Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 278 Commander Li set up a banquet, but only one guest came

General Bai and Commander Li had a close relationship and could talk about anything. His proposal made the commander's heart move, but he immediately held back and clapped his hands, saying:

"Although the Battle of Taierzhuang was difficult, everything is still under our control. Even though the Japs are jumping around fiercely now, their destruction is only a matter of time.

Once the strategic deployment is decided, it cannot be changed. This is a taboo in military strategy.

What we should focus on now is the entire Battle of Xuzhou, not Taierzhuang!

The Art of War says: Those who do not plan for eternity are not qualified to plan for the present; those who do not plan for the whole region are not qualified to plan for a region.
The success or failure of the Battle of Xuzhou does not depend on Taierzhuang, but on whether we can retreat safely after completing the strategic mission. The tragedy of the Battle of Songhu must not be repeated. I want to keep this powerful guerrilla column for great use. "

General Bai immediately understood Commander Li's intention, and after thinking for a moment, he said:
“You are right, Duke De. The Taierzhuang front may seem dangerous, but our Fifth War Zone has a strong military force and many cards to play.

Currently, the North China Front Army can only deploy the 10th and 5th divisions to the battlefield, and other troops are of little help.

I have 50 troops concentrated in a 29-kilometer radius of Taierzhuang. Now the pocket formation has been set up. Only the table of the Seya Detachment can satisfy your appetite!"

After General Bai finished speaking, the two men held back their laughter. As long as it did not involve strategic issues, Bai Jiansheng's vision in battle command was absolutely top-notch;
One of them is good at strategy, and the other is good at tactics. The "Bai Li pair" has always been a leader among the new warlords in the country.

Seeing that Lao Bai had understood his meaning, Lao Li continued:
"Everyone thought Taierzhuang was extremely dangerous, so they thought the devils had a chance. They underestimated Li too much.

As long as the west bank of the canal is still in our hands, even if Taierzhuang is lost and the Seya Detachment is lost, it will not be able to break through the canal defense line. My reserve 21st Army is not a pushover.

The biggest problem now is when the Sakamoto detachment will be in the trap. Once the Sakamoto detachment is in the trap, it will be time to close the net, and then it will be up to Tang Keqin's 20th Corps. "

When it comes to Tang Keqin, General Bai reminded worriedly:

"Tang Keqin has always only listened to Jiang. How would you deal with him if he disobeyed orders on the battlefield at a critical moment? We have to be prepared for this."

Commander Li instantly gained full aura and snorted coldly:
“If he lets Raiya and Sakamoto detachments escape, he will be a sinner of the nation;
If someone can kill Han Xiangfang, I can also kill Tang Keqin!"

Lao Bai looked stern after hearing this, he knew Lao Li was capable of such a thing, this was his Achilles' heel, and also the difference between him and Commander Li.

He is a "little Zhuge", good at making plans;

Commander Li is a "commander" who is decisive and ruthless. If Tang Keqin dares to touch his reverse scale, that would be his death. In the face of national justice, someone can only accept it with a pinch of his nose.

Admiral Bai then said:
“Tang Keqin is also a smart man, he should be able to figure this out;

The Fifth War Zone can afford to lose Taierzhuang, and at worst they can send heavy troops to take it back, but he only has one head, and it won't grow back if it's chopped off. I support you on this point;
In the face of national crisis, no one can let the devils escape for their own selfish interests!"

Afterwards, the two discussed some matters regarding the adjustment of the troop strength. A huge net had been spread out in the area centered on Taierzhuang, waiting for the Seya Detachment to request assistance.
As long as the Seya Detachment could not capture Taierzhuang, they would ask for help from Nishio Toshizo of the Second Army, and the only card Nishio Toshizo could play was the Sakamoto Detachment near Linyi City. As long as the Sakamoto Detachment entered the pocket left for them by the 20th Corps, neither of the two groups of devils would be able to escape.

