Chapter 777
Japanese Retaliation: Trouble Breaks Within the Guangxi Army!
Japan, Tokyo, Chiyoda Ward.
Forty-eight hours after the bombing, the sky over Tokyo was still shrouded in thick smoke and dust, and a thick, foul-smelling black rain fell.
The rain pounded on the still-warm ruins, stirring up plumes of white smoke and making a hissing sound, as if it were the city's painful groans.
Inside the Army Ministry's underground bunker, the ventilation system hummed, but it couldn't completely remove the suffocating burnt smell.
"Splash!"
Hideki Tojo slammed the teacup to the ground, scattering shards of porcelain everywhere.
His bald head was covered in bulging veins, and his eyes were bloodshot, making him look like a wild beast trapped in a cage, about to be slaughtered.
"Baka! This is the absolute air defense zone you promised?"
Tojo's roar echoed in the cramped conference room.
His booming voice made the generals present lower their heads and fall silent: "The Chinese planes are showing off their power over our heads!"
"You bunch of useless trash!"
On the table in front of him lay a series of shocking war damage reports: a quarter of the buildings in the downtown area were destroyed, the Marunouchi government office district was paralyzed, two arsenals were completely shut down, and more than 16,000 civilians and related personnel were killed or wounded.
"Your Excellency the Prime Minister"
Deputy Chief of the General Staff Jun Komiya said cautiously, his voice dry, "The most urgent task now is to quell the panic in the country."
"Rumors are spreading, and some people who don't know the truth are saying that this is divine retribution."
"Some even privately discussed that we should contact the Allies through diplomatic channels and surrender to them to end the war."
"shut up!"
"Anyone who dares to make peace will be arrested and interrogated on charges of treason."
"We did not lose this war!"
"This was just a sneak attack by the Chinese!"
"It was a despicable terrorist attack!"
Hideki Tojo, panting heavily, asked with a manic ruthlessness in his eyes, "Where did they take off from?"
"Where did you get your supplies from?"
"Has our intelligence department uncovered any information?"
The deputy director of the intelligence department quickly stepped forward and unfolded a map: "Based on the comprehensive situation, when the bomber group returned, in addition to some flying back to western Shandong, a considerable number of the damaged aircraft made emergency landings in the coastal areas of northern and central Jiangsu, which is the controlled area of the Chinese New Fourth Army."
Hideki Tojo muttered these words through gritted teeth, slashing his sword fiercely at the map, tearing the area of northern Jiangsu to pieces.
"Send a telegram to Commander-in-Chief of the Expeditionary Army, Okamura Yasuji!"
"Headquarters recommends drawing all available troops!"
"The 13th and 60th Divisions, along with all available forces, are to seek to annihilate or defeat the enemy forces in the Central Jiangsu direction."
"We will wash away the shame of Tokyo with the blood of the Chinese."
"Hai!"
Hideki Tojo thought to himself with hatred: Not only should we capture those Chinese pilots who parachuted out, but we should also tear them to pieces!
They also want to kill all the Chinese troops and civilians who are protecting them!
Burn it all!
Sold out!
Upon receiving the telegram, Okamura Neiji stood before a huge battle map, his back hunched, like an old tree about to wither and die.
Haizhou's crushing defeat, Tokyo's scorched earth.
All of this told him that the end of the Great Japanese Locust Army was near.
But he was unwilling to accept that the glory of the Great Japanese Nation could not be truly restored.
There may still be a chance for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.
However, it is highly unlikely that they will lead this East Asian co-prosperity.
“Commander-in-Chief,” Chief of Staff Masazo Kawabe said in a low voice, “The 60th Division, the remnants of the 3rd Division, and the 12th Independent Mixed Brigade have been assembled. However, we only have enough ammunition to sustain high-intensity combat for fifteen days before we must return to our positions. Otherwise, it may affect the defense of the triangle area in the future.”
"Fifteen days is more than enough time."
Okamura Yasuji picked up the baton and pointed to the narrow strip of land in central Jiangsu, north and south of the Huai River and west of the Grand Canal.
The 21st Army Group, under the command of Li Pinxian of the Guangxi Clique, is carrying out a large-scale reorganization.
The Japanese army knew this information without even needing to deliberately seek it out.
At such a critical moment, if the Japanese army were to launch an attack on the New Fourth Army, the Guangxi clique would certainly stand idly by.
There's an old Chinese saying: "Pick the softest persimmons to squeeze."
Okamura Neiji's voice was sinister: "Once the main force of the North China Army enters a defensive posture, it's like an iron plate; kicking it rashly will only break your toes."
"Only here!"
Okamura Yasuji pounded hard on the map, marking the line of Bengbu, Mingguang, Xuyi, and Huai'an.
"Li Pinxian's Guangxi Army, and the New Fourth Army in the Central Jiangsu region."
