Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 181 The “New” Fifth Division

Dangshan.

Dusk enveloped the fields, which should have been extremely quiet, but at this moment they were bustling with activity.

"Brother over there, come over here and give me a hand!"

"Help me!"

The engineers waved their shovels and dug the soft soil beneath their feet.

The Japanese army's advance was much faster than expected, so they had to rush to build fortifications overnight to ensure the stability of the defense line.

Chu Yunfei put his hands behind his back and went to the front line to inspect in person.

In the circular fortification next to me, three engineers were turning the soil with round shovels and piling sandbags into a jagged firing line.

Seeing his superior coming to the front line, an engineer hurriedly dropped his shovel and was about to salute, but Chu Yunfei raised his hand to stop him.

"Thank you for your hard work, brothers. The Japanese invaders are coming in full force. Every shovel of soil is a matter of life and death. Let's speed up the construction!" Chu Yunfei cleared his throat, picked up the iron bridge and handed it to the engineer.

"Yes!"

Seeing Chu Yunfei so approachable, the engineer shouted softly.

Hurried footsteps came from behind. Sun Ming was holding a telegram in his hand, and his feet were covered with mud. "Sir!"

"There's news!"

"The General Staff called back!"

Chu Yunfei turned around immediately: "Hurry up and tell me!"

"Are there any reinforcements?"

Sun Ming took a breath and said, "The General Staff sent a telegram saying that the Fifth War Zone has sent reinforcements, about four armies!"

Chu Yunfei was a little surprised: "Four armies?"

Sun Ming nodded: "Yes!"

"But these four armies cannot reach Dangshan immediately. The nearest army will take at least a day to reach."

Chu Yunfei took the telegram and glanced at it.

[Although our army is already exhausted, the country is in crisis and the mountains and rivers are broken. As Chinese soldiers, how can we stand idly by and ignore it? The Fifth War Zone is willing to do its best to assist friendly forces in blocking the Japanese invaders to ensure a stable situation.]

"it is good!"

Chu Yunfei folded the telegram and exclaimed loudly.

The Fifth War Zone sent four armies. Although the organization may not be complete, there are at least 50,000 to 60,000 people. Although this amount of troops cannot completely wipe out the Japanese army, it should not be a problem to resist for a few months.

"Report to the commander!" A staff officer came running over quickly, looking anxious.

"The spies on the front line sent back news that the Japanese vanguard is less than three kilometers away from here!"

Chu Yunfei glanced at the dark night in front of the battlefield: "Notify all camps to prepare for battle immediately!"

"Prepare the car, follow me back to the command post immediately!"

Sun Ming: “Yes!”

--------

Single County.

Wang Feng was dozing off while leaning back in his chair when he was awakened by the sound of hurried footsteps. He opened his eyes and saw that the person coming was Zhao Fangyuan.

"What's going on? What happened in Dangshan?"

Zhao Fangyuan approached, his boots tapping on the blue brick floor. "Sir, I got the news!"

"The main force of the Japanese troops attacking from Xuzhou this time is the Fifth Division."

Wang Feng muttered, tapping the table with his knuckles: "Fifth Division."

"Who is the new division commander?"

Zhao Fangyuan shook his head. "There are no detailed information yet, but it is said that the new division commander had been studying in Prussia before, and he was entrusted with such an important task as soon as he returned to Japan."

Wang Feng disagreed.

The relationship between Japan and Prussia has always been ambiguous. After the outbreak of the full-scale war of resistance against Japan, Prussia leaned towards Japan.

It is not surprising to have international students in military academies.

"Any other news?"

Zhao Fangyuan continued, "According to reliable information, after Terauchi Hisaichi and Hata Shunroku met in Xuzhou, they held a military parade in the city, and there was a tank that had never been seen before!"

Wang Feng raised his eyebrows.

Never seen a tank before?

"parade?"

“The public is invited to watch?”

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "After the Fifth War Zone evacuated, they implemented a policy of clearing the countryside in Xuzhou. There were no people left in the city. In order to gather enough people, the devils captured people from the villages and towns outside the city."

Wang Feng asked anxiously: "Then what?"

"A small number of people from the surrounding areas were released, but most of them were gathered up by the Japanese and their whereabouts are unknown!" Zhao Fangyuan sighed.

Being rounded up by the Japanese army, one can imagine what happened to them.

Wang Feng slammed his fist on the table: "What's with the tank?"

Zhao Fangyuan took out a few photos and said, "These were taken by the secret agents at the military parade. Sir, please take a look."

Wang Feng picked up a picture. It was in black and white and not very clear.

"Type 97 tank?"

The first time he saw it, the name popped into his mind.

This is so familiar!

When I played "World of Tanks" in my previous life, whether it was the C series or the R series, this tank was unavoidable in the early stages.

Zhao Fangyuan was a little surprised: "Type 97 tank?"

"Do you know him, sir?"

