Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Chapter 496: Fight to the death? The general offensive begins, and the twelve divisions launch a comprehensive counterattack (This chapter has illustrations, please subscribe)
As the sky gradually darkened, the Japanese attack was barely stopped.

Yu Xiaoqing was filled with emotion: "Mutaguchi Ren'ya is a complete war madman."

After a night of preparation, the Japanese army launched an attack again the next day.

On the muddy battlefield.

The enemy and our side fought back and forth.

The mental stress of every commander and soldier is almost reaching its limit.

After several days of continuous rain.

The sky in Myanmar finally cleared up, which was rare on a bloody morning.

The sunlight that breaks through the clouds is like a spotlight on the stage.

It illuminated the war-torn land with exceptional clarity, and also illuminated the long-suppressed murderous intent and determination in the eyes of the soldiers on both sides.

For the warring parties who had been suffering in the mud and humidity for several days, this sudden sunny weather was undoubtedly a signal.

A signal to throw off the constraints of the rainy season, mobilize all strength, and engage in a decisive battle.

Both sides decided to launch an all-out attack without any prior agreement.

Try to break the stalemate and crush the opponent completely during this brief window of clear weather.

On the Japanese side.

Under the almost crazy orders of the division commander Mutaguchi Ren'ya and the intimidation of the supervision team.

The main forces of the 18th Division and the 33rd Division, which had already been exhausted, were as excited as a tired middle-aged man who drank a cup of Bawang Chaji.

The attacking force regrouped.

Prepare to launch an unprecedented general offensive against the defense line at the junction of the Fifth and Sixth Armies of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, that is, in the direction of the newly formed Eleventh Army.

Mutaguchi Ren'ya had sufficient reasons to issue the order for a violent attack this time.

"Woo-wu-wu-"

The shrill air defense sirens sounded one after another, echoing over the expeditionary force's positions.

Immediately afterwards, Japanese fighter planes took off from airports in Thailand and southeastern Myanmar.

Like a flock of bloodthirsty vultures, they came roaring and covering the sky.

Dozens or even hundreds of Type 97 heavy bombers, Type 99 twin-engine light bombers and Zero fighters formed dense formations in the air, blocking out the sky and the sun.

They flew low and recklessly, dropping tons of aerial bombs and incendiary bombs.

It poured down on the Chinese Expeditionary Force's positions, artillery positions, logistics supply points, and even roads.

obviously.

The Japanese army did not understand the specific situation behind the expeditionary force.

However, they were determined to use almost all of the Southern Army's aviation forces to deal with the Burmese expeditionary force.

A brutal bombing began.

The earth trembled and groaned in the violent explosion.

Huge fireballs rose from the ground, and thick black smoke columns rushed straight into the sky, dyeing the sky that had just cleared up into a dim yellow again.

The sturdy fortifications were blown to pieces by the direct hit of the heavy bomb, and earth and rocks flew everywhere!

The wooden bunkers and barracks were quickly turned into a sea of ​​fire under the effect of incendiary bombs!
A truck transporting supplies was overturned by a bomb and caught fire, with loud noises of ammunition exploding one after another.

Although the anti-aircraft firepower in various places was also fighting back desperately.

Anti-aircraft machine guns and a small number of anti-aircraft guns spewed out angry flames, trying to drive away the Japanese fighter planes.

Chu Yunfei used the anti-aircraft artillery guidance skills three times in just half an hour, shooting down more than ten Japanese fighter planes and bombers.

However, they were faced with a Japanese fleet that had an absolute advantage in numbers and was escorted by Zero fighters.

The anti-aircraft artillery's resistance seemed somewhat feeble and powerless.

From time to time, brave expeditionary anti-aircraft gunners were swallowed up by Japanese bombs along with their gun positions, turning into a ball of splattered flesh and blood, and died on their positions.

on the ground.

The Japanese infantry also launched a wave of offensives like a tide after the indiscriminate bombing by its air force.

They took advantage of the fact that the soldiers of the expeditionary force were suppressed by the bombing and their positions and fortifications were severely damaged.

