Chapter seven hundred and seventh successful retirement
Chapter 707: Retire after success
News that the Northeast Field Army in Tongliao, Siping, Liaoyuan, and Jilin suddenly launched a counterattack was also immediately transmitted to the Kwantung Army headquarters in Changchun City via telegram.
Listening to the report from the Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Toshima Botaro, General Mitsu Umejiro's face was not only shocked but also in disbelief. He couldn't believe that the Northeast Field Army, which only had 200,000 troops, dared to attack the army with more than 300,000 elite troops.
, and the Kwantung Army, which had a geographical advantage, launched a counterattack, and it was a counterattack regardless of losses...
However, the shock was a shock, and things that should be dealt with still needed to be dealt with. Facing the combat sandbox in front of him, he compared the current deployment of the enemy and our forces on the sandbox. After a brief thought, General Mizu Umejiro raised his head.
, frowning tightly, and continued to ask.
"Chief of Staff, the Northeast Field Army suddenly launched a counterattack against our defenders in all four areas. What do you think is the ultimate purpose of their action?"
"Your Excellency, Commander, I'm sorry for my stupidity. So far, I don't know the specific purpose of the Northeast Field Army's counterattack. According to the comparison of the strength of the enemy and our troops in various places, the Northeast Field Army wants to conquer the occupiers in a short period of time.
In several areas, it is almost an impossible military operation. And behind them doing such a thankless thing, there must be a huge conspiracy hidden..." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Toshima Botaro shook his head helplessly.
He shook his head, and then spoke out his thoughts.
"Well, since we don't know the huge conspiracy hidden behind the Northeast Field Army, let's wait for a while. After the Northeast Field Army reveals its combat purpose, it won't be too late for us to make specific arrangements..." Mizu Umejiro
The general replied as expected. Then, he gave a firm order to the chief of staff in front of him.
"Chief of Staff, immediately issue orders to all frontline combat units. Facing the offensive of the Northeast Field Army, all units must stick to their positions and ensure the safety of various places..."
"Ha Yi, your Excellency, Commander, is wise..." the Chief of Staff replied decisively.
In the first round of artillery counterattack by the Northeast Field Army, although the Japanese artillery units suffered heavy losses, they almost lost any room to fight back. In the subsequent battle, faced with the powerful artillery strikes of the Northeast Field Army, the infantry units had no room to fight back.
The losses were also heavy. However, in the face of the orders from the Kwantung Army Headquarters, the various combat units on the front line were not allowed to send countless soldiers to the forefront every hour, or even every minute, to serve as cannon fodder and use the lives of the soldiers to
To block the fierce offensive of the Northeast Field Army.
In this way, in less than a day, all Japanese troops participating in the war paid a very heavy price under the powerful offensive of the Northeast Field Army...
Two days of bloody battles passed in the blink of an eye. Although the various combat units responsible for the offensive in Dongye did not occupy much area during the two days of fighting, it was clear from the number of Japanese corpses scattered on the battlefield.
Seeing the impressive achievements achieved by various combat units in Dongye during the two days of fighting...
In the enemy headquarters in the east field of Meihekou, Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua was sitting on a stool with a smile on his face at this moment, listening to the combat staff in front of him reporting on the impressive results achieved by each combat unit during the two-day battle.
"Commander-in-Chief, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Yang called. After two days of fighting, our Seventh and Twelfth Army successfully occupied the Japanese front-line positions. At the same time, we destroyed three Japanese artillery positions and destroyed more than a hundred large-caliber artillery pieces.
.In addition, according to preliminary statistics on the battlefield, in two days of fighting, our seven or twelve armies achieved a huge result of annihilating at least 12,000 enemies. As for the number of enemies injured, it is still unknown..."
"Commander Zhou on the frontal battlefield in the Liaoyuan area reported that during the exchange of fire with the Japanese army, our artillery troops destroyed four Japanese artillery positions and destroyed more than 120 large and small artillery pieces. At the same time, the offensive troops successfully occupied the first and second defense lines of the Japanese army.
