Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 486 Arrogance! (Subscribe)
Joint Command.

Chu Yunfei's request was quickly sent to the mountain city.

In fact, he himself knew that the current defeat of the newly formed 29th Division was within his expectations.

But Ma Weiji's command ability and determination were indeed not enough to deal with the elite Japanese 18th Division.

In order to stabilize this line of defense and gain time and space for subsequent counterattacks, a powerful general must be sent out.

Zhang Lingfu, a brave general who had distinguished himself in the Battle of Shanghai and the Battle of Wanjialing.

This is the best candidate Chu Yunfei can think of at this moment.

The most important thing is that this kind of person is reliable and meets Chang Ruiyuan’s employment standards and expectations.

Chu Yunfei refused the position in the newly formed 12th Army. If he didn't think about Zhang Lingfu at this time, it would be a bit inadequate.

There is absolutely no need to offend this loyal dog. Zhang Lingfu is also an expert at charging into battle.

In the mountain city, at the place where a certain military officer stayed behind.

The fog has not yet dissipated and it remains damp and cold.

The courtyard where the officers stayed behind looked a little desolate.

In a simply furnished room.

On the wall was a combat map of the Myanmar region and on the desk was the army command textbook previously compiled by Chu Yunfei.

It was obvious that the occupant of the room was concerned with the war.

At this time, Zhang Lingfu was standing by the window, stroking the chess piece, looking out the window, with reluctance and sadness between his brows.

After the Shanggao Campaign, he should have been transferred from the 58th Division to the position of commander of the newly formed 12th Army.

Even Wang Yaowu came to see him off, but something went wrong in the end.

Chu Yunfei specifically asked his old subordinate Wu Ziqiang to take over.

In this regard, Chang Ruiyuan owed a lot to Chu Yunfei, so he naturally agreed to such a request.

After a few rounds, the commander of the 58th Division was taken over by someone else, and Zhang Lingfu could only be idle in the rear area.

Most of those who stay here are middle and senior military officers who are temporarily unemployed for various reasons or waiting for new appointments.

The ambitions and aspirations of the past were inevitably diminished in the day-to-day waiting and tempering.

"Knock knock knock." The knock on the door broke the silence.

"Come in." Zhang Lingfu didn't even turn his head.

The door opened and Zhang Zhizhong, the chief of the attendant's office, walked in in military uniform, followed by his adjutant holding documents.

Seeing the visitor, Zhang Lingfu was a little surprised, but he calmly saluted and said, "Mr. Wenbai, what can I do for you?"

Zhang Zhizhong returned the greeting and got straight to the point: "Lingfu, I have been ordered by the Commissioner to have a new appointment."

Zhang Lingfu's heart was slightly moved, but his expression remained unchanged: "I wonder what arrangements the chairman has made?"

Zhang Zhizhong signaled his adjutant to hand over the document: "The battle on the Rangoon front is urgent, and Chu Yunfei urgently needs a capable and brave general. After Chu Yunfei's recommendation, the headquarters has studied and confirmed it, and the chairman has decided to adjust you to leave immediately and take over the position of the commander of the newly formed 29th Division."

"The newly formed 29th Division?" Zhang Lingfu paused as he took the document and raised his eyebrows.

He had heard of this unit before, and knew that it was not the main force, and its recent battle reports were also weak.

It was somewhat surprising that he, a direct descendant of Whampoa Military Academy, was asked to clean up such a mess.

Zhang Zhizhong had naturally seen through his logic and explained, "Lingfu, the newly formed 29th Division is currently in a serious situation and is almost disintegrated under the fierce attack of the Japanese 18th Division.

Ma Weiji's command was ineffective, and Chu Yunfei has requested to remove him.

This burden is heavy and dangerous.”

He paused and said slowly, "Chu Yunfei specifically asked for you. He said that only a brave general like you can reorganize the division in a critical situation and take on the important task of delaying the Japanese 18th Division in Mindang."

"Commander Chu specifically asked for me?" A complicated light flashed in Zhang Lingfu's eyes.

He admired Chu Yunfei's military talent.

I was strongly recommended by him, and I was surprised but also excited to be recognized.

Zhang Zhizhong continued: "The chairman also attaches great importance to this."

"The battle situation is of great importance. If the Burma Road is lost, there will be endless troubles."

"This time, I'm appointed as a division commander, but in reality, I hope you have the ability to turn the tide."

“This is both a challenge and an opportunity.”

Zhang Zhizhong's words were actually full of reminders.

He was naturally aware of Myanmar's previous reorganization plan.

Units like the 66th Army and the 6th Army were actually given priority in being equipped with a full set of American equipment and further sorted out.

When the division commander Zhang Lingfu arrived, it seemed that he had taken over a mess.

And what happens after he cleans up this mess?

