The Iron-Blooded Army of Beacon Fire

Chapter 507 Bombardment and Dispatch

On November 1939, 11, off the coast of Qinzhou Bay, a huge fleet was anchored in strong winds, heavy rain and huge waves like a parade array. This large fleet consisting of more than 13 ships was very powerful. There were more than a dozen warships inside, including the Kaga aircraft carrier of the Japanese Navy's 98st Air Fleet, the 10th Squadron heavy cruisers "Myoko" and "Tama", the 3th Squadron cruisers "Tenryu" and "Tatsuta", the 16rd Destroyer Squadron destroyers "Shimakaze", "Tandakaze" and "Shiokaze", the th Destroyer Squadron destroyers "Furong", "Kariyu" and "Asagao", the seaplane carrier "Chitose" and more than a dozen other warships.

In addition, there were more than fifty transport ships carrying the main force of the Japanese 21st Army's landing operation in Qinzhou Bay - the Japanese Army's 12th Division and the Guards Mixed Brigade, the Japanese Army's th Ship Engineering Regiment used to organize the landing, and a large number of mules, horses, supplies, and ammunition.

This fleet, consisting of a naval fleet and army troops, set out after assembling at Sanya Port in Hainan a few days ago. Braving strong winds and bad weather, and with a sea breeze of 15-27 meters per second, they finally arrived off the coast of Qinzhou Bay after two days of sailing.

The sudden bad weather not only brought trouble to the Chinese army, but also inevitably affected the Japanese army. Although the intensity of the rainstorm and the strong wind at sea had been greatly reduced compared with the past few days, the continuous heavy rain and strong winds still had a negative impact on the landing operation that was about to be launched by the Japanese fleet that had just arrived in Qinzhou Bay. From observation to reconnaissance, to the loading and unloading and disembarkation of the landing troops, all aspects were affected.

But after arriving off the coast of Qinzhou Bay, the highest commander of the Japanese army in the Qinzhou Bay landing operation, Commander of the 21st Army, Ando Rikichi, did not modify the predetermined combat plan because of the bad weather. On the contrary, such bad weather and sea conditions were regarded by Ando Rikichi as excellent cover. Ando Rikichi's reason was very simple. This kind of weather would affect his own landing operations. Conversely, the Chinese army's anti-landing operations would also be affected. Launching a landing operation in bad weather can just achieve the effect of surprise.

Therefore, at 11:13 on the evening of November 22, Anten Rikichi formally issued the order for the landing operation in Qinzhou Bay: First, Qisha near Qinzhou Bay would be used as the first landing point, and the main force of the 5th Division would land here at 14:5 in the morning of the th, with part of the naval fleet and carrier-based aircraft as cover, and would be the first to open the landing point. The Guards Mixed Brigade would be the second batch of landing troops, and would follow up after the th Division opened the landing point.

Second, the navy used a fleet and carrier-based aircraft to immediately conduct reconnaissance operations towards Longmen and the Beihai direction, and carried out artillery and bombing to create the illusion of a landing at Longmen, thereby forming a tactical deception on the Chinese army and achieving the effect of a surprise attack by making a feint to the east and attacking in the west, shifting the focus of its defense to Longmen to reduce the pressure on the Fifth Division that landed in Qinzhou.

Third, pay close attention to the movements of the Chinese military's "Army Assault Corps" and attach importance to it. Once the Chinese troops are spotted, they must be reported, attacked, and eliminated as a priority.

Ando Rikichi's battle plan made full use of the weather and adopted a tactic of feinting to the east and attacking in the west. It was very thorough and meticulous. The 21st Army of the Japanese Army, which quietly arrived at Qinzhou Bay, took action in the dark clouds and heavy rain, and began this surprise landing operation. The first to move was the Japanese naval fleet. Several Japanese heavy cruisers and destroyers left the main force of the fleet anchored off the coast of Qinzhou Bay, and divided into two squadrons, one rushing to Longmen, and the other heading for the farther North Sea coast.

The two Japanese fleets, which were tasked with harassing and distracting the Chinese army, had no scruples and almost swaggered to the coast of Longmen and Beihai and began shelling.

The heavy artillery on the Japanese cruiser suddenly broke the silence of the rainy night. The Japanese warships suddenly appeared in front of the Chinese army like ghosts suddenly emerging from the dark sea. The fierce bombardment almost stunned the Chinese defenders in Longmen and Beihai. First, the defense area of ​​the 19th Regiment of the newly formed 55th Division stationed in Longmen was hit by Japanese warships, and then the defense area of ​​the 175th Division in Beihai was also hit.

