Needless to say, the Battle of Longling ended in an anticlimactic manner. The 71st Army gave up the territory it originally captured and all retreated to the Songshan area.
Both divisions were crippled, especially the 87th Division, which was attacked from both front and rear. It suffered heavy casualties and was nearly annihilated due to the enemy's pursuit and interception.
In the 88th Division, various diseases were rampant among the troops due to the impact of bacterial bombs. In order not to cause more losses, the sick soldiers could only be isolated.
Including the wounded, the total number of survivors from the two divisions was less than 8,000, and more than 20,000 Chinese soldiers remained in the muddy jungle.
More defeated troops retreated towards the east bank with their heads lowered and demoralized like defeated roosters.
The bridge had not yet been built, but obviously many soldiers could not wait. The swollen river broke through the rough waves, and from time to time a bamboo raft was submerged in the rushing river.
But this could not stop their determination to cross the river. Who would want to stay on the west bank after the battle was like this? The huge army crossing the river gathered on the bank, and everyone wanted to spread their wings and fly back to the east bank.
There were even many people from Heshun Town in the team crossing the river. Who would be able to hold on when they heard that the Japanese were coming again? They didn't want to be obedient people to the little devils again, so they dragged their families and families to the east coast.
Now the opposite shore was full of people waiting to cross the river. Screams and cries filled the chaotic crowd, and the situation was a bit out of control. The few rafts became the target of everyone's scramble.
"A defeated army is worse than a bandit, and refugees are thieves. If the Japanese really attack, none of these men can escape."
At the launch line, Meng Fanlai raised his telescope and sighed secretly. The scene in front of him was very similar to the scene when they were blocked on the edge of the Nu River when they returned from Myanmar for the first time.
After more than a month of treatment, his injury was almost healed, and he couldn't wait to return to the army despite the doctor's dissuasion.
"It's annoying! Stop nagging there and quickly organize people to help them cross the river. We also have to be prepared. We may have to cross at any time."
Long Wenwen came over with a telegram and shouted to him.
"Okay!" Meng Fanxiao agreed and hurried to arrange things.
Master Yu's main force has set up a defense line to the west of Nantianmen. Now they can't care about anything else. They can only leave it to Liao Mingyu and the others.
Long Wenwen responded promptly. He sent two battalions to the west bank to maintain order. At the same time, Ayi and Dakui brought soldiers from the 4th and 5th Regiments to the river to build bridges and lock crossings.
The rain was still pouring down, and Yu Xiaoqing stood on the top of the Nantianmen Fortress, leading a group of officers to look up into the distance despite the rain.
"Military seat, the Japanese 114th Regiment has followed us all the way. It is now less than 10 kilometers away from Lianhua Town. The 146th Regiment in Gaoligong Mountain is also approaching the northwest of our army." Zhang Lixian, who returned from injury, reported.
Yu Xiaoqing nodded silently. The Japanese came so quickly. They probably wanted to take advantage of the victory and retake Nantianmen.
Fortunately, the heavy rain did not recognize anyone, and the jungle with intertwined mud roads and puddles also made the little Japanese suffer enough. The Japanese marching speed became extremely slow, which also gave him time to reorganize his defense at Nantianmen.
"Order the 1st and 2nd Regiments to shrink the defense line, give way to Lianhua Town, use Heshun Town as the front line to build defenses, and block the enemy along the kilometer!"
"yes!"
After Yu Xiaoqing finished speaking, he turned around and returned to the tree fort. This ready-made command post was unique and could be put into use without modification.
He came to the communication room and told the liaison soldier: "Call Commander Zhong and ask about our subsequent battle plan."
It's just that Zhong Bin is now a clay Buddha and cannot save himself when crossing the river...
The defeat of the 71st Army made the Expeditionary Force General Headquarters furious. Not to mention Zhong Bin, even Song Xilian was scolded.
Commander Song was so angry that he told Zhong Bin not to act blindly and wait until the follow-up troops arrived before making plans.