There are still many battles to be fought in Southeast Asia. There is no way they can be trapped in Burma, but instead continue to launch attacks with the assistance of the Americans.

Obviously, in Zhang Zhizhong's view, Chu Yunfei is actually Zhang Lingfu's rising star.

Zhang Lingfu spent half his life in military service, so he never feared any challenge.

It's just the newly formed 29th Division.
He slowly closed his eyes, and his mind quickly outlined the current war situation between the enemy and us.

After a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes, his fighting spirit surged, and all his worries were swept away.

He folded the letter of appointment carefully, put it in his coat pocket, saluted Zhang Zhizhong again, and said in a sonorous voice: "Mr. Wenbai, please tell the chairman and Chief Chu that Lingfu obeys the order!
The Japanese invaders' 18th Division is just a small thing, what's the point of mentioning it?

As long as Lingfu is still alive, we will defend Mindang with the newly formed 29th Division and not let the Japanese invaders take a single step beyond our borders!"

His words were full of confidence and pride, as if the nearly shattered army could be reborn in an instant in his hands.

Zhang Lingfu was originally from the 74th Army, the ace combat attack army of the headquarters. He had experienced many fierce battles and was not intimidated by such difficulties.

Zhang Zhizhong smiled with relief and said, "Great! With Lingfu's words, I feel relieved."

"I will arrange for someone else to take over the previous work of the rear office. Your luggage and entourage should be prepared immediately. The special plane has landed at the airport and will depart tomorrow morning at the latest."

"We don't have to wait until tomorrow morning," Zhang Lingfu said decisively. "The military situation is urgent. If we delay for a moment, our brothers on the front line will be in greater danger. Wen Baigong, Lingfu will set off immediately!"

Zhang Zhizhong looked at him with new eyes again. He nodded and said, "Okay! I'll make arrangements right away and try to get you there tonight."

After seeing Zhang Zhizhong off, Zhang Lingfu returned to the window with a sharp gaze.

He knew that a tough battle was waiting for him, a bloody battle with almost no way out.

But has he ever been afraid?

Chu Yunfei’s trust and the chairman’s recognition.

And the desire to achieve success and serve the country has turned into endless motivation at this moment.

He quickly summoned his trusted aide, packed his bags, and sent someone to inquire about the latest situation of the war in Burma. That afternoon, before the setting sun was completely hidden in the fog of the mountain city, a military transport plane flew under the cover of night, carrying Zhang Lingfu, who had been appointed in a critical situation, and his rekindled ambition to fly to the distant and dangerous battlefield.

He didn't know what a crucial role this general would play in Chu Yunfei's grand chess game;

He had no idea how astonishingly the newly formed 29th Division, a nearly collapsed force, would shine in his hands.

At this moment in Mindang, the remnants of the newly formed 29th Division were still struggling under the attack of the Japanese army.

That night.

Inside the command center, Chu Yunfei's micro-artillery regiment continued to carry out targeted bombardment on the front line to slow down the Japanese attack.

After Zhao Pengcheng, who was not far away, hung up the phone.

He immediately took the telegram handed over by the communications staff, glanced at it, and walked over quickly: "Your Excellency."

"Hmm?" Chu Yunfei did not turn to look at Zhao Pengcheng.

Zhao Pengcheng immediately put the telegram aside and simply dictated the main points of the telegram: "The Shancheng side replied that the headquarters has agreed to your transfer order. Zhang Lingfu will set off immediately and is expected to arrive at the front within a day."

"So fast?" Chu Yunfei raised his eyebrows and looked at Zhao Pengcheng.

"They are going to land at Yangon airport, so."

Chu Yunfei nodded slowly: "Notify the Flying Tigers and ask them to escort us."

"Yes!"

Zhao Pengcheng continued, "In addition, Your Excellency, the Command hopes that we can speed up the stabilization of the war situation. If the situation deteriorates beyond control, we may abandon the Yunnan-Burma Road, preserve our manpower, and retreat to Mandalay."

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly, his eyes deep: "I know what they mean."

"But you have to eat your meals one bite at a time and fight your battles one step at a time."

"Now that this mad dog Mutaguchi Renya has broken free, if we don't knock out a few of his teeth first, the next move won't be that easy."

"Chu, isn't this a bit too risky? Their vanguard is only 13 kilometers away from us. The newly formed 38th Division and the 200th Division have not yet reached the attack position. Do we need to retreat to a safe distance first?"

Chu Yunfei turned to Stilwell, his tone calm but with unquestionable strength: "Mr. Stilwell, the soldiers are still fighting on the front line. How can we easily retreat at this time? Moreover, the situation has eased now, and this battle still has to be fought."

