Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 212: Disagreement among the Japanese army and self-examination within the National Army; Chu Yunfei retreats to Guide and composes the military song of the Flying Tiger Division.

"So, this is what the chairman meant?"

Wang Shihe nodded: "The chairman also wants to know the exact number of troops in your army. On the one hand, it is for replenishment, and on the other hand, it is because some troops did not perform well in this battle..."

That's putting it mildly.

But Chu Yunfei is not stupid. What he is talking about is actually the problem of empty salaries.

One is Sun Lianzhong’s troops.

An army group.

It is said that there are 45,000 people.

As a result, thousands of Japanese soldiers were beaten into this state and even broke into the village.

Even if the Taierzhuang dispatch team strengthened its artillery force.

But the combat effectiveness of Sun Lianzhong's troops was so poor.

There must be something wrong.

After Sun Lianzhong's troops were defeated at Niangzi Pass, the entire army's combat strength was reduced to less than 4,000 people.

Most of the more than 20,000 additional recruits were new recruits.

As well as the ruffians and scoundrels from security groups in various places.

This kind of deserter happens almost every day before the war, and he will lose his life during the war.

The combat effectiveness is naturally much worse.

But Sun Lianzhong's troops could at least defend Taierzhuang.

Chu Yunfei thought after a moment.

Even if Chiang Kai-shek wanted to find a reason to settle accounts, he couldn't find it on Sun Lianzhong's troops.

As for Pang Bingxun's troops.

Although the troops were not fully staffed, they fought bravely and performed outstandingly.

In the Battle of Linyi, a ragtag army fought against the Japanese Army's ace Fifth Division.

It also earned the reputation of the Oriental Lion.

At this time, Pang Bingxun was still sticking to the front line in Linyi and performing his duties faithfully.

To move against Pang Bingxun at this time would simply make things difficult for yourself, not to mention that Pang Bingxun now has only a few big cats and small cats under his command, so there is no need to continue.

Naturally, it was impossible for General Zhang Zizhong of the 59th Army to do so.

They have just been supplemented because of their good performance.

That leaves only one possibility.

The 22nd Army Group of Sichuan Army.

To be fair.

The performance of the 22nd Sichuan Army in the Battle of Xuzhou was indeed not good.

Except for the battle of Teng County which is noteworthy.

Whether it was Linxian or Hanzhuang, they fought badly.

Unlike the Sichuan Army troops that had previously fought fiercely in Yangquan and won a great victory.

But they were poorly equipped and had weak firepower, and they were unable to fight against a strong army like the 10th Division on the plain terrain.

From this point of view, they have done enough!

Chu Yunfei asked tentatively: "Mr. Wang, are you talking about the Sichuan Army?"

Wang Shihe nodded: "Yes, the performance of the 22nd Sichuan Army Group in this battle was far below expectations."

"In addition, during the Tengxian encirclement and annihilation campaign, a main force of a division was defeated by a counterattack by a Japanese battalion."

"The chairman suspects that the problem of empty salaries in their troops is quite serious"

Chu Yunfei frowned slightly and touched his chin.

Nima.

If there is no replenishment at all, won’t the number of troops become smaller and smaller?

Then the military salaries will be paid according to the original establishment.

Does that mean he is just drawing a salary without doing any work?
Even if they wanted to annex the Sichuan Army, isn't it a bit too hasty now?
Chu Yunfei thought for a moment and spoke well of the Sichuan Army: "The Sichuan Army has been fighting continuously, and its troops have not been replenished yet. Its equipment is also poor. To be honest, with the combat effectiveness of the Sichuan Army, it is not suitable for offensive operations."

Wang Shihe smiled and said, "What does Brother Yunfei mean?"

"Personally, I think the chairman doesn't need to worry too much about this matter."

Wang Shihe sighed.

He naturally knew that Chu Yunfei had previously had a pleasant cooperation with the Sichuan Army.

The Sichuan Army also made contributions when fighting in the Second War Zone.

Wang Shihe naturally understood why Chu Yunfei said a few good words for them.

"Commander Bai believes that the Sichuan Army may be reorganized accordingly, and sent officers to supervise it."

"This move will certainly hurt the Sichuan Army's enthusiasm for the war of resistance. Sichuan is the rear area. If the rear area is in chaos, it will be a major blow to the national anti-Japanese war situation."

Chu Yunfei paused, then emphasized, "Speaking of which, I once observed the 122nd Division under the command of Division Commander Wang Mingzhang. Every day when they raised the flag, the entire army would recite Commander Liu's will. I still remember that sentence clearly, and it was very inspiring."

