Reborn as King of South America

Chapter 496 The situation suddenly changes

The battle was briefly paused, the sound of artillery gradually subsided, and the position on Mount Libona was in a mess.

The bodies of the fallen soldiers were densely spread on the battlefield.

The bulky cannon was upside down on its position, its gun carriage was broken into pieces, its wheels were nowhere to be seen, and only the thick muzzle was stubbornly stuck in the soil, demonstrating its indomitable strength.

Broken limbs, scattered gun mounts, and only half of the heavy machine gun barrel left, everything in front of us tells of the cruelty and bloodiness of the war.

When Wen Bingzhong, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the 3rd Division, Zhang Kangren, commander of the 1st Regiment of the 2nd Mixed Brigade, Captain Chen Qiansheng, gunner of the Yangwu-class cruiser, and others climbed up to the Libona Mountain position, they saw this scene of hell on earth.

Teams of Han soldiers went back and forth between the positions, cleaning up and collecting the bodies of the fallen soldiers. Damaged artillery pieces, heavy machine guns, and even fragments of collapsed fortresses were pulled and pushed to the northern part of the position on the top of the mountain to be used as raw materials and waste for building temporary obstacles.

"Let the brothers clean up the positions as soon as possible, and collect and bury the bodies of the fallen Brazilian soldiers and officers. Although they have different positions, the military integrity they showed in the battle is equally admirable. We still need to give them basic respect and dignity."

Wen Bingzhong walked on the top of Mount Libona, looking at the tragic war scene after the battle, and gave instructions to the adjutant beside him.

"Summer is officially here in a few days. With the terrible weather in Paraguay, if the bodies of the fallen soldiers are not properly handled, it will easily breed disease. In order to prevent the spread of disease, we must properly collect and place the bodies of the fallen Brazilian soldiers."

Zhang Kangren lowered his head, looked at his blood-stained military boots, and sighed: "The navy made great efforts to capture the Libona Mountain position, especially the 120mm naval guns using smokeless gunpowder as raw material, which had great destructive power on the enemy's fortresses.

There were a total of six fortresses of various sizes on Mount Libona. Two of them were completely destroyed by the navy's 6mm heavy artillery, and two were severely damaged and lost their defense capabilities.

Five or ten years ago, even if we used heavy artillery with a caliber of 150 mm and traditional black powder as ammunition, it would be difficult to capture the Brazilian fortress position within a day as we do today.

With heavy artillery that uses smokeless gunpowder as the raw material for shells, traditional fortresses like the Libona Hill Fortress Group, which are mainly made of brick and stone, will soon be eliminated. "

"Times have changed, and the pace of technological development has also accelerated. If an army cannot keep up with the development of the times, its tactics and weapons and equipment will lag behind, and it will be at a disadvantage on the battlefield. In order to offset this disadvantage, the only way is to use the lives of soldiers to fill the gap. When the gap in weapons and equipment between the two armies is even greater, for example, an army equipped with cold weapons such as swords and bows and arrows meets a modern army equipped with artillery and heavy machine guns on the battlefield, even if the human wave tactics are used to fight, it will be of no avail."

After the baptism of the Paraguayan war, the Han army formed an overwhelming technological advantage over the enemy in terms of weapons and equipment for the first time, which made Wen Bingzhong truly feel the impact of scientific and technological progress on war. Bravery, tenacity and fearlessness of sacrifice are essential qualities for an excellent soldier. However, possessing advanced weapons and equipment is also one of the important factors that determine the success or failure of a war. Only emphasizing the will to fight or relying too much on weapons and equipment is not comprehensive. Only by correctly understanding the difference and connection between the two and giving equal importance to both can we become an excellent unit.

"Military technology is developing rapidly, and smokeless gunpowder has a real impact on fortress attack and defense.
In order to cope with the potential attacks from hostile powers in the future, the mainland is also studying new fortress construction technology. Currently, the engineering corps plans to build a new fortress with steel and concrete as the main materials in Songjiangfu (Buenos Aires) to verify its defense capability against new heavy artillery. If the defense effect is good, it will be promoted in other key areas of the mainland. "

Zhang Kangren thought about the impact of new gunpowder on traditional fortress attack and defense, and couldn't help but smile bitterly. "The naval guns are too effective, but there are also problems. Most of the fortifications and fortresses on the Libona Mountain position have been destroyed, and less than one-third of the heavy machine guns and artillery can be used normally. The enemy will most likely launch a counterattack under the cover of night. We must hurry to repair and arrange fortifications, and also dispatch and transfer artillery, heavy machine guns and other heavy weapons from the foot of the mountain. All these things together will take a lot of energy."

