Chahar seemed not to want to give Okamura Neji the slightest chance to breathe. One after another siege troops attacked the west of the city where the 2nd Division was stationed. This made it difficult for them to send a regiment to support the 21st Division.
The leader of the regiment, Okamura Neiji, felt even more unsustainable, and had no choice but to speed up the reduction of troops.
"Command the troops to shrink the strength and strengthen the defense force. Disperse the field artillery regiment and disperse it to various streets to assist the infantry defense. The 16th Regiment shrinks back to the division headquarters and strengthens the defense force in front of the headquarters."
After Okamura Neji issued several orders in one breath, he felt that his whole body was wet with sweat. He sat weakly on the chair. Since he served as the military attaché in China in 1917, he has been free from ties with this country.
After realizing the indissoluble bond, he thought he knew the various armies of China very well, but he really didn't have the slightest impression of Su Tong who appeared within two years.
It was this Su Tong who formed a powerful army in less than three years and killed every famous general in the empire. First, the Thirteenth Division was completely burned by him in Datan.
The division commander, Lieutenant General Naotsugu Sakai, also committed suicide. Then he went directly to Siberia and bit off a piece of meat from the overbearing Slavs. Last year, he almost forced the commander of the North China garrison, General Umezu Yoshijiro, to return to Hokkaido.
Fishing has now forced back the three imperial divisions that had just invaded Peiping.
Is this Su Tong really the nemesis of the empire? No, I think Okamura Neji is known as one of the three feathered crows. Is it really not as good as him? When I reorganize the army and come back to fight again, Okamura Neji is also a character who becomes more and more frustrated. I am determined.
After making up my mind, I immediately calmed down and looked for a way out.
While Okamura Neji was scratching his head and planning the retreat route, the Kwantung Army headquarters was also arguing over whether to send troops to reinforce Chengde.
Today, on the morning of July 22, the twenty-sixth year of the Republic of China, the Kwantung Army held a meeting specifically to address this issue. The meeting was presided over by the commander of the Kwantung Army, General Kenkichi Ueda.
General Ueda Kenkichi, who was born in 1875, is 62 years old this year. He is a very rare celibate among Japan's senior generals.
He has always been single and naturally has no children. Therefore, unlike most Japanese generals who came to China with the belief of opening up and expanding the territory for Japan and the emperor, he attaches great importance to money. Therefore, from
In 1923, when he came to the Northeast to take up his post, he began to plunder money. On the contrary, he was not very interested in opening up new territories and expanding his territory. He just wanted to wait until he retired and then return to China to enjoy his old age.
Therefore, he always thought of getting rid of the frequent telegrams requesting help from the North China garrison. If it weren't for the strong request of Tojo Hideki and other staff officers, he would not have convened this military meeting. He had this time.
Wouldn't it be better to enjoy a tea ceremony or taste the antiques you collected?
Looking at the many generals who were straightening their backs below, Ueda Kenkichi coughed lightly, straightened his face and said seriously: "Gentlemen, the North China garrison has sent telegrams several times, requesting us to dispatch
The reinforcements went to Jehol to rescue Chengde, which was besieged by the Chinese army. I wonder what you think of this."
"The Kwantung Army now has nearly twenty divisions. There is no problem in sending two divisions to rescue. We should send reinforcements immediately."
"It's a joke. If we send out two divisions and the losses are too great, who will replenish us? Our soldiers and firearms are all produced by Manchuria ourselves. Not only do we supply the entire Kwantung Army, but we also have to supply part of them to the emperors in North and Central China."
]Team, we are not money-splitting boys."
"Two divisions are too many, just one division is enough."
"Who said one division is enough? You must know that what we are facing is China's Chahar army, not China's miscellaneous army. If we want to reinforce it, we need at least three divisions."
The conference room was noisy. Dozens of division commanders and staff officers had everything to say, but no one came forward and volunteered to go.
Last year, the base camp forcibly transferred Rehe, which was captured by the Kwantung Army, to the North China garrison. The generals of the Kwantung Army were holding their breath in their hearts, but now they are reaching out for reinforcements. How can such a good thing happen?
"Silence" Suddenly a sharp voice broke through the noise in the conference room, suppressing all the noisy voices.
When everyone took a look, it turned out to be Chief of Staff Hideki Tojo. Hideki Tojo looked around the generals majestically and reprimanded: "As soldiers of the empire, you are arguing like women in the conference room. Don't forget
, the North China Garrison is also an army of the empire, how can you say that about them? I know that you are dissatisfied with the headquarter's transfer of Rehe to the North China Garrison a few days ago, but that was the decision of the base camp, we
Everyone should obey unconditionally."
Tojo Hideki is the chief of staff of the Kwantung Army, so everyone still has to give him some face. After Tojo Hideki finished speaking, everyone lowered their heads in unison.
"Hey Chief of Staff, that's what I said."
"Yes." Tojo Hideki nodded with satisfaction: "Then please recommend yourself. Who wants to rescue Chengde?"
