Chapter six hundred and thirty-eight tigers dig their hearts!
Chapter 638 The tiger rips out the heart!
In the former enemy headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, Liu Hua, the commander-in-chief of the field army, was standing motionless in front of the map, listening to the combat staff filing in one by one, reporting to him the latest battle reports from the front line.
"Chief, Commander Sun of the 15th Division reports. The main force of the Japanese division outside Sifangtuo has begun to shrink its defenses, build fortifications on the spot, and prepare to hold on..." A combat staff officer reported loudly.
"The little devil's reaction is really fast. Lao Zhou, how long will it take for the battle of the 13th Division to end?" Liu Hua nodded and asked.
"The battle has lasted for almost an hour. According to the latest report from Commander Li Yuanqing: the remaining Japs of less than 1,500 people have been divided into three pieces by the troops. Now Commander Li is concentrating his troops and firepower to eliminate them one by one.
The little devils in the encirclement. If nothing happens, the battle should be resolved in two hours." Zhou Baozhong replied.
"Two hours is too slow. By then, although the strength of a Japanese regiment has been eliminated, the main force of the Japanese division in the rear will also have built a solid defense. This will give us a follow-up attack
, bring a lot of trouble?" Liu Hua pondered.
After half a minute of contemplation, Liu Hua's eyes immediately showed a trace of sharpness, and he decisively ordered: "No matter what, we must not let the main force of the Japanese army build defenses so smoothly. Otherwise, during the next attack,
, the troops' network will be too large. Order the artillery cluster, deploy a battalion of artillery, reinforce Li Yuanqing, and resolve the battle as soon as possible. The remaining four artillery battalions concentrate their firepower to bombard the main force of the Japanese division, leaving them no chance to build defenses
.”
"Yes, Chief..."
Looking at the communications staff officer who was about to leave, Liu Hua followed closely and said: "Wait a moment, and immediately send a telegram to Commander Sun Shen of the 15th Division, ordering the 15th Division to gradually advance forward, compress the Japanese army's positions, and reduce their activities.
area to create more powerful conditions for the next battle."
Amidst the rumbling sound of artillery, the casualties of more than a thousand Japs who had been divided and surrounded by thousands of soldiers immediately increased in a straight line. Under the unstoppable offensive of the soldiers, the Japs soldiers fell one after another one after another.
were wiped out. Telegrams reporting the victory of the Thirteenth Division on the front line were like snowflakes, constantly being delivered to Liu Hua's hands.
As for the position of the main force of the Japanese division, under continuous bombardment from dozens of artillery pieces, the soldiers had to stop digging fortifications, hug their heads, and lie on the ground to avoid the flying shrapnel caused by the explosion of artillery shells above their heads.
….
More than an hour later, the Yin Teng Regiment, which was heavily surrounded by the 13th Division, and more than 3,000 people including the regiment captain Yin Teng Regiment, no one escaped, and all were wiped out.
"Order Commander Li to concentrate all the troops that can still fight, and make persistent efforts to completely annihilate the main force of the Japanese 124th Division and capture alive the Japanese division commander Lieutenant General Fukuda. At the same time, order Commander Li Guanghui of the Artillery Regiment to shoot out all the artillery shells for me.
, kill the effective Japanese troops as much as possible and reduce the casualties of the troops." After receiving the good news from the 13th Division on the front line, Liu Hua did not feel happy for long, but gave a decisive order.
During the two-hour shelling, almost five thousand rounds of artillery shells of various calibers were poured onto the dilapidated Japanese positions under the orders of regiment commander Li Guanghui. Faced with such fierce artillery fire, these pampered little
The Japanese Kwantung Army experienced for the first time something they had never tried before, which was the feeling of being bombed so hard that they could not lift their heads.
Five thousand rounds of large-caliber artillery shells, even if each shell only took away the life of one little Japanese. After the two-hour bombardment, the main force of the Japanese division of nearly 10,000 people could continue to fight.
There's not much left.
