When Japanese commander Makino Kanichi and his Wolf Squadron clung to the back of the Chinese 41st Army Headquarters and refused to let go, they also became a lone army that went deep into the country.
The headquarters of the 41st Army was furious at being chased by such a group of little devils. While moving, they also mobilized troops to try to extinguish this group of devils to vent their inner anger.
"Report Major, there is a Chongqing army outflanking our left wing!"
When the Japs from the Wolf Squadron were running out of breath in pursuit, suddenly the leading soldiers sent from the flanks rushed back, bringing bad news.
"Report, the Chongqing military defense line has been found in the front, and it is heavily guarded..."
The wolf squadron led by Makino Kanichi has now separated from the main force and is now surrounded by squadrons.
And they chased all the way, but could not catch up with the transferred 41st Army Headquarters. Although Makino Kanichi was very reluctant, he also knew that they were in a very dangerous situation now.
The Chinese *** team is deploying troops to deal with them. Although they are very elite, after all, after repeated battles, the number of casualties is only more than a hundred, which is difficult to compete with an army of Chinese troops.
"withdraw!"
Makino Kanichi was still very aware of current affairs and did not continue to lead the team in pursuit. Instead, he quickly moved away with the Japs from Wolf Squadron.
The Chinese officers and soldiers of a regiment who were ordered to come over and be responsible for exterminating this group of Japs rushed to nothing. It was so dark that it was difficult to find so many hundreds of Japs.
Moreover, the Japs' follow-up troops had already arrived, so after they could not find a target to attack, the Chinese officers and soldiers of this regiment quickly moved towards Yicheng.
Although their 41st Army was defeated, there was still a 45th Army under the 22nd Army defending Yicheng.
As long as we evacuated to Yicheng, we would be temporarily safe, so we had no choice but to stay and evacuate to Yicheng overnight.
After daybreak, the last group of rear troops of the 41st Army evacuated Xiangyang. The Japanese infiltration and roundabout troops took the lead in rushing into Xiangyang, and the Japanese blood-red Rising Sun flag was raised on the city wall.
"Onboard! Onboard!"
The Japanese soldiers who climbed up to the top of the dilapidated city looked at the rising sun flag, holding their bayonets high with a cold glow in their hands, cheering loudly and shouting long live, celebrating their victory.
Soon, groups of Japanese soldiers from the 39th Division drove over along the road, their helmets shaking, their bayonets like a forest, and there was a chilling air as they marched.
The local people who had no time to evacuate closed their doors one after another, peering through the cracks in their doors and windows to look at the Japanese marching troops with their military boots making loud noises, their faces gloomy.
Troops of the Japanese 39th Division occupied the important town of Xiangyang. There were laughing Japanese soldiers and swaying helmets everywhere. They were in sharp contrast to the gloomy-looking people in this dilapidated city.
Sporadic gunfire still rang out in the city. The Japanese troops hunting for Chinese stragglers were searching from house to house. From time to time, the bodies of Chinese officers and soldiers who were too late to evacuate were dragged out of their houses and thrown on the street. The streets were red with blood.
.
After occupying Xiangyang, the commander of the Japanese 39th Division, Keisaku Murakami, quickly held a military meeting to arrange the next stage of combat objectives.
"The 233rd Infantry Regiment will march towards Yicheng later in the day. As the vanguard of our division, we will capture Yicheng before dawn tomorrow."
"Hey Yi!" The captain of the 233rd Japanese Regiment stood up to receive the order.
"The 39th Regiment of Heavy Troops quickly organized troops to the surrounding areas to collect combat supplies needed by the troops."
"The 39th Field Artillery Regiment is advancing towards Yicheng and will cooperate with the 233rd Regiment to attack Yicheng."
"The 231st Wing is responsible for flank cover of the attacking forces."
"The 232nd Regiment bypassed the front of Yicheng and advanced toward the side and rear of Yicheng, responsible for cutting off the retreat route of the Chongqing Army in Yicheng."
...
