the main force of the Navy of the Republic of Brazil, with only minor losses of one light cruiser sunk and three ironclad ships slightly damaged. In total, one enemy main ironclad ship was sunk, one main ironclad ship was captured, nine other types of ships were sunk, and ten were captured, achieving a great victory.

In recognition of the merits of Atlantic Fleet Commander Hou Taiyuan's decision-making and command, he was awarded the Second Class Yunlong Medal and his rank was promoted to Lieutenant General. In recognition of the merits of Chaoyang Ironclad Ship Acting Captain Lieutenant Colonel Chen Shiding's command on the battlefield, he was awarded a pair of Third Class Yunlong Medals.
His rank was promoted to colonel, and he continued to serve as the captain of the Chaoyang ironclad ship, and his position was changed to a regular one.
The officers and soldiers of the Atlantic Fleet who participated in the battle were awarded a second-class merit collectively, and the relevant rewards will be distributed uniformly after the war.

On October 10, the Fourth Imperial Division, the First Guard Brigade, and the Third Detachment of the Inland Fleet cooperated to occupy the port of Guaira and wiped out more than 28 defenders. The officers and soldiers who participated in the battle were collectively awarded the third-class merit.

More than ten minutes later, after reading the long commendation notice, Wen Bingzhong faced the side of Mount Libona and encouraged loudly: "Brothers, the enemy troops in Villarrica have been annihilated, and General Pang's troops have advanced to the southeast of Asuncion, posing a flank threat to Asuncion.

The main force of the Navy of the Republic of Brazil suffered severe damage, and the Imperial Navy completely gained control of the Atlantic line and the waters of the Paraguay River and the Paraguina River.

By capturing the port of Guaira, our army cut off half of the supply route from the Paraná River basin to Asuncion. If we also capture the port of Doguaísu, the Brazilian army under Asuncion will completely lose its supply and retreat route in the direction of the Paraná River.

The war situation in Paraguay is very good, and now is the time to make achievements!

Brothers, do you want to win? Do you want to marry a beautiful wife? Do you want to win military merits and bring honor to your family? "

"Think about it." After a burst of masculine shouts, a soldier in his twenties shouted, "Sir, I dream of marrying a beautiful wife. If I can't marry a Chinese wife, I will marry an Annan, Korean, Japanese, or Thai wife. At worst, I'll marry a white wife."

"Brothers, if you take over the Libona Mountain Fortress and gain military merit, you will be rewarded according to your merits after the war. You will not lack land, honor, status, and money. With these, are you still worried about not being able to marry a wife?"

Wen Bingzhong's cheeks flushed, and he continued to encourage with a hoarse voice: "The naval bombardment is over, all officers and soldiers charge with all their strength, the merit and honor will be on Mount Libona! Victory, victory, victory!"
Wave after wave of loud shouts echoed on both sides of the Paraguay River, startling dozens of birds. The Brazilian defenders of the Libona Mountain Fortress Group were affected by the shouts and became tense.

(End of this chapter)