Of course Zhong Bin knew that the follow-up troops were Liao Mingyu's Honorary Third Division, but he was so happy about his success that he could not wait for the latter to come and share the credit.
First, he gave Song Xilian the suggestion of fire reconnaissance. After getting approval, he used the reconnaissance as an excuse to organize troops to attack the entire line, intending to use his strength advantage to quickly break through the Japanese defense line.
As long as he can be allowed to fight to Longling and surround the county, will Song Xilian still be able to sit still after seeing this situation? Troops and generals will definitely be sent to support the front line.
At that time, no matter how many troops are sent, he will be the leader, and the first contribution to the defeat of Longling will be attributed to him.
But unfortunately... a heavy rain wiped out all the plans.
Due to the unfavorable combat results, the 71st Army suffered heavy losses. Army Commander Zhong Bin was dismissed from his post and investigated, and was escorted to the Kunming Camp to await processing.
The 71st Army temporarily took over the command from Deputy Commander Yu Xiaoqing and continued to defend Nantianmen against the Japanese attack.
Although he was promoted accidentally, Commander Yu was not sure. The Japanese troops that rushed over were obviously very powerful, well-organized and equipped with heavy weapons.
In particular, the mysterious biochemical troops are even more frightening. It is not sure whether they can hold on with the eight to nine thousand people in their hands.
…
Two days later, the heavy rain that had been raging for more than half a month finally stopped. The long-lost sunshine once again shone on the earth, but at the same time, those little Japans also arrived.
In order to retake Nantianmen this time, the Japanese army specially supported an artillery regiment. A total of 36 75mm field guns and 12 105 field guns were deployed along the Burma Highway and deployed about 10 kilometers away from Nantianmen.
Yu Xiaoqing's peripheral defense line failed to play a big role. It only lasted for two days and was defeated by the Japanese army's sudden and intensive shelling and devastating offensive.
The Japanese artillery fire was so fierce that the defenders retreated eastward from Lianhua Town to the foot of Nantianmen Mountain, unable to stop the Japanese advance.
Heshun Town is the last line of defense outside Nantianmen and is also the only place where the Burma Highway passes. Yu Xiaoqing arranged two regiments of troops here to form a mutually dependent relationship with Nantianmen in order to stop the Japanese offensive. .
If they did not deploy defenses in Heshun Town, the Japanese could have attacked the Huitong Bridge along the highway. At that time, they would have to blow up the nearly completed bridge again.
The Japanese can also threaten the west bank of the Nujiang River from the direction of Huitong Bridge, and then surround the entire Nantianmen. Then their Yu division will be completely alone, trapped in the mountains and unable to move.
At the same time, news finally came from above, ordering Liao Mingyu to lead the Honorable Third Division across the river as commander, but what was surprising was...his position was not division commander.
"What's going on? Honorary Chief of Staff of the Third Division? Who is the fucking division commander?"
Liao Mingyu was shocked when he got this order. I actually became the second in command... No, Long Wenwen was the second in command, and I actually became the third in command!
"The telegram said that the division commander will make other arrangements, but this unit is temporarily under your command." Fang Jingyao said with a wry smile. He was very surprised when he received the order for the first time.
"Damn it, it seems someone above doesn't want me to be the teacher."
Liao Mingyu was furious. It was obvious that the only person who had a grudge against him and could affect him was the high-ranking Minister He.
After all, the Ministry of Military Affairs is responsible for the appointment and dismissal of officers in various military units across the country. It is definitely not difficult for Minister He to operate it.
However, if the head of state disagrees with this matter, there is nothing he can do, but the final result is still the same. Could it be that the head of state acquiesces?
This matter could not be understood for a while. Liao Mingyu simply changed his mind and ordered loudly:
"Never mind, let's fight later! Order the first and second regiments to cross the river, and the third regiment to be on standby. Immediately send a message to Yu Xiaoqing and tell him to hold the road, otherwise Huitong Bridge will be bombed again!"
"clear."
…
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