Rebirth of the Republic of China: The Rise of China

Noda Squadron, as the only strengthened squadron of the Tonghua garrison of the Japanese army, is not only equipped with a heavy machine gun squad and a mortar squad, but also equipped with a radio station responsible for contacting the garrison headquarters.

Hearing the intensive gunfire coming from the direction of Tonghua County, Noda Squadron Leader's first thought was not to return to the county immediately.Instead, he ordered the operator to contact the county seat quickly to learn about the specific situation in the county seat.

However, what surprised Squadron Leader Noda was that the clear sound of the telegraph machine sending and receiving telegrams lasted for a full 5 minutes, and the operator sitting in front of the radio station still did not make any movement.

Facing the weaker and weaker gunfire from the direction of the county seat, the anxious Noda Squadron Leader had no choice but to ask, "Baga, why haven't you contacted your Excellency the Captain? It's been 5 minutes, what are you doing for food?" ..."

The telegraph operator, who was also sweating profusely from anxiety, quickly put down his earphones, and reported to Squadron Leader Noda behind him with a guilty expression: "Squadron Leader, it's the direction of the county...Facing our call, there is no direction for the county. Any echo..."[

"The county seat didn't respond... how is it possible?" Noda Squadron Leader asked in disbelief.

Then, a bold idea suddenly came to Captain Noda's mind.Facing the subordinates in front of him, he asked to himself: "Could it be...could it be that the county has fallen, and the headquarters has been captured by the Chinese attacking forces..."

At this moment, the deputy captain reminded in a very timely manner: "Your Excellency, this situation is very likely... Our garrison headquarters is equipped with two radio stations. Even if one of them is damaged, the other radio station can still operate normally. Use. And now. Two radio stations did not respond at the same time, only one possibility. What happened to the headquarters..."

Noda Squadron Leader nodded indifferently, and responded: "If the headquarters is really under attack, and even the radio station cannot be used, then the situation in the entire Tonghua County is absolutely beyond bad... Otherwise, how could the headquarters located in the center of the county be attacked."

"Your Excellency, Captain, let's go next..." Hearing this, several subordinates stood up one after another, set their sights on Squadron Leader Noda, and waited for Squadron Leader Noda to make a final decision...

After half a minute of hesitation, Noda Squadron Leader opened his mouth to analyze: "Everyone. Although we don't know the specific situation of the county seat. However, through the radio communication just now, we are at least [-]% sure that Tonghua County has fallen into the hands of the Chinese. For the safety of the entire squadron, I have decided that the entire squadron will stay where it is for the time being. After I report to my superiors, I will decide on the next action plan of our squadron..."

Kwantung Army Headquarters, Commander-in-Chief General Shigeru Honjo, after receiving the order to withdraw troops from the country.Nerves that have been tense due to the destruction of the First Division.It's rare to relax.At this moment, General Honjo Shigeru is sitting in front of the map, studying the failed battles that have ended, to see if he can learn some lessons from them.

at this time.The door of the office, which had been closed for a long time, suddenly sounded a series of clear and hasty knocks.Before General Fan Zhuang could speak, the closed door of the office had already been pushed open.Lieutenant General Koiso Kuniaki, Chief of Staff, had a slightly anxious figure.He suddenly appeared at the door of the office.

General Shigeru Honjo, who had a bad premonition, quickly turned his attention to Kunizaki Koiso.He asked bluntly, "Chief of Staff, is there another accident on the front line..."

Koiso Kuniaki didn't nod.He didn't shake his head either, and walked quickly to General Honzhuang Fan.Facing Ben Zhuangfan, he said: "Commander-in-Chief, the specific results have not been confirmed yet. However, based on the analysis of the various intelligence contents sent back from the front line, the authenticity of the contents of the telegram should be beyond doubt..."

General Benzhuang Fan's brows suddenly frowned.Facing Chief of Staff Kunizaki Koiso, who had a dignified expression in front of him, he asked in a deep voice, "What's the specific situation?"

"It's Tonghua County, something happened in Tonghua County..." Xiaoji Guozhao replied.

