Chinese martial arts! Grandmaster

After deliberation, the Japanese military decided that to defeat the Ximen Tang army, they had to use overwhelming numbers to have any chance of winning.

Ximentang excels at positional warfare, defensive warfare, and assault warfare; his artillery is extremely powerful.

Whether it was the naval fleet or the army, Simon was accustomed to artillery barrage tactics.

Therefore,
The first priority is to gain a numerical and strategic advantage, and to form an encirclement, creating a sense of siege and pressure on Ximentang.

Defend as the best form of offense, employ a layered tactic, and press forward relentlessly!
The most important point is that when choosing a location, it is necessary to use natural barriers to limit the firepower of Ximentang's cannons.

In addition, bunkers should be built along the defensive line to form a joint defense line and prevent a surprise attack from Ximentang!

The high mobility of the Westgate will be rendered useless by the defensive fortifications of the bunker's chain defense.

therefore,

The Allied Forces of Japan launched an attack on Hanzhong from two directions: southern Jiangxi and southern Hunan.

Oyama Iwao, the supreme commander of the Kwantung Army, personally led a large army to Ezhou to take command.

Why choose Hanzhong as the battlefield?
Because Li Mu, the Prince of Ning, and Li Chuang, the Prince of Shu, who were located west of Hanzhong, reached an agreement with the Japanese army.

That is,

The area west of Hanzhong will become the rear base for the Eastern Army in the Great Qian Dynasty.

The commander leading the attack along the southern Jiangxi line was Lieutenant General Oshima Yutaka of the Japanese Army, with a force of 100,000.

After landing in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, Oshima Yutaka marched north, using Nanchang Prefecture as his base. He first seized the Fuhe River area in southern Jiangxi, then advanced towards Huainan, while his troops concentrated in Jiujiang Prefecture.

The objective was clear: to engage in a decisive battle with the Ximentang army, which was gathering in the directions of Jinling and Hanzhong, in Jiujiang Prefecture.

These 100,000 troops were all elite soldiers of the Kwantung Army, equipped with the most advanced Japanese field artillery and heavy machine guns.

The commander on the western front is Sakata Takeo, a defeated opponent of Aman in Songjiang Prefecture!
He led an army of 150,000 men from southern Hunan into the Hanzhong region, and then headed east to join forces with the army under Oshima Yutaka.

The two armies of the Kwantung Army totaled 250,000 elite infantrymen.

Another 50,000 troops were left, who would travel by water from southern Sichuan, first capturing Wuchang Prefecture, then detouring to Xianning Prefecture to engage Ximentang's forces there.

On the surface, it appears to be two armies, but in reality, it is four battlefronts.

Sakata Takeo, Oshima Yuu, and Ozawa Kaiki provided flanking support, forming a pincer attack on Ximen Tang's army.

Simultaneously,

To prevent Ximentang from sending a large army to support them from Shandong, Dashanyan cooperated with Prince Ning, Li Mu, and dispatched 100,000 Northwest troops to attack the northern defense line from Hebei, cutting off Ximentang's support routes.

The Japanese Kwantung Army simulated the battle countless times in order to win it.

In this decisive battle at Jiujiang Prefecture, the Kwantung Army mobilized a total of 300,000 elite troops.

In addition to the troops previously stationed in Ezhou Prefecture, as well as troops from various prefectures, the total number of troops deployed reached 700,000.

Only by having an absolute numerical advantage could the Kwantung Army ensure an overwhelming advantage when facing Ximentang.

in addition,

Daiyama Iwao ordered the Allied Forces of the East to proceed cautiously and steadily, and not to rush forward rashly.

In this great battle in Jiujiang Prefecture, we must surround Ximen Hall and gradually eliminate its elite forces.

For the Allied Forces of the East, as long as they win this battle...

Then,

Next, we will press our advantage and go down the river from Jiujiang Prefecture to capture Jinling and Songjiang Prefecture.

