Sword: Heart of Iron

Chapter 243 This is impossible!

7 month 15 day.

The timeline has been moved slightly forward.

Although the Kuroda Battalion was scattered by the sudden and swift offensive in a short period of time, no news was received from the rear in time.

But as time went on, more and more deserters appeared in the rear, and with the long period of no communication, even if the commander was an idiot, he could guess that there was a problem on the front line.

Inside the 6th Division Command Post.

Inaba Shiro's face was ashen as he gripped the hilt of his military sword tightly with both hands and swung it repeatedly at the wooden table in front of him, sending wood chips flying everywhere.

Kamei Tatsusuke squinted and slowly took a few steps back: "General, the reserve forces have been dispatched, and the situation is currently under our control."

Inaba Shiro had no intention of listening to any of this. He sheathed his sword, but the anger on his face remained unabated.

"Where is that idiot Kuroda? Why didn't he report the attack on the defenses immediately?"

Tatsusuke Kamei: "Kuroda-kun was killed by a Chinese artillery shell."

"What?! He was blown up?" Inaba Shiro took a breath and sat down in a chair. "To be this stupid is a disgrace to the Imperial Army!"

Kamei Tatsusuke: "General, the enemy is very cunning. After the Kuroda defense line was breached, a large number of Chinese troops began to move. According to the General Staff, our opponents are likely to take advantage of this opportunity to make a large-scale outflanking maneuver to our rear!"

Inaba Shiro stared at the sand table: "Chinese military strategy says: 'We engage with the enemy through orthodox means, and win through unorthodox means. Those who are good at it can use endless surprises. Our opponent truly lives up to his reputation.'"

"Order the battalion to immediately consolidate its defensive line and launch an offensive from both flanks of the Kuroda Battalion. As long as we can plug this gap, the Chinese troops that have infiltrated will have nowhere to retreat!"

Tatsusuke Kamei nodded: "Hai!"

As the two were talking, a soldier rushed over and nearly stumbled as he stepped over the threshold.

Inaba Shiro frowned, looking somewhat displeased: "What kind of behavior is this, all flustered and in such a hurry!"

Tatsusuke Kamei walked over: "What happened?"

The Japanese messenger adjusted his helmet and handed over the telegram with both hands: "General, this is a reconnaissance telegram from the air squadron. The Chinese army is heading towards our command post!"

Inaba Shiro suddenly stood up: "What?!"

As he spoke, he immediately turned to look at the war map: "That's absolutely impossible!"

Tatsusuke Kamei rolled up his sleeves and glanced at his watch.

Less than half an hour had passed since the order to launch a counterattack was given.

Even if Wang Feng is strong, and even if these more than 3,000 soldiers are all reserves, it is impossible for them to be defeated in such a short time.

There must be something wrong!

Kamei Tatsusuke speculated, "General, the description in the reconnaissance telegram is inaccurate. I suspect it's very likely that the Chinese have come around."

Inaba Shiro also realized this, and turned to Kamei Tatsusuke: "Immediately send out scouts to find out the exact size of the Chinese army and its direction of movement!"

Kamei Tatsusuke responded, "Sir, do we need to evacuate?"

Inaba Shiro frowned even more deeply, and after thinking for a long time, he gritted out two words through clenched teeth:

"Evacuate!"

The crossing of the river has now reached a critical moment, and withdrawing from the command post at this juncture will inevitably affect the battle on the front lines.

It could even directly change the course of the battle.

But now that they can barely take care of themselves, they have no energy left to deal with these things.

With the precedent of the 18th Division during the Huaibei Campaign in mind, he had no doubt about the reconnaissance results of the air squadron.

Although the reason is unclear, the location of the command post has been completely exposed, and this enemy force that keeps flanking and infiltrating must be coming for us.

If they don't retreat now, they might end up like Okamura Yasuji's Second Division, whose command post was wiped out in the heat of battle.

Tatsusuke Kamei: "What should be done with the frontline troops?"

Inaba Shiro: "Immediately issue the order that all future communications must be conducted via encrypted telegrams, and completely sever all telephone communications!"

To use telephone communication, the first step is to lay telephone lines. This is not only troublesome to operate during evacuation, but also easy to leave traces, allowing Chinese soldiers to catch up.

Tatsusuke Kamei: "Hai!"

------

Wang Feng took in everything that happened inside the 6th Division command post. After switching his perspective to visual view, he walked to the edge of the map and lit a cigarette.
"Their reaction was quick, but unfortunately it was useless."

