activa-t Chapter 222 Nishio Toshizo's High-Stakes Gamble: A Decisive Battle with the 3rd Column
Chapter 222 Nishio Toshizo's High-Stakes Gamble: A Decisive Battle with the 3rd Column
Nishio Toshizo's gaze finally shifted from the map to the telegram in front of him.
He didn't pick up the telegram; he just stared intently at the words on it, his eyes as cold as ice.
Nishio Toshizo stood there for a full ten minutes without saying a word.
What flashed through his mind were the urgent telegrams from headquarters, the accountability from the Central China Expeditionary Army Command, and the desperate situation of the two divisions at the front.
He couldn't understand how a full-strength infantry regiment, relying on the fortified city's defenses, could be wiped out in a single day.
He couldn't understand why this Chinese unit could always make such actions that completely violated military common sense, yet were deadly in every move.
From the attack on the fleet in Zhanghu Town, to the successive raids on the logistics warehouses, and now the fall of Huainan.
In the past month or so, he has suffered countless setbacks at Li Jianghe's hands.
Each time, he felt he had taken this opponent seriously enough and made thorough preparations.
But each time, this opponent would beat him up in the most unexpected ways, leaving him battered and bruised.
Finally, Nishio Toshizo slowly raised his head, his gaze sweeping over all the staff officers in the operations room before finally settling on Okabe Naosaburo.
He spoke, his voice hoarse.
"Counterattack."
These two words made everyone in the operations room suddenly look up, their faces filled with disbelief.
Everyone thought they had misheard.
Naosaburo Okabe froze on the spot, his astonishment clearly visible on his face.
He even suspected that the news of the fall of Huainan had driven the Commander to irrationality.
In the current situation, let alone a counterattack.
The most rational choice would be to immediately order the 6th and 10th Divisions to retreat along the entire front, abandoning the Fujinshan and Gushi lines and withdrawing to Lu'an and Hefei.
While the troops still have five days' worth of supplies, they must quickly break out of the encirclement and save these two main divisions.
This is the safest and only way.
Counterattack? With what can we launch a counterattack?
The logistics of both divisions were cut off, and they could not last more than a few days with ammunition and food.
Moreover, one can imagine how formidable Li Jianghe's Third Column was, capable of capturing Huainan in a single day.
To launch a counterattack now would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock, and would only hasten the demise of the two divisions.
Naosaburo Okabe composed himself, bowed again, and cautiously asked:
"Commander, what did you just say? A counterattack?"
"But Huainan has already fallen, and the military supplies for both divisions have been..."
Before he could finish speaking, he was abruptly interrupted by Nishio Toshizo's cold gaze.
"I know what you're trying to say."
Nishio Toshizo's tone remained calm, but beneath that calm lay suppressed rage.
"I also know that the combat supplies carried by the 6th and 10th Divisions can last for about five days."
His gaze returned to the battle map, and his fingertips tapped heavily on the location of Huainan.
"We must use these five days to launch a counterattack and retake Huainan."
Nishio Toshizo's words were firm and decisive, leaving no room for negotiation.
The staff officers in the operations room instantly erupted into a commotion, whispering among themselves, their faces filled with confusion and panic.
Naosaburo Okabe's expression turned even more unpleasant.
"Commander, you mustn't!"
Naosaburo Okabe took a step forward, his tone urgent, almost pleading with him.
"Li Jianghe's troops have just captured Huainan, their morale is high, and they have also occupied the city's defenses. I've never felt so satisfied with following the updates. They are well-rested and ready to fight."
"Our troops have been fighting on the front lines of Fujin Mountain for almost half a month, and are already exhausted and have suffered heavy casualties."
"If we turn around and launch a counterattack now, not only will our logistics be unable to keep up, but we will also have to face pursuit from the main forces of the Fifth War Zone in the rear."
"Being attacked from both sides, if the offensive falters, both divisions will be completely surrounded and doomed!"
Naosaburo Okabe spoke with heartfelt sincerity, clearly outlining all the risks.
The staff officers around him nodded in agreement.
But Nishio Toshizo acted as if he hadn't heard anything, his face remaining completely unmoved.
He knew all too well that in the current situation, retreating, though seemingly safe, was actually a dead end.
Once the order to retreat is given, the troops of the Fifth War Zone will definitely pursue them relentlessly, and Li Jianghe's Third Column will certainly send troops from Huainan to intercept them.
When that happens, the troops will be divided and surrounded on their retreat, and then eaten up piece by piece.
Moreover, he had no right to retreat.
The Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters and the Tokyo General Headquarters would never allow him to retreat without a fight and abandon the entire battle situation on the northern slopes of the Dabie Mountains.
If he really ordered a retreat, even if he could bring back the remnants of two divisions.
What awaits him is only a trial by a military court and the fate of committing seppuku to atone for his sins.
He had no way out.
Counterattacking Huainan and retaking the logistics base was his only option and his only way out.
Nishio Toshizo turned his head to look at Okabe Naosaburo, who looked anxious, and slowly spoke.
"We still have stockpiled supplies and ammunition in the Lu'an area, which can be transported to the front lines immediately."
"Order the 6th and 10th Divisions to leave a small number of troops to hold back the Chinese army in front, and the main force to turn around immediately."
"Concentrate all forces and launch a full-scale counter-offensive against the Huainan region, sparing no expense to take it back!"
"At the same time, the garrison troops in Lu'an were ordered to immediately organize convoys to transport ammunition to the front lines."
Nishio Toshizo's orders came one after another, clear and resolute.
The staff officers in the operations room also recovered from their initial panic, stood at attention, and began to get busy.
They knew in their hearts that the commander had made up his mind.
There's no turning back now that this is a high-stakes gamble.
Naosaburo Okabe looked at Toshizo Nishio, finally sighed heavily, bowed, and replied, "Yes, Commander!"
He knew that there was no point in saying anything now; he could only do his best to execute this crazy counterattack plan.
As Nishio Toshizo looked at the location of Huainan on the map, a hint of ruthlessness and a barely perceptible gambler's madness flashed in his eyes.
He knew very well that this plan was extremely risky and had a very low chance of success.
But he also has his own reasons for being confident.
The 6th and 10th Divisions were the most elite Class A divisions in the Japanese army, and their combat effectiveness was far superior to that of ordinary troops.
Even if Li Jianghe's third column captures Huainan, it will inevitably suffer heavy casualties.
Deep in enemy territory without reinforcements, ammunition and fuel will eventually run out.
If he can concentrate the full strength of two divisions and launch a fierce attack on Huainan.
As long as they can hold out until supplies from Lu'an arrive, and drag things out, the scales of victory will surely tip in their favor.
"Li Jianghe, who was deep in enemy territory, was still a lone force no matter how capable he was."
"It's cold," said Toshizo Nishio.
"Once his ammunition and fuel run out, this so-called steel torrent will become a pile of scrap metal."
"When the time comes, I will make him and his third column pay the most terrible price for all of this."