Sure enough, as the two-hour bombardment slowly came to a halt with the expectations of all the Japanese soldiers, a troop casualty report was promptly delivered to Lieutenant General Fukuda.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, after two hours of shelling, our 124th Division has paid a total of more than 6,000 casualties. At present, our 124th Division has only the strength left to continue fighting.
There are less than 5,000 men. As for the heavy firepower of the troops, apart from a small number of light machine guns and grenade launchers, there is only one heavy machine gun squadron with nine heavy machine guns left around the division headquarters. 0..." Division
The regiment chief of staff reported.
After receiving the battle report from the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Fukuda did not say a single word.
Walking to the entrance of the command post, he raised the telescope in his hand. Under the illumination of the groups of bonfires, every move on the battlefield was clearly displayed in front of Lieutenant General Fukuda.
At this moment, what caught Lieutenant General Fukuda's eyes was no longer the high-morale, always invincible Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan. Instead, it was a troop with low morale. It was like an army without any strength, in dilapidated state.
On the battlefield, collect the bodies of dead soldiers and treat the wounded...
Looking at the miserable scene in front of him, Lieutenant General Fukuda nodded thoughtfully.
Because at this moment, a thought has appeared in his mind: because he underestimated the enemy, and because everyone underestimated the enemy, it finally led to his 124th Division, with more than 20,000 soldiers. After just a few days of bloody battles,
There were less than 5,000 remaining soldiers.
Thinking of this, Lieutenant General Futian's face immediately showed a look of repentance. He said to the Chief of Staff who followed him: "Chief of Staff, today's Eighth Route Army is far different from the Anti-Japanese Alliance of yesterday. And we,
But we still hold the idea of fighting the Anti-Japanese Alliance and command the troops to fight against it. Under the guidance of this idea of underestimating the enemy, how can we be invincible..."
"Hai, your Excellency, Division Commander, this is not your fault. So far, not many people in the entire Kwantung Army have realized that the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army we are facing has reached the same level as the Great Japanese Empire's Kwantung Army.
We are on par with the military. Perhaps, our broken jade can awaken those Kwantung Army officers who are still confused in their sleep that the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan is the best in the world..." the chief of staff replied thoughtfully.
"Perhaps, if the commander of the Kwantung Army cannot pay attention to this Eighth Route Army unit as soon as possible and uproot it, then the harm of this Eighth Route Army unit to our Kwantung Army unit must be very huge...Chief of Staff, immediately advance to the enemy
Your Excellency, the Chief of Staff of the headquarters, sends a farewell telegram before the death of the whole army of our 124th Division. We will truthfully report the situation of our army in the past few days of fighting. I hope that our death can arouse everyone's vigilance..."
When a man is about to die, his words are also good. Faced with the possibility of death at any time, facing our 124th Division, which is on the verge of being annihilated. The division commander, Lieutenant General Fukuda, hopes that before he dies, he can help the Kwantung Army.
Do your best.
A few minutes later, as the farewell telegram was sent, intensive gunfire could be heard around the position. It was obvious that the Eighth Route Army troops on the periphery had taken advantage of the low morale and low combat effectiveness of their subordinates to attack their 124
The division launched the most rapid attack.
Hearing the shouts of killing and the sound of gunfire getting closer and closer outside the headquarters. At this moment, in the face of death, Lieutenant General Fukuda, who had no worries, was surprisingly calm and without any nervous emotions.
"Chief of Staff, how long can the remaining strength of the army last? In addition, how long will it take for the nearest main divisions to reinforce our army to arrive on the battlefield?" He faced the staff officer in front of him.
Commander, Lieutenant General Futian asked calmly.
While surprised by Lieutenant General Futian's calmness at this moment, the Chief of Staff did not dare to neglect and quickly replied: "Division Commander, the remaining forces of our army are under the siege of the Eighth Route Army, even in the best situation.
, and can only hold on for less than five hours. And the reinforcements will not arrive on the battlefield until ten hours at the earliest."
