Chapter 479 Even if you die, you will die on the way!
Chapter 479 Even if you die, you will die on the march!
Chongqing, Japanese Army Headquarters.
When Lieutenant General Yoshio Shinozuka, commander of the 5th Army of the Central China Front, walked out of the office with a solemn expression, he saw the combat staff of the headquarters packing their bags and preparing to evacuate.
The retreat order from the front army headquarters had been issued five days ago.
However, the retreat of nearly 200,000 troops is not an easy task. All preparations have been carried out for three days. It was not until yesterday that the frontline divisions and mixed brigades began to retreat one by one. Now, the main divisions
Most of the regiments have retreated to the vicinity of Chongqing, and it is time for the regiment headquarters to evacuate as well.
At this moment, Shinozuka Yoshio's heart was full of unwillingness and helplessness.
More than half a month ago, the 5th Army paid a huge price to occupy Chongqing, the capital of China. However, now, it has to return Chongqing to the Chinese in vain, even though it is the headquarters of the front army and General Okamura.
Despite the strict order, Shinozuka Yoshio still felt extremely regretful and a trace of inexplicable anger in his heart.
If it had been five years ago, when the Sino-Japanese war had just broken out, Yoshio Shinozuka would have definitely chosen to disobey orders. Even if the troops under his command only had one infantry regiment, Yoshio Shinozuka would have continued to move forward without hesitation.
, Yoshio Shinozuka will never stop moving forward before China is completely destroyed.
The young officers of the Japanese army have always had a tradition of disobedience.
However, now, the strength of the empire and the imperial army is no longer what it used to be.
If Yoshio Shinozuka chooses to disobey and continues to advance regardless of the situation, he may be able to destroy the Chinese army in front of him. However, the Chinese expeditionary force returning from Burma and the Chinese army massing in North and South China will also in turn surround him.
The Japanese troops fighting on the southwest front were completely wiped out.
The current Chinese army is only a small part of China's armed forces, and its destruction will not affect China's strength.
However, the Japanese army on the southwest front is almost the entire main force of the Japanese army in central China. Once the collective jade is broken, it means that the Japanese army's rule over central China will completely collapse, and with it, the Japanese army's rule over North China, Nanyang and even Manchuria will also collapse. This
Not to sound alarmist, Yoshio Shinozuka quite trusted General Okamura's strategic vision.
Yoshio Shinozuka did not contradict General Okamura's order. He just regretted that the Southwest Campaign, which had cost a lot of manpower and material resources, had just achieved a decisive victory, but it was about to withdraw the troops in a hurry. This was like just sending a flower letter
Who can bear it when a young woman strips off all her clothes and has to leave just when she is about to enter Hong Kong?
Just when Yoshio Shinozuka was full of resentment, Nobuo Takeo, the chief of staff of the army, walked in hurriedly.
"Your Excellency, Commander." Otake Nobuo suddenly put his feet back and stood at attention, lowered his head and said in a deep voice, "Aerial reconnaissance reported that a large group of Chinese Army was found near Suining and Nanchong, heading towards Guang'an and Wanxian. The behavior of the Chinese Army is very suspicious.
I judge that they are trying to seize Guang'an and Wanxian to encircle the imperial army!"
"What? Seize Guang'an and Wanxian and surround the imperial army!?"
Yoshio Shinozuka's expression changed slightly, and he immediately strode to the map that the combat staff had not yet put away.
Nobuo Otake followed him to the map, and immediately pointed to the map and said: "Commander, please look, this is Guang'an and Wanxian, which is the only way for the imperial army to leave Sichuan along the Yangtze River. If the Chinese army can capture it before the imperial army,
Here, we can block the imperial army's eastward exit from Jingmen and force the imperial army to take the Sichuan-Yunnan Highway to go south to Guizhou."
"Baga Yalu, these stupid China pigs who don't know whether to live or die, it's okay if the imperial army doesn't chase them, but they actually dare to turn around and surround the imperial army!?" The muscles on Shinozuka Yoshio's face twitched violently.
After a few clicks, he roared angrily, "Order, the 113th Division immediately goes north to intercept the China Army, and the 106th Division immediately returns to support Guang'an and Wanxian!"
"Hai!" Otake Nobuo suddenly lowered his head and immediately took the order and left.
Suining, Yang Sen temporary headquarters.
Chief of Staff Li Yuntong hurriedly walked into the war room and reported to Yang Sen: "At the main office, there is an urgent call from the Fourth Field. Their aviation reconnaissance found a Japanese division heading north. It seems that they want to intercept the main force of our group army.
In addition, there is a Japanese division that is marching toward Guang'an and Wanxian County with little armor!"
"Huh?" Yang Sen said solemnly, "My God, the kid reacts very quickly, right?"
Li Yunchong: "Chief Commander, what should we do now? Are the troops still moving forward?"