Therefore, this decisive battle in Jiujiang Prefecture was of paramount importance to the overall war situation.

in addition,

To ensure success, Oyama Iwao transferred some troops from his homeland in Japan to launch a feint attack on Shandong and the coastal areas of southern Jiangsu.

To prevent the Ximen Tang garrison in Beijing from launching a counterattack to the northeast, Oyama Iwao ordered the Kwantung Army stationed in the northeast to deploy its troops near Shanhaiguan to contain the Ximen Tang forces in Beijing and Tianjin.

The plan for the final assault on Daisan Rock was indeed very well prepared.

The calculations covered almost every aspect of the battle, including the overall combat capabilities of the six army groups under Ximentang.

Moreover, they were well prepared in terms of time.

However, the Ximentang garrison stationed in Xianning Prefecture took the initiative to launch an attack, with Xu Xiaodao leading 20,000 elite troops to launch a strong assault on Ezhou City.

When Da Shan Yan learned of this news, he was greatly surprised.

If Ezhou falls, the Kwantung Army will lose its stronghold in the Hanzhong region.

This is also a major reason why Xu Xiaodao launched a strong attack for five consecutive days but failed to capture Ezhou City.

because,

To his surprise, the supreme commander of the Kwantung Army was actually in Ezhou City.

Just as Xu Xiaodao's 20,000-strong army was about to capture Ezhou City.

Unexpectedly, 50,000 elite Japanese troops suddenly reinforced Ezhou City, putting Xu Xiaodao's army in a stalemate.

The city of Ezhou was of paramount importance to the overall war situation of the Kwantung Army.

Therefore, Oyama Iwao kept mobilizing troops and ordered Sakata Takeo to launch a strong attack from southern Hunan ahead of schedule, assembling in Jiujiang Prefecture to attract the attention of Ximen Tang and relieve the siege of Ezhou City.

Ozawa Kaiki was indeed an experienced general in the Kwantung Army.

He actually withstood the attack from Ximentang and waited for the news that Sakata Takeo had gathered in Jiujiang Prefecture.

therefore,

Xu Xiaodao was ultimately forced to withdraw his troops and head to Jiujiang Prefecture to join forces with Aman's army to confront Sakata Takeo and Oshima Yuutake.

Next,
The general offensive launched by the Kwantung Army against the Daqian Dynasty has officially begun.

-

Xu Xiaodao received intelligence that Sakata Takeo's army had captured Jingzhou and Xiaogan in the Hanzhong region and was assembling a large army to advance towards Jiujiang Prefecture.

then,

Upon receiving Chen Jie's order, Xu Xiaodao immediately withdrew from Ezhou.

Instead of rushing to Jiujiang Prefecture, he first stationed himself in the Huangshi area, waiting for Sakata Takeo's army to pass through Huangshi, and then prepared to launch an ambush on the way.

With the firepower of Ximentang's artillery, as long as preparations are made, an ambush in the field could completely cripple Sakata Takeo's army.

but,

Two days later, according to the news from the front line brought by the scouts of the Ximentang Special Operations Regiment.

Sakata Takeo's army of 150,000 men was surprisingly divided into three routes and marched towards Jiujiang Prefecture.

The three armies advanced side by side, with each army about fifteen li apart.

and,

There were close connections among the three armies.

Ximentang's army had no way to penetrate between the three armies.

The idea of ​​using a divide-and-conquer tactic to defeat them one by one is simply unrealistic.

After all, Xu Xiaodao only led 20,000 elite troops. No matter which route the attack came from, the other two armies would surround and support him.

have to say,

After suffering a major loss in Matsue Prefecture, Sakata Takeo became extremely cautious.

Xu Xiaodao's plan to ambush him was simply impossible to carry out.

Once an ambush is launched, it is easy to get surrounded.

In this situation, if Xu Xiaodao leads Ximentang's army to stay in Huangshi, they are likely to encounter Sakata Takeo's army.

