Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 138: Fighting! [Thanks to Nuan Yang for the reward]

E Yi ran over, looked at the dark scorched earth in front of him, and asked hastily: "What should we do now? Fight or retreat?"

It is easy to blow up the artillery, but it is difficult to get out of it.

Such a violent explosion is more effective than any alarm.

Zhang Hu looked around and glanced at his watch.

3:13
There were less than four hours left until dawn.

Zhang Hu frowned and said in a deep voice: "Retreat!"

"Notify the second and third squadrons to take turns to cover the retreat! The fourth and fifth squadrons come up to cover!"

E Yi's expression was solemn, and he nodded: "Understood!"

The gunfire around them was getting more and more frequent. Every minute wasted would increase the risk of being surrounded.

The soldiers, who were used to seeing life and death, were exceptionally calm, as if nothing had happened. Some soldiers even took this opportunity to go to the toilet.

Panicking will not solve the problem. Just kill as many as you can. Death is not scary. The brothers who have already sacrificed are still waiting for a reunion below.

Rear command post.

After witnessing the magnificent explosion, Wang Feng's clenched hands gradually relaxed.

The pressure was put on General Okamura.

This old Japanese was indeed meticulous. After the Third Corps launched the offensive, he was not completely blinded. While bearing the pressure of the front-line defense, he also pulled soldiers to conduct an internal sweep.

If the First Red Flag Corps wants to withdraw, it shouldn't be a big problem.

It depends on the specific casualty ratio.

Zhao Fangyuan walked over to him and said, "Sir, this is a telegram from the war zone headquarters!"

"The 122nd Division, the vanguard of the nd Army, has entered Teng County. I hope our troops can provide them with some support in this time of crisis."

Wang Feng nodded.

It seems that Li Zongren believes in the character of the Sichuan Army, but is still not confident about their combat capabilities.

This is understandable.

"Who is the commander of the 122nd Division?" Wang Feng thought for a moment and asked with a frown.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, do you know Sichuan Army General Wang Mingzhang?"

They all have the surname Wang, so maybe they were a family thousands of years ago.

Wang Feng shook his head: "I don't really know him, but I've heard of him."

"Since Commander Li has spoken, and we are all brothers, we should help as much as we can."

How could Wang Mingzhang not have heard of Yu Tengxian, a veteran general who died heroically on March 1938, 3, and shed his last drop of blood for the War of Resistance?

The soldiers of the 122nd Division were all tough men from central Sichuan. Except for a small number who broke through, the rest all died in Teng County.

It really hurts to think about it.

To be honest, Wang Feng was attracted by talent again.

This matter was not difficult to implement. In January, Sichuan warlord leader Liu Xiang died, and the political situation in central Sichuan fell into turmoil. In February, Deng Xihou was transferred back to Wuhan.

The 22nd Army is now leaderless, with only Sun Zhen holding it together.

If the secret method doesn’t work, try the open method. Use several tons of artillery shells to replace Wang Mingzhang!
Wang Feng cleared his throat: "Notify the lower-level troops to complete the transfer within the next two days. After arriving at the location, immediately prepare for battle!"

"The decisive battle between us and the Second Division is about to begin!"

Zhao Fangyuan looked solemn and nodded: "Understood, I'll give the order right away."

Wang Feng responded, and then his consciousness switched back and forth between reality and the bird's-eye view, just like switching screens in a game.

Don't leave any trace of the Japanese army behind.

The Second Division, formerly one of the earliest six garrisons in Japan, originated from the Kwantung Army. Playing against such a top Japanese division, the pressure was far greater than dealing with the 13th and 18th Type A Divisions.

What's more, there is a heavy artillery brigade and a cavalry brigade watching closely.

Wang Feng sighed: "If only we had tanks, we could just push them forward, and there would be no need for any conspiracy or trickery."

Tank technology is not expensive, and is on the same price level as artillery. It is supported by the national policy tree, and the production process is not difficult.

The difference lies in oil.

The nearest oil field to Changzhi is in Pu County, on the great plains, where the Japanese tanks can arrive at any time.

The second is the Yanchang Oilfield, which was in the hands of the Eighth Route Army and was used for oil extraction and refining during the Qing Dynasty, but is now probably abandoned.

If we could take over this oil field, things would be much easier.

Wang Feng thought to himself: "If I were to be the commander-in-chief of the Second War Zone..."