"I've heard a little bit about it." Wang Feng waved his hand and whispered in his heart, "Not only do I know him, I've also driven it virtually."

Zhao Fangyuan believed it and said, "Sir, how good is the performance of this tank? Do we still need to blow it up with grenades?"

As he said this, there was deep worry in his eyes.

Compared with the current national army, the weapons and equipment of the Japanese army are already advanced enough. If they continue to be updated, this war will be impossible to fight.

Wang Feng: “Performance”

"Cluster grenades may not be so effective anymore."

Although the Type 97 medium tank was inferior to European and American medium tanks of the same period in terms of firepower, armor and mobility, it was not completely useless.

On the Asian battlefield, there is really no one who can match him.

If I remember correctly, the thickness of the front armor of this tank reached 25 mm.

The "Bean Tank" can be destroyed by cluster grenades, and its thickest armor is only 12 mm.

Moreover, the materials are different. As the newest tank of the Japanese Army, the Type 97 tank may be equipped with more advanced steel armor.

There is no comparison between the two.

Zhao Fangyuan frowned: "The grenade doesn't work anymore"

"Sir, how about transferring those anti-tank guns to the Fourth Column?"

At the critical moment, he remembered the only four Pak35/36 37mm anti-tank guns.

Wang Feng agreed immediately: "Yes!"

"Move it over immediately. Send a message to the artillery column and have that 122mm heavy artillery transported back to Dangshan!"

The Jin-made 122mm howitzer has an extremely flexible firing angle and can be laid flat for direct firing, while also taking into account anti-tank capabilities.

His prototype gun, an improved version of the Soviet M1931 (A-19), was used to counter the Tiger tank during the Great Patriotic War.

It was the only large-caliber artillery in the army at that time that could deal with heavy tanks.

The domestically produced Jin-made heavy artillery inherited at least 80% of the bloodline. In theory, dealing with the Type tank would be as easy as eating and drinking.

Zhao Fangyuan saluted: "Yes!"

------

Zhengzhou.

There was a knock on the door.

The Chief of Staff of the First War Zone, Dong Yingbin, walked into Cheng Qian’s office.

"report!"

Commander-in-Chief Cheng Qian raised his head, saw who was coming, and closed the cap of the pen in his hand: "Charter! Where did the chairman come from just now?"

"What did you say?"

Dong Yingbin nodded and said, "Sir, the chairman asked me to tell you that he will go to Kaifeng to supervise the battle in person."

Cheng Qian stood up immediately: "Go to Kaifeng to supervise the battle?" "Nonsense!"

"Our troops are fighting fiercely with the Japanese army on the front line, and now the supreme commander is personally on the front line. How shameful!"

Dong Yingbin responded: "The relevant vehicles and horses are ready, and we are just waiting for the escort team to arrive."

Cheng Qian's eyes widened: "Didn't you stop him?"

Dong Yingbin looked embarrassed: "I have repeatedly dissuaded you, but the chairman insisted."

Cheng Qian was extremely anxious.

He knew Chiang Kai-shek too well.

I guess half of the reason why he was clamoring to go to Kaifeng was because of me.

Dong Yingbin: "Sir, what should we do?"

Cheng Qian paced back and forth on the ground, feeling somewhat angry.

The 14th Division has been unable to capture the city for a long time, and the war zone has dragged on until today. What does this have to do with me?
It’s all because you brought that incompetent General Gui Yongqing!

Xue Boling was fighting the Japanese fiercely on the front line, and his marching and deployment were quite methodical, but you insisted on rearranging them and starting all over again.

Why was Wang Feng so dominant on the front line?
Half of the reason is that there is no outsider interference in the combat command.

"Go again and tell the chairman that Kenji Doihara is just so-so and it's not worth the chairman's personal visit. Just tell him that I will leave immediately and rush to Kaifeng. Please rest assured!"

Well, leaving Zhengzhou will give me some peace and quiet.

Dong Yingbin was in a dilemma. He didn't want to go to the headquarters again.

Cheng Qian saw that the other party was standing still, and he immediately understood what was going on. He said helplessly:
"I'll go there myself!"

After saying that, he straightened the hem of his military uniform and walked out the door quickly.

Dong Yingbin turned around and looked at Cheng Qian's departing back, feeling relieved.

"Fuck it, I'm not going to put up with that!"

Cheng Qian walked slowly in the corridor and turned around to see that Dong Yingbin had not caught up with him.

I couldn't help feeling annoyed.

He had long wanted to replace his chief of staff.

Born in the Northeast Army, he was a native of Fengtian. During the Xi'an military rebellion, he served as the acting chief of staff of the headquarters and was in charge of commanding all operations.

After the incident subsided, they were all ordered to step down.

After the fall of Peiping and Tianjin, it was reactivated.

Although he was very active in the war of resistance, he was not very polite to his superiors.

------

5 month 19 day.

Wang Feng is reading the battle report from the front line.

