Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 195: Chiang Kai-shek personally went to Xuzhou to supervise the battle. The situation changed continuously and the positions kept reversing! (Subscribe)
"Sir, why did you suddenly go into radio silence?"

Gong Yuxin was very puzzled and followed the original battle plan.

The battle was about to begin, but suddenly there was silence.

Telegrams have stopped being sent and received, and only the phone call can still be made.

But Chu Yunfei had already left, and these staff officers were still staying in the command center in Hanzhuang.

Gong Yuxin, a staff adjutant, still doesn't know the so-called combat plan.

This battle was fought in a muddle.

"When our troops use radio stations to communicate, they often fail to pay attention to confidentiality and leaks often occur."

"The Japanese army has so-called telecommunications reconnaissance departments and intelligence departments. No one knows whether the Japanese have mastered our army's code books at this time."

"If the intelligence is leaked, this encirclement and annihilation plan will most likely fail."

Fang Ligong walked slowly to the battle table with his hands behind his back and pointed at the Japanese brigade in the direction of Zaozhuang: "And the Japanese army seems to have concerns as well. This actually represents two possibilities."

"Or, the Japanese army is fearless and even deliberately fell into our trap. They can provide support from the outside and even counter-encircle when our army is encircling them."

"This point still needs to be corroborated by intelligence from the Third Army Group. It is still uncertain whether the rest of the main force of the Japanese North China Expeditionary Force will move south."

Facing Gong Yuxin's gaze, Fang Ligong let out a long sigh and continued, "There is another possibility. The Japanese army's conventional combat thinking is also to habitually leave a troop behind."

Gong Yuxin asked: "In order to prevent their retreat from being cut off, are they also being used as a reserve team?"

"Well, this is a conventional battle strategy, but if this is the case, the Japanese army's southward attack on Taierzhuang will inevitably receive support from the Guoqi Detachment, which means that the battle in the Linyi direction will also inevitably start simultaneously."

"But..." Gong Yuxin pointed in the direction of the confidential room: "We can't receive telegrams from Linyi now. We only have a phone call, so we can't get in touch with Linyi quickly."

"But the Fifth Theater can...if there is an emergency, Commander Li and Chief of Staff Xu will definitely notify us."

Zhang Dayun also looked up at Fang Ligong at this time: "Because we are reliable?"

"Yes and no, Commander Li has no soldiers available.

The Yunnan 60th Army, which serves as the war zone's reserve, will take at least two days to arrive."

Gong Yuxin was worried: "The Second Army is about to run out of blood!"

"Commander Chu has led his troops to provide support, which has greatly slowed down the Japanese offensive and reduced the losses of the Second Army. He has done his utmost."

Fang Ligong looked calm, as if he didn't think it was wrong for his main force to stand idly by.

Zhang Dayun also patted Gong Yuxin on the shoulder and said, "If we engage in battle at this time, we will only fall into the predicament of the Second Army and will be unable to participate in the counterattack."

Gong Yuxin was very confused and quite puzzled.

Zhang Dayun patted him on the shoulder and said, "If the normal encirclement and annihilation battle fails because of private actions, wouldn't those soldiers who died have died in vain?"

"In order to win the war, everyone should be determined to sacrifice everything. Today it is the Second Army, tomorrow it may be our 358D. This is a war. Once defeated, we will become slaves and beasts of burden, and we will no longer have national independence and state sovereignty. If we face such humiliation, we would rather die than make achievements."

Fang Ligong's tone was sonorous and powerful, and his eyes were firm.

Gong Yuxin had come to his senses by now: "I understand, Sir, but Tang Junliu and the others..."

Fang Ligong sighed, turned around and went to the cupboard to find the telegram that Chiang Kai-shek had sent to Chu Yunfei: "You will understand after you read it yourself..."

Gong Yuxin was extremely surprised: "Sir, do you mean that the Tang Army may have also received a telegram from the Chairman asking them to retain their strength?"

Fang Ligong nodded and analyzed calmly: "From the perspective of the Baodugu Mountain area where the Tang Corps is currently located, if they attack at this time, they will inevitably fall into a strategic situation where the Japanese army attacks from both sides."

"If the troops on the canal defense line fail to attack effectively, then Tang Enbo will become the second Sun Lianzhong. If you were in charge, would you be willing to take such a risk?"

