There was no surprise. The Japanese army had lost nearly one-third of its troops during the charge. After approaching, they engaged in battle with the newly replenished Chinese army. With no advantage in weapons, equipment, numbers, or geographical location, The Japanese reinforcements suffered all casualties.
After this battle, Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuichi also began to understand: the enemy troops in Changle Town are definitely the elite of the elite. If they continue to fight with them, I am afraid that the troops will suffer huge casualties.
Based on this latest situation, Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuichi, commander of the 13th Japanese Division, convened a very brief meeting with the chief of staff and the brigade commanders of the two brigades.
"Gentlemen, the current situation seems to be a little bad..." Tanaka Jingyi had a gloomy old face, and these words seemed to set a tone.
"The logistics and advance troops of our division were entangled by the four divisions of the 15th Group Army of the China Army and were unable to advance. We originally hoped to open a breakthrough in Changle Town, but I believe you all know what happened today. Right? The enemy force we are facing is the China Army Ninth Theater Guard Force. This force was formerly the First Regiment directly under the China Army's Third Theater District. It has fought against many troops of our army, and we have concluded that it is very Difficult. Get ready, I want to hear your opinions." Tanaka Jingyi said in a deep voice.
"Your Excellency, the commander of the division, in my opinion, we should stick to our headquarters position and should not advance recklessly." Major General Onizuka Yoshikawa, commander of the 26th Infantry Brigade, said seriously.
"Commander Onizuka Brigade, please express your opinion." Chief of Staff Yoshida said. If there is any, only he must say it.
"That's it. What we can see on all sides is part of the 52nd Army of the China Army and all of the 37th Army. Now in front of us, there is the guard force of the 9th Theater District of the China Army. This force You all already know the combat effectiveness of this unit. We currently have no way of knowing how many people this unit has. According to past data, the number of combat troops in this unit has exceeded 7,000. If other units are included, the total strength must be tens of thousands. , and their various arms are basically complete, and they are completely replicas of the German armorers during the Shanghai battle. If we fight with such troops head-on, we will probably suffer huge casualties." Major General Onizuka Yoshikawa said in a deep voice, his thin face It's full of seriousness.
"I also agree with the suggestion of Commander Onizuka Brigade that we should focus on holding on to our positions and on this basis send out small groups of elite troops to achieve a breakthrough on the front line. If not, the pressure on the front line troops may be extremely great. With us With the combat effectiveness of the China Army's Fifteenth Group Army, it must be extremely difficult for the troops of the 15th Group Army of the China Army to break through our positions. Our troops have now been reduced by nearly a quarter. If we continue to advance, we may have to reduce our troops by another five. One percent." Major General Yoshino Ohki, commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said seriously.
"What does Chief of Staff Yoshida mean?" Tanaka Shizuichi turned his gaze to Chief of Staff Yoshida who was thinking quietly.
"Your Majesty, the Division Commander, my opinion is that I agree with the opinions of Onitsuka Brigade Commander and Yoshino Brigade Commander. We should allocate a capable force from each army to seek a breakthrough, and the remaining troops should focus on stabilizing the existing front line. ." Chief of Staff Yoshida is very good at summarizing, and he quite agrees with the opinions put forward by the two brigade commanders.
"Well...that's all." Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuichi's gloomy face finally dissipated a little.
"Order each regiment to deploy 500 people to form an assault force and wait for command!" Tanaka Jingyi said in a deep voice.
"Hai!!" Three officers who were almost the decision-makers of the Thirteenth Division lowered their heads and responded.
"Let's start the second topic! Where do you think our assault force should be used?" Tanaka Shizuichi narrowed his eyes slightly. He is now ready to launch a large-scale surprise attack on the enemy on the opposite side at any time. Yes, it’s just that I haven’t found a good direction now.
That’s right, I just didn’t find a good direction!
For Tanaka Shizuichi, although he stands at the highest position of the 13th Division, it is often difficult to gain a comprehensive insight into what is happening on the front line, and only in this way can we brainstorm , gain insight into the enemy's weak points.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, according to our understanding, although the China Army has used a large number of troops to pursue and intercept us, in fact, there are huge loopholes in their cooperation. If we insist on making a breakthrough, we will not be able to use our subordinates to make a breakthrough." My personal opinion is to take advantage of the gap in the cooperation between the China Army and the China Army to directly carry out separate and combined attacks, including attacks on the enemy forces in front of them." The person who spoke was the commander of the Yoshino Oki Brigade. When it came to combat, he was completely insidious and vicious. Together, they can fight without fear of death, and plot against others without paying for their lives!
"What does Commander Yoshino Brigade mean to launch a surprise attack on the enemy troops facing Changle Street?" Tanaka Shizuichi was keenly aware of this.
"Yes, Your Excellency, Division Commander. I believe that this part of the Chinese Army is well-equipped and has strong combat effectiveness. If a raid is launched, we can bypass Changle Street and carry out a fierce attack on the enemy's rear. I will give the troops a heavy blow in front of me. We can capture Changle Street, and then use Changle Street as a stronghold to try to break through the enemy's front troops!" Yoshino Ohgi said in a deep voice.
"What do you mean by Captain Onizuka Brigade?" Tanaka Shizuichi narrowed his eyes slightly, obviously ready for a fierce battle.
"I agree with Commander Yoshino Brigade that the China Army's Ninth Theater Guard Corps is a division capable of fighting well. If we cannot annihilate it or severely damage it, we may have endless troubles in the future." Onizuka Yoshikawa was also very serious. said.
"Yoshi, if that's the case, then let's make these preparations! All preparations must be completed before midnight, and the military operation will begin at four in the morning!" Tanaka Shizuichi made the decision directly. For such good suggestions, He would not let it go - after all, this was a suggestion that could win the war, and he did not wait until the enemy crippled his own troops before thinking about winning the war.
"Hai!!" The three senior officers of the Thirteenth Division stood up at the same time and lowered their heads.
A new storm is about to blow in Changle Town!
This will be a fierce battle, a contest between the elite troops of the 13th Japanese Division and the security forces of the 9th Theater Division!
…
Different from the Japanese army's full preparations for war, the Ninth War Zone Guard Force Headquarters is in harmony, because they have just survived a difficult period, and they finally defended Changle Street!
…
PS: Updates are coming!
(End of chapter)