"The end of the War of Resistance will be unswerving, that is, the enemy will not withdraw from the border for one day, and the Sichuan Army will vowed not to return home for one day!"

Chu Yunfei imitated the tone of the Sichuan Army and repeated this sentence.

Wang Shihe chuckled and didn't say much.

As for Commander Liu mentioned by Chu Yunfei.

It was the warlord Liu Xiang.

About Liu Xiang.

Public opinion is basically polarized and divided.

Before the July 7 Incident, Liu Xiang was indeed a reactionary warlord, and there is nothing good to say about him.

Liu Xiang embodied the Sichuan warlords' ideas of "unifying the whole of Sichuan" and "Sichuan people governing Sichuan".

Strive hard to maintain his ruling position in Sichuan.

Even the choice on the issue of anti-Japanese war was a comprehensive consideration of one's own interests and national interests. In other words, in addition to the purpose of "saving the country", it was also hoped to resist Chiang Kai-shek's control over Sichuan by resisting Japan.

This is actually a microcosm of the warlords in various places of that era.

However, after the July 7 Incident broke out.

Liu Xiang's spirit and actions of advocating resistance against Japan and leading his troops into battle played a huge role and influence in promoting the anti-Japanese war enthusiasm across the country.

Especially the sentence that Chu Yunfei repeated: "As long as the enemy does not withdraw from the country, the Sichuan Army will not return home!" It has influenced countless Sichuan Army soldiers.

Let’s talk about the difference between Liu Xiang and Yan Laoxi.

Maybe Liu Xiang died.

Old Xi Yan is alive and well.

Wang Shihe was a smart man. He only needed to learn about Chu Yunfei's attitude towards the Sichuan Army from him.

As for whether Chu Yunfei's troops were drawing salaries without working, that was absolutely impossible.

No matter who is investigated, it will not be Chu Yunfei.

Wang Shihe was not unaware of this, nor had he not read the investigation report on the KMT's undercover agents.

From the above text, he could even feel the recognition of these Military Control Commission personnel for Chu Yunfei's troops.

Dai Yunong even suspected that these people were instigated by Chu Yunfei's men.
Of course, this is also a joke.

Anyway, here with Chu Yunfei.

One is one, two is two!
"Brother Yunfei, after the matter in Xuzhou is settled, the chairman hopes that you will set out as soon as possible and go to Guide to rest and recuperate."

"Regarding the combat operations in the Xuzhou area, does the Chairman have any new plans?"

Wang Shihe shook his head: "The views of the German advisory group, the American military advisors, and even the senior generals are quite conflicting and sharp. The chairman has not yet made a decision."

The two further discussed the current situation in Xuzhou and possible future situations.

Chu Yunfei also expressed some opinions that were not so sharp.

But the core point remains the same.

It is already very good that the battle has been fought to this point, and time has been bought to defend Wuhan.

A large number of Japanese invaders were killed or wounded, and the Fifth and Tenth Divisions received corresponding reinforcements.

But the decline in combat effectiveness is inevitable.

What's more,

The Japanese invaders' war reserves, which were not large to begin with, were consumed a lot in this battle.

The Battle of Xuzhou has been fought so far.

It can be said that the strategic goals set before the war were perfectly achieved.

If you continue to fight...it can only be said that you have lost your mind.

The Japanese Army's 114th Division, which was directly under the North China Expeditionary Force, had already moved south.

The 114th Division and part of the th Division have formed the Jinxiang Detachment.

According to Chu Yunfei's understanding of the Japanese invaders' behavior habits.

In order to dispel doubts about the army in Japan.

On the other hand, for the sake of so-called international reputation, the Japanese invaders had to capture Xuzhou and achieve victory.

The National Army could have announced the victory of the Battle of Xuzhou in advance and then retreated while fighting.

The Japanese army then announced that they had won the Battle of Xuzhou, a win-win situation.

Everyone knows who is at a disadvantage.

The next morning, the troops that participated in the awarding ceremony returned.

Chu Yunfei also received corresponding orders from the Fifth War Zone, and was informed that they would start the transfer by train that evening.

The number of troops was slightly smaller than when they went to fight in Jin.

Guide (Shangqiu) is a total of 180 kilometers away from Xuzhou and can be reached in one night.

According to the original plan.

Chu Yunfei's troops went to Guide for rest and recuperation.

In fact, it was just a rest in the territory of the First War Zone.

Chu Yunfei's troops.

It has now become a unit directly under the Military Commission.

As for where he went to rest...
To be honest, the theater commander has no power to interfere.

What's more, Cheng Qian, the commander-in-chief of the First War Zone, would not interfere.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

The wounded soldiers returned to the team one after another, and the ammunition, artillery shells and firearms brought from Shanxi area were also gradually added to the team.