Holding bayonets, they howled and rushed towards the positions that were still emitting smoke.

Tanks and armored vehicles also rumbled, leading the infantry to charge forward, trying to crush the defenders' will to resist in one fell swoop.

only.

The newly formed 11th Army.

This iron-blooded army grew up under Chu Yunfei's careful training and in bloody battles.

They were not intimidated by the Japanese army's "simplified three-dimensional offensive".

While the Japanese aerial bombs were still whistling overhead, the Japanese infantry were still charging.

Chu Yunfei in the joint command has already figured out the main attack direction and intentions of the Japanese army.

It was still Huang Baitao’s troops, and the newly formed 11th Army.

They have always wanted to continue to pick on the weak in order to achieve the goal of dividing the battlefield.

"Even on the battlefield in Burma, these little devils still wanted to use the basic tactics of breaking through the middle and outflanking on both wings."

Stilwell rested his chin on his hands.

His eyes were full of solemnity. He had been expecting that after the weather cleared up, his artillery units would be able to unleash their might.

But he didn't expect that even with the strong restraint of the US Navy.

The Japanese army was actually able to organize such a large fleet.

Is it possible?

Don’t these Japs intend to occupy the Western Pacific first according to the strategy previously determined by the General Staff?
Just as Stilwell was thinking.

"Order!" Chu Yunfei's voice was still steady and clear in the command center that was slightly shaken by the explosion: "All artillery units, don't worry about ammunition consumption!
"Aim at the planned route of the Japanese infantry attack, the artillery observation post, and the assembly area of ​​its follow-up echelons, and fire indiscriminately!"

"Order the Fifth Army and the newly formed Eleventh Army to rely on their existing positions and resist tenaciously!"

"Tell the brothers that our artillery fire will give them the strongest support! We will teach the Japanese a good lesson with steel and fire in front of the position!"

Following Chu Yunfei's order.

The expeditionary force had hundreds of artillery pieces, including American-aided 105mm howitzers, 75mm mountain guns, Soviet-made field guns, and captured and domestically produced mortars of various calibers.

After a brief silence, earth-shaking roars broke out at the same time!

The shells were like hail, with sharp screams, cutting through the sky and smashing down on the Japanese troops who were charging and assembling.

The entire battlefield instantly turned into a huge hell on earth.

Looking down from a macro perspective, the entire Maodanmyan - this narrow and long battlefield at the junction of Yangon.

At this moment, it has completely turned into a huge meat grinder.

Above the sky were arcs of death drawn by the bombs dropped by Japanese fighter planes, as well as the wreckage of planes that fell with black smoke after being hit.

The flames of explosions rose one after another, and thick smoke covered the sky, as if doomsday had come.

On the ground, the Japanese infantry group was under the cover of their own air force.

Like a turbulent torrent, it attacked the Chinese Expeditionary Force's defense line recklessly.

Even more fierce tongues of flame spewed out from the expeditionary force's positions.

There was no need to hide all the light and heavy weapons at this time.

The visible and hidden firing points opened fire at almost the same time.

Countless shells were like the flames of revenge.

Bloody flowers of death exploded in the Japanese army's offensive formation.

The hillside was stained red with blood, and corpses were scattered all over the scorched earth.

The sounds of exploding artillery shells, machine gun fire, soldiers shouting and the wails of the wounded combined into a soul-stirring symphony of war.

Every second, countless lives are lost.

Every inch of land is being fought over fiercely.

Although the Japanese offensive was fierce, it was like a wave hitting an indestructible reef in the face of the expeditionary force's powerful artillery counterattack and tenacious position defense.

Large groups of Japanese soldiers were torn to pieces by the intensive artillery fire during their charge.

Most of those who managed to reach the front of the position fell under the accurate bullets and sharp blades of the Chinese defenders.

The tanks and armored vehicles that the Japanese army had high hopes for also had a hard time moving due to the muddy terrain and the anti-tank fire of the expeditionary force. Many vehicles were destroyed along the way and caught fire.

The brutality of the battle cannot be described in simple words.

The artillery fire plowed the hilltop again and again, and the fortifications on the position were repeatedly destroyed and repaired.

