Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 167 At the Foot of Dangshan Mountain

The flames of war spread across the wilderness.

The Battle of Dangshan had entered its most critical stage.

The 16th Division's Chief of Staff, Uchida Daihiro, bowed and said, "Your Excellency!"

"The 3rd and 13th Mixed Brigade of the Kwantung Army are heading to Dangshan and will arrive in about three days!"

Upon hearing the time, Nakajima Imao sighed, "Three days?"

"Why so slow!"

Uchida Dahiro hesitated: "This"

The mixed brigade is a mobile unit between the division and the regiment, and its main tasks are to maintain public order and carry out rapid mobile assaults.

The firepower is weak and lacks large-caliber artillery.

But the number is also between 5000 and 6000.

Two mixed brigades, with tens of thousands of troops, covered dozens of kilometers in three days, which was already very fast.

I can't wait any longer today, Nakajima.

He tilted his head: "How many troops do we have left?"

Hearing this, Uchida Daihiro's face became even uglier: "The 38th Regiment lost more than half of its troops and has been transferred to the reserve. The 9th and 20th Regiments suffered heavy casualties, with more than 33 soldiers killed. The rd Regiment is in a better condition, and its squadron-level organization is intact."

"The Cavalry Regiment lost 5 soldiers, and the Tank Regiment lost Type tanks and Type tanks."

"Logistics, the Engineer Regiment suffered heavy losses"

"We have no more reserve troops."

Uchida Daihiro said a lot, and Nakajima Imago forced himself to listen to it, then slammed the table.

"Why is this happening!"

"Why is this happening!!!"

"idiot!"

Uchida Daihiro took a step back: "Mr. Nakajima."

"The enemy has a strong advantage in heavy firepower. There are at least twenty guns with a caliber of 105 mm or more."

Upon hearing this, Nakajima Imago became even more angry:
"Why does the Chinese army have so many heavy artillery? Why!"

Uchida Daihiro was speechless and stood there in a daze without saying a word.

Of course, it was captured from friendly forces.
After venting his emotions, Nakajima Imao stared at the battle sand table.

My brain was working rapidly, trying to think of how to continue defending.

After dark, the garrison's offensive became more fierce.

The shells seemed to have eyes. Logistics warehouses, supply depots, and command posts at all levels all suffered varying degrees of bombardment.

This situation is unprecedented.

There were even a few 150mm grenades that fell directly into Dangshan City and detonated an artillery warehouse.

Uchida Daihiro thought for a moment, mustered up the courage to step forward and said, "General, should we evacuate the command post..."

Nakajima Imao frowned and interrupted with a wave of his hand: "Don't make it public. The division staff and the communications department will be the first to leave the city and rebuild the command post three kilometers north of the county seat."

All signs indicate that Dangshan County is no longer safe.

The enemy's artillery shells were already able to hit the city directly.

Last time it fell into a warehouse, causing a large-scale explosion.

I don’t know about next time.

It could be other logistics warehouses, or a field hospital, a water supply station, or even a division staff headquarters.

It's not without precedent!

Uchida Daihiro nodded, took a step back, bowed slightly, and then quickly left the command post.

The reason why we don't want to make it public is very simple.

Dangshan County was the center of this battle.

The main area contested by both sides.

Now that the division command post has evacuated the county town, its significance is equivalent to - two countries are at war, and the enemy's head of state has already fled before the enemy army has even reached the capital.

Especially at this critical juncture, the front-line troops are retreating step by step. If there is any more movement in the rear, the soldiers will easily develop a mentality of passive resistance.

If it comes to this, there is really no way to save the situation.

Nakajima Imao looked at the situation of the two armies on the sand table. Flags symbolizing the garrison were surrounding Dangshan County in a semicircle. Thinking of this, a sense of oppression suddenly surged in his heart.

"Three days."

“Three fully staffed divisions”

In this battle, neither side had any clever tactics.

With the help of daytime air force reconnaissance, he could see almost all of his opponent's cards.

The deployment of troops, movement trajectory, direction of defense line and everything else are all at your fingertips.

But even so, it still feels hard to resist.

Although they were at a slight disadvantage in numbers, Nakajima Imago believed that this was not the reason for their failure.

It’s just three divisions, what’s the big deal?

Last year in Nanjing and Shanghai.

A battalion can break through the defense of a brigade, a regiment can chase after a division, and a brigade can beat an army into a panic and make it flee in defeat.

This is definitely not because of the military strength!

Nakajima Imago took a deep breath, his heartstrings tense.

Ever since he learned that artillery shells had hit the county town, he had always felt that there was a sword hanging over his head that could fall at any time.

In an instant, you will put yourself to death.

"Didi-di-!"

The telegraph machine made a hurried sound and the signalman's hurried footsteps were heard.