The Japanese 39th Division had just captured Xiangyang and had almost no rest. Then, under the order of the division commander Murakami Keisaku, the troops set off one after another, preparing to chase China's defeated troops and launch an attack on the new attack target Yicheng.
When the various Japanese troops were replenishing supplies in Xiangyang and preparing for the next stage of operations, the Japanese Wolf Squadron, covered in smoke and blood, rested in several yards next to the street.
The Japs of the Wolf Squadron chased and beat the defeated 41st Army all the way. Although they were unstoppable along the way, they were still exhausted.
"Report!"
While the Japs of Wolf Squadron were resting, the commander of Wolf Squadron, Makino Kanichi, went to the temporary 39th Division Division Headquarters to prepare for receiving new combat missions.
The commander of the Japs Division, Keisaku Murakami, looked at Major Makino Kanichi who was covered in blood. After signing the combat order to the staff, he immediately asked Makino Kanichi to sit down and talk.
"Makino-san, your Wolf Squadron made great contributions to our rapid defeat of the Chongqing Army and the capture of Xiangyang. I will ask the headquarters for your credit."
The leader of the Japs Division, Keisaku Murakami, did not expect that the combat effectiveness of the Wolf Squadron of only 200 people would be so amazing, opening up a breakthrough for their regular troops, which allowed them to advance so quickly. He was very satisfied.
"Fighting for the empire is our duty as soldiers. For this, I feel extremely honored!"
Faced with the praise from division leader Keisaku Murakami, Makino Kanichi acted neither humble nor overbearing.
"It's a pity that we failed to eliminate the headquarters of the Chongqing Army-level troops and let them escape." Although the victory was fruitful, Makino Kanichi still felt a little regretful.
"There is an old Chinese saying that an old monk who runs away cannot escape the temple. I think they will eventually be unable to escape from Makino-san's hands. What do you think?" Murakami Keisaku is quite concerned about the defeat of the 41st Army of the Chinese Army.
The military doesn't care much.
After all, as the division commander, he pays more attention to the overall strategy and whether to complete his combat mission. Even if the opponent's headquarters is not taken away, they still occupy this place, which is enough.
"I will definitely live up to the expectations of your Excellency, the division commander!" Makino Kanichi vowed.
Seeing the sharp-edged young officer Makino Kanichi, the division commander Keisaku Murakami was very satisfied. However, it was a pity that Makino Kanichi belonged to the Continental Advance Team and was not from their division.
"Makino-san, are you interested in joining our division?"
After seeing the combat effectiveness of Makino Kanichi and his Wolf Squadron, division commander Murakami Keisaku also became interested in recruiting them.
"Division Commander, I'm sorry, I can't make the final decision on this matter. Everything needs to be arranged by the headquarters." Makino Kanichi thought for a while and declined directly.
After all, their Wolf Squadron is affiliated with the Continental Advance Team and enjoys the best equipment and treatment. There is no need to join the regular army.
With his qualifications as a major, he could only serve as a senior staff officer or brigade-level commander in the regular army, which was far less promising than in the mainland advance team.
"If Makino-san thinks of our division at any time, just say it and I will talk to the headquarters." Although he was declined, the division commander Murakami Keisaku still gave Makino Kanichi a chance.
"By the way, here is a telegram just forwarded from the headquarters, about your brother." Division Commander Murakami Keisaku quickly changed the topic and took a telegram from the table.
"My brother?" After hearing the news about his brother, Makino Kanichi was also very happy and hurriedly accepted it.
Looking at Makino Kanichi happily reading the telegram, division commander Murakami Keisaku sighed slightly.
The happy Makino Kanichi quickly finished browsing the telegram. His excited face froze at first, and then turned to sadness. He raised his head and looked at the division commander Murakami Keisaku, with disbelief on his face. He did not believe that the brother he admired had already fought.
dead.
"Makino-san, please express your condolences. Your brother was an outstanding soldier of the empire. His death in battle is a great loss to the empire. We are all sorry for this, but I hope you can cheer up, continue fighting, and avenge your relatives.
"Division commander Keisaku Murakami saw the saddened Makino Kanichi and comforted him.