"Although they claimed to be heading north to fight the Japanese, their real purpose was to seize territory and claim credit."
"Their equipment has improved, but that's in comparison to before."
"Compared to their elite forces in North China, they lack heavy artillery, anti-tank weapons, and, most importantly, the determination to fight tough battles!"
"Moreover, according to intelligence, Li Pinxian's troops are currently spread out and busy taking over the county town, looting supplies, and reorganizing the troops, so they are not on guard."
Okamura Neiji suddenly raised his head: "This is our best chance!"
"Quickly assemble all remaining mobile forces, concentrate all artillery, and all tanks."
……
Xuyi County is located at the junction of eastern Anhui and central Jiangsu.
This is the forward command post of the 21st Group Army of the Guangxi Clique, and also the temporary war zone command of the Fifth War Zone.
At this time, the county town was decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and filled with a joyous atmosphere.
Celebration slogans still remain on the streets of the county town, which was liberated less than two months ago.
Li Pinxian sat in the grand chair in the main hall of the county government office, looking quite content.
The promises made by the North China side were fully effective. Although they accepted the reorganization, the entire 21st Army Group still obeyed his orders and its combat effectiveness was much stronger than before.
Many soldiers have been fully equipped with Taiyuan-made Type 65 rifles, and returned their original Hanyang-made rifles to the recruit training department.
In terms of light weapons firepower, the Guangxi-based combat forces have improved by half a level in just one month.
It is clear to the naked eye that once the heavy weapons arrive and training is completed, the situation will improve.
The equipment of the Guangxi clique troops is 40% better than before.
"Commander, you did show your face in the previous battle."
"We reclaimed such a large territory without much effort."
"Once this follow-up operation is over, based on your contribution to the 'Revival of Light,' you will be the first among the Chairman."
Li Pinxian blew on the tea foam and hummed a little tune: "That's natural. The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army were entangled with the Japanese for two months under the city of Huaiyin but failed to take it. We picked up the ready-made one in the south. This can be called 'using their strength to fight back'. Moreover, we can take the opportunity to weaken their power."
"Commander Li, the North China Joint Command has repeatedly ordered us to assist in the offensive. This can't go on like this."
Li Pinxian sneered: "If you really wanted our assistance, why would you issue the reorganization order immediately after the meeting?"
"You haven't figured out the General Staff's little scheme."
Li Pinxian suddenly paused, as if he had thought of something, and then said, "Each unit must quickly receive supplies from various places, and prioritize the supply of combat troops to restore order as soon as possible."
Just as Li Pinxian was dreaming of receiving supplies and expanding her strength,
"boom--!!!"
A deafening roar.
The explosion occurred without warning in the direction of the south gate of the county town.
Immediately afterwards, the earth trembled violently, and a dense barrage of artillery fire rolled down from the horizon like thunder.
Li Pinxian's hand froze.
What the hell is going on?
Japanese attack?
Outside the county town, there were three regimental-level combat units stationed there. How did the Japanese soldiers manage to break through right under their noses?
How could there be absolutely no news?
But if it wasn't the Japanese army, there weren't any armories in the south of the city, so there shouldn't have been such a commotion.
Thinking of this, Li Pinxian immediately shouted, "What's going on?"
"Where are you firing?!"
"Report—!!!"
A messenger, covered in blood, stumbled into the hall and collapsed to the ground: "Commander! Something terrible has happened!"
"It's the Japanese army! These devils are attacking!"
"Besides the Japanese devils in the south, a large number of main Japanese troops suddenly appeared along the Mingguang and Sanjie line in the north!"
"The Japanese artillery fire was too fierce, and with the support of tanks, our position didn't have many people to begin with. In just over ten minutes, the Japanese broke through."
"what?!"
Li Pinxian's face turned deathly pale instantly: "The main force of the Japanese army?"
"Has the troop strength been determined?"
"Weren't the main force of the Japanese troops in the north almost completely annihilated, and the remaining enemy forces besieged in various villages and towns?"
"The commander-in-chief is... They must have come from the south. There's a problem with Commander Xie's defense zone. There haven't been any shots fired over there, but the Japanese have already come over."
The messenger's voice trembled: "On my way here, I heard an officer say that the 60th Division was attacking us!"
"It is said that their vanguard has cut off our retreat route to Bengbu and is now encircling Xuyi!"
Li Pinxian never dreamed of this.
Okamura Yasuji would launch such a surprise attack at this time and place.
"The 60th Division?"
"Weren't they suppressing the Communists in the Central Jiangsu region?"
For a moment, Li Pinxian was completely confused and couldn't figure out what was going on.
How could the Japanese army bypass their defenses and precisely surround the location of his war zone commander's headquarters?
How could they launch an attack on the county town without alerting the surrounding three regiments?
"Order all divisions to immediately consolidate their defensive lines!"