Tang Enbo was naturally unwilling.

The central army's direct troops went to assist the local army.

Even if there was an order from Chiang Kai-shek to attack, Tang Enbo would still find an opportunity to shirk his responsibility.

If such a battle were to be fought, the 85th Army would be wiped out.

What if Chu Yunfei's troops attacked with all their might?

Tang Enbo had no trust in the 22nd Army of the Sichuan Army, nor in the 3rd Army, the 59th Army, or the 3rd Corps.

In his opinion, this ragtag group of troops performed quite well in defensive combat and were brave and tenacious.

But take the initiative to attack.

It is totally unlikely that progress will be made.

Tang Enbo's military command ability is not bad.

Naturally, we know which unit was the key to the Linyi victory and this counterattack.

If Chu Yunfei's troops had not torn through the Japanese defense line several times and opened up a gap.

There is still discussion as to whether the Linyi counterattack was a so-called great victory.

This battle is over.

Chu Yunfei's troops suffered heavy casualties.

A lot of artillery shells were consumed.

Especially the 75mm mountain artillery shells, most of which were consumed.

Before the 85th Army, the main force of Tang Enbo's Corps, moved into the Baoduqiao mountainous area.

Has not yet been replenished.

under these circumstances.

The offensive capability of Chu Yunfei's troops will inevitably be greatly weakened.

Although Tang Enbo has a bit of a gambler's mentality, his command style is also very stable.

It is impossible to choose such a risky move.

Naturally, he would like to see the Third Army consume more Japanese troops and supplies, and wait until the Jigu Division was at the end of its strength before attacking.

however.

As a corps commander.

Tang Enbo, whose command ability was barely above average in the combat sequence of the National Army, was not without a solution to this dilemma.

It's just that he doesn't want to.

The 52nd Army, led by Guan Linzheng, is the key to breaking the impasse.

This force was deployed to the canal defense line and participated in the counterattack.

Or they could be deployed to the Linyi battlefield.

For the entire battle, these more than 16,000 people are a crucial force.

Chu Yunfei knew clearly what the Japanese army was planning now.

At the same time as the Japanese army launched another attack on the Jinpu South Road.

Chu Yunfei took Li Kuishan's troops and the mountain artillery regiment to take the initiative to attack, relieving the pressure on Zhang Jinzhao's 30th Division.

He fired a feint and quickly led his troops north.

With all the main force, we advanced to Lin County.

According to Chu Yunfei's plan.

First, join forces with Tang Enbo's troops to annihilate the Japanese infantry regiment stationed near Zaozhuang.

Then they tied up their pockets together.

Cooperate with friendly forces to completely annihilate the Seya Detachment and even annihilate the main force of the 10th Division.

This idea was highly recognized by Wang Mingzhang, commander of the 41st Army.

Just like the two sides contacted each other before the war.

The entire 22nd Army of the Sichuan Army supported this combat plan.

Headquarters of the Fifth War Zone Commander.

Even the 59th Army and the 3rd Corps Headquarters.

At the same time, relevant combat orders were received from the five war zones.

The main force of the 59th Army led by General Zhang Zizhong and the main force of the Third Corps took the initiative to attack and contain the Guoqi Detachment in accordance with the original combat plan.

In addition, Chiang Kai-shek personally ordered Guan Linzheng's troops to be deployed on the right wing of Taierzhuang, together with the 27th Division, to prepare to launch an attack on the Seya Detachment.

But this battle plan failed before it was even formed.

Guan Linzheng's troops suddenly lost contact.

We finally got in touch with Tang Enbo after he lost contact.

He called Li Zongren back, saying that the time was not right to attack.

Guan Linzheng's troops were transferred north to Haizhou to support the Linyi campaign and participate in the offensive of the 59th Army and the 3rd Corps.

This transfer order was not discussed with the Fifth War Zone Commander's Headquarters in advance.

The sudden and outrageous operation shocked all the generals in the five war zones.

Although they knew that Tang Enbo had his concerns, it was reasonable for them to make such a choice.

But...he really ignored the commander of the war zone and also ignored Chiang Kai-shek's military orders.

