Age of Rebirth

The Battle of Duyun in Qiannan ended perfectly. For a fierce unit like the Japanese No.15 Army, under the influence of an arrogant commander like Fengwen Yamashita for a long time, if the traditional infantry confrontation is adopted, heavy casualties cannot be avoided. Tang Qiu Li's method is to use the firepower of absolute superiority to carry out devastating asymmetric strikes.

The generals of the directly subordinate corps who participated in the war did not understand at first, thinking that the division commander mobilized all the artillery of the directly subordinate corps, plus all the aircraft of the Southern Aviation Group of the Aviation Force, to deal with the tens of thousands of remnants of the No. 15 Army who had lost their vigor. It ended in a one-sided situation, and everyone saw the teacher's good intentions.

The little devil didn't even see his opponent's face, so he was beaten to pieces. When the first brigade went up, it was almost like cleaning the battlefield. Several brigade commanders who were about to leave for the western front all made fun of the first brigade commander Liu Hongzhang, "Lao Liu has a good job this time. In fact, this job is done by Director Zhang of the logistics department, and the custody is better than yours."

Liu Hongzhang said with a wry smile: "You think I'm willing to do this kind of task of cleaning up junk? It's boring. Let's say it's also a field brigade. Otherwise, let's change with your brigade. We will go to the Western Front with one brigade." Several brigades There was a long burst of laughter.

In fact, the generals have not yet understood the meaning. There are more than 30 Japanese reinforcements coming from Guiyang, and 10,000+ from Nanning. If Yamashita Fengwen is not resolved as soon as possible, the relatively small area around Duyun is not suitable for large corps operations. , It is also not suitable for the mechanized equipment directly under the Corps to exert its power. [

In a word, Tang Qiuli didn't want to have a decisive battle with the main force of the southern Japanese army in Duyun.The tactics he adopted was to attack from the west to the south, and with the strength of the seven brigades directly under the Corps, he used the dangerous terrain between Guiyang and Duyun to block the Japanese army advancing eastward from Guiyang.

Take Ma Chaoyang Corps, part of Feng Jiwu Corps, all artillery units and two brigades directly under the Corps.Stand on the front line of Mashan and strive to wipe out all the Japanese troops.Control the area from southern Guangxi to Beibu Gulf and Leizhou Peninsula. In this way, the attack route of the Japanese Southern Expedition was limited to a certain range.

Regarding the Battle of Mashan, Tang Qiuli did not intervene or worry too much.Both Chang Feng and Ma Chaoyang were battle-hardened veterans, both in terms of military strength and firepower, they were several times more than the Japanese army. It wasn't about the size of the battle results. What surprised him was the Japanese army coming from Guiyang.

The morning of July 23.Battle reports came from all over Baimang, Kaimen, Jiangzhou, and Pinglang. The Japanese army launched several strong attacks on our blocking positions.The fighting was fierce, especially the blocking position in the busy passage closest to Duyun. The Fifth Brigade of the Corps directly under the defense here was attacked more violently.

However, each brigade also reflected a situation. Although the attacking Japanese army had a large number of troops, they did not have heavy weapons, at most some mortars.There is not much pressure on the troops, since Yamashita Fengwen's No.15 Army.Has suffered a devastating blow, and the Japanese army coming from Guiyang.But like crazy, eager to open the road to Duyun, there is only one possibility. Yamashita Fengwen has not died yet, and the Japanese army thinks there is hope to rescue him.

Tang Qiuli picked up the phone, "I want the headquarters of the first brigade, and I want to find Brigadier Liu." The brigade commander Liu Hongzhang was holding a meeting to deploy the regiments to search for the No. For the regiment leaders who are accustomed to tough and vicious battles, such a task really does not lift their spirits.

The commander of the fourth regiment couldn't help complaining, "Brigade commander, the other brigades have all gone to eat meat on the western front. Why did the division commander let our brigade stay and clean up some leftovers? , even if the iron man has turned into water, there are still a few little devils left, or you can tell the teacher to let one regiment stay, and the three of us will go to the western front."

The leader of the first regiment was not happy, and shouted with his eyes wide open: "Why do you let the first regiment stay? You are the fourth regiment who wants to stay." Everyone chattered and chattered, and Liu Hongzhang was upset when he heard it, and said: " Shut up, all four regiments of the brigade are on board, complete the task in half a day, and don’t delay going to the western front, it’s all clear, that regiment is lagging behind, let him take care of the supplies.”

The first brigade, including the brigade commander Liu Hongzhang, didn't consider this task as a big deal. At this time, the phone rang quickly, and the chief of staff picked up the phone. He just asked a question, and quickly covered the phone and said: " Brigadier, it's the teacher calling, looking for you."

Liu Hongzhang answered the phone and said: "Master, I'm holding a meeting to arrange the elimination of the No. 15 remnants. Yes, the whole brigade will go up and search carefully. Master, I have a request. After our brigade completes this task , request to participate in the battle on the western front or the southern front, please ask the division commander for approval."