As Chu Yunfei wished, he met Mr. Xian Xinghai who got off the train.

After the Battle of Xuzhou, Chu Yunfei wanted to take advantage of the victory in Taierzhuang to compose a military song for his troops so that they could be sung.

It’s just that Chu Yunfei is a soldier.

I don't have the ability to do that.

I don't even have the energy to learn this knowledge.

"General Chu"

"Mr. Xian, thank you for your hard work."

Chu Yunfei stepped forward and shook hands with Mr. Xian Xinghai.

"Who is this?"

"My fiancée." Mr. Xian Xinghai introduced: "Qian Yunling."

"Hello, Miss Qian."

"Chu Jiang Army."

"You two, please."

Under Sun Ming's arrangement, the two of them also got into the car.

Following behind Chu Yunfei's horse.

It took more than half an hour to drive until we arrived at the base of Chu Yunfei's troops.

As soon as I got out of the car and walked towards the station.

Mr. Xian Xinghai was quite impressed: "Our trip was not in vain."

"Sir, please."

Sun Ming stepped forward enthusiastically and called on several young soldiers to help Xian Xinghai and his companion carry their luggage.

"please."

Following Sun Ming, Mr. Xian Xinghai soon arrived at the reception room.

Just when Xian Xinghai was wondering why Chu Yunfei was not there.

Sun Ming explained apologetically, "I'm sorry, Mr. Xian, there is an urgent military situation. I will help you arrange a place to stay first."

"Thank you for your help, Commander Sun."

"Just call me Sun Ming"

The war room not far away.

Chu Yunfei walked to the battle map, and Fang Ligong beside him introduced: "The 16th Division is currently gathering near Tai'an, and the Japanese invaders are still sending more troops."

"They're replenishing so quickly?"

Fang Ligong frowned slightly: "We have received intelligence that a group of senior Japanese military officers have come from China to Jinan for a meeting, but we don't know the specific content."

"It is most likely to coordinate the relationship between the Central China Expeditionary Force and North China."

Chu Yunfei touched his chin and said, "At present, the chairman is still continuing to send more troops to the Xuzhou area. According to the current strategic situation, our army has assembled 400,000 troops in Xuzhou alone (nominal number of troops).

But among these troops, at least one-third are new recruits, and some do not even exist.”

Fang Ligong nodded and pointed at the map: "There are 400,000 troops piled up on the battle line of more than 300 miles from Teng County to Yi County, Zaozhuang, and the dock on the east bank of the Yi River.

Once the Japanese army makes progress from the Linyi direction, it is very likely that they will launch a roundabout surprise attack and carry out a comprehensive encirclement. "

“Not to mention the huge gap in weapons and equipment, even if we include the reinforcements that have not yet arrived, our army’s nominal strength is only 600,000 at most, while the Japanese army has deployed at least 200,000 troops.

In the Battle of Shanghai, the combat strength of both sides was basically close to 10:1, but our army was still unable to win.

The current combat force ratio is only 3:1. How can we win this battle?
I really don’t know where Chief Li’s self-confidence comes from.”

Fang Ligong pushed his glasses aside and whispered, "It should be the chairman's order to maintain 'face'."

"International image? What kind of weird wind are the foreigners blowing..." Chu Yunfei felt helpless about this.

If you fight, you will obviously suffer a loss.

If we don't fight, foreign aid will inevitably be affected.

For the current national government.

International aid must be sought.

Aid is also called blood transfusion.

But, if there is no bloodshed in this country.

So who loses to you?

This so-called aid.

At this stage, whether it is the Soviet Union or countries such as Britain, the United States, France, etc.

His goal was not to enable the Republic of China to defeat the Japanese.

Instead, it dragged the Japanese into the quagmire of war.

As the confrontation between Germany and the West becomes increasingly prominent and obvious.

Many people had actually anticipated the war.

Because of this.

Neither the Germans nor Britain, France, and the Soviet Union wanted the war between China and Japan to end too early.

There are many other examples of using aid to influence and control the course of war.
In these few years.

Ukraine is at war with Russia.

This group of Western countries are still using these old tactics.

the other side.

The Japanese military also held a meeting on the Battle of Xuzhou in Jinan.

Today is already the second day.

It was also the seventh day since Major General Kei Seya was shot dead, the first seven days.

The main participants in the meeting were Major General Gun Hashimoto and Lieutenant Colonel Toshio Nishimura of the Imperial Headquarters.

Colonel Takuma Shimoyama, head of the Operations Department of the North China Front Army, and Lieutenant Colonel Tomomi Chikaharu, the First Army's staff officer.