"Assemble in Xuyi!"
Li Pinxian frowned, but remained composed: "The guard regiment must hold the city's fortifications and defend it to the death. Go quickly!"
However, less than three hours after the battle began, before the Japanese army had even broken through the outer defenses, a series of bad news followed.
"Report!"
"The 138th Division was attacked by a Japanese tank regiment in Guanzhen. The division headquarters was scattered and the divisions are now fighting independently!"
"Report!"
"The flank of the 173rd Division has been breached, and Japanese cavalry have already outflanked our rear!"
"Report!"
"The telephone lines buried outside the county town were cut, and we lost contact with the surrounding troops."
The Japanese attack was exceptionally fierce and precise.
They avoided the towns where the main force of the Guangxi clique was concentrated, and used the rapid infiltration of some mobile units to cut the seemingly large but loose defense line of the 21st Group Army to pieces like sharp scalpels.
Although the Guangxi clique had a large number of men, without unified command and heavy firepower support, it quickly fell into a passive and defensive situation.
This situation is exactly the same as the previous Lihuang battle.
The Japanese army seemed to have supernatural vision, accurately striking their weak points.
Li Pinxian would believe it if he said Chu Yunfei was directing the attack from the opposite side.
"Commander! Something's wrong. Someone down below must be in trouble. Let's break out!"
Li Pinxian frowned, a hint of suspicion in his mind: "Whoever caused the problem, they are all our old subordinates."
Chief of Staff Wang Hongshao was sweating profusely with anxiety. "Before the encirclement is completely closed, let's run north!"
"The Eighth Route Army still has more than 30,000 men outside Huaiyin City."
"Eighth Route Army?"
A bitter smile appeared on Li Pinxian's face.
He had always looked down on those "peasants," but unexpectedly, at the very end, he had to beg them for help.
"There's no time to worry about that now."
Li Pinxian gritted his teeth, as if he had made a huge decision: "Send a telegram to Commander Liu!"
"Just say that the 21st Army Group has been attacked by the main force of the Japanese army and is in a critical situation. We request immediate support from friendly forces!"
"I'll agree to any condition as long as it gets me out of this predicament!"
……
Meanwhile, outside Huaiyin City, at the joint command post of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army.
Commander Liu was squatting in front of the map, his brows furrowed.
The siege of Huaiyin City did not go smoothly.
The Japanese army remained holed up and did not come out; lacking heavy weapons for attacking fortified positions, they could only gnaw at the enemy bit by bit.
just.
Street fighting is never that easy.
Huaiyin City was already difficult to conquer, and Yan'an wanted to use this battle to train its troops.
Commander Liu could only send his troops into the city in rotation to train them.
The siege lasted for two months, but they still failed to recapture the entire city of Huaiyin.
Just as they were preparing to press on and annihilate all the Japanese troops in one fell swoop.
The messenger handed over a telegram.
"report!"
"Urgent telegram from Commander-in-Chief Li of the Fifth War Zone!"
Commander Liu took a look, his brows furrowed even more, but a glint of shrewdness flashed in his eyes.
"Well done, Okamura Yasuji! That 'avoiding the strong and attacking the weak' move was brilliant."
He handed the telegram to Commander Chen beside him: "Take a look, Commander Li has started shouting for help."
Commander Chen glanced at it and snorted coldly: "They're fiercer than anyone else when it comes to seizing territory and causing friction, but when they actually encounter the main force of the Japanese, they falter. The Guangxi Clique is still the same old thing."
"We definitely have to save them."
Commander Liu stood up, his gaze becoming profound: "If the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold; there must be a problem within the Guangxi clique."
"They brought it on themselves. What does it have to do with us if their Kuomintang army is divided?"
"If Li Pinxian's troops are wiped out, the Japanese will target us next."
"and"
Commander Liu pointed to Xuyi on the map.
"This is also an opportunity."
"In order to launch a surprise attack, the Japanese army stretched out their battle lines too far, completely exposing their flanks to us."
"We can use a 'besieging Wei to rescue Zhao' strategy!"
Commander Chen resolutely refused: "We cannot delay our original combat mission just to support our comrades, especially since they are Guangxi-affiliated troops who have clashed with our army countless times before..."
Seeing that Commander Liu and Political Commissar Deng still insisted, Commander Chen remained silent for a moment before nodding: "Since you insist, then let's fight."
Commander Liu waved his hand sharply and decisively ordered: "Send word to launch an immediate general offensive against Huaiyin. After capturing it, leave a small number of troops to clean up the battlefield, and the main force shall immediately turn south!"
"Commander Chen, your New Fourth Army is familiar with the terrain. They are responsible for infiltrating the flank and rear of the Japanese 60th Division and cutting off their supply lines!"
"My column will press forward from the front and deliver a vicious stab to this group of Japanese soldiers from the flank!"
...(End of this chapter)