Zhang Tianhai's ambitions are being realized, and on the Suizao front, the battle between the Kuomintang officers and soldiers has also entered a fever pitch - the Japanese troops once again broke through the positions defended by the poorly equipped Sichuan troops.
The fierce fighting continued until 17:00 on the 5th, when the Japanese army broke through the defenders' positions and attacked the positions of the 122nd Division of the 41st Army of the Chinese defenders.
The 180th Division of the Chinese garrison defended Changshoudian to cover the main force's retreat to the east-west line of Huangqi'an; the 37th Division retreated to the Yaojiahe line; and the first part of the 38th Division was stationed in Liushuigou.
…
The camera returns to the front line of Jiankou Town.
At this time, what made Zhou Fangjie uneasy was that the Japanese invaders that he expected to quickly send reinforcements to Jiankou Town from several directions did not happen. Instead, there was silence for a whole day.
Zhou Fangjie knew clearly that the Japanese invaders would not back down because of this. On the contrary, this would definitely be the darkness before the storm, not the darkness before dawn - these cunning and cruel Japanese invaders must be planning some conspiracy. The importance of Junkou Town is self-evident. The National Army's recovery here was equivalent to having a bridgehead to attack the north bank, and it also drove a nail under the eyes of the Japanese army!
It is said that there is no room for others to sleep soundly on the side of the bed. How could a figure like Inaba Shiro not have this kind of ideological awareness? Therefore, Zhou Fangjie knew clearly that the Japanese army would definitely launch retaliatory actions, but the Japanese army's movements were not yet clear. This was the fundamental reason that made him feel uneasy.
The sword hanging high above is far more intimidating than cutting it down directly.
"Call the first and second battalions to ask about the situation on the front line and whether the Japanese army has launched an attack." Zhou Fangjie directly ordered the adjutant beside him.
"Yes, regimental seat!" the adjutant responded.
…
Not long after, the adjutant came back. He reported to Zhou Fangjie: "The regiment and the frontline troops reported that they had not received any Japanese attacks. Except for a company of the first battalion that blocked a Japanese cavalry unit in the morning and killed hundreds of them. Other than the Japanese army, no frontline unit had ever fought with the Japanese army.”
"Okay! Immediately send my order to them to strengthen their vigilance. At the same time, immediately report the situation to the commander in chief." Zhou Fangjie nodded and said.
…
So what exactly are the Japanese troops doing? Where did the missing cavalry regiment go?
In fact, after receiving the order from the division commander to Inaba Shiro, the Japanese troops began counterattacks. They first formed a southward rapid force to use force to reconnoiter the enemy situation on the front line, and then ordered the cavalry regiment and the 20th infantry unit. The Third Regiment and the Poison Gas Troops support the town of Junkou.
After Shiro Inaba issued the combat order, he thought over and over again and felt that direct action was a bit too hasty, so he issued a supplementary order: "Order to recover the troops in Jiankou Town and wait for the rapid column to reconnoiter the situation before proceeding. action."
It was Shiro Inaba's supplementary order that gave the troops of the Second Guard Regiment a rare respite, because in Shiro Inaba's view, since Jiankou Town has been lost, they must fight no matter how hard they fight. Yes, the key is whether it's worth it - if you lose two regiments of troops because of being too hasty, it's definitely not worth it.
Looking at Zhang Tianhai, how will he react when he receives a call from Zhou Fangjie?
"Report to the commander-in-chief, Deputy Commander Zhou of the Second Guard Regiment has an urgent call." A staff officer on duty ran to Zhang Tianhai and reported. Because it was almost dark, it was the staff officer on duty who made the report.
"If you have any content, just read it directly. I'm busy." Zhang Tianhai was reading the telegram sent by Zheng Man at this time.
"Yes, Commander-in-Chief." The staff officer on duty stood at attention and saluted, "According to a call from Vice-President Zhou of the Second Guard Regiment, since the capture of the town in the morning, the Japanese army has dispatched a cavalry unit to provide emergency support to the town. But then there was an exchange of fire with an infantry company of the regiment, and there was no further movement. Deputy Commander Zhou called to ask for instructions on what to do."
After listening to the report, Zhang Tianhai slowly raised his head, with a bit of surprise on his face: "It's really strange, why are these little devils so cautious this time? Get the telegram quickly, and I will read it carefully. , you go immediately and notify Deputy Commander Guo to come over."
"Yes! Commander-in-Chief." The staff officer on duty responded, then immediately handed over the translation of the telegram and walked out.
Holding the telegram sent by Zhou Fangjie in his hand, Zhang Tianhai's mind had already turned away: Like Zhou Fangjie, he never believed that these Japanese troops would be so honest. What were the Japanese troops doing at the moment? Was it really the Fifteenth Army that played a role as he expected?
Just as he was thinking about it, Guo Qiliang arrived. Zhang Tianhai immediately stood up and said, "Lao Guo, you are finally here now. You should study it immediately and see what these little devils want to do."
While he was talking, Zhang Tianhai handed the telegram translation in his hand to Guo Qiliang, and his movements were not unpleasant.
"The sun is really rising from the west today. When will you ask for my opinion on the battle plan in the guard force?" Guo Qiliang was really a little strange and a little puzzled. Logically speaking, this kind of thing should happen. Li Yinglun, chief of staff of the theater guard force, came to do it.
"You can come if you are told, and you can watch if you are told. What are you doing with so much nonsense? I still don't know what's going on? I can tell you that I can't control so many things now. My security is number one now. I'll let you lead the group, I won't ask you who to ask." Obviously, Zhang Tianhai was a little dissatisfied.
"Okay, okay, okay, who doesn't know that besides Commander-in-Chief Wu, you are the largest security force in our theater." Guo Qiliang sat down helplessly.
After a while, Guo Qiliang's eyes lit up, and there was some excitement on his face. He stood up and said: "Zhang Yulin, I said you are amazing. I guess it must be the 15th Group Army. Haven't Commander Guan Linzheng's troops already advanced three kilometers? These troops have reached the Xinqiang River, how can the little devil dare to move?"
"It seems that you think so too. If this is true, our goal in the first phase has been achieved. The troops of the Second Guard Regiment should also prepare to evacuate. If they don't leave, they really won't be able to leave." Zhang Tianhai Said very seriously.
"Withdrawing so quickly? Aren't you going to give the little devil a slap in the face? We haven't wiped out many troops yet, so we let them go so easily?" Guo Qiliang was a little surprised.
"Our war depends on the situation. The troops of the Fifteenth Army are only stationed on the south bank of the Xinqiang River. If the little devil really sees something, we will lose everything." Zhang Tianhai's His face became more serious, leaving no room for negotiation.
"Old Zhang, fighting has always been your strong point. Your sense of war is much more sensitive than others. In addition, you are now the commander-in-chief of the former enemy. All the troops in our theater security force on the front line must obey your orders. , you can fight as you want, I, Old Guo, can't do anything else, so I can still cooperate." Guo Qiliang followed, his face also very serious.
…
PS: The update is finally here. I am learning, learning, learning every day. Ah, I can only update at this point. There is no other way. I can barely maintain it, just a little bit every day.