What is the reason for this?
Li Zongren was so angry that he had to send a telegram to Tang Enbo, admonishing him: "Attack on all fronts when the general offensive is scheduled to arrive. If you miss the opportunity, you will be subject to military law."

Just as everyone was speculating about the situation between Tang Enbo and the commander-in-chief of the Fifth War Zone.

Has some unspeakable conflict broken out?

Or maybe some other trouble occurred.

A group of senior generals received new news again.

The Chairman went to Xuzhou in person to supervise the battle!
Upon hearing that Li Zongren was going to bring Tang Enbo to justice, Chiang Kai-shek, who had been looking forward to the Battle of Xuzhou, even came in person to support Tang Enbo.

After Chiang Kai-shek arrived in Xuzhou.

The supreme command naturally fell into the hands of Chiang Kai-shek.

Whether to prosecute according to law or not, Li Zongren only had the power to make suggestions but not the power to decide.

For a time, all the generals were very worried.

Especially the commander of the Second Army, Sun Lianzhong, his troops were being roasted on the fire!
The Taierzhuang front at this time.

It's just dawn.

A Japanese soldier named Shibuya was writing his combat diary in the trench.

Since the war broke out.

As a soldier with secondary education, Shibuya was drafted into the Seya Brigade of the 10th Division.

The squadron he is in is affiliated with the Seya Detachment.

And they received the task of attacking Taierzhuang.

The fifth squadron's machine guns were aimed at the right line.

The battalion headquarters led the main force to attack along the railway.

A day and a night passed and the offensive made no progress.

At this time, he was squatting in the trench, picking up the pen in his hand and recording today's battle situation in his diary: "The enemy soldiers are about several thousand. The fifth squadron echoed the main force of the brigade and advanced towards the enemy's position. They were fiercely fired upon by the enemy and soon fell into a wheat field. Tanigawa-kun was killed in the battle, and Mizawa-kun of the third squadron is missing."

"I lay on the ground and slowly crawled backwards with the squadron. Finally, I was away from the battlefield. The squad leader ordered all soldiers to be determined and launch a night attack on the east and west sides of the railway."

"The enemy soldiers fired at me with a Czech light machine gun. I fell to the ground. Horikawa-kun, who was standing in front of me, fell to the ground and couldn't get up. Yamazaki-kun was also injured."

"Under the protection of the chariots, our army launched another attack on the enemy formation in the south. The squad leader was injured. Because the enemy soldiers were too numerous, our army retreated in tears. Dozens of horses fell to the ground, the deputy captain was killed in the battle, and many others were killed and wounded. The enemy's fire became more and more fierce. Our squadron could not get in touch with the brigade headquarters. After about one night, more than ten people were killed in the battle."

Although the advancement on the Jinpu North Road was slow due to the obstruction of various Kuomintang troops, it was difficult to advance.

But all this did not stop Seya Kei and a group of senior Japanese commanders from their determination to capture Taierzhuang.

Following the "defeat" of the Battle of Linyi.

The headquarters transferred the always cautious Operations Section Chief Colonel Kawabe and replaced him with Lieutenant Colonel Inada Junzheng, a former senior member of the Military Section.

When a madman took up a key position, the war naturally entered a state of madness.

However, the Tokyo Headquarters still imposed some restrictions on the North China Front Army.

They believed that the time was not right to attack Xuzhou.

It is not allowed to cross the line of Linyi, Zaozhuang and Lincheng.

But in fact, at this time, the two commanders of the North China Expeditionary Army and even the Central China Front Army.

They were already conspiring to encircle and annihilate the Kuomintang's main force of hundreds of thousands in Xuzhou.

As Wang Mingzhang's troops retreated according to the agreement with Chu Yunfei.

After the fall of Lincheng.

The Japanese offensive seemed unstoppable.

The two subsequent battalions also joined the battle to siege Taierzhuang.

Although the Second Army knew that this was a withdrawal of forces in preparation for an encirclement and annihilation campaign.

However, the sudden increase in defense pressure still made many officers curse, thinking that the Sichuan Army was setting a trap for them.

Just as the Fifth War Zone was making intensive preparations for an encirclement and annihilation campaign.

At the command center, Rensuke Jikotani welcomed Colonel Kiyofuku Okamoto, the chief of staff of the Second Army.