Stilwell was a little anxious: "Chu, I believe in your judgment. But, can we really stop the relentless pursuit of the Japanese troops by relying solely on the newly formed 29th Division and the 200th Division?"

Chu Yunfei raised his lips with a meaningful smile: "Let the 18th Division be proud for a while. The deeper they chase, the tighter we will be in the future."

Stilwell was a little confused.

If Chu Yunfei wanted to destroy the 18th Division which was alone and deep in the territory.

The total number of troops available was only one newly formed 11th Army, one 200th Division, and one newly formed 29th Division.

How is it possible for them to defeat an entire Type A division with a total force of less than 30,000?
This is not a three-command division like the 55th Division.

Could it be that there were some troops coming to support him that he didn't know about?

Or is there some other chance of a turnaround?

Facing Stilwell's puzzled gaze, Chu Yunfei simply fiddled with his baton slightly.

Stilwell suddenly realized it.

If the newly formed 38th Division can really follow Chu Yunfei's offensive route.

It’s really hard to say whether this battle will end!

This tactic is to leap into the mountains and flank the transportation lines.

Isn’t this exactly the style of battle that Xue Yue used during the Third Battle of Changsha?
Could it be that Chu Yunfei wanted to replicate Xue Yue's Tianlu fighting method? Is this possible?
Myanmar has no popular base at home.

[Report! The newly formed 22nd Division called and reported that the total casualties of its troops today were around 400, with 350 killed. The enemy's offensive has slowed down compared to before, but the reason is currently unknown.]

[Commander Dai Anlan of the 200th Division called and said that the 200th Division has now arrived at the designated attack position.]

[Commander Sun Liren of the newly formed 38th Division called and said that the 38th Division will launch an assault at 8 a.m. tomorrow morning and requested the deployment of the Air Force for support to ensure the progress of the attack.]

[Commander Du of the Fifth Army called and asked whether to launch a full-scale counterattack to relieve the pressure on the Sixth Army.]

"Where is the new 39th Division?"

[Report to the Lord, the newly formed 39th Division reported three hours ago that they are only 15 kilometers away from the 6th Army's defense line, and are now estimated to be setting up a command post.]

Chu Yunfei nodded slightly, and then emphasized: "In this case, call back to each department."

"At 8 a.m. tomorrow, according to the original combat plan, we will launch a full-scale counterattack to cover the combat operations of the newly formed 38th Division."

"Yes!"

the other side.

Colonel Masamura, the commander of the Japanese 18th Regiment who came to provide follow-up support, was pointing at the map with his whip.

The combat staff officer beside him verbally described the situation of the enemy in front: "The enemy is currently relying on fortifications to put up a stubborn resistance. Their number of troops far exceeds previous estimates. Colonel Mori is worried that they are luring the enemy deep into the territory, so they are waiting for our support before continuing to attack."

Masamura Atsuta's face was full of disdain: "Luring the enemy deep into our territory? They don't have that many troops to mobilize. Our opponents only have more than 10,000 people. If we defeat them, we can directly cut off the Fifth Army and the Sixth Army and complete the established combat mission of annihilating the Sixth Army."

The chief of staff naturally did not dare to refute his own commander.

Especially in this situation, all he could do was obey.

Masamura Atsuta pondered for a moment and then emphasized: "Order each squadron to speed up and not wait for artillery support."

"The remnants of the defeated troops ahead have been frightened out of their wits. We must capture Mindang before dawn tomorrow and use it as a springboard for the main force of the division to advance!"

A young Japanese military staff officer reminded with some concern: "Colonel, although the Chinese army was defeated, the situation in the Mindang area is quite complicated. There was news that a part of the Chinese elite is coming to support us. Are you worried about their ambush?"

Colonel Masamura waved his hand impatiently: "Ambush? What kind of ambush can a group of fleeing soldiers who can't even hold their guns steadily have? Their will to resist has been wiped out by the mighty military power of the locust army!

We need to speed up and crush them as quickly as possible!"

In his eyes, the newly formed 29th Division was already in his pocket.

Even Chu Yunfei's name was just an exaggerated legend in his eyes.

Otherwise, how could they build such a loose defense line and expose such a flaw?
Division Commander Mutaguchi Ren'ya is the real king of jungle warfare.

What is the point of mentioning a mere Chu Yunfei?

However, when they gathered their troops and prepared to launch an attack under the cover of night.

One shell after another streaked across the sky and smashed towards the gathering infantry.

Boom! Boom!

The explosions continued one after another, instantly interrupting the Japanese army's attempt to take advantage of the situation to launch an attack.

Masamura Atsuta looked at the assembly point not far away with a confused look on his face.

Just ten minutes ago, he had just ordered the troops to assemble, and not long after that, artillery shells started to hit them.

Could it be that the enemy set up an observation post right under their noses?

(End of this chapter)