The total number of Japanese troops wiped out was at least 18,000, and countless Japanese troops were injured. The specific results cannot be calculated..."
"Commander Zhong of the Second Army on the rear battlefield in the Liaoyuan area reported that for two days, under the suppression of our army's powerful artillery fire, the 139th Division of the Kwantung Army had no room to fight back. In the two days of fighting, the entire 139th Division at least reduced its strength.
One-third. At present, the remnants of the Japanese 139th Division have been compressed to several hills less than ten kilometers away from Liaoyuan and continue to resist..."
"The Chief of Staff of Tongliao received a call. The two field divisions of the Kwantung Army that were reinforcing Tongliao suffered heavy losses under the siege of our first and fourth main armies, a total of five main divisions. After two days of fighting, our five
The main division adopted the tactics of beheading and cutting off the tail, dividing and encircling, and wiped out three Japanese infantry regiments, one baggage regiment, and two artillery regiments. Preliminary statistics show that in two days of fighting, the two main armies achieved at least one victory
A huge result of annihilating 20,000 enemies. At present, the remnants of the Kwantung Army reinforcements have been compressed by our two field armies in a mountainous area with a radius of tens of kilometers. They are not far away from being completely wiped out..."
"Deputy Chief of Staff Li in the Siping area telegraphed that after two days of bloody battles, all the commanders and fighters of the Third Army achieved a huge result of annihilating two enemy infantry regiments with a total of more than 7,000 people. Currently, each combat unit is further expanding the results...
." Facing the commander-in-chief's eager gaze, the combat staff also reported with excitement.
"Commander Wang, this is too confusing. I only want the final result. Quickly, report to me directly, the total number of enemies wiped out by all combat troops in the past two days..." Faced with Staff Wang's answer, Liu Hua gave a very decisive order
road.
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. According to statistics, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Yang has 12,000 people, Commander Zhou has more than 18,000 people, and Commander Zhong has one-third of the field division, which is 8,000 people.
On the left and right, there are 20,000 people with the Chief of Staff, and 7,000 people with Deputy Chief of Staff Li. All added up, the total is 65,000 people..." Staff Wang replied with excitement.
"Sixty-five thousand people... It is really unexpected that we have achieved such a huge result in two days of fighting. Now think about it, with the huge result of 65,000 people, even if we give up the Meihekou we currently occupy, it will be
It's very worthwhile..." Faced with such huge results, Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"Commander-in-Chief, these 65,000 little devils are just the results achieved by each unit in the two-day counterattack. If you add in the number of enemy annihilations achieved by each combat unit in the previous period, in this dozens of days of battle, those who died in
There are at least 100,000 Japs in the hands of our Northeast Field Army. If we add in the number of enemies annihilated in the Battle of Meihekou and the recapture of southeastern Jilin. In this sortie, the total number of enemies annihilated by our Northeast Field Army will exceed 150,000.
…" Staff Officer Wang added with a smile on his face.
"Okay... 150,000 elite Japs are enough to give the Kwantung Army headquarters a headache for a while. However, I believe that our opponents will soon discover the specific purpose of our counterattack after these two days of fighting.
In addition, after dozens of days of bloody battles, our soldiers must have paid a very heavy price, and all combat units are very tired. Therefore, this unprecedented melee should be over by now.
It's time..." Facing the combat sandbox in front of him, Liu Hua said again.
After a short period of reflection, Liu Hua quickly raised his head and gave a very decisive order to Staff Wang in front of him.
"Commander Wang, immediately issued the latest combat order to all frontline combat units: In this counterattack, our Northeast Field Army has completed the scheduled combat objectives. All combat units, starting from the receipt of the telegram, stopped attacking the current Japanese troops. At the same time, all levels
The commander began to organize the troops to retreat and withdraw from the four regions of Tongliao, Siping, Liaoyuan and Jilin. It is required that all combat units must be more vigilant during the retreat process to prevent the Japs from counterattacking. At the same time, all combat units must
Within three days, withdraw from the combat area and return to the base area for reorganization and rest..."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief..."
