activa-t Chapter 133 The Chairman's Shock, the Anxiety of the 5th War Zone
Chapter 133 The Chairman's Shock, the Anxiety of the 5th War Zone
Upon hearing the words "urgent telegram from the Fifth War Zone," both the Chairman and Commander He tensed up, knowing it was likely bad news.
After all, the past few days had been filled with bad news: either this unit was defeated by the 1st Mixed Brigade, or that unit was annihilated by the Japanese 10th Division.
Even in the first half of the night, news came that the Japanese army had captured several blocks in the eastern part of Taierzhuang.
If it weren't for a prior agreement with Commander Li, the Chairman would have been eager to step in and demonstrate his true skills.
Therefore, whenever they hear a telegram from the Fifth War Zone, both of them assume it's not good news.
Commander He took the telegram, opened it, and glanced at it. His furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and a hint of joy appeared in his eyes.
This expression naturally caught the Chairman's eye.
"What? Jingzhi, is this another piece of good news?"
Commander He said with a smile:
"Good news! Of course, it's good news!"
After saying that, he handed over the telegram.
After receiving the telegram, the Chairman's expression became extremely interesting after just one glance.
The telegram reported that tonight's counterattack in the East District had been a resounding success, annihilating a Japanese infantry company and a tank company, while also routing a Japanese infantry battalion that was providing support.
Although they also suffered losses, overall they annihilated more Japanese troops and killed or wounded at least a thousand.
"Overnight, more than a thousand Japanese soldiers were killed or wounded, and several streets in the Dongcheng District that had been lost were recaptured, and control of Taierzhuang was regained. How could this not be a victory?"
Commander He said with a smile, his bad mood of the past few days finally giving way to a long-awaited relaxation.
It is worth mentioning that two names appeared repeatedly in this telegram.
One was Chi Fengcheng, commander of the 31st Division, and the other was Li Jianghe, who rushed to the aid under cover of darkness and quickly became a pillar of strength.
After putting the telegram away, the Chairman then said:
"Li Jianghe is truly capable. It's such a pity that he didn't come from the Whampoa Military Academy, but was instead a member of the Guangxi Clique."
At this point, he recalled a piece of intelligence sent by the Military Intelligence Bureau a few days ago, saying that after the war zone meeting that day, Commander Li met with Li Jianghe alone in his office.
The specific content of the conversation is unknown. All that is known is that after leaving the office, Li Jianghe, led by Commander Bai, went to the war zone warehouse and retrieved a large sum of money, along with a large amount of fuel.
In the Chairman's view, this was almost irrefutable proof that Li Jianghe had completely sided with Commander Li.
Factional struggles within the National Revolutionary Army were extremely fierce, but many conflicts were suppressed because the Japanese invaders were currently facing a national crisis together.
However, this does not mean that these conflicts and factions do not exist.
Commander He then said in a gentle voice:
"Chairman, if you ask me, heroes are not judged by their origins. If someone has made a contribution, they should be rewarded. This will only highlight your magnanimity."
Even with these ragtag troops, he could still maintain a clear system of rewards and punishments; naturally, heroes from all over the land would be willing to serve under him, even as his loyal servants.
His words made the Chairman burst out laughing.
"Jingzhi, you really know how to talk. I understand what you mean. Always considering Li Jianghe's background and faction shows that my vision is too narrow."
As he said this, he began to speak:
"After this battle is over, I will personally award him the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun."
Commander He thought to himself that Li Jianghe's contributions since the start of the war of resistance were probably worthy of the National Glory Medal.
However, considering that this person's rank is too low, the Order of the Blue Sky and White Sun is the best choice.
Despite the good news, the atmosphere within the Fifth War Zone Command was actually not very good.
Because they ultimately underestimated the strength of the Japanese army.
Right now, the Japanese army isn't just coming from the Taierzhuang route; there are two other Japanese forces.
One route was the Sakamoto Detachment heading towards Linyi, which was the main force of the Japanese 5th Division.
They have now bypassed Linyi and are marching rapidly eastward towards Taierzhuang. Before long, they will also cooperate with the Japanese 10th Division to besiege Taierzhuang.
As for Zhang Zizhong's 59th Army and Pang Bingxun's troops stationed in Linyi, they had already suffered heavy losses during the first Battle of Linyi and were in fact no longer able to pursue the Japanese army.
Holding Linyi and preventing its loss was already the limit of their capabilities.
On one side is the 20th Division under Kawagishi Bunzaburo, which is currently winning consecutive battles along the Hanzhuang line in Zaozhuang and is approaching the Hanzhuang area.
If we continue south and cross the canal, we will reach the city of Xuzhou.
That was the heart of the Fifth War Zone, and the absolute core for the gathering and dispersal of personnel, logistical replenishment, military command, and transportation of all troops in the entire Fifth War Zone.
"Li Jianghe's emergency relief to Taierzhuang was the right thing to do. We ultimately underestimated the strength of the Japanese army. Without him, there would have been no chance of winning tonight's counterattack."
Commander Bai said earnestly.
He had already read the entire battle report and had a general understanding of what happened.
Chi Fengcheng, a man from the Northwest, had no selfish motives. When reporting to his superiors, he did not hesitate to praise Li Jianghe and clearly stated that without Li Jianghe, it would have been extremely difficult to resist the Japanese offensive by relying solely on the 31st Division.
Chi Fengcheng, a man from the Northwest, had no selfish motives. When reporting to his superiors, he did not hesitate to praise Li Jianghe and clearly stated that without Li Jianghe, it would have been extremely difficult to resist the Japanese offensive by relying solely on the 31st Division.
"Yes, but right now Taierzhuang is the core of the offensive and defensive battle between the two sides. Most of our troops are on the Hanzhuang line, blocking the offensive of the Japanese 20th Division."
Whether Taierzhuang can be held now depends entirely on the Northwest Army and Li Jianghe's Independent Third Detachment.
Commander Li said, "Send a telegram to the direction of Taierzhuang and tell them that they must hold Taierzhuang for at least three days no matter what. Only in this way can the Japanese army be completely tied down in this area."
The tranquility of the early morning in Taierzhuang did not last long. Amidst the roar of Japanese 105mm howitzers, a new day of battle began.
Unlike the first day, this time the Japanese army dispatched two air squadrons overnight, significantly strengthening their air power.
After the shelling ended, the roar of Japanese warplanes reverberated and stirred in the air, like fists pounding into everyone's internal organs.
Upon hearing this sound, Chi Fengcheng rushed out of the command post and looked at the distant sky.
"It's a Japanese plane."
Chief of Staff Wang Huayu clenched his fist involuntarily.
Previously, during the battle at Niangziguan, the Japanese air force dropped incendiary bombs, and one bombing run burned down an entire mountain.
The two battalions guarding that spot, totaling over 500 men, were almost entirely wiped out in an instant.
Those who survived were severely burned and essentially lost their ability to fight.
Chi Fengcheng hurriedly said:
"Quickly, call the front and tell them to take cover as soon as possible and find any available cover. The Japanese have far more planes than before."
During the Battle of Niangziguan, Chi Fengcheng only saw five Japanese planes, yet they inflicted such heavy casualties on them.