activa-t Chapter 124 The Japanese Army's Swift Advance, Chi Fengcheng's Determination, and Li Jiang
Chapter 124 The Japanese Army's Swift Advance, Chi Fengcheng's Determination, and Li Jiang
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Li Jianghe was well aware that his mechanized unit was meant to conduct mobile warfare while the Japanese army's attention was drawn to Taierzhuang.
Next, it remains to be seen how long the Northwest Army in Taierzhuang can withstand the Japanese offensive.
He was actually quite uneasy because in history, the Northwest Army gritted its teeth and fought a bloody battle for many days at Taierzhuang. In reality, it was only facing the forces of the Setani Detachment and the Sakamoto Detachment, which together amounted to the strength of a full-fledged Class A division of the Japanese army.
This time was different; the 10th Division, which was invading from the north, consisted of an entire division.
No, the 10th Division even had an additional tank regiment and an anti-tank gun company, making it far stronger than a normal Class A division.
How long could the Northwest Army hold out? Li Jianghe wasn't sure.
Therefore, he had to be able to obtain battlefield intelligence even more promptly than the theater command.
After much deliberation, he selected three reconnaissance companies to work with multiple communications squads.
These communications squads were equipped with radios, and even backpack telephones, so they could maintain contact with Li Jianghe's command post at any time from a certain distance.
In this way, Li Jianghe can obtain battlefield intelligence in real time, even more so than the intelligence from the theater command.
In addition, and even more importantly, it is necessary to strengthen the defense of Taierzhuang.
"Strengthen the defenses of Taierzhuang? That's not the Northwest Army's job!"
Yang Ruifu asked, somewhat puzzled.
Li Jianghe smiled calmly and said:
"At the headquarters meeting, our army was positioned as a mobile force. What is a mobile force? It is capable of providing support to various parts of the battlefield at any time, and can even conduct combat operations without prior authorization."
As he said this, he pointed to Taierzhuang.
"These brothers of the Northwest Army suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Niangziguan and received almost no replenishment before being thrown into this battle."
They were facing the Japanese 10th Division, the main force of the 20th Division, and a large number of attached Japanese tank regiments, artillery regiments, and mixed brigades.
Relying solely on their strength, it would be extremely difficult to stop the Japanese army.
After all, the historical defenders of Taierzhuang, such as Chi Fengcheng, risked their lives to fight the Japanese invaders, and it was extremely difficult for them to hold Taierzhuang.
Moreover, with the Japanese army's troop strength and firepower having increased several times over, the outcome is predictable.
Who can we rely on for reinforcements?
Tang Enbo?
He was already hesitant and timid when facing only one of Seya Kei's detachments, let alone two fully-fledged Class A divisions of the Japanese army.
"Commander, I know you are considering the big picture. Right now, our troops are also undertaking heavy combat missions. Cutting off the Japanese retreat route will also require a large number of personnel and equipment."
Lin Yongzhi is not usually very talkative, but he did raise his concerns.
"I will only take the guard battalion and an anti-aircraft artillery battalion with me. The rest of the troops will stay on the perimeter and be ready to carry out mobile operations at my command."
Li Jianghe said this.
Long Wenzhang's Jingwei Brigade has more than 2,500 men, which can be considered a reinforced regiment.
Crucially, it was also equipped with a large number of tanks, light armored vehicles, and even a dedicated artillery battalion, giving it a significant advantage in combat power compared to an equal number of Japanese troops.
Wang Dayong looked at Lin Yongzhi and Yang Ruifu and said:
"If you ask me, the squad leader is much smarter than us. If we rely on the brains of the two of you, we'll be doomed sooner or later."
Li Jianghe then said:
"Alright, it's decided then. Obey orders."
The crowd answered in unison:
"yes!!"
After capturing Zaozhuang and Yixian, the Japanese army did not stop its southward invasion.
After the main force of the 10th Division assembled in the Yixian area, it quickly moved south to launch an attack on Taierzhuang.
The 20th Division occupied the Zaozhuang and Tengxian areas as reinforcements, while simultaneously diverting troops to advance towards Xuzhou, threatening the Fifth War Zone headquarters.
While Commander Li had some expectation of the Japanese army's strength, he did not expect the enemy's progress to be so rapid.
If the troops left behind in Tengxian were ordered to deliberately abandon Tengxian and lure the enemy deeper into their territory, then the troops stationed in Zaozhuang and Yixian were ordered to fight to the death.
When they actually encountered the Japanese army's full force, they collapsed at the first contact and retreated in disarray.
The troops responsible for guarding the city of Taierzhuang were the 31st Division of the 2nd Army Group of the Northwest Army, under the command of Chi Fengcheng.
The original plan was to hold off the Japanese army in the Zaozhuang and Yixian areas for at least five days, but unexpectedly, the Japanese army captured these two strategic locations in just three days and their advance was aimed directly at Taierzhuang.
As the highest-ranking commander of the Taierzhuang garrison, Chi Fengcheng's 31st Division had already suffered considerable losses in the Battle of Niangziguan.
The Setani Kei detachment advanced with unstoppable momentum. After capturing Yixian, they quickly moved south and, in just one day and one night, successively captured the Nationalist army's positions in Nigou, Nanluo, and Liujiahu areas north of Taierzhuang.
Artillery firepower could even directly threaten the walls of Taierzhuang.
Inside the 31st Division headquarters, numerous brigade commanders, staff officers, and others were already arguing amongst themselves.
"What were the higher-ups thinking? Leaving only one division to defend Taierzhuang? The Japanese offensive is fierce; there are at least two divisions facing them head-on."
Someone slammed their fist on the table and glared at them.
"Exactly! What about the Sichuan Army? Didn't they do quite well in Tengxian? Why didn't they come to reinforce Taierzhuang? Leaving our Northwest Army to fight alone here!"
"You know nothing! The Sichuan Army was basically decimated in Teng County. If it weren't for Li Jianghe leading troops to provide support, do you think they could have held on?"
"What about Li Jianghe? His troops are so capable, why didn't they defend Taierzhuang? Why did they leave us, a bunch of defeated soldiers, to defend it?"
"You know nothing! They're a mechanized unit, that's for field battles outside the city. Using them for positional warfare is a waste of their talent!"
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While everyone was arguing, Chi Fengcheng slammed his hand on the table, and the entire command center fell silent instantly.
Division Commander Chi Fengcheng was a typical man from Northwest China: strong, with a square face, resolute eyes, and a broad build.
"What? The Sichuan Army fought to the death in Tengxian, so are we Northwest Army cowards? It's just that damned 10th Division, isn't it? We'll fight the 10th Division!"
Chi Fengcheng said in a booming voice, "Our Northwest Army cannot be cowards! I will fight and die with you at Taierzhuang! If I back down even a step, you can shoot me right now!!!"
He was resolute, knowing that this battle would bring glory to the Northwest Army.
They were all ragtag troops, but the Sichuan Army made a name for itself and earned a reputation. How could the Northwest Army lag behind?
Having suffered defeat after defeat before, I have truly let down my countrymen and my nation. How can I repay you with another defeat?
Just then, a soldier ran in and said:
"Reporting to the division commander, Li Jianghe of the Independent Third Detachment has arrived."
"What!?"
Almost everyone in the command post expressed their surprise and doubt in unison.
They all knew very well what Li Jianghe's arrival meant.
That wasn't just one person, but a well-equipped, absolutely elite force, capable of directly confronting and even defeating the Japanese army.