The sound of artillery broke the silence of the rainy night. The muzzle flames of the Japanese naval guns illuminated the dark night sky. 203mm, 140mm, and 120mm large-caliber naval gun shells fell like raindrops on the coastline of Longmen and Beihai.

The bombardment was carried out at night, especially on a rainy night. It was obviously impossible for the Japanese naval guns to accurately hit the fortifications and defensive positions set up by the Chinese army along the coastline. However, the Japanese army's original intention was to use harassing fire to attract the attention of the Chinese army, so they did not care about accuracy at all. They launched a large number of fierce and intensive bombardments just to increase their momentum.

The Chinese defenders along the coast had long lacked awareness of combat readiness and had never imagined that the Japanese army would take action on a rainy night. Faced with the bombardment of the Japanese army's large-caliber naval guns, the defenders who were under bombardment in various places sounded the alarm in panic. War and fighting came overnight.

In the command post of the assault corps, He Wei frowned and hung up the phone call from He Xuan, commander of the 46th Army, with a look of unfriendly expression on his face.

After the New 19th Division and the 175th Division were attacked, both units were panicked, and their superiors, the headquarters of the 46th Army, were also a little flustered. Faced with the sudden and swift attack of the Japanese army, the first reaction of both the 175th Division and the New 19th Division was that the Japanese army was about to land in Longmen and Beihai, and they must prepare for defense as soon as possible. The 175th Division immediately strengthened its reserve forces to Beihai, and the New 19th Division also strengthened its reserve forces to the direction of Longmen which was under fire from the Japanese army.

That’s not all. Since the new 19th Division’s reserve force only had one supplementary regiment and was seriously short of manpower, in order to strengthen the defense in the Longmen direction, the new 19th Division commander Huang Gu directly called He Wei, hoping that He Wei’s assault corps could be sent to reinforce.

He Wei did not agree to this rashly, and the reason was very simple. Although Longmen and Beihai were currently under bombardment, according to He Wei's memory, the Japanese army seemed to use Longmen or Qisha as a landing site in another time and space. If he sent reinforcements to Longmen, the only defensive force near Qisha would be a regiment of the New 19th Division deployed along the coastline, and the defense would be very weak.

Once the Japanese army suddenly landed in Qisha, the main forces of the assault corps and the new 19th Division would be pressed to the vicinity of Longmen. If they failed to focus on one and neglected the other, then everything would be finished.

Moreover, although the Japanese artillery bombardment near Longmen and Beihai was so fierce, the coastline of Qisha was extremely quiet. He Wei was instinctively alert to this situation and was particularly sensitive to Qisha.

Therefore, He Wei rejected the request for help from the New 19th Division. The commander of the New 19th Division, Huang Gu, was very angry about He Wei's refusal to support over the phone, and reported the matter to the commander of the 46th Army, He Xuan. He Xuan was also panicked and called He Wei again, hoping that he could bring his troops to support the Longmen direction.

He Wei still did not agree to He Xuan's request to reinforce Longmen, but he was a lieutenant general after all, so he could not refuse him a bit of face. Therefore, He Wei patiently persuaded He Xuan, telling him that the Japanese army had not yet launched a landing, so he should not panic. He explained the importance of the Qisha area that had not been bombarded, and said that the assault corps was equipped with a complete motor battalion, the troops were highly motorized, and had fast reaction and mobility speeds. Once the Japanese army landed in Longmen, he would personally lead the assault corps to support them. After He Wei patted his chest and made a promise, He Xuan reluctantly agreed to He Wei's approach.

The sound of large-caliber naval artillery shells exploding could be heard faintly. At this time, in the command post of the assault corps, the three infantry battalion commanders, the chief officers of the corps' direct subordinate units, and the commander of the independent motor vehicle battalion 1, Sun Fa, and the commander of the tank battalion , Zhao Huzhen, were all staring at He Wei with sharp eyes. These officers from various units under He Wei's command rushed to the command post as soon as they heard the shelling, waiting for He Wei to give orders.

Chief of Staff Wang Yuanling stepped forward and said, "The Japanese army suddenly bombarded Longmen and Beihai. There is indeed a possibility of launching a landing in these two places. We still have to take into account the request for help from the friendly forces. Why don't we split our troops into two places, one to prepare for the rescue of Longmen, and the other to keep an eye on Qisha?"

He Wei paced a few steps, nodded and said, "This method is feasible, but I still think that Qisha should be extra vigilant. The main force should still guard against the Japanese army making trouble in Qisha. I think it is best not to divide the troops."

After saying that, He Wei paced back and forth again, falling into deep thought. The command post fell into silence again. Seeing He Wei like this, the officers of the assault corps knew that He Wei must have had an idea in his mind, so no one spoke to interrupt He Wei's train of thought.

