On March 16 and 17, the Japanese army continued to bomb Tonggu.
The people of Tonggu truly felt the horror of war for the first time.
In addition to the overseas Chinese support team, a large number of civilians in the city began to leave this war-torn city.
The British are the fastest.
At that speed, even airplanes can only sigh with admiration.
The 1st Division of the British-Burmese Army, the 63rd Brigade of the British-Australian Army, and the 7th British Armored Brigade all began to retreat towards India.
The most ironic thing is that even the 17th Division of the British-Indian Army, which had just arrived in Burma, received an order to retreat towards India before even seeing what the Japanese looked like.
Tonggu was completely handed over to the 200 Division for defense.
Dai Anlan's order is very simple:
Stick to Tonggu and not be allowed to take a step back, laying a solid foundation for the battle with Tonggu.
At this time, Meng Shaoyuan also did several things.
One is the military special agents he ordered to arrive in Tonggu to conduct frequent activities to detect the movements of the Japanese army.
Secondly, he issued an order. Except for Yao Shuang who stayed with him and was responsible for sending telegrams, the seven sisters of the military command all evacuated to Meimiao to wait for the order.
Of course these female military agents were not happy.
Finally got an opportunity to go into battle to kill the enemy and serve the country. Why did the Japanese allow themselves to retreat before they even reached Tonggu?
However, Meng Shaoyuan's order cannot be argued at all.
He knew very well the brutality of the Tonggu defense battle. It would be troublesome if these girls fell into the hands of the Japanese.
Life is worse than death.
Therefore, later on, Meng Shaoyuan directly issued the death order with a strong voice, and these female military agents reluctantly accepted it.
The last thing Meng Shaoyuan did was to install explosives at several points in Tonggu.
Li Zhifeng, the "toilet supervisor", is personally responsible for this matter.
Li Zhifeng has followed Meng Shaoyuan for so long, so he certainly knows what the officer's purpose is.
First, it was used for street fighting.
Secondly, I am afraid it is also preparing for retreat.
The commander seems to think that Tonggu will definitely fall?
"Shi Yongfu, Cao Ruicheng."
"arrive!"
Li Zhifeng said to the two men solemnly: "Once we enter the street fighting, you will never leave my side, sir."
"clear!"
There is something strange about both men.
Before, Li Zhifeng was always the one who personally protected the commander.
Li Zhifeng seemed to have noticed their doubts: "Sir, he is usually playful and smiling, but once there is a real fight, he will really risk his life.
After entering the street fighting, I was responsible for covering the flanks. If a critical situation occurred, I would be responsible for attracting the firepower of the Japanese army. "
Only then did the two people suddenly realize.
Shi Yongfu said with a bad smile: "Captain Li, this officer usually doesn't let you wear small shoes. It's good for you. You really try your best."
Li Zhifeng was in a daze for a while, and then sighed: "You have worn small shoes too much, and suddenly no one will wear them for you. You will really get used to it."
Shi Yongfu and Cao Ruicheng nodded at the same time, and then said in unison:
"Sick in the brain!"
…
On March 18, 1942, the last brigade of the 1st British-Burmese Division withdrew to Pyay.
Tonggu, completely independently defended by the 200th Division of the Chinese Expeditionary Force!
In the afternoon, the Japanese advance troops moved 12 kilometers away from the Pew River Bridge.
The absurd thing is that until now, the Japanese army still does not know that its opponent has been replaced by the Chinese army.
It's hard to imagine how they do this kind of intelligence work.
On the other hand, the 200 Division has already obtained military intelligence agents very early, mainly the information provided by Meng Shaoyuan:
Attacking Tonggu's enemy is the 55th Division of the Japanese Army's B Type.
Commander Army Lieutenant General Hiroshi Takeuchi.
Its forward unit is the 112th Infantry Regiment!
Dai Anlan did not ask Meng Shaoyuan how he obtained this information.
He doesn't care, or he trusts Meng Shaoyuan!
Those holding the Pew River Bridge were the advance battalion.
Meng Shao was nominally the chief military officer, but if a war really broke out, he had to rely on Ding Wenrui to take command.
Meng Shao was originally careless and misbehaving, but he knew what he could and couldn't do.
It is absolutely forbidden for a layman to command an expert.
On the afternoon of March 18, the Japanese army began to launch a tentative attack on the Pew River Bridge.
The Japanese troops, who were chasing the British around like ducks, were not prepared to be attacked in Dongguhui!
"Fire!"
Ding Wenrui roared angrily, and the light and heavy firepower of the Pew River Bridge position opened fire at the same time!
Countless tongues of fire, with the fury of revenge, vented towards the Japanese army.
On the flank, the Cavalry Regiment of the Fifth Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, under the command of deputy commander Huang Xingxian, also launched a fierce attack on the Japanese army!
The Japanese army suffered a sudden attack and suffered numerous casualties.
The Japanese army, accustomed to fighting downwind, suddenly panicked.
They rushed up with a hula-la, and soon retreated with a hula-la.
Only bodies were left on the ground.
It was a clean ambush.
This was also the first official battle between the 200th Division of the Chinese Expeditionary Force and the Japanese 55th Division.
The expeditionary force achieved a complete victory.
The Japanese army left more than thirty corpses on the Pew River Bridge!
In this battle, the advance battalion and the cavalry regiment cooperated tacitly, the attack was sudden, and the Japanese army was unprepared, which resulted in this victory!
Waves of cheers came from the battlefield from the soldiers of the expeditionary force.
Dai Anlan, who had been watching the battle not far from the front line, also had a smile on his lips.
Another good start.
The advance battalion reached the first battle of Tonggu and won.
The first contest between the main forces of the two sides was started by the advance battalion.
Won again!
This Meng Shaoyuan is really a lucky general.
At this time, the "lucky general" Meng Shaoyuan had no time to celebrate the victory.
"Search, search these corpses carefully for me."
Meng Shaoyuan jumped out of his position first and ran straight towards the corpses.
"Damn it, hurry up and protect the commander!"
Li Zhifeng became anxious immediately.
If there is a cold shot, it will be all over.
It's not like Meng Shaoyuan didn't know this.
The problem is, in his eyes, these corpses are treasures.
Once the Japanese army organizes troops, it will not be fun to snatch these corpses back.
"Cover, cover!"
Ding Wenrui was also anxious.
What is Chief Meng doing?
Isn't it just a pile of corpses?
"Search, if you're looking for an officer, search for me!"
Meng Shaoyuan's eyes turned red.
Of course Li Zhifeng knew what he was looking for: "There, that body belongs to the second lieutenant. Quick, get his bag."
The bag on the body of the Japanese second lieutenant was ripped off by Shi Yongfu.
"Let's go, sir, let's go!"
Meng Shaoyuan snatched the bag from Shi Yongfu's hand: "Let's go!"
He took his people and retreated back to the position like flying.
He jumped forward and then he breathed a sigh of relief.
I opened the bag carefully and took out everything inside!
"This is it, this is it!"
Meng Shaoyuan's eyes lit up.
Here is the battle plan and march route of the Japanese 55th Division!