He arrived at the front and conveyed the latest orders from the Second Army Commander Nishio Toshizo to Jigoku Rensuke.

I hope he can use Zaozhuang’s main force.

Take the initiative to launch an attack in the direction of Linyi, and assist the Guoqi Detachment in the battle while ensuring the safety of Lincheng, Hanzhuang and Taierzhuang.

The next day, Rensuke Jitani issued a new order.

The right pursuit team (the two Japanese battalions that originally attacked Lincheng + a field artillery squadron) ensured the safety of the Hanzhuang front line.

The 10th Infantry Regiment was split off to form the Yizhou Detachment, which advanced towards Yizhou to support the attack of the Guoqi Detachment.

At this time, there were less than two thousand troops left attacking Taierzhuang, plus about one thousand artillery units.

Although Taierzhuang is not large in area.

And his name is Zhuang.

But he is not really a village.

It has been a water and land port in southern Shandong since ancient times. It is a town with a surrounding wall and six gates.

Although the village wall is two meters high, it is made of bricks.

There are six gates and a large open area with dozens of watchtowers.

Although the fortifications north of Taierzhuang, the wall of the north gate was also blown down.

But with only a force of 2,000 people, they wanted to take Taierzhuang.

It's just wishful thinking.

Chu Yunfei was even more shocked after receiving the relevant telegram.

He knew that Jigu Renjie was arrogant, but he didn't expect him to be this arrogant.

Could it be that Lincheng’s victory went to their heads?

Now the Hanzhuang front line is still in their hands!
According to Li Zongren's revised battle plan.

The original combat objective was changed from completely annihilating the main force of the 10th Division to completely annihilating the Seya Detachment.

He expected to compress and annihilate the Japanese invaders on the shores of Weishan Lake, and he called this tactic "axis rotation."

Relatively speaking, this combat goal is obviously much more realistic.

According to Tang Enbo's original promise to Chi Fengcheng.

Once you engage the enemy, you should attack the enemy's flanks and rear at all costs.

We will never let your army fight alone.

According to the pre-war estimate, they would complete the mission if they held out for three days.
But five days had passed since the Battle of Taierzhuang broke out.

There was still no news of reinforcements.

In addition to some artillery support provided by Chu Yunfei's troops to Zhang Jinzhao's troops on the second day of the battle.

Apart from the Second Army fighting alone on the Taierzhuang front, there was no other reinforcement.

With the fall of Lincheng, the Sichuan Army retreated to Hanzhuang.

Chu Yunfei's troops hid in the villages along the line from Hanzhuang to Xuzhou, waiting for the order to attack.

Chi Fengcheng is in charge of the 31st Division, which is responsible for containing the enemy's main force.

It actually became the main target of the Japanese army.

Taierzhuang became an extremely brutal meat grinder.

All the battles did not develop as expected before the war, and the situation far exceeded the upper limit of previous plans.

The 31st Division has two brigades and four regiments.

Together with the division's directly affiliated troops, there are about 10,000 people.

In less than a week of fighting, there were already five thousand casualties.

Moreover, the light and heavy machine guns of the participating troops were almost completely destroyed.

The types of rifles in the hands of officers and soldiers are very diverse.

In addition to the Hanyang-made rifle, there are also the Japanese Army's Type 38 rifle, the Jin-made Type 65 rifle, the Jin-made Type 65 Czech rifle, and the Type 79 Czech rifle.

Fortunately, Chi Fengcheng's troops were equipped with sixteen 82mm mortars.

It was also equipped with a mountain artillery battalion, equipped with ten field guns.

In addition, the Japanese army sent troops to support the Guoqi Detachment, and the force attacking Taierzhuang was reduced again.

Otherwise he wouldn't have been able to hold on for so long.

Before and after Chiang Kai-shek arrived in Xuzhou.

Seya Keiji had already learned the detailed battle plan from Chinese prisoners of war (Wang Shuzeng, The Anti-Japanese War, Volume 413, P).

And quickly reported it to the commander of the 10th Division, Rensuke Kibotani.

Jigu Lianjie, who had already guessed the combat plan of the Fifth War Zone, now did not take the Chinese army seriously.

This proud old Japanese officer immediately decided to gather the main force of the division in Yi County and Lincheng area.

Prepare for a decisive battle with Tang Enbo's troops.

only.