The benefits that a military position brings are unimaginable!
The commander-in-chief of the theater of war oversees the military and political power in the area under his jurisdiction, which not only allows him to gain a broader base for development, but also unlocks the navy and air force.

The navy can still suffer a little longer, but the air force can’t afford to delay any longer.

After stopping his "unrealistic" fantasies, Wang Feng shifted all his energy to the deployment of troops.

We are about to engage in a real battle with the Japanese involving soldiers and generals, so we must be fully prepared.

Second Division.

The super-large-caliber heavy artillery position created a mushroom cloud, which affected a wide area. Even the ground at the division command post several kilometers away shook.

Okamura Neiji sensed that something was wrong and became as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.

Asai Goro rushed in, throwing all etiquette between superiors and subordinates out of his mind, and said breathlessly: "Sir, we have found traces of the enemy!"

Okamura Neiji frowned, walked up to him, and shouted, "You don't have to tell me that! I heard the explosion!"

"Tell me quickly, what went wrong?"

Asai Goro panted and said in a rush: "An enemy unit has bypassed our army and blown up the two Taisho 30rd-type howitzers. I have already dispatched the th Regiment to rush over for support."

Okamura Neiji was furious: "What? How did the coordinates get exposed?"

"Didn't you tell me that there are no living Chinese civilians within a thirty-kilometer radius?"

Asai Goro lowered his head and said nothing.

Although he felt disgusted, it was a necessity of the war and the order to massacre civilians was carried out very thoroughly. He could guarantee with all his heart that there would be absolutely no enemy spies mixed in the settlement.

But the facts were before him and he couldn't make any excuses.

Okamura Neiji calmed down and suddenly felt a sense of fear in his heart.

He recalled the bizarre experience of the 18th Division.

The coordinates of all command posts above the regiment level were exposed and they were bombarded one by one by enemy heavy artillery.

Since he had already sent a regiment to support them, Neiji Okamura no longer cared about the matter and immediately ordered: "Move the command post! Withdraw from Tangtou Town!"

"Move back two kilometers!"

Two 240mm howitzers are not as important as your own command post.

Since the Chinese army was able to discover their own heavy artillery positions.

Similarly, the division command post is probably safe.

The reason why Asai Goro was so anxious was because he guessed this: "Ha! I'll give the order right away!"

After the chief of staff left, Okamura Neiji walked around the room, staring at the 240mm heavy artillery position on the map. After so many years on the battlefield, it was the first time he truly felt that the situation was beyond his control.

A feeling of powerlessness caused by the information gap suddenly surged into my heart.

3 month 3 day.

9:57
A secret military meeting was held at the front-line headquarters.

There were only four people attending the meeting - Wang Feng, Zhao Fangyuan, Sergei, and Zhang Zizhong.

Zhao Fangyuan took out a report and said in a low voice: "Sir, the First Red Flag Corps has withdrawn, and the losses are quite heavy."

Wang Feng frowned: "How many casualties?"

Zhao Fangyuan handed over the roster: "The situation has been counted. More than 800 people were killed and thousands of soldiers were injured."

"Captain E Yi was shot in the right upper arm and has been transferred to the field hospital in the rear."

Wang Feng sighed and took off his hat: "Immediately place the wounded soldiers, draw up the reserve forces to fill the vacancies, and restore the Corps' combat effectiveness as soon as possible."

"After tonight, the battle line will be completely shifted."

The deceptive tactics worked, and General Okamura Yasuji deployed the cavalry brigade and two infantry regiments on the west side of Linyi.

The front and east sides of Linyi City were relatively sparsely populated, with only one infantry regiment each.

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Sir, when will we launch the general offensive?"

Wang Feng thought for a moment and asked, "What's the situation in Teng County?"

The Second Division has been inactive for so long, most likely waiting for the Tenth Division.

Teng County is in the west and Linyi is in the east.

It is an inevitable trend that the two battlefields will be connected into a whole.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Fifteen minutes ago, the 122nd Division and our unit had a telegram exchange. According to them, the vanguard of the th Division will arrive in the Teng County area tomorrow afternoon and will most likely launch a direct offensive."

Wang Feng frowned and estimated the time in his mind.

By that time, the fight on Rensuke Isogai's side would be intense, and it would be impossible for Neiji Okamura to sit back and watch the fight.