If it were only Sakata Takeo's army, Xu Xiaodao would not be afraid even though the enemy numbered over 100,000.

When the two sides fought positional warfare in the field, Ximentang was never afraid of anyone.

Although Ximentang only had 20,000 troops, the supply train that had departed from Jinling had already arrived.

With three thousand mortars and ample ammunition, Xu Xiaodao was confident that he could completely annihilate the Sakata Army in open field warfare if he launched a flanking maneuver.

However, the army attacking Hanzhong now is not just Sakata Takeo's army.

The other Kwantung Army units didn't know if they would suddenly launch a counter-encirclement and annihilate Xu Xiaodao's 20,000 troops. Moreover,
Aman's army has already stationed near Jiujiang Prefecture.

Xu Xiaodao needed to regroup with Aman as soon as possible. After confirming that it was impossible to ambush Sakata Takeo's army, Xu Xiaodao decisively retreated.

Continuing to be stationed in Huangshifu would likely put them right in the Kwantung Army's encirclement.

If Sakata Takeo were to engage in battle with Ximen Tang's army, he would spare no effort to relentlessly pursue Xu Xiaodao's 20,000 troops.

Next,
The Japanese army will gather forces from all sides to encircle Xu Xiaodao's 20,000 troops.

therefore,

We absolutely cannot allow the Kwantung Army to get hold of us.

Ximen Tang's most outstanding tactic was mobility, which allowed him to fully utilize his tactical strengths and seek opportunities to strike by maneuvering extensively.

Either don't fight at all, or if you do start a war, you must achieve results.

then,

Xu Xiaodao led his army to retreat from Huangshi and secretly moved to the Tieshan District of Huangshi to set up camp.

Simultaneously,

He ordered the elite 3,000 men of the special operations regiment, led by Lin Song, to move ostentatiously toward Ezhou, disguised as Ximentang's main force.

Along the way, the special operations regiment made a lot of noise and created a great disturbance.

It's like the main force of Ximentang is going to detour behind Sakata Takeo to prepare for a pincer attack, to encircle Sakata Takeo's army and confuse the enemy!

really.

Sakata Takeo quickly discovered the movements of the Nishido Special Forces.

He was very wary of Ximentang's tactics, and at the same time regarded the Special Operations Regiment as the main force.

He thought that Ximentang was preparing to attack from both sides, making a large-scale flanking maneuver to cut off his retreat and launch a renewed attack on Ezhou City.

This tactical style perfectly matches Ximentang's wide-ranging movements, infiltrations, and divisions.

therefore,

Sakata Takeo immediately ordered his three armies to move toward Yellowstone City.

He planned to have a major battle with Ximentang's main force in Huangshi Prefecture.

Simultaneously,

He instructed Ozawa Kaiki, who was stationed in Ezhou City, to launch a counter-encirclement and cut off the retreat route of Ximentang's main force.

Sakata Takeo's 150,000-strong Kwantung Army was originally the main force attacking Hanzhong.

therefore,

Upon hearing Sakata Takeo's request, Ozawa Kaiki consulted with Oyama Iwao and quickly dispatched troops to cooperate with Sakata Takeo's army.

Ximentang has already withdrawn his troops from Ezhou City.

Ozawa Kaiki's main force in Ezhou City, aside from suffering heavy casualties at the beginning, did not suffer much damage after entering the city to defend it, and even retained its complete organizational structure.

therefore,

Ozawa Kaiki led his 20,000-strong army out of Ezhou City and headed straight for Huangshi City.

Although 20,000 troops is a relatively small number.

However, Takeo Sakata knew very well that the defense of Ezhou City was very important, and that Ozawa Kaiki was already quite remarkable for leading 20,000 troops to provide support.

After all, once it was confirmed that Ximentang's main force had left Xianning Prefecture, the Guandong Army had to defend Ezhou City with utmost vigilance to ensure the safety of General Dashanyan.