Seeing the instant "comprehension" on Ben Zhuangfan's face, Xiaoji Guozhao quickly raised the telegram in his hand and explained: "This is a telegram sent to us by a squadron leader under the Tonghua Defense Wing. .”

"Twenty-ten minutes ago, there was a sudden burst of gunfire in the direction of Tonghua County. Afterwards, the infantry squadron lost contact with Tonghua County. After receiving this telegram, I also asked people to contact Tonghua County. The situation is similar to this telegram. According to the content of the yiyàng, no matter whether it is the phone or the radio, I have not received any response..."

General Shigeru Honjo, who was deep in thought, did not answer right away.Turning to the Chief of Staff Kunizaki Koiso, he asked with a thoughtful face, "Chief of Staff, what do you think?"

"I agree with the analysis of this telegram. However, for the sake of prudence, I still order this infantry squadron to quickly go to Tonghua County to conduct some investigation. After all, Tonghua County is related to whether our army's [-] to [-] troops can return to North Korea smoothly. We must It must be treated with caution..." Chief of Staff Koiso Kuniaki replied cautiously.

After a brief analysis, Shige Benzhuang also realized the seriousness of the problem.Facing Xiaoji Guozhao in front of him, he responded very straightforwardly: "Chief of Staff, I will do as you said for the time being. Immediately call back this squadron: Investigate the safety of Tonghua County. If there is any situation, report it as soon as possible..."

In the face of the life and death concerns of hundreds of people, even with the order of General Honjo Shigeru, Squadron Leader Noda was very cautious.

The three infantry squads under his command were directly divided into three by him, and secretly went to investigate in the direction of Tonghua County from different directions. [

When an infantry squad heading for Tonghua along the road was wiped out, and the entire Tonghua County was completely under martial law... the news reached Noda's ears.Noda immediately affirmed that Tonghua County had changed hands.As for the Chinese army occupying Tonghua County, why didn't they disclose the news.In Noda's view, the Chinese army wanted to turn Tonghua into a huge bait to attract and wipe out the Japanese troops still active in Tonghua, such as an infantry squadron he led.

Returning to the General Headquarters of the Kwantung Army again, Shigeru Honjo frowned when he saw the telegram that Noda had just sent.Compared with just now, the wrinkles are deeper.Facing Koiso Kuniaki.Without any room for negotiation, he said, "Chief of Staff, for the sake of the tens of thousands of Kwantung Army elites in the two provinces. Tonghua County must be recaptured, and it is in our own hands..."

Xiaoji Guozhao first nodded in agreement, and then replied with a helpless face: "But, Commander, we don't even know the specific strength of the Chinese army occupying Tonghua, how can we take back Tonghua..." 9

Seeing that the expression on Shigeru Honjo's face remained unchanged, Kunizaki Koji continued: "In addition, according to the telegram sent by Captain Noda, there are less than 300 imperial troops left in Tonghua. Even if we are determined , and it is impossible to take back Tonghua County from the hands of the Chinese with 300 people..."

General Fan Zhuang nodded noncommittally, but did not answer right away.Under the watchful eyes of Kunizaki Koiso, he walked quickly to the combat sand table marked with the specific deployment of the Eastern Army's troops, thinking about specific countermeasures.

Of course, Lieutenant General Koiso Kunizaki, the chief of staff, was not idle either.Facing the sand table, he fell into deep thought.

suddenly.Benzhuang Fan's eyes lit up, and his frown suddenly relaxed.Facing the sand table, he said excitedly, "The Eighth Division, yes. It is the Eighth Division... Chief of Staff, why did we forget the Eighth Division?"

"Although the two divisions operating in Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces could not arrive at Tonghua immediately. However, the Eighth Division, which was transferred to the border between Jilin and Liaoning, could be dispatched within a day. At least one brigade was transferred A unit of chariots launched an attack on Tonghua County. Taking advantage of the Chinese people's heels, they took back Tonghua."

One word awakened the dreamer, Koiso Kunizaki's frowning brows suddenly relaxed.

