Chapter 322: The Doom of Itagaki Division (nineteenth)
Chapter 322: The End of Itagaki Division (19)
"Hi, your Excellency, division commander, but Yamada-kun committed suicide by caesarean section to apologize to His Majesty the Emperor." Looking at the angry-faced division commander, Captain Kurifan comforted him in a low voice.
"Baga...Kurihi-kun, Ohba-kun, how many troops do we have left now?" After hearing that Captain Yamada had committed suicide, the division commander Seishiro Itagaki felt much better. He calmed himself down.
In a good mood, he sorted out the thoughts in his mind and asked calmly.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander. In the attack just now, except for the more than 100 soldiers who escaped, all the rest of Captain Yamada's reinforced brigade were killed. The reserve reinforced brigade led by you lost 561 people. My reinforcement
The brigade lost 329 people, and the reinforced brigade led by Captain Lifan lost 298 people. So far, our entire division has less than 2,000 troops left. More importantly, after the battle just now, we
The ammunition for the grenade launchers and heavy machine guns in my hands has been exhausted." Captain Oba said with a worried look on his face.
"Nani, there are only less than 2,000 troops left, and all the bullets have been used up. How could this happen...Hagaga Road..." After hearing the words of Captain Oba, Seishiro Itagaki had just calmed down.
, once again angered, he frowned and said.
"Hi, your Excellency, division commander..." the two regiment captains replied at the same time.
"Bagaya Road, Kurifan-kun, Oba-kun. Now our fifth division has encountered the biggest crisis since its establishment. I don't know what you think of the current war situation, and whether you have any good ideas.
Our fifth division was rescued from the encirclement of the Eighth Route Army and rescued from this danger..." After hearing the answers of the two men, the division commander Seishiro Itagaki fell silent.
"Division Commander, now our army has less than 2,000 troops left. What's more important is the lack of ammunition and the soldiers are very tired. If we make a concentrated breakout again, we will not be able to face the powerful artillery fire of the *** Division.
Any chance of counterattack. Therefore, I think we should hold on until the Japanese division launches the final attack on us." After hearing the words of the division commander, the two regiment captains were deeply impressed, and the captain of the Lifan regiment thought.
After thinking about what he was thinking, he stood up and said.
"Nani, hold on until the Japanese division launches a general attack from the left rear...Kurihan-kun, I don't understand what you mean." After hearing the words of Captain Kurishiro, the division commander Seishiro Itagaki frowned and asked.
"Hi, division commander. I think we have only one last chance to break out. That is to lead the troops to launch a counterattack against the Eighth Route Army when the *** division launches the final general attack. And the division commander will personally lead a part of it.
The elite troops fished in troubled waters, taking advantage of the chaos on the entire battlefield to break out of the Eighth Route Army's encirclement and return to Taiyuan." Colonel Li Fan, the commander of the regiment, explained.
"Nani, you are fishing in troubled waters... But, Lifan-kun, even if the elite troops led by me can escape from the encirclement of the Eighth Route Army, won't these remaining imperial warriors still be attacked by the Eighth Route Army?"
After listening to Captain Rihan's suggestion, the division commander had already agreed in his heart. But when he thought of the two thousand imperial warriors he had abandoned, he still pretended to be dissatisfied and asked.
"Division commander, you can't think so much now. You can have as many people as you want to break out. As long as the division commander is here and the flag of our fifth division is still there, then the establishment of our fifth division will still be there. I
I believe that the division commander will definitely regroup in the future and bring a more powerful fifth division to avenge the imperial warriors who were crushed in the hands of the Eighth Route Army's *** division." Seeing that the division commander seemed to have agreed with him,
Captain Lifan continued to suggest.
"Hey, division commander, I think what Kuriohan-kun said is very correct. We must not let the fifth division be destroyed in our hands. Please division commander agree to Kuriohan-kun's breakout plan." The Oba League beside him
The captain also suggested.