Therefore, Takeo Sakata led a large army, ready to meet Ozawa Kaiki at any time.

In the following period, several legions of the Japanese Allied Forces approached Huangshi City.

of course,

Judging from the marching route, the destination was Jiujiang Prefecture. However, when passing through Huangshi City, Sakata Takeo wanted to annihilate the 20,000 Ximen Hall troops under Xu Xiaodao's command.

The movement of the Kwantung Army's troops was always under the surveillance of the Ximentang Special Operations Regiment's reconnaissance soldiers.

therefore,

Xu Xiaodao and his generals were fully aware of the movements of the Kwantung Army.

for the rest of the time,

Upon learning that Sakata Takeo's army numbered 150,000, they feigned an attack and passed by Huangshi City.

Xu Xiaodao immediately realized that his chance to ambush the Kwantung Army had finally arrived.

Although the distance between the three armies of Sakata's army did not increase, it remained at a distance of about fifteen li.

but,

The right-wing army was separated from the other two armies by a river.

in fact,

When Takeo Sakata passed through Yellowstone City, he sensed something was wrong.

The three armies advanced in unison, but the right flank was cut off by the "Chengxi River" of Huangshi, leaving 50,000 elite troops isolated.

Even if the right-wing army is attacked, it will be difficult for the other two armies under Sakata Takeo to provide rapid support.

not to mention,
According to intelligence, Takeo Sakata already knew that the elite troops of the Ximen Hall were operating in the Huangshifu area.

have to say,

Takeo Sakata was a very ambitious general.

Xu Xiaodao prepared to launch an ambush, while Sakata Takeo also wanted to wipe out Xu Xiaodao's 20,000-strong army.

Neither of them are easy to deal with.

Sakata Takeo thought it best to have the right wing draw away Nishimondo's attention, while simultaneously having the left wing and his main force cross the river to encircle them.

If the right-wing army can hold Ximentang for two hours, then the three armies can surround and annihilate Ximentang's army.

After Xu Xiaodao led his army away from Huangshi Prefecture, they took a long detour and, after half a day of rapid march, arrived at the other side of the West River that afternoon.

Upon seeing the right flank of Sakata Takeo's army, Xu Xiaodao did not hesitate at all and immediately ordered an artillery barrage.

Boom! Boom! Boom!
This time, two thousand mortars were deployed to launch a fierce bombardment against the Sakata Army.

Although Ximentang's numbers were inferior, their firepower far surpassed that of Sakata Takeo's right flank army.

not to mention,
Xi Mentang's fighting spirit was extremely high.

Originally, everyone thought that they would lose a lot of military merit because they would be unable to ambush the Kwantung Army.

Unexpectedly, the right flank of Sakata Takeo's army was eventually cut off by the West River.

No one wants to miss such a good opportunity to make a name for themselves.

Quick victory!

We marched here at breakneck speed, and it was all part of a 'blitzkrieg'!
Therefore, all the soldiers of Ximen Hall roared with excitement.

The mortars began to roar like ferocious beasts at the right flank of Takeo Sakata's army.

Sakata Takeo had always believed that the elite special forces unit led by Lin Song was the main force, and that they were heading towards Huangshifu.

but,

To his surprise, Xu Xiaodao's main force had already set up an ambush at the 'Chengxi River', a place that the right wing of Sakata Takeo's army would inevitably pass through.

The western riverbank outside Huangshi Prefecture was soon engulfed in artillery fire.

Full firepower coverage strike!
For a while,
The right flank of Sakata Takeo's army was caught off guard.

In less than half an hour of fierce fighting, Sakata Takeo's right-wing army was bombed and fled in disarray.

In a true sense, this was not a fierce battle between the two sides, but a one-sided ambush.

Because the Japanese army didn't even know where Ximen Tang's army was.

With the two sides separated by five kilometers, Ximentang's artillery battalion opened fire fiercely.

The destructive power of a full-scale attack from two thousand mortars is unimaginable. (End of Chapter)