Outside Liaoyuan City, the artillery fire that had been roaring for two days finally stopped. Just when the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army, Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto, was puzzled by the sudden stop of the artillery fire, a combat staff officer rushed to him panting.
In front of everyone, he reported loudly.
"Your Excellency, Commander, the forward troops reported that the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side suddenly stopped attacking. The forward troops requested instructions from the headquarters whether the troops should immediately launch a counterattack to regain the defense line lost by the troops in the two days of fighting..."
"Nani? The Northeast Field Army has stopped attacking...Chief of Staff, what do you think..." Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto's face immediately showed a look of doubt. Then, he asked the Chief of Staff in front of him with a puzzled expression.
.
"Division Commander, as far as I know, the total strength of the Northeast Field Army opposite is less than 50,000. After two days of continuous attacks, they will sometimes get tired. If nothing else, I think that the Northeast Field Army opposite
, must be taking a short rest... After the rest, they will concentrate their forces and launch a new round of offensive against our position..." the chief of staff replied.
"Recuperate... So, Chief of Staff, do you think we should take advantage of this favorable opportunity to organize our troops and launch a sudden counterattack to regain the positions we lost in the two days of fighting..." After a sudden nod, Taro Yamamoto
The lieutenant general continued to ask.
"No...Your Excellency, Division Commander..." The Chief of Staff shook his head in the affirmative, and then opened his mouth to explain.
"Division commander, although the Northeast Field Army opposite is very tired, they have an absolute advantage in artillery fire. If we attack rashly and face the fierce artillery fire of the Northeast Field Army, our infantry will have no room to fight back. So.
, I am not in favor of counterattack now..."
Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto nodded in agreement with the Chief of Staff's explanation. After a brief thought, he gave a firm order to the Chief of Staff in front of him:
"Since it is not suitable to attack, then we will stay put. Now I order all the combat units on the front line to take turns to rest and recuperate. At the same time, all combat units must strengthen their defenses and replenish ammunition in the shortest possible time to be ready to attack the Northeast at any time.
A new round of offensive by the field army..."
"Ha Yi, your Excellency, the division commander is wise..."
In the former enemy headquarters in Dongye, which corresponds to the Kwantung Army garrison in the Liaoyuan area, all the commanders participating in the meeting looked at Commander Zhou Baozhong in front of them with puzzled faces. Because everyone did not understand why the troops were progressing very smoothly.
, instead of pursuing the victory and breaking through the next line of defense of the Japanese army in one fell swoop, he issued an order for the troops to stop the attack...
Seeing the confused looks of all the commanders, Commander-in-Chief Zhou Baozhong quickly stood up from his seat. Then, he took out a telegram he had just received and spoke.
"Comrades, this is the latest combat order that I have just received from Commander-in-Chief Higashino. In the two-day battle, with the cooperation of all combat units of our Thirteenth Army, Guard Division, Heavy Artillery Division...
We successfully occupied two lines of defense of the Japanese army and achieved a huge result of annihilating more than 18,000 enemy people. Behind this huge result, we also paid a very heavy price. If we could not retreat in time, the Kanto enemy on the opposite side would have to pay a very heavy price.
Then, what will greet us will be a bloody counterattack by the Japanese army. Therefore, when the strategic purpose of our Dongye operation has been achieved, the commander-in-chief ordered that all combat troops be withdrawn within three days.
On the battlefield, return to the base area for repairs..."
As soon as Zhou Baozhong finished speaking, relief expressions appeared on the faces of more than a dozen commanders. Then, a heated discussion began...
Because time was tight, Zhou Baozhong did not give everyone much buffering time and waved his hand. After the entire command headquarters regained silence, he decisively ordered...