Nakajima Imao went out the door, his chest rising and falling.

Leaving the city with the staff now may ensure your life safety.

But the division commander is in a high position and many eyes are watching him. As soon as he leaves the city, the news will spread out, and the soldiers under him will definitely be in chaos, affecting the overall situation.

If you don't withdraw
Nakajima Imao thought of his senior, Ushijima Sadao, the commander of the 18th Division who was killed in the artillery fire.

“Heavy artillery.”

Nakajima Imago was hesitant in his heart.

As a graduate of the Artillery Department of the Army Officer School, he is considered a professional artillery officer.

He has a deep understanding of artillery, especially the various types of artillery produced in this country.

I know how difficult long-range precision bombing is.

The longer the distance, the lower the probability of hitting the target with the first shot. Even if the artillery parameters are determined in advance, it is difficult to achieve such an effect.

Landing point deviations of hundreds of meters are all considered within the normal range.

But even so, the Chinese army's artillery shells still seemed to have eyes.

"Signal Corps!"

"Order the 33rd Regiment to retreat and deploy fortifications in the city!"

------

The left wing of the 16th Division.

Wu Guangsheng pushed aside the tent curtain, looking anxious: "The second and third battalions have withdrawn. Do we need to send more up?"

Zhang Hu's heart skipped a beat. "Damn it! I don't believe this! What's going on in Wuji Village? Isn't there only half a brigade?"

Wu Guangsheng pointed on the map: "Originally there was only half a battalion, but half an hour ago, the Japanese army suddenly sent reinforcements here."

"It's a large scale. According to the firepower on the battlefield, there are at least two battalions of Japanese troops currently gathering in the Wuji Village area."

"what?"

Wu Guangsheng continued, "There is a mound on the southwest side of Wuji Village, about 400 to 500 meters wide and 800 to 900 meters long, with a height difference of about 50 to 60 meters."

"After the Japanese army came to support, they built fortifications here. Several Type 94 tanks were lying in the trenches, directly becoming heavy machine gun firing points."

Zhang Hu was a little surprised: "The tank broke down on its own accord?"

Wu Guangsheng's face was heavy: "Yes!"

"Within 20 minutes of fighting, the brothers blew up a tank. After that, the Japanese learned their lesson and pushed the tank into the trench."

"The Type 7.7 tank has no tank gun, only a mm heavy machine gun mounted in the turret. It is much more stable when firing, and coupled with the outer armor, it is far more difficult to deal with than a heavy machine gun site."

Zhang Hu looked down at the time, feeling extremely anxious.

It was already the second half of the night, and the deadline set by the headquarters was getting closer and closer. We couldn't delay any longer. "How is the rest of the Fourth Battalion going?"

Wu Guangsheng glanced at the battle map: "It should be OK!"

Zhang Hu waved his hand and said, "Order the Fourth Battalion to march out immediately to join the battle of Wuji Village."

"Tell E Yi that I'll give him another hour. Don't come back to see me if you can't win!"

Wu Guangsheng responded, turned around and quickly left the tent.

Right now the battle line is only about ten kilometers.

It sounds wide, but there are too many soldiers!
The full strength of the 1st Column is nearly 10,000 troops, almost equivalent to the standard infantry division of the National Army.

It was impossible to send all nine infantry battalions under his command at once, and an overly crowded battle line would be counterproductive.

Usually, four or five infantry battalions would fight on the front line, with the other battalions watching from behind.

After taking a key position.

The original attacking force took a short rest on the spot, and the follow-up troops crossed over to start the next round of offensive.

A very standard "rotation tactic".

It not only avoids the problem of battlefield congestion, but also improves attack efficiency.

The attack has been going on from last night till now, for more than 24 hours. Otherwise, even if the heavenly soldiers and generals came, it would be difficult to withstand it.

Zhang Hu thought about it, then walked out of the command post and waved to the guards: "Prepare the car, I'm going to the front line!"

------

April 4th, 25:1 am
The 4th Column Command Camp.

Under the moonlight, Wang Feng and his party walked in. Chu Yunfei, Sun Ming and others immediately stood up and said, "Hello, sir!"

Wang Feng responded casually: "Why are the troops standing still?"

Chu Yunfei hurriedly explained: "The Japanese army reorganized its defenses and deployed its main force on the front battlefield. According to the news from the front line, the Japanese army also used chemical weapons."

Zhao Fangyuan pulled out a chair, and Wang Feng sat on it. He sighed, "I have ordered the 1st and 6th columns to intensify the attack. You, the 4th column, just need to hold back the Japanese army."

To be honest, this battle was not easy.

Different from previous defensive battles.

The Japanese army no longer took the initiative to attack, but built fortifications on the spot, waiting for the garrison to arrive.

Large-scale military operations in the Great Plains.