Jinan, 10th Division Headquarters
Division commander Rensuke Isogai was studying the battle situation in Taierzhuang, with the chief of staff Colonel Fukata Tsutsumi standing beside him. The battle situation on the front line made the old Japanese very anxious.

After a long while, Vice Admiral Isotani finally broke his silence and said to Tsutsumi Fukaki:
"Tsutsumi-kun, Seya-kun's attack on Taierzhuang has reached a stalemate. Do you have any solution?"

Di Bujiagui had already made up his mind, and when the division commander asked him, he answered:
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, according to intelligence, the 31st Division of the Second Chinese Army is defending Taierzhuang. It is a ragtag force with a total of no more than 8 men and only equipped with a small amount of artillery.
Due to the shortage of guns and bullets, many soldiers were even still using cold weapons such as cast iron swords.

Such a poorly equipped force could not stop the Seya Detachment, which was armed to the teeth. The reason why they had not yet made a breakthrough was that the main force of the Seya Detachment had not yet arrived at the battlefield.
The 31st Division has a strong fighting spirit. It is difficult to capture Taierzhuang in a short period of time with only one regiment. I think we should give Seya-kun more time. "

Vice Admiral Isotani's expression became better now, and he just waved his hand and said:
"The Sakamoto Detachment of the Fifth Division is attacking Linyi. Once they occupy Linyi, their troops will head straight for Taierzhuang.

Taierzhuang is the gateway to Xuzhou, a place surrounded by four battles, easy to attack but difficult to defend;
As long as Taierzhuang is captured, Xuzhou will be within reach.

The Fifth Division is known as the Steel Army. Mr. Itagaki has already made enough of a splash in Hedong. This time it should be the Tenth Division's turn.

Tell Seya-kun that he must occupy Taierzhuang before the Sakamoto Detachment breaks through Linyi, and then take Xuzhou!

Don't be afraid of the dead, the Empire is full of brave men who are willing to serve the Emperor."

Di Bujiagui immediately understood the division commander's thoughts. The Fifth Division was indeed too prominent. Those who didn't know would think that only the Fifth Division was capable of fighting in the North China Front Army.

Hundreds of thousands of Chinese generals gathered in the Xuzhou area, and the Second Army of the North China Front also assembled several divisions, and there were also the Third Division of the Central China Front on the southern line;

This was a hunting event involving two fronts. The Third Division on the southern front stopped at the Huaihe River line. They no longer had any chance.

Now the credit for capturing Xuzhou lies with the Tenth Division. This great achievement naturally cannot be divided half with the Fifth Division. Thinking of this, he became spirited and said loudly:
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, according to the information I have learned, the Sakamoto Detachment suffered heavy losses in Linyi, and it will be difficult to launch a new offensive before the reinforcements arrive.
Seya-kun still has time. The division headquarters only needs to send more air warriors to bomb the Taierzhuang Canal line, especially to blow up the floating bridge on the canal so that it is impossible to transport troops and supplies to the village through the floating bridge. The capture of Taierzhuang will be just around the corner."

After keeping the secret for a while, Tsutsumi Bujiagui finally revealed his brilliant plan, and Lieutenant General Isotani nodded repeatedly:
"Yoshi, Di Bujun is indeed a top student who graduated from the Army University. Modern warfare is all about logistics. As long as Taierzhuang is cut off from the outside world, the 31st Division, which is short of food and ammunition, will not be able to hold out for a few days."

Immediately afterwards, Lieutenant General Isotani asked Colonel Tsutsumi to coordinate with the military to send enough aircraft to assist in the battle. The focus of this bombing was the pontoon bridge along the Taierzhuang Canal, with the aim of cutting off the supplies of the defenders. This was indeed a brilliant move.

Commander Li and Admiral Bai were still thinking about how to invite the second table of guests, but Lieutenant General Isotani was thinking about eating alone;
This meant that the Battle of Taierzhuang would have to be fought more fiercely. Only when the Seya Detachment was hurt would they ask for help from the Fifth Division.

Everyone has their own ideas on the battlefield, it all depends on who will have the last laugh.

(End of this chapter)