The soldiers of both sides fought hard in the smoke and blood, no longer able to distinguish between day and night, and had forgotten about hunger and fatigue. Only the most primitive killing instinct and desire to survive remained in their hearts.

This is a contest of steel and will, a baptism of blood and fire!
The clear sky became the cruelest backdrop for this battle.

The sunlight shone through the gaps in the smoke, illuminating the twisted corpses and broken weapons, reflecting a heart-pounding cold light.

The sky gradually darkened and the sounds of fighting gradually subsided.

The newly formed 11th Army, on the front line.

Yu Xiaoqing, commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment, knelt on the ground holding the body of his brother Shen Qing.

Looking at Yu Xiaoqing's indifferent face, tears rolled down his cheeks.

"Commander." The soldiers of the main first battalion stood in front of Yu Xiaoqing in silence.

It's ridiculous to say that.

Junior officers suffered a sacrifice rate of over 60 percent, and soldiers suffered an 80 percent casualty rate, but no one ever talked about retreating.

However, he, the commander of the main battalion, actually left his position and attempted to escape under the attack of the Japanese army.

At first.

The reason why Yu Shenqing was able to become the battalion commander of the first battalion was because he was Yu Xiaoqing's younger brother, not because of any special ability.

The old Shanxi soldier who is so blood-thirsty doesn't care about anything you say.

He immediately shot and killed the battalion commander who was trying to escape, and led the remaining soldiers to fight bravely.

When Yu Xiaoqing arrived.

Shen Qing's body had been soaking in the trench for so long that he almost didn't recognize his own brother.

"Find a place to bury him. Also, report to your Excellency truthfully that Yu Shenqing has been brought to justice by our gendarmerie for his poor command and his reckless talk of retreat." "Commander." He Shuguang on the side was quite puzzled. He was about to say something when he was stopped by Li Bing.

"We have no choice. This is a fight to the death. I swear on my gun and bullet that I will fight with all my might, even if I die in pieces."

Yu Xiaoqing grew up a lot in this moment. He said passionately: "To avenge the century-old national humiliation, even if it takes every last soldier, every bullet, and even my last drop of blood."

"Brothers, I, Yu Xiaoqing, am here with you brothers."

Yu Xiaoqing looked at the veterans who were staring at him, raised his right hand, and said fiercely: "We will not retreat!"

next second.

A roar like the roar of a tsunami responded to him.

No retreat! No retreat! No retreat!
-
That night.

After taking a nap for a few hours in the afternoon, Chu Yunfei stood in front of the huge sand table again.

His face was a little pale and his expression was quite grim.

The baton in his hand tapped lightly at several key points.

His deep eyes revealed a calmness that saw through everything.

General Stilwell paced anxiously beside him, cursing the Japanese madness in English.

After two weeks of fierce fighting, the casualties were only 10,000.

And today's all-out attack.

These are just the battle reports of the Fifth, Sixth, and Sixty-sixth Armies.

There were already 13,000 casualties.

The intensity of the war can be seen from this if the losses continue.

With the current military strength, at best we can hold out for a week.

Except for the 8,000 British people.

The subsequent reinforcements of the expeditionary force are still in the process of being organized, sorted and trained.

"Chu! The Japanese offensive is too fierce!" Stilwell walked to the side of Chu Yunfei, with an undisguised worry in his tone: "The pressure on our frontier positions, especially the junction, is too great!"

"The Fifth Army suffered 3,000 casualties in one day, the Sixth Army suffered 4,000 casualties, and Huang's Eleventh Army suffered 3,000 casualties. Can they really hold on?"

Chu Yunfei's eyes were still on the sand table, but in fact he had already taken in the entire battlefield situation on the three-dimensional combat map.

The Japanese army's offensive focus, troop deployment, firepower configuration, and even some hidden reserve movements were all clearly displayed in his mind.

Chu Yunfei actually knew it very well, and everyone including those in the command center actually knew it very well.

This was the Japanese army's last desperate attempt.

They attempted to completely defeat the expeditionary force's defense line with a general offensive at all costs.