The field combat advantages of the Japanese Army's elite Type A Division were fully utilized.

Fortunately, there were as many as three columns of troops participating in the battle.

If the number of people is equal, the confrontation might last for another month.

Chu Yunfei came up and said, "Sir, are you going to make dumplings?"

Wang Feng nodded: "Well, the Japanese army is changing, and we have to change our strategy accordingly."

"You four columns will hold back the elite troops of the 16th Division, while the first and sixth columns will launch a pincer attack to cut off the enemy's retreat route back to Dangshan!"

Sun Ming seized the opportunity and replied, "Commander, what you said makes sense. The Japanese army's adjustment of defense this time shows their intentions. They must want to delay the battle and consume our strength."

"If we want to win this battle quickly, the best strategy is to play to our strengths and avoid our weaknesses!"

Once someone started talking, other staff officers in the command post also congratulated him.

Wang Feng clapped his hands: "Alright!"

"A great war is imminent, everyone should do their part and make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Report any situation immediately!"

All the officers saluted in unison: "Yes!"

------

7:24
All night long, there was a burst of gunfire in the fields.

The columns advanced forward one after another, and the vanguard of the 4th column arrived at the foot of Dangshan City in time before dawn.

It can be said that the combat mission assigned by Wang Feng was completed.

Chu Yunfei walked over quickly, stood at attention, and saluted: "Report to the commander, I have accomplished the mission!"

"We beat the Japanese so badly that, except for a small number of troops, they all retreated into the city."

Looking at the city wall in the distance, Wang Feng nodded, feeling very satisfied.

"Well done!"

Chu Yunfei responded and stood sideways beside Wang Feng.

Zhao Fangyuan seemed worried: "Sir, we are advancing so fast, it seems that the devils did it on purpose."

The officers of the 4th Column present were stunned.

Was it intentional?
Chu Yunfei remained expressionless after hearing this. Last night, Wang Feng personally went to the front-line command post to supervise the battle. He participated in the formulation of tactics throughout the whole process and felt that this battle seemed to be going too smoothly.

A fully staffed Type A division.

The combat effectiveness of the most elite troop category of the Japanese Army should not be so weak.

After only five days of fighting, they retreated at least 20 kilometers.

Late last night, after a brief contact between the two sides, we could feel that the Japanese army was retreating in an orderly manner.

It seemed as if they were trying to feign defeat.

After Wang Feng thought about it, his consciousness switched to the bird's-eye view interface and he stretched his perspective forward.

Dangshan County comes into view.

I don’t know, I was surprised

In the small county town, small red dots are densely clustered together, and from a macro perspective, the specific units can no longer be seen.

Just a hint of red.

Only by zooming in can you see the detailed activity trajectory of each little red dot.

"so much?"

Wang Feng was a little frightened.

Seeing this, he had roughly guessed the Japanese army's tactics.

Using brutal street fighting as bait, they lured away most of the main force, while ambushing troops several kilometers outside the city.

Once the main force of the enemy entered the city, the ambush troops on both wings immediately appeared and rushed into the city to attack from both inside and outside.

It is somewhat similar to the Battle of Taierzhuang.

Wang Feng switched his consciousness back to reality:

"Indeed."

"The devils want to have a bloody 'hand-to-hand combat' with us in the city!"

"I guess the Japanese commander on the other side expected that we would be arrogant and advance recklessly, just like the 18th Division during the Huaibei Campaign."

When saying this, Wang Feng felt a little emotional.

In the past, we always expected that the Japanese army would underestimate the enemy and advance rashly, but since some time ago, the offense and defense of both sides have changed.

Zhao Fangyuan realized the seriousness of the problem.

Last night, we were only thinking about advancing quickly, but the combat troops ended up reaching the outskirts of Dangshan City.

But the supplies are still behind!

If we attack the city now, we will most likely be defeated.

"Sir, what should we do now?"

Wang Feng sighed: "Put the offensive on hold, and get the logistical supplies here first!"

The infantry was retreating, but the airspace still belonged to the Army Aviation.

The supply line is too long, and the probability of encountering air raids and bombings is greatly increased.

The tactical intention is so obvious. As long as the opposing division commander is not a fool, he will definitely order the air force to raid the supply line.

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, the people in the city"

Wang Feng looked bitter and shook his head: "The 16th Division is known for massacring civilians."

Having said that, anyone can understand.

From a bird's-eye view, the Japanese army occupied all the houses, and there were Japanese soldiers hiding in almost every house.

Under such circumstances, it is impossible for the people to survive.

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I am back!

There were supposed to be two updates today, each with 4,000 words.

But the next chapter is stuck in review. I don’t know what I wrote, but it triggered the keywords. It was blocked before it was sent out. I’m still reading it. Don’t wait. The review will be done tomorrow (this paragraph is free of charge)
(End of this chapter)