"Why don't you move forward?" Yang Sen glared and shouted sternly, "Order all ministries to move forward faster. If anyone dares to hold back the Sichuan Army, don't blame me, Yang, for not remembering old friendships!" That's it!
, Yang Sen added, "Order Fan Ha'er, the 4th Division throw away all their baggage, move forward lightly, seize Wanxian County before dawn the day after tomorrow, and lock Jingmen!"
Li Yuntong heard this and said anxiously: "General seat, what should we do about the Japanese division heading north?"
"That's none of our business." Yang Sen snorted, "Our flanks are protected by Xue Yue's 1st Group Army."
On the dirt road leading from Nanchong to Guang'an and Wanxian, more than 7,000 officers and soldiers of the 4th Division of the 2nd Group Army were marching forward.
"Brothers, don't be afraid of hardship or tiredness. Speed up and move forward. When you reach Wanxian County, I will treat you to delicious food and drink. Everyone has a share..." Fan Shaozeng, commander of the 4th Division, had already run away because of his fat body.
I was out of breath, but I still didn't forget to cheer for the Sichuan officers and soldiers of the 4th Division.
Fan Shaozeng, nicknamed "Fan Ha'er", can be regarded as a veteran of the Sichuan Army.
In his early years, Fan Shaozeng was a confidant of Yang Sen. Later, he turned against Yang Sen because of the tobacco incident and defected to Liu Xiang. After the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War, he led his 88th Army out of Sichuan to fight against the Japanese. In Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Xuzhou, he also fought several fierce battles with the Japanese invaders.
Later, Liu Xiang died of illness and his troops were slightly damaged. Fan Shaozeng then transferred to Yang Sen's command and was appointed commander of the 4th Division.
Fan Shaozeng had joined the Pao Ge Society in his early years and was well aware of the sufferings of Li people, so he knew how to sympathize with the officers and soldiers. Although he was a division commander, he did not sit in a car or ride a horse, but insisted on running and marching with the officers and soldiers. However, with his current physique
, and then I wanted to compete with a young man in his twenties, but it seemed a little powerless.
After running less than ten kilometers, Teacher Fan fell down from exhaustion.
Guard battalion commander Fan Xiaoha had no choice but to find a sliding pole and let eight young and strong guards take turns carrying it.
Commander Fan was lying on the sliding rod panting, and Chief of Staff Gao followed him panting and reported: "Divisional seat, the commander-in-chief ordered our 4th Division to throw away all the baggage and move forward lightly, and seize 10,000 troops before dawn the day after tomorrow.
county!"
"What are you talking about?" Mr. Fan's expression suddenly changed. "Seize Wanxian County before dawn the day after tomorrow? You can't be mistaken?"
No wonder Commander Fan was surprised. From here to Wan County, there is still more than 600 miles at least. It takes more than 40 hours of long-distance marching for more than 600 miles in two days and two nights, and how can people survive?
Chief of Staff Gao shook his head and said sadly: "The chief also said that if you can't reach Wan County before dawn the day after tomorrow, you will be engaged in military law!"
"Brother Ge, is Mr. Yang not willing to let people live?" Commander Fan sat up from the sliding bar, motioned to the two guards to put him down, and then said to Chief of Staff Gao, "Order the troops to throw them away.
All the baggage and equipment, move forward at full speed! Tell the brothers again, run for me and run to your death. Even if you die, you will die on the march!"
"Yes." Chief of Staff Gao stood at attention and took the order.
When the two guards were about to lift up Commander Fan and continue marching, Commander Fan said angrily: "You didn't hear my order just now? Why did you lift me up when I asked you to throw away all the baggage? Run, let me run.
!" The two guards were stunned for a moment, then spread their legs and ran forward.
Commander Fan's order was quickly conveyed, and more than 7,000 officers and soldiers of the 4th Division accelerated their march.
After more than forty hours of arduous march, the more than 500 miles of road were finally left behind. The officers and soldiers of the 4th Division finally entered Wanxian County. After entering Wanxian County, the terrain began to rise and fall, and the roads began to
It became rugged and difficult to travel, and even the Sichuan Army soldiers who were accustomed to all kinds of hardships began to fall behind in large numbers.
On the rugged mountain road, a group of Sichuan Army soldiers were running breathlessly.
In the previous rapid march that lasted hundreds of miles, the spare straw sandals they wore on their feet and carried with them had long been worn out. Except for the officers above the battalion who wore leather boots, the other officers and soldiers could only march barefoot. The hard ground
And the sharp stones had already cut the soles of the officers and soldiers' feet to pieces, and the rugged mountain road was already stained with blood.
"Hurry, brothers, speed up, grit your teeth, and support me! Wanxian is ahead of us, and we will reach Wanxian soon!" The captain, the company commander, shouted to his company as he ran, his company
There were originally more than a hundred people, but now there are less than 60 people who can persist, and all of them have pale faces and are out of breath.