"Well" dozens of division commanders looked at me and looked at you without saying a word. We are living a good life here in the Northeast, why should we go to Chengde and fight to the death with others? More importantly, even if
After the siege of Chengde was solved, the North China garrison might not accept the favor of the Kwantung Army.
Suddenly, the meeting room suddenly became silent. In contrast to the excitement just now, everyone imitated the monks in the temple and became silent.
"You guys" Hideki Tojo almost got angry when he saw the scene in the conference room. You two are pretending to be stupid, okay, then I'm going to call the roll.
The furious Tojo Hideki was about to take the roll call when suddenly a figure stood up and said loudly: "If Chief of Staff Tojo is willing, our division is willing to take the lead."
Hoo, one finally came out. Hideki Tojo looked over happily, and it turned out to be Lieutenant General Takeshita Yoshiharu of the 139th Division.
"Yo Xi" Tojo Hideki nodded with satisfaction: "Takeshita-kun is indeed a pillar of the empire, and his determination to share the worries of His Majesty the Emperor is worthy of recognition. Is anyone else going to go?"
"Wait a minute." At this moment, General Ueda Kenkichi, who had been silent all this time, spoke up.
"The number of divisions sent for reinforcements this time is limited to two divisions. It is not appropriate to have more divisions. Any more divisions will have an impact on the security of the Manchuria region."
Tojo Hideki was a little dissatisfied. His original intention was to transfer four divisions to Chengde, but now that the commander had spoken, he could not object, so he could only nod his head: "Okay, as the commander said, we will
Two divisions will be transferred to reinforce Chengde, and the remaining divisions will be sent to the first brigade of reading chariots. After all, Rehe is a plain area, which is also conducive to the performance of chariots."
In this way, at the meeting, everyone decided on the troops that would go to reinforce Chengde. Just as everyone stood up and prepared to leave the meeting, a staff officer suddenly walked in quickly.
"Report to Commander, a call from the North China garrison, Peiping has been lost."
This report was like a thunderbolt that hit everyone in their hearts.
"Nani fell in Peiping"
Everyone's first reaction was that it was impossible. There were three divisions of the Empire attacking Beiping, including two permanent divisions of the Empire. Among them, Neji Okamura's second division was said to be the two most capable divisions in the Empire.
One of the divisions, how could it be lost?
"How is this possible?" Tojo Hideki's expression suddenly changed: "Did you know that lying about military information will lead to a military court?"
"Hey, I don't dare to lie because of my humble position. This is the telegram just sent by Commander Shun Tada. Please review it with the commander and chief of staff."
The communications staff officer did not dare to neglect and quickly handed over the telegram in his hand.
"Asshole, how did this Tada Shun command, three divisions were driven out of Peiping by just three China divisions." After reading the telegram, Tojo Hideki became furious.
Ueda Kenkichi also frowned after looking at the telegram in his hand. The North China garrison suffered a defeat. The base camp will definitely divert some of the materials and soldiers originally transferred to Manchuria to North China, which will inevitably affect the strategic layout of the Kwantung Army. This will
It will definitely have an impact on the Kwantung Army's original plans.
Damn it, can't you let me, an old man, spend the remaining two years well and retire with peace of mind? Ueda Kenkichi cursed secretly in his heart.
Just last night in Beiping City, the Second Division took the lead in quietly withdrawing from the battlefield. They rendezvoused with the 21st Division along the way and moved south of the city. Because Okamura Neji's movements were very covert, they abandoned
All unnecessary baggage and seriously injured personnel were removed, and the speed of action was greatly increased. So when Huang Jie's 12th Division on the opposite side found out, the sky had begun to get brighter, and the Second Division had already completed its rendezvous with the 11th Division.
Withdrew.
"Asshole, we were all fooled by Okamura Neji"
Just yesterday afternoon, the Second Division launched several counterattacks. A large number of wounded soldiers carrying explosive bags rushed from all corners towards the tanks on the street and all visible Chahar soldiers, catching them off guard.
The 12th Division had to retreat a few streets before it could gain a firm foothold.
Unexpectedly, this turned out to be a trick of Okamura Neiji. Huang Jie, commander of the 12th Division, commander of the 10th Division, Peng Zeyuan, commander of the 10th Division, and the 36th Division commanded nearly 60,000 troops and began the pursuit.
But they had to admit that the tenacity and quality displayed by the Japanese army during its retreat indeed put most armies in the world to shame.
Whenever Chahar's army approaches, the troops behind will automatically detach a small force to stay and block the attack. First wounded soldiers, and later non-combatants will join in. Unless the entire army is annihilated, Chahar's army will
The army was absolutely unable to take a step forward. The madness of the gecko's tail-cutting to survive amazed the division commanders responsible for the pursuit. Only then did they understand why Commander Su always said that even our most hated enemies have lessons worth learning.
place.
In this way, Hyōtaro Kimura finally brought the troops back to Tianjin despite the bombing from the planes above him and the pursuing troops behind him.