"Mr. Stilwell, please be patient." Chu Yunfei's voice was calm but unquestionable: "The Japanese offensive is indeed fierce, but it is also within our expectations.

Terauchi Juichi and Mutaguchi Renya want to finish their battle in one go. They have no other choice in this battle. As long as we hold on, once the morale of their vanguard is frustrated, the entire offensive will be difficult to sustain. "

Chu Yunfei raised his head, a sharp cold light flashed in his eyes: "The weather is clearing up, which is also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us.

Our artillery can be used to its full potential, and our air power can provide support to our ground forces.”

Ma Weiji hurried in and saluted, "Commander Chu, General Stilwell!

Commander Du of the Fifth Army sent an urgent telegram.

Its position at the junction with the New 11th Army was subjected to a frenzied siege by at least five regiments of the main forces of the Japanese 18th and 33rd Divisions.

The 13th and 14th Regiments under General Huang Baitao suffered heavy casualties and their positions changed hands several times. Request for support! "

Stilwell's expression became even uglier: "Five regiments! The Japanese are really crazy!"

"Smith's Anglo-Burmese Army was only a day or so away from the front."

Chu Yunfei thought for a moment, then gave a decisive order: "Pengcheng, order the British troops to advance lightly and engage in the counterattack on the Mindang front line."

"Yes!"

"Commander Chu, the direction of the newly formed 11th Army may not be able to be defended."

Chu Yunfei seemed not to have heard Ma Weiji's report. He pointed his finger at the flanks and rear of several Japanese attack arrows on the sand table and emphasized: "Order! Du Yuming's unit of the Fifth Army, Huang Baitao's unit of the New Eleventh Army, and Yu Zhixing's unit of the New Thirteenth Army.

As well as the newly formed 29th Division led by Zhang Lingfu and the newly formed 38th Division led by Sun Liren, they can now switch to a full-scale counterattack and launch a comprehensive counterattack against the Japanese invaders. "

"Assault, penetration, detour, outflanking!"

"No matter what method you use, there is only one thing: continue the attack after receiving the order to stop the attack."

"Also, tell all the brothers!" Chu Yunfei's eyes burned with blazing fire, "If we don't succeed in this battle, we will die! The brave will win when two meet on a narrow road!

If we defeat the Southern Army in this battle, the entire deteriorating situation in Burma will be resolved!"

"Yes!"

Chu Yunfei then turned his gaze to Ma Weiji and patted him on the shoulder: "Today, we want to let the Japanese know what kind of combat effectiveness our expeditionary force has.

Stilwell was stunned by Chu Yunfei's sudden and almost crazy order: "Chu! Are you sure you want to launch a full-scale counterattack under such circumstances?

Our forces do not have an absolute advantage, and the Japanese air support is likely to cause great trouble to us."

Chu Yunfei turned his head and stared at Stilwell with burning eyes: "As the Art of War says, you must be in a desperate situation before you can survive!
The Japanese army is coming out in full force, so their rear must be empty!

Their offensive seems fierce, but in fact they are already at the end of their strength!

If we just defend, we will certainly be able to achieve final victory.

But there was no way to wipe out the remaining enemies in Burma in a short period of time.

Only by countering attack with attack, countering speed with speed, disrupting their deployment and destroying their will, do we have a chance to completely turn the tide of the battle!

These are three divisions of Japanese devils, with at least 50,000 active forces. If we can wipe out half or even two-thirds of them, the entire Japanese Southern Army will completely lose its combat effectiveness. We will not only be able to recover Maodanmian, but even threaten the inland areas of Thailand."

Stilwell had to admit that he was moved.
After all, no matter what.

Even if the war fails, the United States has a backup plan.

It was also in line with their expectations to continue to arm the expeditionary forces through the import of supplies from India.

If the war in Myanmar can be ended as soon as possible, it will also mean that the United States will be able to invest more resources in the European battlefield.

This is also in the interests of the Army General Staff, as well as Stilwell, Marshall and others.

Stilwell wisely chose to remain silent.

He neither chose to support Chu Yunfei's battle plan, nor did he want to interfere with the battle, and he didn't even express his own opinions.