As soon as Tang Qiuli heard it, he knew that Liu Hongzhang did not take this task seriously. He seriously underestimated the enemy, his face sank, and he said seriously: "Liu Hongzhang, let me tell you, Yamashita Fengwen has not been killed yet, his commander The system is still there, and the combat effectiveness of the No. 15 Japanese army cannot be underestimated. Although it has suffered heavy losses, the beasts will still fight, if your brigade suffers heavy casualties, you should prepare to go back to the junior command department of Dingbian Military Academy for further study!"

After finishing speaking, before Liu Hongzhang could respond, he hung up the phone. Liu Hongzhang was stunned for a moment. He understood the character of the teacher. What he said just now was not alarmist. Besides, he really didn't want to go back to Dingbian Military Academy for further studies. An imposing major general and brigade commander mixed up with a group of unranked students, and it would be embarrassing if he said it.

When the meeting was held again, Liu Hongzhang put away his contempt, and carefully arranged the tasks of each regiment, the cooperation between the search teams, and the tactical issues that needed attention. It is very possible to resist stubbornly and try to avoid casualties in the troops.

Everyone remember, if you run away, you can do it, but you can't run away from Yamashita Fengwen, try to capture this guy alive, if you can't catch him alive, you can die, in a word, if you want to see a person, if you want to see a dead body, when you say these words , Liu Hongzhang looked murderous.

In the end, Liu Hongzhang gave the four regiment commanders and the commander of the brigade reconnaissance battalion exactly what the division commander Tang Qiuli said to him, "If unnecessary casualties occur between that regiment and your reconnaissance battalion, you should prepare Go back to Dingbian Military Academy's Junior Command Department for further study! The meeting is over!"

Unlike Lima, the mob soldier of the first brigade of the Corps directly under the Independent Division, who dug three feet into the ground to find out the Fengwen under the mountain. There was a meeting of all officers above the commander, but the atmosphere of the meeting was extremely tense.

Guo Huawen's complexion was extremely ugly, and whoever got involved in this matter would not have a good complexion. He read Liu Zhi's telegram to the officers present. Feeling unbelievable for the actions of Liu Zhi, the supreme commander of the Eastern Route Army, several army commanders simply cursed Liu Zhi.

Chi Zifeng, the guard of Xiyun Peak, was the first to quit, his face was blue with anger, he stood up suddenly, and almost shouted, "Commander, why does Liu Zhi do this? My independent brigade guards Xiyun Peak [-] Yu Tian, ​​the brothers in the whole brigade have almost changed. Thanks to all the army commanders and division commanders who transferred their troops to my command, they were able to defend Xiyun Peak. With my reputation as Chi Zifeng, the independent brigade Thank you for your great support.”

After finishing speaking, he clasped his fists in all directions, his eyes turned red, and said with a choked voice: "A small Xiyun Peak, just my independent brigade, killed more than 8000 brothers and injured more than 3 people. Xiyun Feng was defended with more than 1 lives, and Duyun City was saved with the tens of thousands of casualties of our No.19 Army. When we risked our lives and fought the little devil, where was he? No .11 Where are those bastards in the Army?"[

Guo Huawen lowered his head, the officers' eye circles were flushed, everyone was deeply moved, that unit did not transfer anyone to the main position of Xiyun Peak, although Chi Zifeng was the main defender of Xiyun Peak, everyone deserved the credit, it was No. For the 19th Group Army, Liu Zhi took away tens of thousands of soldiers casualties with just such a single order, and snatched away the victory he gained in exchange for it. Can the officers be convinced?What Chi Zifeng said spoke out what everyone meant.

A feeling of grief and indignation spread across the meeting room, and Chi Zifeng continued: "Commander, I, Lao Chi, leave the words here. You want those bastards from the No.11 Army to take over the defense. Defend against my Xiyunfeng position, unless you step on my dead body, you will be dead, you have a gun in your hand, and you are afraid of a ball!"

Guo Huawen knew that everyone was right. Duyun and Xiyunfeng were soaked in the blood of tens of thousands of soldiers of the No.19 Army, but as the commander of the army, he commanded tens of thousands of horses, so he couldn't be as scrupled as Chi Zifeng. , Say whatever you want, he can't, and he doesn't dare.

After the meeting, the grief-stricken Guo Huawen sent Liu Zhi a more direct telegram. He sent the telegram to hope that Liu Zhi would retreat in the face of difficulties, dispel the idea of ​​shame and embarrassment, and let him know. The attitude of all the officers of the No.19 Army.

"General Commander Liu Xunjian, the Battle of Duyun is coming to an end. The No. 15 Army of the Japanese Army Yamashita Fengwen was surrounded in a small area under Xiyunfeng Mountain. A few days ago, it has entered the stage of clearing out the remnants of the enemy. If you change generals and do not withdraw your troops if you want to win, if you change troops at this time, I am afraid that the surviving Japanese scattered soldiers will have a chance to escape."

"Furthermore, the officers have many objections to the orders of the commander-in-chief. If they forcefully issue an order, they may provoke a mutiny. Thinking about it, the commander-in-chief is unwilling to see such things happen. To be safe, I implore the commander-in-chief to give The three-day deadline is to wait until our troops have wiped out the remnants of the enemy before handing over the defense to the No.11 Army."

After the telegram was sent, Guo Huawen really hoped that Liu Zhi would retreat and take back his life, although it was difficult.

(To be continued)