March 15, 1879, Santa Fe, an important town in northern Argentina.
"General, we're calling from base camp."
"read."
"The situation reported by your department is known. The base camp has ordered the Cordoba provincial troops to come to the rescue. We hope that your officers and soldiers will resist bravely and hold on until the reinforcements arrive.
President Mitre, March 15th."
The communications officer unfolded the message and read.
"I know, let's go down."
Santa Fe garrison commander Delgado waved his hand, signaling the communications officer to leave.
"General Delgar, the enemy's attack was fierce. Our defending troops fought hard for five days, with more than 3,000 casualties. If the President does not send powerful troops for reinforcements, Santa Fe City may not be able to survive for a week.
I implore the general to ask the president for help again, otherwise not only the city of Santa Fe will not be protected, but also the areas along the Paraná River may fall into the hands of the enemy. The battle of Santa Fe is crucial, and the general must be cautious!"
After the communications officer retreated, Delgado's deputy Guzman spoke sincerely.
"Since the President ordered the troops of Cordoba Province to assist our army, there is no need to request reinforcements from the base camp."
Delgar waved his hand and rejected the other party's suggestion.
"Urquiza has always disobeyed the jurisdiction of the federal government. Now that the main federal forces are fighting with the Han people, Urquiza is eager to stand aside and watch the fun. How can he honestly accept the president's order to support us?
The troops in Urquiza and Cordoba provinces are unreliable. If we want to solve the crisis in Santa Fe City, we still have to rely on reinforcements from the President. General, I beg you, please send another telegram to the President asking for reinforcements?"
"The president has his own difficulties. As subordinates, we must also consider it for the president."
Delgar shook his head helplessly, was silent for a while, and then said, "Well, for the sake of the safety of Santa Fe City, I will send another telegram to the President, hoping that the President can dispatch some troops to support us."...
The heavy rain stopped, and a misty drizzle enveloped the position after the fierce battle. Dozens of soaked soldiers struggled to push an artillery sunk in the mud.
"Everyone, work harder, I'll shout three, let's push hard together!"
A low-ranking officer was shirtless and loudly ordered more than 20 soldiers to push the artillery.
"One, two, three, get up!"
The officer counted from one to three, then shouted, crossed his feet to support himself backwards, and pushed the wheel on one side of the artillery with both arms.
"One, two, one, two..."
More than 20 soldiers shouted slogans, mustered their strength, and pushed the artillery step by step. It took more than 20 minutes to move the artillery to the predetermined position.
The soldiers who had finished their work rested for a while under the simple wooden shack, and then they were still wearing rain-soaked clothes. They took a piece of hard steamed buns distributed, and five or six people sat together with a few cans of pickled food.
Make do with a rough lunch.
Several days of heavy rain have caused the water level of the Paraná River to rise. Logistics teams departing from the country encountered obstacles in their progress towards the riverside ports. Therefore, there was a certain shortage of material supplies for the troops on the Santa Fe front line, and the soldiers'
Food rations were not as abundant as they were before the war started.
The heavy rain made it more difficult for the Han troops to attack the Santa Fe defensive position. The high-intensity attack that lasted for five days did not achieve the desired results, which made Li Mingyuan feel anxious. Therefore, after yesterday's attack failed, Li Mingyuan suspended the attack.
action, and instead used the lunch break to go to the frontline positions to check the situation in person.
Long military boots stepped on the loose soil, and when he raised his feet, there was a low splash of water. Li Mingyuan walked on the drizzling position. He did not use anyone else to hold an umbrella to protect him from the rain, and walked steadily towards the high ground on the left flank of the position.
.
"Your Highness, ahead is the Corinste position outside Santa Fe City."
Walking to the top of the highland, Luo Linshan, the commander of the offensive force, pointed to the position road on the other side of the highland.
"Surrounded by mountains on both sides and supported by the tributaries of the Paraná River at the back, the Argentinians indeed chose a good place to set up their position there."
Li Ming looked at the tight defense deployment on the Corinster position from a distance and said.
"The Corinste position is connected to the City of Santa Fe across the river. When our troops launch an attack, the heavy artillery defending the city in Santa Fe City can assist the Corinste position in artillery strikes against our army. Therefore, the attack in the first five days
Because the impact of heavy artillery in Santa Fe has been unsuccessful.”
"Why don't our heavy artillery suppress the enemy? I remember that the 155mm heavy artillery regiment was delivered to the frontline troops two days ago? Didn't you use the 155mm heavy artillery to fight back?"
"Your Highness, Santa Fe City is beyond the effective range of 155mm. During yesterday's attack, I tried to use 155mm artillery to counterattack, but the effect was average. The fired shells failed to have an effective impact on the Argentine artillery force, and the 155mm artillery
The heavy artillery is bulky and weighs much more than ordinary artillery. It is difficult to move in heavy rain. Not only is it unable to cause damage to the heavy artillery in Santa Fe, but it also has limited impact on the Argentine troops on the Corinste position. Therefore, although the frontline troops received 155
mm heavy artillery reinforcements, but in terms of offense, the help of the 155 mm heavy artillery is very limited."
Rollin explained.
"Heavy rainy weather is a troublesome problem, but our army's strategic purpose is to use superior forces and a large number of artillery to quickly capture Santa Fe, eliminate the Argentine central government before the Argentine troops are fully prepared, and then destroy other
The local forces are divided and surrounded. If our army stays outside Santa Fe for too long, the Argentine central government will have more time to recruit young people to join the war. At that time, if we want to capture the entire Argentina, the price we have to pay will be even greater."
There were objective reasons for the failure of the capture of Santa Fe. The sudden deterioration of the weather and the continuous heavy rains were one of the reasons why the battle was hindered, while the slow progress of the intelligence work was another reason.
Santa Fe is a predominantly white city, and it is difficult for intelligence personnel deployed by the National Defense Forces to break into the Argentinian city defense forces and obtain the necessary intelligence information.
Intelligence is the eye of military operations. Without the support of internal intelligence, the war between Han and Argentina would only consist of a head-on clash of strengths.
"The war is urgent and it would be inappropriate to wait until the weather improves to continue the siege."
After thinking for a moment, Li Mingyuan made a decision in his mind and continued, "The machine guns and mortars of the Second Division and the Third Division are temporarily assigned to the First Division. The artillery unit will also fully support your siege. I need the First Division to attack the city the day after tomorrow."
Capture the Corinste position before nightfall, remember that you must capture the enemy's position before nightfall the day after tomorrow."
"I understand that within two days, we must seize the Corinste position at all costs!"