"Yoshi, Kurifan-kun, Oba-kun, I'll leave it to you..." Itagaki Seishiro nodded and said.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander, we will definitely lead the troops to the end. We will definitely live up to the trust placed in us by Your Excellency, Division Commander. Please rest assured, Your Excellency, Division Commander, to break through. We will carefully select a squadron of elite imperial troops to protect
Your Excellency the Division Commander's breakout." The two regiment captains replied at the same time.
"Yoshi, you are the real warriors of the empire, so go down and prepare..." Division Commander Seishiro Itagaki nodded happily.
Immediately, the two regiment captains began to shrink the defense line of the troops. The nearly two thousand people, relying on the favorable terrain in Changgukou, began to dig defense fortifications and build a ring of fortifications with the division headquarters as the center, and made a plan.
Vice-persistent posture.
At the same time, in order to allow the division commander Seishiro Itagaki to break out smoothly, a squadron of elite soldiers was also selected and equipped with the best remaining weapons and the most abundant ammunition in the entire division. An elite Japanese squadron
, all 150 Imperial Army soldiers gathered around the division commander Seishiro Itagaki.
Compared with the serious and tense atmosphere on the Japanese army's position, the Eighth Route Army's position seemed much more relaxed. As the enemy began to shrink the defense line, the soldiers no longer had to worry about the Japanese attack. Except for the necessary guard posts, the remaining soldiers
A few people were sitting together, chatting about the battle just now, replenishing their physical strength...
Similarly, the atmosphere in the headquarters was also unusually relaxed. At this time, Liu Hua, as the division commander, was sitting leisurely on a stool, listening to the chief of staff report to each regiment on the results and losses they had just summarized.
"Commander, this is a telegram jointly sent by Commander Wang Benqing and Commander He Zhiyuan, who are in charge of frontal defense." The chief of staff said, picking up a telegram he had just received.
"Well, if my guess is correct, their victory was very huge. However, the casualties of the troops were also very huge. I won't read it. Please read it to me so that we can understand it clearly." Liu Hua did not.
As a result, the chief of staff handed over the telegram and said.
"Yes, division commander. The two regiment commanders reported that in the explosion in the minefield just now, we killed more than 960 Japs in total. The rest is the achievements of the three regiments in blocking the Japs on the front line. After a rough calculation,
More than 500 people. In addition, a total of 23 heavy machine guns, 65 light machine guns, and more than 800 rifles were seized. However, there was basically not much ammunition. As for the remaining dozens of light and heavy machine guns, they had all been destroyed.
.The other is the casualties of the troops. Among them, the third regiment and one battalion suffered the most casualties. More than four-fifths of the entire battalion was killed, and the entire battalion was beaten to less than 100 people. According to statistics, 867 soldiers of the third regiment died and were seriously injured.
129 people, and basically everyone else was injured. The reinforcements led by He Zhiyuan sacrificed 226 people and seriously injured 85 people. The two regiments lost a total of about 1,200 people. Compared with the Japanese losses, the casualty ratio was close to one to one.
"That's all." The chief of staff put down the telegram in his hand and said with a sigh of relief.
"Well, the Japs' breakout attack was really powerful, and their machine gun firepower was too fierce. In addition, our preparations were too inadequate and there was too little artillery fire, so we couldn't suppress the heavy firepower of the Japanese army at all.
These are the reasons why our army has caused such heavy casualties!" After listening to the chief of staff's report, Liu Hua shook his head and concluded.
"Yes, I think so too. We didn't expect that the Japanese army only had 4,000 troops left. However, their firepower was still so powerful. We concentrated the artillery fire of 8 mortar companies, but we failed to suppress the enemy.
machine gun firepower." Chief of Staff Li Qing nodded and said, fully agreeing with division commander Liu Hua's analysis.
"Well, this is all caused by our insufficient prediction in advance. As the supreme commander of the entire battlefield, I will definitely review it to everyone at the combat summary meeting. Let's not talk about this issue, Chief of Staff.
Do the remaining three troops suffer heavy casualties?" Seeing what the chief of staff wanted to say, Liu Hua quickly interrupted and continued to ask.