"That's all, let the reinforcements collect our bodies. Order the flag guard squadron to burn the division flag immediately. All staff members of the division headquarters will allocate weapons and join the battle. I hope that the remaining troops of my 124th Division can
Before the entire army is destroyed, try to kill as much of the main force of the Eighth Route Army as possible." Lieutenant General Futian waved his hand and ordered decisively.
Facing Lieutenant General Fukuda's order, all the officers' faces immediately showed shocked looks. The chief of staff quickly asked: "But, your Excellency, the division commander, although there is no hope that the reinforcements will arrive in time. However,
We can still break through. As long as we break through the encirclement, our 124th Division will have time to rebuild. Please think twice, Division Commander, the division flag must not be burned..."
"Your Excellency, the division commander, please think twice..." Under the signal from the chief of staff's eyes, all the officers in the headquarters said in unison.
"Don't say it anymore, I have already decided. As the division commander of the 124th Division, I must not abandon my subordinates and break out privately. Everyone, here today, I have spent the rest of my life with the belief that I will die.
Test tube. Therefore, I hope everyone will stop trying to persuade me, distribute weapons immediately, and prepare for the final battle..." Lieutenant General Fukuda waved his hand and ordered decisively.
“Hai…”….
In the Japanese enemy's headquarters in Shenyang, as the war situation continued to worsen, Kimura Hyoutarou, who had just been lying down for a short time, had to walk into the headquarters again and began to personally direct the battle.
"Reporting to the commander-in-chief, a farewell telegram sent by General Fukuda, commander of the 124th Division. All officers and soldiers of the 124th Division, under the command of the division commander, General Fukuda, will fight to the end with the Eighth Route Army troops and fight for His Majesty the Emperor..."
A combat staff officer rushed into the headquarters and reported breathlessly.
"What, a farewell telegram. Didn't it say that the troops can hold on for ten hours? How could it happen so quickly? Chief of Staff, what happened? Did Mr. Fukuda report the specific reason?" Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Hyoutaro Kimura
, asked in shock.
"Hai..." Major General Kuroda replied affirmatively.
"According to General Futian's report, the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army troops surrounding our 124th Division is far inferior to that of the Anti-Japanese Alliance half a year ago. And the weapons and equipment of the entire Eighth Route Army are far more original than a division of the Kwantung Army of the Empire of Japan. In Changchun
During the two-hour shelling, our 124th Division paid the price of more than half of its casualties. Currently, the more than 4,000 remnants of the entire division are making their final resistance under the command of General Fukuda..."
"Bastard, how is it possible? Order reinforcements to speed up the march and reinforce the Sifangtuo battlefield. Call Lieutenant General Futian back immediately and ask him to lead the troops to break out of the encirclement no matter what. The 124th Division, no matter what, cannot use the entire army
Destroyed. Send a telegram immediately..." Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro clenched his fists and ordered loudly.
As Lieutenant General Hyōtaro Kimura waited anxiously, time passed by in such a hurry. On the Sifangtuo battlefield hundreds of kilometers away, several hours of fierce fighting had come to an end. However, the Japanese reinforcements were still a few hours away.
On the road ten kilometers away, like a snail, slowly crawling towards the battlefield...
"Your Excellency, Commander, all radio connections between the Communications Office and the 124th Division have been interrupted. In addition, according to reconnaissance aircraft, it is learned that the sound of gunfire on the Sifangtuo battlefield has slowly stopped..." The Japanese 124th Division has just
Destroyed. Unable to receive any signal about the 124th Division, the communication office immediately rushed into the headquarters panting and reported in a low voice.
"What, the entire 124th Division was destroyed...how could it happen so quickly..." After a brief shock, the commander-in-chief, Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro, couldn't help but exclaimed.
"Hai..." the communications staff officer replied decisively.