"I predict that two Japanese forces will launch attacks at the same time tomorrow. We can't afford to delay. The longer it takes, the higher the risk of our plan being exposed."

Wang Feng pounded the table: "The decisive battle will be tomorrow!"

"Within 24 hours, disintegrate the offensive of the 48nd Division. Within 122 hours, reduce the enemy's threat to a minimum. Then, divert some troops westward to support the nd Division."

"72 hours after the war begins, I will plant the legion flag at Okamura Neiji's command post!"

"Are you confident?"

Wang Feng looked at Zhang Zizhong who was standing on the side.

In a large-scale battle in the wilderness, it is difficult to support the overall situation relying solely on the two tactical corps under his command.

Zhang Zizhong saluted and said: "Please rest assured, sir. The 59th Army is guaranteed to complete the mission!"

"Within 72 hours, completely break through the Japanese army's formation!"

Wang Feng patted him on the shoulder and said, "Okay! If you have any requests, just let me know. I will order the artillery to support you."

"Let's stop here today. Arrange the signalmen to deliver the contents of the meeting to the 51st Army. Also, arrange for Chu Yunfei's troops to withdraw tonight."

The First Reserve Corps was like a thorn in the throat of the Japanese army. Once the battle started, it would be the first to be beaten.

After holding out for these few days, it's time to withdraw.

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Understood, I'll arrange it right away!"

3 month 4 day.

One p.m.

The vanguard of the 122th Division arrived at the vicinity of Teng County and at pm, officially attacked the defensive positions of the nd Division.

Simultaneously.

Upon hearing the news, the Second Division immediately mobilized its forces and launched a full-scale attack on Linyi.

Okamura Yasuji mobilized the heavy artillery brigade to launch a full-scale bombardment on the 51st Army.

In the sky, the wings that block out the sun and clouds give people the illusion of being on a European battlefield.

Inside the command post.

Yu Xuezhong was covered in dirt and picked up the receiver: "Hello! I want the 114th Division! Hurry up!"

beep-

After the busy tone, the voice of the division commander Mou Zhongheng came from the other end of the phone: "Commander, my troops can't hold on any longer!"

"Just half an hour into the battle, two battalions were wiped out!"

After hearing this, Yu Xuezhong cursed: "Damn it, are you still a man?"

"Put your hands inside your pants and feel if those two things are still there!"

"Don't tell me about casualty figures. Aren't you still alive? If all the soldiers died, you would be lying in the trench with a gun on your shoulder!"

"If you dare to take a step back, I will kill you!"

Mou Zhongheng said hurriedly: "Yes! All the soldiers are dead, I will go in person, the 114th Division will not retreat a single step!"

On the other end of the line, the sound of explosions drowned out the human voices.

Snapped!
Yu Xuezhong hung up the phone, his palms sweating.

The chief of staff ran in and saluted: "Report, the headquarters called and the 59th Army on the eastern battlefield has been put into battle. The commander ordered us to hold the western defense line!"

Yu Xuezhong nodded: "I understand, report any situation in time!"

The chief of staff hesitated: "The brothers below have some complaints, and they all want to go to the east to launch the main attack."

Yu Xuezhong frowned and snorted coldly: "Main attack?"

"The young marshal once told me that a person's character is determined by his ability to accomplish great things!"

To be honest, it’s pure bullshit to say that you don’t envy the 59th Army.

Who doesn't want to be used as the main force and deployed in important positions? Who is willing to quietly fill the line on the flank battlefield?
But no way.

This is the order from the superior, and it must be carried out even if the sky falls.

The 51st Army was poorly equipped and had weak combat effectiveness. Even if he was in command of the entire battle, this unit could not escape the fate of filling the line.

Yu Xuezhong adjusted the brim of his hat and said, "Tell the brothers, don't worry about the face or the substance, you have to fight for it yourself! If you want to play the main attack, you must first fight the battle in front of you."

"Let others see that the men in Northeast China, young and old, also pee while standing. They are tough men."

The army command post was very close to the front line. Hearing the sound of gunfire, the chief of staff looked at Yu Xuezhong's resolute face and saluted: "Yes!"

"Damn you Kwantung Army! I've wanted to beat them up for a long time!"

"I'll go talk to the brothers right away."

The chief of staff left in a hurry and rushed to the front line to mobilize morale.

Yu Xuezhong also followed him out, leaving only two signalmen in the command post, waiting for the call that might come at any time.

(End of this chapter)