“刘将军下达了命令，先抽调17门重机枪、 10门65毫米轻型山炮、18门60毫米轻型迫击炮支援，75毫米野战炮重量过大，运输不易。需要再等一天才能运输到山顶阵地。”

"There are two battalions under Captain Wen and one battalion under my command on the top of the mountain. With the reinforcement of heavy machine guns and artillery, it is enough to repel the enemy's attack."

Zhang Kangren calculated the strength and weapons configuration of his side, and a smile appeared on his face. Then he turned his eyes to the gunnery chief of the Yangwu-class cruiser on the right, Captain Chen Qiansheng, and asked: "Captain Chen, how long will it take for the navy to complete the surveying and mapping work?"

"All the orientation mapping work can be completed before noon tomorrow."

"Very good, Captain Chen, thank you for your hard work. When the war is over, Captain Wen and I will definitely treat Captain Chen, Captain Yang, Captain He, Captain Wu and other colleagues to a drink to thank the Navy for their support."

"You are too polite, sir. This is all for the great cause of the empire's prosperity."
The intense work of deploying and transferring troops and weapons continued until the evening. As night fell, the Libona Mountain position gradually calmed down.

At 8 o'clock in the evening, the Han army on the top of the mountain and the Brazilian defenders at the Hume Tower Fortress had eaten dinner early and were stationed at their respective positions in a tense standoff.

"Bang bang bang" a series of artillery shells were fired at the Libona Mountain position. The strong light formed by the explosion of the shells reflected a series of hideous figures.

"Attack!" The commander of the Brazilian troops, who was crouching at the foot of the mountain in the north of Libona Mountain, raised his pistol, fired a bullet into the air, and shouted to signal a counterattack.

The shelling had not yet ended, but the Brazilian defenders launched a counterattack under the threat of artillery fire.

"Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh", the Han army's artillery counterattack arrived as expected. The only remaining few medium-caliber artillery pieces aimed at the positions in the direction of Malshan and launched artillery bombardment. The subsequent light artillery and heavy machine guns that came as reinforcements aimed at the densely charging enemy forces, spewing flames and bullets.

The massive Brazilian army charged into the firepower network formed by heavy machine guns, artillery, grenades, rifles, etc., wave after wave of charging, and wave after wave of falling. Even though the northern offensive route was better than the southern and eastern ones, under the intensive artillery fire, especially the attack of heavy machine guns, the Brazilian soldiers also experienced the pain of the Han army's attack from above.

Dozens of soldiers were hit by machine gun fire and fell down in rows just after they charged forward more than 20 meters. The Brazilian officer in charge of commanding the counterattack launched four consecutive charges despite heavy casualties, but all were repelled. The next morning, when the gunfire stopped again and the Brazilian troops gave up the counterattack, the bodies of seven or eight hundred Brazilian soldiers were left on the passage from the foot of the mountain to the northern peak of Mount Libona, densely packed and stacked on the ground.

Turning our attention to Asuncion, just half a day had passed when Admiral Santos received the news that the Libona Mountain position had fallen.

"General Davis and General Miller confirmed that the warships dispatched by the Han army have a 120mm caliber gun? Not a larger caliber gun?"

In the Asuncion Operations Command, Major General Cortaz, the commander of the 6th Division of the Republic of Brazil, asked. "Yes, the news sent back before the Libona Mountain Fortress fell and the situation observed from the positions such as Mar Mountain all indicate that the maximum caliber of the Han army's warships is 120 mm."

An officer who came from Hume Tower Fortress to deliver the message said seriously.

Major General Cortaz, commander of the 6th Division of the Republic of Brazil, breathed a sigh of relief and continued: Fortunately, the caliber of the enemy's warships' guns is not 150 mm or larger, so the situation is not too bad. "

"I'm afraid it's not that simple. The new gunpowder is extremely powerful, far exceeding the traditional black powder. According to the news from the Hume Tower Fortress, several fortresses in the Libona Mountain Fortress Group were directly destroyed by the 120mm naval guns that used the new gunpowder.

The two armies fought for more than a month, and the defenders in various places also reported that the Han army generally used new gunpowder. Rifles, heavy machine guns, and various types of artillery all used new gunpowder. The most advanced artillery and rifles purchased by our army from Britain all used black gunpowder ammunition. Compared with the Han army, the performance and power of our weapons were too different, and this battle was not easy to fight. "

Major General Nakgal, commander of the 1st Division, frowned and his face did not look relaxed.

"We should report the situation on the front line to the government and urge it to urgently purchase a batch of artillery, heavy machine guns and rifles using new gunpowder from Germany, France, Austria-Hungary and other countries to enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops."

