Ever since, just like that, the headquarters of the Commander-in-Chief of the National Army’s Fifth Theater District began to designate specific retreat routes.
Under the command of the Fifth Theater Commander's Headquarters, hundreds of thousands of national troops began to mobilize intensively and frequently, and began to gather where they should go.
…
The next day was May 12th.
According to the established plan, the Japanese army used one part of the 11th Division, together with one part each of the 102nd Division and the 107th Division, to advance towards Suxian County.
The Gui Army under Liao Lei of the 21st Group Army of the National Army began to be ordered to move westward.
On the same day, the enemy captured Yongcheng, and then headed straight towards Dangshan and Guide with its brisk vanguard, and had fierce battles with the national army in Handaokou, Zhouzhai and other areas.
Huang Jie's Eighth Army under the command of Xue Yue, the First Corps of the National Army's First Theater Zone, was ordered to move eastward to Dangshan for defense to ensure the evacuation of the fifth theater troops.
On the same day, the enemy's main force cut off the Chinese army's retreat at Huangkou Station on Longhai Road, and advanced north and south in western Shandong and Huaibei. It was obvious that they wanted to eat up the main force of the Chinese army!
At the same time, the Japanese enemies in northern Henan (part of the 14th Division) moved eastward, intending to cross the Yellow River and join their main force in central Shandong to attack western Shandong, aiming to capture western Shandong and complete the encirclement.
On the same day, five enemy aircraft attacked Xuzhou again.
Also on the same day, Commander-in-Chief of the 24th Group Army Han Deqin was appointed to act as Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Government, and Gu Zhutong resigned due to official duties.
…
On May 13th, the day when Zhang Tianhai's troops began to prepare for the Yangzhuang annihilation campaign, the battle was extremely fierce.
The mobilization of the national troops in Xuzhou was so frequent that it was natural that General Touichi Terauchi, the commander of the Japanese North China Front who was also a chess player, could not hide it.
Beiping.
Formerly the site of the Duan Qirui Government, it is already spring time here in Peiping. The trees and flowers all over the city are already in bloom, waiting for pollination and seeding, and for a new round of life to bloom.
Unfortunately, the only fly in the ointment is that this building is covered with Japanese flags symbolizing the invaders, as well as the rising sun flag of the Japanese army!
Terauchi Shouichi stood in front of the map, looking attentive and meticulous. As a senior commander and the top commander of Japan's North China Front in China, he must think carefully about how to take every step and how to deal with the national army. Carry out a "smooth encirclement"!
Major General Naosaburo Okabe was also called into the office by Juichi Terauchi at this time, in order to provide additional opinions.
"Okabe-kun, do you feel strange? Since yesterday, our army's progress in Xuzhou seems to be getting smoother." General Juichi Terauchi murmured, and then turned to look at the chief of staff, Major General Okabe Naosaburo. .
"Not surprising, as our army advances, the enemy's fighting will has been gradually destroyed. Perhaps they have given up resistance!" Naosaburo Okabe said proudly, after formulating this encirclement plan , but his contribution is indispensable.
"However, the progress is too fast. Especially in Suxian County, this place is the southern gate of Xuzhou. Even if the Central China Dispatch Army wants to capture this place, according to the habits of the China Army, it will take a while, right?" Terauchi Shouichi Said very seriously.
"I don't think so. The current strength of the China Army has been almost exhausted. Although our army has suffered heavy losses in the front, it doesn't mean we have lost confidence in this, right?" Major General Okabe Naosaburo said with a frown.
"That's what I said, but there is an old saying in China, which is called 'when things go wrong, there will be monsters'. I think it's better to adjust slowly!" Terauchi Shouichi said with a frown. He was so conceited that no one else could do it except himself. People who can't be trusted.
"Then follow the commander's arrangements, Okabe. I will spare no effort to assist the commander and accompany the imperial army to fight to the end!" Naosaburo Okabe responded loudly.
"Then let's arrange it this way..." Terauchi Shouichi murmured.
…
On the 13th, all the Nationalist troops in Lunan retreated westward, aiming to get out of the current very unfavorable situation.
The Sun Lianzhong Group Army and Tang Enbo Army Group of the Lunan Corps received orders to march to designated locations in southern Henan, northern Hubei and other designated locations.
On the same day, the enemy in Tancheng invaded Southwest Zhen from the south, and the traffic in the eastern section of Longhai Road was cut off by the enemy.
A part of Luxi had crossed the Yellow River to the north of Pu County and captured Dongkou of Wengcheng.
In the past few days, enemy planes have been flying to Xuzhou one after another for bombing, almost to a very crazy state. On the morning of the 13th, fifty-four enemy planes attacked Xuzhou in batches and dropped more than 300 bombs.
On this day, the air defense siren in Xuzhou was not heard all day long. More than 500 houses were blown up, and more than 100 civilians were killed or injured.
…
On May 14, the camera turned back to Zhang Tianhai.
The location is still the familiar Yangzhuang.
For Zhang Tianhai, Yangzhuang may be his last battle in Shandong, not least because the situation on the front line is so corrupt that it has exceeded his imagination.
On the 13th, he was still planning to fight an absolute battle of annihilation in Yangzhuang, and to complete the set goal of a smooth retreat despite the desperate efforts of the Heze security regiment to resist the Japanese army.
But what about now? The Japanese troops moved south one after another with such ferocity that perhaps the Heze Security Group would not be able to survive until that time.
Therefore, Zhang Tianhai issued an order regarding the transfer of the headquarters of the first regiment directly under the third theater of war, from Heze to Dahuangji.
This order may be a bit confusing to others, but to the senior leaders of the Zhiyi Regiment, it is as clear as a mirror - Regiment leader, you want to take the troops and escape at any time...
Of course, Zhang Tianhai did not necessarily want the Heze Security Regiment to serve as cannon fodder. His purpose was to enable the troops of the First Regiment to retreat smoothly, so he transferred an infantry company from Han Xingle's fourth battalion. Go to Heze to assist the 2nd Battalion of the Heze Security Group in the defense.
The person in charge of the defense of Heze is none other than Gu Shi'an.
If it weren't for Gu Shi'an's defense, Zhang Tianhai would really be worried. How long the city could be defended would mean how safe Zhang Tianhai and the others were.
However, what no one knew was that Zhang Tianhai secretly gave Gu Shi'an a military order: when resistance is irresistible, he can order a retreat. As for the timing, he has to grasp it himself.
Regarding Zhang Tianhai's order, Gu Shi'an naturally knew that it was very dangerous, but once he got over it, it would be time for him to flourish.
No matter what, this battle is already on the line.
…
"Regiment leader, all units have now entered their designated positions. We are just waiting for the enemy to enter the encirclement." Liu Houming said.
"Very good, now I have a task that I may want to give you. You are responsible for following up on it." Zhang Tianhai said bluntly.
"Whatever the task is, if you just rely on the command of the regiment, you will have to go through fire and water for your humiliation without hesitation!" Liu Houming promised again to show his loyalty.
At this time, it was already early morning, and the surrounding fog had not dispersed. This might be the best time for the Japanese army to cross the Yellow River south.
"I want you to lead a special agent platoon and troops from the First Battalion of the Heze Security Regiment to fight a losing battle!" Zhang Tianhai said seriously, with a very serious expression!
"Lost?" Liu Houming seemed to be unable to believe his ears.
…
PS: Here’s the first update! I still owe you two updates.
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