The Chief of Staff of the Second Army was Major General Roedomichi Suzuki, and the staff officer was Colonel Kiyofuku Okamoto.

The Central China Expeditionary Army sent Deputy Chief of Staff Colonel Mutō Akira and Temporary Air Corps Chief of Staff Colonel Tanaka Tomomichi to attend the meeting.

The first day of the meeting went very badly.

A dispute broke out between the North China Front Army and the Central China Expeditionary Army.

When two sides are fighting, they naturally have to discuss who will be the main attacker and who will provide assists.

In other words, whoever cooperates in the fight will naturally get a slightly smaller contribution.

The North China Front Army believed that the main force of the National Army in Xuzhou was still increasing its troops, and it was obviously impossible to retreat in a short period of time. The goal was to capture Xuzhou, even if the encirclement only encircled the Chinese army troops in the directions of Zao, Lin, Yi, and Teng.

The results will definitely not be small!
The Central China Expeditionary Army argued that occupying Xuzhou was secondary and that the focus should be on destroying the Kuomintang's manpower.

According to intelligence, there are hundreds of thousands of troops gathered here, and if they can be annihilated.

It will be extremely beneficial for subsequent operations in other areas.

Under the guidance of this idea, the Central China Front Army believed that the Second Army should stop attacking and confront it.

Only after waiting for the First Army (North China Front Army, the 14th Division under Kenji Doizo's command) and the Central China Expeditionary Army to complete the corresponding encirclement can the goal of destroying the enemy be achieved.

The North China Front Army naturally did not agree to such a fight, as the credit gained would be shared by the Central China Expeditionary Army.

Moreover, even after suffering two losses, the North China Front Army did not think that the main force of the National Army in the Xuzhou area would pose much threat to them.

The North China Front Army advocated that the Fifth Division begin attacking Yizhou on April 4.20, and that the Tenth Division, which had completed repairs and supplies, would continue attacking Teng County on the nd.

It lasted until the end of April, but the North China Front Army also advocated not to be the first to cross the Zao Lin Yi line, but to launch a diversionary offensive.

Waiting for the arrival of reinforcements from the 16th Division and the 114th Division.

This goes smoothly.

It is expected that the offensive against Xuzhou will be launched around mid-May.
The Central China Expeditionary Force believed that they should act first.

In order to support the operations of the North China Front Army, it took the lead in starting the battle.

The troops in Dongtai and Gaoyou areas should start the operation in advance, and plan to attack Suxian and Mengcheng around May 4th.

If the North China Front Army's combat operations were delayed.

It was hoped that the Second Army's offensive would be put into action at the same time.

Today, the focus of discussion between the two sides is whether to adopt the combat plan of the North China Front Army or the Central China Expeditionary Army.

only.

This meeting, led by the base camp, ultimately failed to reach a consensus.

The North China Front Army and the Central China Expeditionary Army each formulated different combat plans.

But one thing is that their goals are the same.

That is to eventually form a north-south encirclement of the Xuzhou area and open up the Jinpu Line.

If you look at the battle plans of the two sides at that time.

It can be said that when the Japanese army, whether it was the North China Front Army or the Central China Expeditionary Army, were formulating their plans.

Just mind your own business.

But no matter what, there has been a trend of encirclement of the Chinese army from the north and south, and nominally they are required to cooperate with friendly forces in combat.
In fact, it was quite different from the plan and caused great trouble to the national army.

That's bad.

And according to the current plans of the Japanese army.

They have more than just the Jinxiang Detachment, a rear-end force.

According to the current combat plan, the First Army will also send a powerful part.

Cross the Yellow River, quickly cut off the Longhai Line between Lanfeng and Guide, and advance towards the Guide defense line.

A powerful unit of the First Army was the 14th Doiyuan Division.

The day after the meeting.

Chu Yunfei was talking with Xian Xinghai in the reception room about the Flying Tiger Division's military song.

Another telegram was sent to his headquarters.

The commander of the 5th Division, Seishirō Sakagami, personally commanded the 5th Division to launch an attack in the direction of Linyi.

Received news that someone was coming from the Japanese headquarters.

Only two days had passed by the time the battle began.

These Japanese devils seemed eager to capture Linyi, a strategic fulcrum in southern Shandong.

He handed the telegram back to Sun Ming: "It's all right. After the fall of Linyi, I believe the Fifth War Zone should be able to recover."

"Yes!"

Sun Ming turned and left.

Chu Yunfei said with a smile: "Mr. Xian, in fact, there is always a familiar melody in my heart"

I haven’t had time to check this chapter for typos, there should be another chapter... If there are typos, I’m sorry, godfathers!
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(End of this chapter)