Facing General Benzhuang Fan, he agreed: "Your Excellency, Commander, although we don't know the specific strength of the Chinese army to occupy Tonghua. However, judging from the distance from Tonghua to Liaodong, it is absolutely impossible for the Chinese army to deploy large-scale troops to attack Tonghua without Attract our attention. Therefore, the humble judge judges that even if there are many troops occupying Tonghua, it is impossible to be too many. Our brigade plus a chariot regiment is enough to retake Tonghua from the Chinese..."

"Chief of Staff, your analysis makes sense..." General Honjo Shigeru nodded in approval.

Then, pointing to the battle sand table in front of him, facing Kunizaki Koiso, he ordered with a serious face: "Chief of Staff, we will do this: order the No. 15 Brigade of the Eighth Division, and the Second Tank Regiment of the Tank Brigade , Immediately rush to Tonghua, take back Tonghua County from the hands of the Chinese, and ensure that our two divisions of the Kwantung Army can safely withdraw to North Korea."

"Ha Yi...Your Excellency Commander is wise!"

In Tonghua County, the highest officer of the Ninth Army, Mr. Luo Zhang, was standing in front of a map of Tonghua County, thinking about how to use the terrain in Tonghua County after the Japanese troops in Suqing territory were remnants of the enemy, to give the Japanese troops still active in the two provinces, Prepare for a big trap.

However, no matter what the layout is, it is even possible to build fortifications outside the city.For Luo Zhang, the current commander-in-chief of Tonghua, time is the most important thing.

As long as the news of the occupation of Tonghua by oneself can be hidden from the Japanese army for one day, plus the time required for the Japanese army to enter Tonghua.Luo Zhang is confident that dozens of hours are enough for him to arrange the battlefield in all directions, turning Tonghua into a big trap, defend Tonghua, and block tens of thousands of Japanese elites.

However, things backfired... >

The division commander, Luo Zhang, started to think about the specific combat tactics and tactics according to the predetermined combat thinking in his heart.The sudden change forced Luo Zhang to disrupt his deployment...

In Tonghua County, the door of Luo Zhang's office was suddenly pushed open.Immediately after, the slightly nervous figure of the adjutant appeared at the door and walked towards him quickly.

Then, facing Luo Zhang who was still deep in thought, he said bluntly: "Master, something happened...the news that we took down Tonghua County. Not surprisingly, it has been leaked out..."

"Bang..." Luo Zhang slammed his clenched fist hard on the table in front of him because of his anger.Facing the adjutant in front of him, he asked angrily: "Bastard, I have repeatedly emphasized the importance to us of blocking the news that Tonghua County was occupied by us, but it was still leaked... Tell me, what is it?" What's going on, which joint is the problem? If it's our own mistakes, I will deal with it by military law..."

Under Luo Zhang's almost murderous gaze, the adjutant did not dare to neglect.Quickly reported: "Master, this news was just sent back from Silian..." [

"The fourth company reported that they were in the process of encircling and suppressing the remnants of the Japanese army. They found a radio station that was on. More importantly, we found several telegrams that they had just contacted the headquarters of the Kwantung Army in the telegrams sent and received by the Japanese army... …Currently, these telegrams are on their way to the headquarters. We will know the specific content of the telegrams in half an hour at most.”

The division commander Luo Zhang found the key to the problem straight away, and asked the adjutant in a deep voice: "The radio station, the squadron-level combat unit of the Japanese army, when was it equipped with a radio station, why don't I know..."

The adjutant replied: "Master, according to the confession of the traitor who interrogated the prisoners in the city: Among the several combat squadrons under the Japanese garrison wing, there is a reinforced squadron equipped with a radio station. It is this reinforced squadron that reported to the Kwantung Army headquarters. "

A trace of helpless expression.It quickly flashed across Luo Zhang's face.Facing the adjutant, he said with an aggrieved expression: "It seems that God doesn't let me, Luo Zhang, stick to Tonghua easily..."

Sure enough, as soon as Luo Zhang's voice fell, a piece of information from the headquarters of the Ninth Army directly verified the authenticity of the news.

"No.15 Infantry Brigade of the Eighth Division of the Japanese Army, and the Second Fleet of Japanese Tanks... There are signs of a large-scale transfer to Tonghua. I hope that your department must stick to Tonghua and prevent a single Japanese soldier from passing through Tonghua County...Ninth Li Guosheng, Commander-in-Chief of the Group Army..."