At this time, the senior commanders of the Fifth War Zone had not yet figured out the combat intentions of the Tenth Division.

I didn't know that the Japanese army had already begun preparing that huge roundabout encirclement.

The time for the general offensive is getting closer.

Tang Enbo's troops in the Baoduqiao Mountain area finally took the initiative to contact the Fifth War Zone.

After Chiang Kai-shek arrived.

According to current intelligence, the main force of the Japanese 10th Division did not advance to Taierzhuang as expected, but instead stayed in the area of ​​Yi County and Lin County, preparing for a decisive battle with their main force.

This made Tang Enbo deeply uneasy, and he thought that the intelligence was likely to be leaked.

The outcome of this battle was unpredictable, so they were unwilling to take the initiative and instead continued to stay in the Baoduiqiao mountain area.

However, the troops expected to launch a counterattack had already arrived at their positions.

Even the 38th Division of the 59th Army, which was responsible for feint attack and flank attack, arrived at the Guoliji line east of Zaozhuang.

A confrontation broke out with the Yizhou detachment of the Japanese Army.

The expected general offensive was not launched.

3 month 24 day.

The 28th Squadron of the Chinese Air Force dispatched 14 fighter jets to bomb the strongholds in Hanzhuang, Lincheng and Zaozhuang.

After receiving the news, Jigu Lianjie said confidently: "This is a sign of the Chinese army's general offensive. Order the Yizhou and Seya detachments to prepare for a battle with the enemy's main force."

The precious Chinese Air Force will only attack at critical moments.

This is the consensus of the Japanese military.

but.

After waiting for half a day, there was still no attack report reaching Jigu Lianjie.

The headquarters of the commander of the Fifth War Zone at this time.

A rather heated discussion was ongoing among Chiang Kai-shek, Bai Jiansheng, Li Zongren, Xu Yanmou and others.

Chiang Kai-shek alone firmly believed that the time was ripe.

He immediately ordered Tang Enbo, the 358th Army, the rd Corps, and even the nd Army, the nd Army, and Chu Yunfei's D to attack on all fronts to annihilate the main force of the th Division.

This decision was strongly opposed by Li Zongren, commander of the Fifth War Zone, and others.

When the Air Force reported that the Japanese army had gathered its main forces in Lincheng and Yixian areas.

Li Zongren realized belatedly that this group of Japanese devils seemed to be preparing for a decisive battle with them.

Li Zongren was very clear about the combat effectiveness of the various troops in the Fifth War Zone.

Chi Fengcheng's entire division has more than 10,000 combat troops.

Facing the Japanese attacking force of more than 3,000, we need encouragement and support.

The 22nd Army of the Sichuan Army held Lincheng. Although it had the combat mission of luring the enemy deep into its territory, according to the report from the acting army commander, Lieutenant General Wang Mingzhang.

The casualties of the troops have reached 1,800.

The quality of these recruits was extremely poor.

Their combat effectiveness is even worse than that of the old Sichuan Army troops who were called "beggars" when they left Sichuan.

If Tang Enbo's troops did not fight to the death, this encirclement and annihilation campaign would inevitably end in failure.

But then again.

If Tang Enbo's troops fought to the death.

Let’s not even talk about Chang Kaishen.

How will the situation in the next battle in the five war zones be maintained?
It was originally expected that Xuzhou would hold out for three to four months, but once Tang Enbo's troops suffered heavy losses.

Not to mention three or four months. Can you hold on for one month?
As the situation develops and changes.

The ideas and positions of Li Zongren and other senior generals, including Chiang Kai-shek, were constantly changing.

In just less than ten days.

Changing the battle plan twice is the first time for the Fifth Theater.
The real Battle of Taierzhuang was not as portrayed in the film and television drama "The Bloody Battle of Taierzhuang".

Li Zongren's tactics failed from the very beginning.

The so-called axis rotation.

The axis was interrupted by Kei Seya at the very beginning.

The diversionary troops became the main target of the Japanese army's attack.

Tang Enbo's troops in the attacking force became the target of the Japanese army's containment.

But with the protagonist here, this war can still be won when Chiang Kai-shek is in charge

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Only in this way can we better demonstrate our own value and strive for more equipment and materials.
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(End of this chapter)