"Since the other three directions were not the main attack direction of the Japanese army, the casualties of the soldiers were not very large. The first regiment lost 215 people, of which 168 were killed. The second regiment lost 289 people, of which 198 were killed. In addition, the guard battalion and
One battalion in the first division. The two battalions lost a total of 143 people and sacrificed 110 people." After listening to the division commander's questions, the chief of staff picked up the remaining telegrams on the table and said.
"Well, fortunately the casualties of the troops were not large. Otherwise, the troops would have spent a lot of effort during the general attack." After listening to the chief of staff's report, Liu Hua breathed a sigh of relief and said.
"Division Commander, judging from the current situation, there are less than 2,000 Japanese troops left in our encirclement, and these little devils are short of men, horses, and ammunition. In addition, they are now building ring fortifications. Division Commander
, I think we must seize this opportunity and immediately launch a final general attack on the remaining Japanese troops in the encirclement, wiping out the remaining two thousand Japanese soldiers. Otherwise, if we wait until they have built their own defenses and then attack again,
The price you pay will be much higher," the chief of staff suggested.
"Chief of Staff, I also want to attack now. However, our troops are too few. After the defensive battle just now, our soldiers are also exhausted and have lost nearly two thousand troops. In short, our troops
It's not enough..." After listening to the chief of staff's suggestion, Liu Hua was deeply satisfied. However, Liu Hua frowned when he thought about his insufficient strength at this time.
"Division commander, we don't have enough troops? How could it be? Even if we lost two thousand people, we still have more than 5,000 people. Together with the cavalry regiment, it is more than three times the number of the Japanese army?" After listening to the words of the division commander Liu Hua, the chief of staff asked
Said in disbelief.
"Haha, Chief of Staff. Do you really think that Seishiro Itagaki in the encirclement is just appointed and prepared to hold on? If nothing else happens, the little Japs at the foot of the mountain must be waiting for us to launch the final general attack." After listening to the words of the Chief of Staff.
, Liu Hua shook his head and reminded.
"Division Commander, is the purpose of their persistence just to delay time and wait for reinforcements? Why do you say he is waiting for us to launch a general offensive? I don't understand what you mean." After hearing the strange words of the division commander Liu Hua, the chief of staff became even more confused.
, continued to pursue and asked.
"It's very simple. If Itagaki Seishiro wants to avoid the fate of being killed, without reinforcements, there is only one chance, and that is to break out. However, they have just lost the best chance to break out. However, there is another chance,
That is to wait until we launch a general offensive. When the battlefield falls into chaos, he will give us a chance to fish in troubled waters. When we launch a general offensive, he will lead an elite unit, seize the opportunity, find our army's opening, and launch a counterattack. In this way
If so, with our existing military strength, we are simply unable to defend against it." Liu Hua explained.
"Ah! Master, if it is like what you said, we are really defenseless... Master, what are you going to do? You can't just wait like this. Let this old devil Seishiro Itagaki go!" Listen!
After the division commander's explanation, the chief of staff immediately understood. The division commander who followed him frowned.
"Of course I won't let this old Japanese go. The purpose of our launch of this campaign is to completely wipe out the Japanese Fifth Division. I don't want to leave any regrets. I must capture Itagaki Seishiro alive. Even if I can't capture this old boy alive,
I'm going to kill him too." Division Commander Liu Hua said with certainty.
"But, division commander, we don't have enough troops..." The chief of staff nodded with deep understanding. Then he frowned and continued to ask.
"So I'm waiting..." Liu Hua blurted out.
"Wait, wait for reinforcements... I understand, division commander, you mean plateau... Division commander, I will contact plateau immediately to see how far they are from here." After hearing Liu Hua's words, the chief of staff immediately
After reacting, he turned around and ran to the radio room next to him.
"Report to the division commander and chief of staff. Gao Yuan has been ordered to lead the troops to come for reinforcements." Just when Li Qing turned around and was about to send the report, a report sounded from the door of the headquarters. Then he saw Gao Yuan, his face filled with tears.