"Zhao Fangyuan!" The words had barely left his lips when a staff officer walked in, stood before Wang Feng, and snapped to attention: "Reporting, sir, the chief of staff has gone to the communications room!"

Wang Feng: "Hmm, it's alright. Go and send a telegram to the First Column, telling them that I need to make direct contact with the frontline infiltration troops."

Staff Officer: "Yes, sir!"

After saying that, he turned and walked out.

Wang Feng took a drag of his cigarette, exhaling pale blue smoke, his eyes fixed on the strategic deployment map of Madang Fortress, pondering the next phase of the plan.

Regardless of the final outcome of the Battle of Anqing, our side has already achieved the strategic objective set at the beginning of the war—to delay the Japanese advance and buy time for the main force to transfer.

What about Madang Fortress?

How to fight?
What goals should we set for ourselves?
According to Wang Feng's initial plan, the strategic decisive battle with the Japanese army should take place on the south bank of the Yangtze River, west of Jiujiang, in the heart of the Ninth War Zone.

Although the Madang Fortress is fortified, engaging in a decisive battle with the Japanese army too early might not be a good thing.

Wang Feng: "It's been several days now. The impact of the Zhanggufeng Incident should have subsided by now. The Japanese army is about to launch a major offensive, and with the limited forces we have, we're afraid we won't be able to resist."

Based on the current troop deployment.

Even if they retreat to Madang Fortress, the troops under their command will not change much. In episodes 26 and 27, if possible, episode 23 will be moved from the Tongling area.

In addition, there are the 31st and 84th Armies.

At most, there will be one more 16th Army.

The overall combat effectiveness has not changed significantly.

Unless the 6th Division can be completely defeated in one battle, the situation will be dire when the Hata Detachment crosses the Anqing defense line and joins the 6th Division at Madang Fortress.

Wang Feng took a drag of his cigarette, forcing his brain to work at full speed:
"Should we continue to delay the Japanese army?"

"Continuing to fight like this isn't a solution. Besides, I can't stay here indefinitely."

Limited by the Zhanggufeng Incident and the anti-war sentiment in China, although the Japanese army had deployed hundreds of thousands of troops along the Yangtze River and Dabie Mountains, fighting only broke out in the Anqing direction.

I can still stay on the front lines and manage to get by.

Once the Japanese offensive is fully launched and the flames of war spread throughout Central China, I will no longer be able to stay here.

While in deep thought.

Zhao Fangyuan gently lifted the curtain and strode in: "Sir, a telegram has arrived from the 23rd section of the Tongling line. Their blocking line is being attacked from both sides by the Japanese army. If this continues, I'm afraid they won't be able to hold out for much longer!"

Wang Feng threw away his cigarette butt and turned to look at the map.

Like episodes 26 and 27, episode 23 also features characters from Sichuan Army and local forces, whose combat capabilities were among the lowest in the National Revolutionary Army.

It's unrealistic to expect such a force to be like a nail firmly stuck in the throat of the Japanese army.

Wang Feng: "Order them to withdraw first, and after a short rest, immediately head to Madang Fortress!"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Should we send them over? The distance is so far, even if they could come, they probably wouldn't be of much use."

Wang Feng: "Let's take it one step at a time. Letting them stay in western Zhejiang won't do them any good. Removing them in time might have some unexpected effects."

Zhao Fangyuan nodded.

Almost everyone knew that their superior was a master strategist, whose greatest skill was winning by surprise. Every move seemed risky, but in reality, he never made a mistake.

Very safe!

Wang Feng: "How is the situation in the north? Where are our troops?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, I was just about to tell you this. Chu Yunfei's Second Field Army (4th, 5th, and 6th Columns) and Artillery Column have arrived in Xinyang. It is estimated that they will join forces with the Fifth War Zone troops in two days."

Wang Feng was somewhat surprised: "How could it be so fast?"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Sir, didn't you say that speed is of the essence in war? So I urged them a little."

Wang Feng: "What about Liu Zhijian's first field?"

(First Field Army: Second Column, Third Column)
Zhao Fangyuan: "I'm still in Zhengzhou and haven't set off yet."

Wang Feng nodded: "It's good that the Second Field Army is coming. Tell them to hold their positions and wait for further instructions. Also, order the Third Field Army (the 7th, 8th, and 9th Columns) to make some noise on the North China Plain to attract the Japanese army's attention!"

Zhao Fangyuan: "Understood, I'll give the order right away!"

(End of this chapter)