Chu Yunfei smiled, and then immersed his consciousness in the three-dimensional combat map.

Whether it is the Japanese Army's 56th Division, 33rd Division, or 18th Division.

Their degree of organization is actually barely maintained at around fifty.

In Chu Yunfei's opinion, these Japanese devils were actually on the brink of collapse.

Just one final blow would completely crush them.

Both sides have actually returned to the stage of struggling.

Whoever can hold on until the last second will win the entire battle.

The order was transmitted to each unit via telegram and telephone.

There was no detailed attack plan and no exact time to launch the attack.

Once the troops are ready, a full-scale counterattack can be launched.

Fifth Army Headquarters.

Du Yuming just put down the phone.

Two regiments of the 1st Honor Division were severely damaged by the Japanese army, suffering heavy casualties.

His face was livid at this moment.

The Japanese offensive was like a tsunami, wave after wave. Although his troops relied on fortifications to resist tenaciously, the number of casualties was rising sharply, and several key positions were already in danger.

Just when he was extremely anxious and was about to mobilize the last reserve troops into battle.

A communications staff officer rushed in excitedly, holding a telegram translation in his hand: "General! An urgent message from Commander Chu of the Joint Command!"

Du Yuming snatched the telegram and glanced over it quickly.

When he saw the words "all-out counterattack", his body shook violently.

There was a gleam of disbelief in his eyes, but it was immediately replaced by a determined will to fight.

"What a great plan to survive in the face of death!" Du Yuming slammed the table and shouted, "Pass my order! All the divisions and regiments of the Fifth Army, stop defending immediately!
The entire front went into a counterattack! Dai Anlan's 200th Division went straight into the enemy's 18th Division's flank as planned!

Qiu Qingquan of the newly formed 22nd Division and the 1st Armored Regiment of the US Burmese Army broke through the center and split the enemy's 33rd Division!
The narrow road meets the brave to win!

Today, we, the Fifth Army, will let the Japanese know what the Chinese soldiers' bloodiness is! "

Qiu Qingquan could no longer hold back, and when he heard the order to counterattack, he shouted excitedly, "Great! Commander Du is wise! Commander Chu is wise.

I can't wait any longer! I'm going to crush those damn Japanese bastards!"

Dai Anlan and Liao Yaoxiang also felt that launching an all-out counterattack under such a disadvantage was somewhat risky.

But Chu Yunfei's reputation and Du Yuming's determination made them choose to execute the order without hesitation.

For a moment, the Fifth Army headquarters was filled with the sounds of telephones ringing, orders being given, and the footsteps of staff officers.
Huang Baitao's eyes flashed with determination, and he said in a deep voice: "Reply to Commander Chu, and tell him that we are determined to complete the mission with all the soldiers of the newly formed 11th Army! If we fail, we will die!"

The newly formed 29th Division Command.

Zhang Lingfu was commanding the 29th Division to resist the Japanese offensive with difficulty.

Although the pressure of frontal defense is not as great as that of the newly formed 11th Army at the junction.

But after all, they need to take the initiative to attack and attract firepower for the newly formed 11th Army.

The battle was extremely difficult.

When Chu Yunfei's order to "counterattack on all fronts" came.

Zhang Lingfu was stunned at first, then a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

He was keenly aware that this could be a great opportunity to turn the entire war situation around.

"Order!" Zhang Lingfu looked at the map and gave a decisive order: "All regiments must stop passive defense immediately!
Use battalions and companies as units to launch proactive attacks on the Japanese troops in front of them!

Don’t be afraid of casualties, don’t be afraid of consumption!
Our mission is to delay the 33rd Division of the Japanese Army at all costs and not give them any chance to reinforce their main attack direction!

At the same time, look for fighter planes to threaten the Japanese supply lines from the flank! "

"clear."

Nearly 100,000 expeditionary soldiers.

Under the leadership of their respective commanders, they jumped out of the muddy trenches, filled with anger and desire for victory, and launched a desperate counterattack against the already exhausted Japanese soldiers!
(End of this chapter)