When Luo Zhang browsed the telegram.The staff officer who sent the telegram had dutifully marked the location of the Japanese army on the map in front of him.Let Luo Zhang see the situation he is in at a glance through the map in front of him...

Facing the map and his subordinates, although Luo Zhang wanted to pull himself together.but.Facing the severe enemy situation, he had to sigh a long sigh, and said to himself: "An infantry brigade, a tank regiment, plus the corresponding artillery configuration... The Japanese are menacing..."

During the conversation.Another combat staff officer followed into the war room.After handing a document in front of Luo Zhang, he introduced: "Division seat. This is the latest troop configuration of the No.15 Brigade of the Japanese Army just sent by the headquarters: After investigation, it was found that there was one left in the No.15 Brigade of the Japanese Army." A full infantry regiment, a less than full infantry regiment, a total of 6000 combat troops..."

"In terms of firepower, a total of 12 large-caliber heavy artillery, 12 field artillery, and 12 mountain artillery are equipped. The exact number of infantry artillery and mortars is unknown..."

"The Second Tank Regiment is equipped with a total of more than 28 tanks of various types, including [-] medium tanks that can cause a devastating blow to our army's light tanks...Although the remaining tanks are light tanks Tanks, however, against our infantry, it can be said that they are more than rubbish..."

Another long sigh came from Luo Zhang's mouth.He said to his subordinates: "Judging from the current situation, the disparity between the enemy and our forces is very large. We must make sufficient psychological preparations for bloody battles and stick to Tonghua..."

After finishing speaking, Luo Zhang's face was unconsciously shrouded in seriousness.Facing the combat staff officer in front of him, he decisively ordered: "Order: Staff Officer Wang, you immediately notify all the troops that are active outside the county to quickly gather in the county... Staff Officer Li, immediately notify all the officers above the battering in the county to quickly go to the division headquarters for a meeting ,be quick……"

"Boom..." The roar of a huge engine sounded from a blocking position two kilometers away from the county seat. A squadron of little devil forwards, under the guidance of 12 corresponding light tanks, slowly deployed towards Luo Zhang outside the city. The forward position was suppressed.

As the torrent of steel formed by the tanks got closer and closer to the forward position, the forward position defended by an infantry company began to tremble slightly without knowing it.In a blink of an eye, 12 chariots lined up rushed to a distance of less than 200 meters from the position.

If there is no tank for cover, this distance is just the best range for general-purpose machine guns and semi-automatic rifles.However, under the cover of the light tank body, the bullets fired now can not kill any Japanese infantry hiding behind the tank body except for leaving a spark in the front armor of the tank.

Light weapons are useless, and the only thing the company can rely on is the mortar platoon directly under the company.

With an order from company commander Wang Long, the six mortars began to fire shells at the infantry behind the tank at their fastest rate of fire.

A shell mixed with a sharp whistling sound quickly crossed the battlefield and hit the middle of the Japanese attacking group.

The sound of shell explosions sounded, and six orange-red fireballs mixed with a lot of smoke and soldiers' limbs and arms slowly rose into the air from the ground behind the tank...

At least ten little devils were killed or injured on the way to attack...

The first round of shells exploded, and the second and even the third round of shells began to follow, like rain, falling among the infantry behind the tank.Relying on its own flying shell fragments and rapidly exploding fireballs and air waves, it set off a bloody storm behind the tank.

"Scatter... The troops will disperse immediately... Tanks speed up their attack, as long as we enter the blind spot of the opponent's mortar shooting, the opponent's mortars will not be able to do anything to us... What about tank guns, what do tank troops do? Immediately Make a counterattack to destroy the opponent's artillery position, and quickly launch a counterattack..." The forward commander of the Japanese army carrying the rank of Major on his shoulder roared loudly while waving his command knife...

Groups of red flames gushed out from the short muzzle of the tank gun. 12 small-caliber high-explosive bombs, wrapped in flames, flew out of the barrel...

However, because the tank guns are all direct fire, none of the twelve shells hit the mortar positions deployed in the trenches.The six mortars continued to pour shells at the Japanese infantry behind the tank. (to be continued...)