"The Japanese troops are pressing heavily on the border, and relying on our 18th Army to defend the isolated city of Yichang is tantamount to striking an egg against a stone. My opinion is to retreat in order to advance, and actively withdraw from Yichang, allowing the troops to block the attack step by step along the river relying on the favorable terrain...
"
Yang Ling naturally knew that facing the Japanese's three field divisions, even if they were the elite of the 18th Army, it would be very difficult to defend Yichang, and it would only increase casualties.
Rather than being trapped in an isolated city and encountering indiscriminate bombing by the Japanese, taking the initiative to withdraw from Yichang will gain the initiative on the battlefield.
Even if the Japanese capture Yichang, they will only capture an isolated city. If they really go up the river and go straight to Chongqing, then they are looking for death.
The mountainous terrain along the river and the narrow and difficult roads are a nightmare for the Japanese mechanized troops.
Even if the Japanese attack Chongqing by boat, there will be nothing the Japanese can do as long as the Chinese army sets up positions on the mountains near the narrow waterway.
Moreover, once the Japanese attack Chongqing along the river, they will inevitably lengthen the front line, and the Chinese ** team that is reinforcing this side will just cut off the Japanese's retreat. If it is arranged properly, it will not only annihilate the Japanese 11th Army, but also severely damage them or
It would be easy to annihilate one of them.
"Proactively withdraw from Yichang?"
Peng Shan, the commander of the 18th Army, originally wanted to test Yang Ling, but who knew he would come up with such a bold plan, and he immediately frowned.
If it is as described by Yang Ling, using retreat to advance can actually take the initiative and reverse the situation on the battlefield.
It's a pity that the order he received was to defend Yichang and ensure that the gateway to Chongqing was not lost. If he really evacuated Yichang as Yang Ling said, he might have to move his head as soon as the order was issued.
Because no one dares to risk the safety of Chongqing. Now Nanjing and Wuhan have fallen one after another. If Chongqing, the capital of the country, is no longer good, it will really become a slave to the country's subjugation.
"You have just returned from the Sulu Theater. You are used to guerrilla warfare. You may be a little unfamiliar with the situation on our frontal battlefield. The evacuation from Yichang is of great importance. I dare not make the decision without authorization. However, I will report this matter to the theater headquarters and the Supreme Command.
Whether it happens or not, it's not up to me."
After thinking for a moment, Peng Shan, commander of the 18th Army, said apologetically to Yang Ling with a smile.
Yang Ling could tell from the tone of Army Commander Peng Shan that his suggestion was probably impossible to implement. After all, no one dared to risk the safety of Chongqing.
If the Japs can't be stopped along the Yangtze River, there is no one in Chongqing who can't atone for his sins by dying, and no one is willing to gamble with their wealth and life.
"I'm humble in my position, but I'm talking nonsense. Please don't take offense, sir."
Yang Ling was just talking and didn't really expect the 18th Army to follow his suggestions. After all, he was in a humble position and many of the suggestions he had made were rejected. He was now used to it.
"The suggestion you made is very good. How can I blame you? I will contact the theater headquarters later. They still need to decide everything."
"Yes!" Yang Ling also expressed understanding.
"You came from the Sulu War Zone. The original intention of the War Zone Liaison Office is for you to retreat to a safe place to rest and standby." Peng Shan, commander of the 18th Army, quickly changed the subject.
Peng Shan said in embarrassment: "But you have also seen that our Yichang garrison is stretched thin, and there is really no one available. We, you guys, stay to help us. I don't know what you want?"
"Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you to stay. I will send someone to deliver the supplies you need later, and you can retreat with the wounded."
Peng Shan suddenly said this, which made it difficult for Yang Ling to make a decision for a while.
Everyone knows that Yichang is in great danger now. Three Japanese divisions are surrounding them. If they stay here, they will inevitably have a bloody battle. Life or death is unknown.
Naturally, he was unwilling to let the brothers he brought from the Sulu war zone stay in such a dangerous place, but faced with Peng Shan's request, he could not refuse.
It was easy to offend others without saying anything, and they could not help but watch the friendly forces fall into a bloody battle while they and others retreated to a safe place and stood by, feeling uneasy.
"Sir, can I ask my brothers before I get back to you?" Yang Ling thought for a while and then said.
Peng Shan, commander of the 18th Army, also saw Yang Ling's dilemma. After all, he also knew that under the current circumstances, it was really difficult for Yang Ling and the others to stay.
But now that they are defending the city alone and facing the powerful Japanese offensive, it would be good to have more combat power. Besides, Yang Ling and the others are not weak in combat power, so they might be able to help a lot.
However, seeing that Yang Ling did not refuse directly, he could not keep pressing forward and said with a smile: "Then I will just wait for the good news."
Yang Ling quickly said goodbye to Peng Shan, commander of the 18th Army, and returned to the temporary place where the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade was staying.
"Sir, what did the superiors say and what tasks were given to us?" As soon as Yang Ling came back, Grizzly Bear, Zhang Tie and other officers surrounded him.
"Now that the elite Japs have not appeared, the theater headquarters asked us to retreat to a safe place to rest and standby." Yang Ling looked at Zhang Tie and the others and said.
"Then retreat quickly. This little devil is about to attack. If we don't leave, it will be too late."
They had just fought a battle with the Japs in Zhijiang. Grizzly Bear did not want to be involved in the battle in Yichang again. After all, they came all the way here to belong to the enemy's elite Japs troops. They had to recharge their batteries and could not keep wasting their energy on regular Japs troops.
With.
"But Commander Peng of the 18th Army wants us to stay and help them defend the city."
Looking at Grizzly, the leader of Lieyan's No. 1 Squadron, who was clamoring to withdraw, Yang Ling added another sentence.
"What the hell? Help them defend the city?" The grizzly bear was stunned, and then shook his head like a rattle: "This devil is also a plane and cannon man. I think we should not get involved. Besides, let's
Even if these dozens of people stay, they won't be able to handle much, and they're not enough for the little devil to stuff his teeth into."
"You mean to withdraw?" Yang Ling looked at Grizzly Xiong, the leader of Lieyan's first squadron and asked.
The grizzly bear nodded like a chicken pecking at rice: "Only fools stay here. Sir, let's leave quickly. I think Yichang is 80% undefeatable."
"Zhang Tie, what's your opinion?" Yang Ling turned to ask Zhang Tie, the leader of Lieyan's second squadron.
Zhang Tie hesitated for a moment and then said: "I listen to the commander. If the commander says to go west, I will never go east."
"Hey, I mean, Lao Zhang, you've been talking for a long time and you haven't said anything yet." Grizzly Xiong didn't expect that Zhang Tie would express his position like this, and he immediately became unhappy.
"Everyone, let's talk about it. Should we stay and help the friendly forces defend the city, or should we retreat to a safe place to rest and wait." Yang Ling wanted to hear the opinions of his brothers.
"Sir, I think it would be unjust for us to leave like this after they entertained us with delicious food and drinks," said the captain of Lieyan Special Warfare Squadron.
"We came here to help the Fifth War Zone fight the Japs. Now the Japs are attacking us, but we are scared. If this spreads out, not only will we have no place to put our faces, but it will also embarrass our Sulu War Zone.
"
"Sir, let's stay. The Japs are fighting everywhere anyway. We can't just stand by and watch the little Japs bullying us Chinese."
...
Officers at all levels of the Lieyan Special Warfare Brigade expressed their opinions one after another, and most of them agreed to stay. After all, for them, there is no place to fight against the enemy. Once they encounter them, there is no reason to avoid them.