He Wei's thoughts raced, and soon, he slammed his fist on the table, gritted his teeth and said, "You can only hit hard if you clench your fists together. Now the friendly forces are only focusing on Longmen and Beihai, which are being bombarded by the Japanese, and ignoring Qisha. It's simply not paying attention to the big picture. In my opinion, Longmen and Beihai are fighting hard, but Qisha is completely silent. This is really strange. Qisha is also a very good landing site, but the Japanese are completely indifferent to this place. There must be something fishy going on."

"I order the 1st Infantry Battalion, nd Infantry Battalion, tank defense artillery company, anti-aircraft artillery company, st Tank Battalion, tank transport company, and rd Independent Motor Vehicle Battalion of my corps to all move. I will personally command them to march in motorized form to the Qisha area at the fastest speed and closely monitor the coast where the Japanese may land. Once they discover a Japanese landing, report it immediately and launch an attack."

After that, He Wei looked at Wang Yuanling again and said, "The Third Infantry Battalion and the rest of the direct troops, as well as the Corps Headquarters, are on standby at the location and are under the command of Chief of Staff Wang. If the enemy really lands at Longmen, notify me immediately. If necessary, you can directly command the Third Battalion to reinforce the friendly forces."

The intention of He Wei's combat order was very clear. He used almost all the heavy weapons, heavy firepower, and tanks in his hands in the direction of Qisha, leaving only one battalion on standby. Everyone could see that He Wei had no interest in reinforcing the friendly forces in Longmen, Beihai and other places. The third battalion left behind was obviously only of symbolic significance.

He Wei's deployment obviously placed all his bets on the Qisha direction, which was quite risky, but no officer raised any objection. No matter what the specific content of He Wei's combat deployment was, it had an iron-law-like effect within the assault corps.

The officers in the command post answered in unison: "Yes!"

Immediately, the officers took their positions, assembled their respective troops, and prepared to march out.

Two hours later, the 1st Infantry Battalion and the nd Infantry Battalion of the Assault Corps, the tank defense artillery company, the anti-aircraft artillery company, and the attached st Tank Battalion completed their assembly. With the transportation of nearly vehicles from the rd Independent Motor Vehicle Battalion and the tank transport company, this mixed force of infantry, tanks, and trucks with a total strength of more than people, equipped with a large number of automatic weapons, heavy equipment and more than tanks, braved the cold night rain and drove towards Qisha in the dark night.

As night fell, the extremely bad weather of the past few days finally eased a little. The heavy rain like pillars gradually decreased, and the momentum of the strong sea breeze that could break trees in half also decreased sharply. However, the Japanese artillery bombardment was different from the weather. It increased instead of decreased. The Japanese heavy cruisers and destroyers that had advanced to the Longmen and Beihai line advanced further to the shore arrogantly after the weather improved a little, and bombarded the coastline with even more fierce firepower.

The sound of naval gunfire was continuous and dense, and raging fires broke out at the places where many Japanese heavy shells landed. Faced with such a crazy artillery attack from the Japanese warships, the nerves of the Chinese defenders in Longmen and Beihai were almost stretched to the limit. All the commanders of the defending troops regarded the crazy shelling of the Japanese army as the artillery preparation before the landing of their army. As soon as the visibility on the sea was better, the Japanese army would launch a landing operation.

Just when the Chinese defenders in Longmen and Beihai were like frightened birds, the Japanese landing fleet off the coast of Qinzhou Bay slowly and quietly moved towards the sea in the direction of Qisha.

The Japanese naval warships that were bombarding in the direction of Longmen and Beihai had in fact achieved tactical deception on the Chinese army, causing the Chinese defenders to focus almost entirely on Longmen and Beihai. When the bombardment of the Japanese warships reached its peak, the commander of the Japanese 21st Army, Toshiyoshi Ando, ​​decisively ordered the landing troops to prepare for action.

The ships carrying the elite 5th Division of the Japanese Army and the 12th Ship Engineering Corps of the Japanese Army were the first to move. Dozens of transport ships gradually approached the Qisha coast, risking possible attacks by the Chinese army and running aground on reefs in the dark night. The officers and soldiers of the 5th Division of the Japanese Army on the transport ships began the final combat readiness and reorganization work before landing under the command of the officers. The Japanese troops of the 12th Ship Engineering Corps pulled out various types of landing craft loaded on the ships and prepared to carry the landing troops.

The Japanese aircraft carrier Kaga, which was responsible for providing air cover, also began to prepare aircraft and ammunition.

As time passed, the Japanese naval gun bombardment in Longmen and the Beihai direction became more and more intense. However, the Japanese landing attack force had made all preparations in the storm, like an arrow on a bow ready to be fired.

(End of this chapter)