Lieutenant General Anderson, Chief of Staff of the Asuncion Front, fully agreed with Major General Nakgale's views and gave advice.

"Issues such as new gunpowder, new artillery, and rifles need to be taken seriously, but not now. The most urgent issue now is the loss of the Libona Mountain position. How can we recover it?"

Admiral Santos patted the table, his face solemn.

"Approve the request of Humeta Fortress. Send them reinforcements such as troops, weapons and equipment. Then assign them an additional 4 105mm howitzers and 9 75mm field guns. When the road condition improves completely, transport 2 155mm heavy guns over."

Major General Nakgal, commander of the 1st Division, said firmly.

After listening to Major General Nakgal's advice, Santos was thinking about a response plan when a voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Report, the Presidential Palace sent an urgent telegram, on October 10, the navy's attack intelligence was leaked by the remnants of the royalist party, and the Republic Navy was ambushed by the superior fleet of the Han Navy. The Republic Navy fought hard and suffered heavy losses. It is no longer able to undertake the task of harassing the enemy's rear;
On October 10, the port of Guaira was attacked by the enemy from both water and land. The Republican defenders fought bravely, but in the end, due to the huge disparity in strength between the enemy and us, the entire army was annihilated! "

The two consecutive pieces of bad news shocked the senior generals in the headquarters. Santos took the telegram and remained silent for a long time after reading it.

"The Republic Navy has been defeated. The enemy has completely gained control of the sea and the scale of the war has expanded. The coastal areas of the country, such as Paraná State, are likely to be attacked by the Han army. Moreover, if Guaira is lost, the enemy can land from Guaira and go west to Asuncion's rear, outflanking from the front and back. If Porto Duguaizú is lost again, the supply line in the direction of the Paraná River will be completely broken. The enemy can not only land from the Paraná River to outflanking Asuncion, but also continue to go deep into the country along the Paraná River. I didn't expect the situation to deteriorate so quickly."

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Anderson spoke first, anxiously.

"The worst case scenario is that the remnants of the royalist party leaked the specific date and route of the naval attack to the Han Kingdom. They also dispatched a fleet, but because Marshal Ferreira dispatched the fleet in advance and their fleet malfunctioned, they were unable to participate in the naval battle. However, they will definitely launch an offensive from land and attack the Republic's homeland. The situation has changed suddenly, and the original Paraguayan combat plan must be changed.

Admiral, I suggest that we immediately terminate the Paraguayan operation plan and withdraw the troops back to the country in time to resist the attack launched by the Han army from the southern coastal direction and the remnants of the royalist party from the northern border direction. "

Major General Cortaz, commander of the 6th Division of the Brazilian Army, persuaded.

"I also agree with the plan to withdraw from Paraguay. The Han army has stockpiled 10 troops on the Humeta line. There are 1.5 troops advancing from Villarrica on the Asuncion flank. The enemy is estimated to have tens of thousands of reinforcements in the future. Including the 10 to people in the Paraná River Basin, the enemy has built a huge encirclement around Asuncion. The Han people want to swallow up the main forces of the Republic in the Asuncion direction. General, for the future and destiny of the Republic, we must prepare for the worst-case scenario of retreat."

Major General Nakgal, commander of the 1st Division, made the suggestion with great sorrow.

"The President and His Excellency the Marshal are still hoping for American intervention."

Santos sighed and said helplessly.

"The military situation is urgent and the war is changing rapidly. We cannot put all our hopes on the Americans, and we are not sure to what extent the Americans can interfere. The 10 main forces on the Asuncion front are the only pillars that determine the survival of the Republic. We cannot use them as bargaining chips."

Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Anderson said with a look of deep sorrow.

"Soldiers must also obey politics. The decision-making power of the Paraguayan war lies in the hands of His Excellency the President. What I can do is to feedback your opinions and my suggestions to the President and the Marshal, and let the President make the decision. Before the President's decision comes out, all troops must hold the line and cannot retreat at will."

Santos felt a strong sense of powerlessness and despair in his heart, and said in a low voice: "Reply to Humeta and agree to their request. If necessary, we can continue to provide them with subsequent ammunition and manpower supplies. However, there is one thing they must do. They must be firm in their beliefs and recapture the front position of Libona at all costs."

"Admiral, do you want to report this to the Hume Tower Fortress?"

Lieutenant General Anderson, Chief of Staff, reminded,
"Not yet, so as not to shake the morale of the defenders. Wait until the president makes a final decision on the Paraguayan war before considering it."

(End of this chapter)