Seeing the face of the commander in front of him, there was still a look of doubt. Major General Kuroda replied decisively: "Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, it has become a fact that the entire 124th Division has been destroyed. The 124th Division has been completely wiped out and is gathering in
The main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Sifangtuo area will have enough strength to deal with our reinforcements. They have the ability to annihilate our 124th Division in less than ten hours, and they have the ability to annihilate us again
A reinforcement force of the army. Therefore, I believe that our urgent need is to make an immediate decision: whether the reinforcements will continue to advance and whether the entire encirclement and suppression operation will continue..."
In an instant, Major General Kuroda's words were like thunder, bringing Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro back to reality from the shock. At the same time, a hesitant look appeared on his face.
As Major General Kuroda said, if the Eighth Route Army has the ability to annihilate the 124th Division, it will have the ability to annihilate a main division once again. In this encirclement and suppression operation, the most elite force in its hands is the five main divisions. Five.
The main division is like his five injured fingers.
But now, one of the five fingers has been cut off. If one of the fingers is cut off again under the attack of the Eighth Route Army, this encirclement and suppression operation will only end in failure. More importantly, the entire army of the two main divisions
The problem of devastating command errors is not something that a chief of staff can bear.
Thinking of this, Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro immediately had large beads of sweat on his forehead. He asked Major General Kuroda who asked this question: "Kuroda-kun, are you responsible for this encirclement and suppression operation?"
The former chief of staff of the enemy, formulating combat plans is the specific responsibility of the staff department. What do you think we should do, and whether the entire encirclement and suppression operation should continue."
"Hai. So far, this encirclement and suppression campaign has not achieved any substantial results, but has resulted in the loss of troops and generals. If the entire encirclement and suppression campaign is ended now, then we will be fully responsible for the faulty command of this campaign.
Therefore, not only can we not stop this encirclement and suppression campaign, but we must continue it until certain results are achieved before withdrawing our troops." Major General Kuroda answered decisively.
"Yo Xi, it seems that the entire encirclement and suppression campaign cannot be stopped at present. Otherwise, you and I will definitely be punished by our superiors, or even be sent to a military court. Kuroda-kun, do you already have something?
Do you have a good idea?" Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro nodded thoughtfully and asked.
"Hai, Your Excellency, Chief of Staff, I humbly believe that there is an opportunity in front of us now. Please make your decision, Your Excellency, Chief of Staff." Major General Kuroda nodded noncommittally.
"Be specific?"
"The main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Mengshan area must gather enough troops to annihilate our 124th Division. All the troops in its base area must come out in full force. If nothing happens, at this moment, the entire Mengshan base area must be very
Empty. As long as we can gather one or two divisions of troops, penetrate directly into the Eighth Route Army base area, and completely destroy it. Then, the Eighth Route Army troops who have lost their base area will have no choice but to wait for us to destroy them without supplies and logistics...
"Pointing to the military map in front of him, Major General Kuroda explained with a murderous look.
"kindness…"
Regarding the strategic plan proposed by Major General Kuroda, Kimura Hyōtaro nodded noncommittally. He stared at the military map in front of him with his eyes and fell into deep thought.
A few minutes later, while everyone was waiting anxiously, Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro finally withdrew his gaze from the map. Then, he said to Major General Kuroda in front of him with shining eyes.
"Kuroda-kun, this plan is very good. I have no objections. Now I am ordering the staff to write down the entire combat plan within half an hour and let me review it. Then, it will be distributed to each combat unit.
, will be implemented immediately.”
"Hai, your Excellency the Chief of Staff is wise..."
"In addition, notify the 125th Division, 126th Division, and 127th Division that are reinforcing the Sifangtuo battlefield. The three divisions are arranged in a zigzag pattern to support and cover each other and march towards Sifangtuo. At the same time, order the 128th Division to prepare an assault on the Eighth Route Army base area
Preparations in the Mengshan area. This time, we are going to give the Eighth Route Army troops who have just won a victory a fierce battle." A hint of sneer appeared on Lieutenant General Kimura Hyōtaro's lips as he ordered decisively.