Last night, a skirmish broke out between the 4th Column and the 5th Division, and both sides suffered losses.

In the telegram sent by Chu Yunfei, more than half of it was about the Japanese Type 97 tank.

The big guy with a combat weight of 15 tons is really a supermodel on the Asian battlefield.
Zhao Fangyuan walked in: "Sir!"

"News from Zhengzhou!"

Wang Feng lowered his head and flipped through the papers: "Read!"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Last night, the committee members left Zhengzhou on a special plane and returned to Wuhan."

Wang Feng raised his eyebrows: "Is Chang Kai-shen gone?"

"I think Xue Yue will feel a lot more relaxed now!"

Zhao Fangyuan smiled knowingly: "Before leaving, the chairman sent a telegram to all the troops in the First War Zone, trying to boost morale one last time."

Wang Feng: "What did you say?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Only by making great sacrifices can we achieve great results."

Wang Feng was speechless for a moment.

Big sacrifice, big results
Is this telling the lower-level officers and soldiers that fighting in a war is a matter of life and death?
He is worthy of being a graduate of Tokyo Jinbu School, his "pig rush tactics" are exactly the same as the Japanese devils'.

No matter how much you complain in your heart, it is undeniable that if you want to win at this stage, sometimes you really have to rely on human lives.

But you can't hold this idea in mind right from the start.

Zhao Fangyuan continued, "Two hours after the chairman left, the Henan East Corps reorganized a counterattack. After a night of bloody fighting, the 64th Army had captured Luowang Station on the west side of Lanfeng."

Wang Feng: "The 64th Army?"

"Is it the Central Army or..."

Zhao Fangyuan added: "It's the Guangdong Army!"

Wang Feng suddenly realized.

So that's why. No wonder it sounds familiar.

This army is quite famous and is a unit capable of fighting tough battles.

Wang Feng stood up and asked: "What is the situation in Shan County?"

"We've spent two days fighting the devils here. We can't drag it on any longer!"

Zhao Fangyuan: "In yesterday's night battle, our troops have broken through the Japanese army's defense line. Everything is going well now!"

Wang Feng looked at the battle map: "Okay!"

"Order the First Column to speed up the movement. After clearing out the remaining Japanese forces, immediately move westward and cut off the 14th Division's retreat!"

Zhao Fangyuan saluted: "Yes!"

After the order was given, Wang Feng no longer paid attention to the battle situation, but when he saw that Zhao Fangyuan still had something to say, he couldn't help feeling a little confused.

"what happened?"

Zhao Fangyuan looked around and confirmed that no one was around, then he said softly, "Sir, do you still remember the 47th Army?"

Wang Feng thought for a moment: "47th Army?"

"Sichuan Army. Li Jiayu's troops?"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded: "Half an hour ago, Commander Li sent a telegram of inquiry. Now someone in the headquarters is impeaching the 47th Army for the G-campaign."

"Commander Li asked our troops if they were involved."

Upon hearing this, Wang Feng frowned.

Pass G?

When did this happen?
Wang Feng: "What does Commander Li mean?"

Zhao Fangyuan handed over a telegram: "The 47th Army is still in the Changzhi area. Commander Li kindly reminded us to be careful in our behavior."

Wang Feng understood.

"You mean to impeach the 47th Army, most likely indirectly?"

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

"Nonsense!" Wang Feng snorted coldly and slammed the telegram on the table. "With the enemy at hand, who is behind all this?"

Zhao Fangyuan lowered his voice and said, "Sir, I think there may be spies inside Chongqing!"

Wang Feng folded his hands across his chest. Zhao Fangyuan's words were like a basin of cold water, extinguishing half of the anger in his heart.

There was a problem internally.
It is possible!

"What's Li Jiayu's current condition?" Wang Feng turned his head.

Zhao Fangyuan looked embarrassed: "The chairman is not in Chongqing, and Chairman Wang is handling it on his behalf. It is said that Li Jiayu will be severely punished. He has already been dismissed from his post!"

Wang Feng slapped his head.

Wang Jing is a fake!
How could I forget this?

Now that things have come to this, the whole matter is clear.

Zhao Fangyuan saw Wang Feng's expression and thought of something. He hesitated to speak: "Sir, Chairman Wang wouldn't..."

Wang Feng responded, "Let's ignore him for now. Where is Li Jiayu now?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Still in Changzhi."

Wang Feng: "Send a telegram to Song Wenjie, and tell him to protect Li Jiayu. No matter who comes to ask for her, don't let her go. Just say it's my order!"

"I will go and ask the chairman's instructions in person."

Zhao Fangyuan saluted: "Yes!"

At the beginning of the year, the Japanese army invaded Changzhi, and the 47th Army helped a lot, and was considered a half-brother unit.

Regardless of whether the charges are proven or not, let’s just assume that this is the true situation.

An anti-Japanese hero should not have been dismissed and investigated so hastily.

(End of this chapter)