"Now I will distribute the order of withdrawal of each unit... The heavy artillery division, the howitzer regiment directly under the corps, and the field artillery regiment directly under the corps will assemble immediately. Under the protection of the guard regiment directly under the corps, they will withdraw from the battlefield first and march toward the Meihekou area.
Assemble. I ask you to withdraw from the battlefield within twelve hours..."
"Commander Li and all the commanders and fighters of the Thirteenth Army, after the artillery troops have withdrawn, they took all the lightly and seriously wounded, captured them on the battlefield, followed closely, and began to retreat..."
"Commander Li, your guard division is the one equipped with the most automatic firepower and the most powerful combat effectiveness among all our troops in Dongye. Therefore, the task of covering must be handed over to your guard division. My
The requirement is very simple. Before the two troops have completed their retreat, the guard division will continue to attack the current Japanese position to confuse the little Japanese and leave enough time for the main force to retreat. After the Thirteenth Army has completely withdrawn from the battlefield
From now on, you will personally command the guard division and withdraw from the battlefield alternately..."
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief..." With Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua's order to retreat. Next, regarding Zhou Baozhong's specific deployment, commanders and fighters at all levels, of course, had nothing to say and answered with certainty.
"Very good. After the meeting is over, each unit will start preparing to retreat. Two hours later, the artillery unit will begin to retreat. Now I declare that the meeting is adjourned..."
"Boom, boom, boom..." Two hours later, while the Liaoyuan Kwantung Army defenders were still nestling in their fortifications and resting, a burst of intensive shell explosions began to sound on the battlefield.
The guard division that took over the front-line defensive position immediately assembled all the artillery of the entire division and began to launch a new round of counterattack against the Japanese positions...
"Your Excellency, Commander, we are reporting from the forward positions that the Northeast Field Army launched a new round of attack on our positions an hour ago..." the chief of staff breathlessly reported in the Japanese headquarters at Meihekou.
"It seems that after more than four hours of rest, the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side has regained its combat effectiveness...Order the forward combat troops to resolutely block the offensive of the Northeast Field Army and hold the position..." Lieutenant General Yamamoto Taro showed a sneer at the corner of his mouth, and then
, ordered decisively.
"Ha Yi, your Excellency, Commander..."
Until this moment, facing the powerful attack of the guard division, all the Japanese troops in the entire Liaoyuan area had not noticed that the Northeast Field Army opposite them, with a strength of less than 10,000 people, continuously launched attacks against them, attracting their own troops.
Out of focus. The remaining Northeast Field Army has begun its silent retreat under the cover of darkness...
In the Tongliao area, after receiving the telegram from Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua, looking at the military exploits in front of him, Chief of Staff Zuo Quan did not immediately order the troops to stop the attack, but prepared to use the last moment to continue to expand the troops' achievements.
"Chief of Staff, do you follow the boss's order to immediately stop the attack and retreat..." Sun Xingbang, commander of the First Corps, asked after reading the telegram.
"Stop attacking?" Zuo Quan shook his head and said immediately.
"Lao Sun, Lao Gao, judging from the current battle situation, the situation on the entire battlefield is very favorable for us. If we stop attacking now, I don't know when we will encounter such a good fighter opportunity. Boss
Didn't I say that we will return to the base area in three days? So, based on time, we still have at least one day to organize a new round of attack."
"Old Sun, I immediately sent an order to all artillery units to launch a saturation bombardment on the Japanese positions in half an hour. My request is very simple. All artillery units, except for leaving half of the base shells as
Except for spares, use all the remaining artillery shells to hit the Japs’ positions. Before leaving, prepare a sumptuous steel feast for the Japs.”
"After the bombardment is completed, all combat troops, without leaving any reserves, will immediately launch an attack to eliminate all Japanese troops on the outer defense line. At the same time, qualified troops will continue to expand the results while ensuring troop casualties... However, all combat troops
, we must stop the attack before dawn, take alternate cover, and withdraw from the battle..." Zuo Quan ordered with a firm look on his face.