"Don't stop, don't stop, hold on, hold on no matter what, the master said, even if you die, you will die on the march!" The Sichuan Army company commander was also out of breath, but he was still trying his best.
He encouraged his soldiers, "Don't forget that we are the Sichuan Army. We are the Sichuan Army, so don't embarrass the elders in Sichuan!"
"It's the Sichuan Army, don't embarrass the elders in Sichuan!" A cook in his fifties whispered the words of the company commander. Before he finished speaking, he fell straight forward. When he fell,
The marching cauldron weighing dozens of kilograms on the back is so dazzling. Even if it is a quick march, the marching cauldron must not be thrown away!
"Old squad leader, get up, get up quickly!" Two soldiers rushed forward and tried to help the old man up.
The Sichuan Army company commander stretched out his hand to check the old cook's breath, and then said coldly: "Leave him alone, he's dead!"
"Let's go!" The Sichuan Army company commander struggled to untie the marching pot from the old cook's back and put it on his back. Then he yelled at the two young cooks, "Run!"
Yue Weihan stayed up all night again. He dozed off and woke up. He immediately rubbed his sore and red eyes and asked Mr. Xu next to him who also stayed up all night: "Old Xu, what time is it?"
Mr. Xu raised his wrist, looked at his watch, and said, "It's five minutes past four."
"Five minutes past four?" Yue Weihan nodded and said, "I don't know where Yang Sen's troops are now?"
"Don't worry, boss." Mr. Xu raised his dry pipe and took a deep puff, then comforted Yue Weihan and said, "The Fourth Red Army also fought in Sichuan. I have some understanding of the terrain in eastern Sichuan and the roads there.
The situation is very bad, and the heavy equipment of the Japanese army cannot move fast at all. In addition, the Sichuan army is familiar with the terrain, so it is not a big problem to get to Wanxian before the Japanese army."
Yue Weihan pondered for a moment and then said to General Xu: "Order all the fighter planes of the 1st Aviation Division to take off early, slow down the Japanese army's march at all costs, and buy time for Yang Sen's troops to seize Wanxian!"
Yan'an, Wayaobao.
Chairman Mao and Mr. Zhu also stayed up all night.
The Southwest Campaign was the first offensive major battle organized by the Chinese army since the outbreak of the Anti-Japanese War. It was also the first strategic decisive battle launched by the CCP since the Anti-Japanese War. Its political and military significance was naturally extraordinary. Chairman Mao and
Mr. Zhu also put great effort into this battle.
Of course, Chairman Mao's political courage is by no means comparable to that of Chairman Chiang. Chairman Chiang often leapfrogs his rank and directly interferes with the specific tactical command of frontline commanders. Chairman Mao is good at delegating power and dares to delegate power. He only pays attention to the latest progress of the battle.
But he never gave any advice to frontline commanders.
"It's daybreak." Boss Zhu looked up at the whitened windows, then suddenly blew out the oil lamp on the table, and then raised his head to Chairman Mao and said, "Old Mao, you said Yang Sen's 2nd Army can get ahead of the Japanese army.
Going to Wanxian County?"
Chairman Mao did not answer, but silently took out a cigarette from the cigarette case, and silently lit it for himself.
"If Yang Sen can't stop his mouth..." When Chairman Mao didn't answer, Mr. Zhu said thoughtfully, "The Japanese troops in the north and south can retreat to the two lakes area calmly, and then the fighter planes in the Southwest Campaign will be completely lost. With Okamura
With the stubbornness of an old Japanese like Ningji, it will be extremely difficult to annihilate the main force of the Japanese army in Central China."
It wasn't until he finished smoking a cigarette that Chairman Mao dusted off the ashes and said calmly: "Hey, just wait and see what happens."
After that, Chairman Mao said to Mr. Zhu: "Boss, you have stayed up all night, and you should be tired. Go back to the cave and work hard. Otherwise, Comrade Keqing should come to me to report the problem.
hehe."
"You, you can really keep your composure." Mr. Zhu shook his head and smiled, then turned around and left.
East Sichuan, Wan County.
Wanxian County is located in the eastern part of the Sichuan Basin, close to the Three Gorges of the Yangtze River, and is known as the "Gateway to Eastern Sichuan".
Wanxian County is close to the Yangtze River and is the gateway to eastern Sichuan. It has been a battleground for military strategists since ancient times. After the Japanese army occupied Wanxian County more than a month ago, they still left behind a garrison brigade even though they did not have sufficient troops. This shows that
Wanxian still holds great weight in the heart of an old devil like Okamura Neji.
As soon as it got light, the Japanese guard post outside the city noticed something unusual.
A Chinese army of about a hundred people was running in a disorderly formation along the road towards Wanxian County. Further away, among the mountains and hills, there were more figures faintly appearing in the thin morning mist.
, seeing this situation, the Japanese sentry blew the whistle without hesitation, and the sharp whistle instantly broke the silence of the morning.