He walked into the temporary headquarters with a smile.
"Commander, Chief of Staff, I'm not too late. That kid Seishiro Itagaki hasn't been killed yet..." As soon as he walked into the command post, he heard Gao Yuan's hearty voice. He saw Gao Yuan striding into the command post.
The troops came to Liu Hua and Li Qing and saluted them with a solemn military salute.
"Haha, Chief of Staff. If you really say Cao ***, Cao *** will be here. Commander Gao, it's not too late. We are surrounding Seishiro Itagaki at the mouth of the long valley, stretching his neck, waiting for us to chop him down."
Seeing Gao Yuan, Liu Hua was so excited that he stood up from his seat and held Gao Yuan's hands tightly.
"Yes, Lao Gao. Just now, the division commander and I were talking about why your reinforcements haven't arrived yet. As we talked, you came. Division commander, now that the reinforcements are here, we can launch a general attack!"
Chief of Staff Li Qing also said with excitement.
"Division commander, chief of staff. This time I have brought two main regiments with a total of 3,000 troops. In addition, I have also brought two mortar companies. Division commander, please give the battle order..." After listening to the division commander and
At the words of the Chief of Staff, Gao Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Because he hurriedly and slowly caught up with the general attack on the Japanese Fifth Division. Thinking that he could witness the destruction of the Japanese Fifth Division in the hands of his own troops, Gao Yuan was filled with excitement.
Excited.
"Okay, with your 3,000 men, I don't have to worry now. Order a regiment from the second division to immediately take over the defensive position of the guard battalion. The guard battalion and one battalion from the first division serve as a reserve team to patrol around Changgukou and eliminate them.
All Japanese troops that may break through. As for your other regiment, replace the third regiment and the two battalions of the first division. As for the replaced troops, they will also patrol the surrounding areas. I will give you half an hour to prepare.
Hours later, the troops will launch the general attack on time." Seeing Gaoyuan's eagerness to fight, Liu Hua ordered loudly.
"Yes, division commander, I promise to complete the mission..." Hearing that the division commander actually asked him to participate in the final attack on the Japanese army, Gao Yuan was excited and replied loudly.
"Okay, time is limited, go ahead and prepare! But there is one thing, you must not go to the front line in person. You have to remember that you are a commander, not an ordinary soldier." Liu Hua then reminded.
"Ah, Commander...Yes, Commander, I promise not to go to the front line and stay at my command position." After hearing Liu Hua's words, Gao Yuan was surprised. Although he was unhappy, he still readily agreed.
"Division Commander... the troops will launch a general offensive in half an hour. There is also a cavalry regiment that has no mission. How should we arrange it..." Seeing Second Division Commander Gao Yuan leaving the headquarters, Chief of Staff Li Qing then asked.
road.
"The cavalry regiment is now the only mobile unit of our *** division. I don't want to use it for offense. Its role is Seishiro Itagaki, the division commander of the little devil." A strange smile appeared on the corner of Liu Hua's mouth.
, said to the chief of staff.
"Commander, you mean that Itagaki Seishiro will definitely take advantage of the troubled waters. And our cavalry regiment happened to intercept and kill Itagaki Seishiro who escaped." After listening to Liu Hua's words, Chief of Staff Li Qing also showed a smile.
"Yes, the cavalry regiment is ordered to take company as a unit to conduct patrols around Changgukou. As long as you see the little Japs, kill them and don't leave me alive. Pay special attention to some small groups of Japanese troops. If they don't come out,
If there is an accident, the old Japanese soldier Seishiro Itagaki must be hiding among these small groups of Japanese troops." Liu Hua nodded and ordered loudly.
As reinforcements entered the position one after another, half an hour passed quickly. Together with the two mortar companies reinforced by the second division, at this time, Chen Guangrong's entire artillery group had exceeded 150 artillery pieces.
.Just when everyone looked anxiously in the direction of the command headquarters, three signal flares were fired into the sky with everyone's expectant eyes.