Songhu: Never Give Up

Chapter 299 Commander Li escapes, Yue Qianli is ordered to cover the rear

Nancheng, 3rd Division Field Command

Fujita was so angry that his nose was almost crooked. The battle with the guerrilla column ended in a disastrous defeat again. Two of the five regiments deployed north of the Huai River were completely wiped out, and two were crippled.
Yue Qianli almost became an indelible nightmare in his life, and his future in the army became bleak.

Tanaka Shizuka, who was invited to discuss countermeasures, did not look much better. Two of his four infantry regiments were completely wiped out. Fortunately, he was only following Fujita Susumu's orders, and Fujita had to bear the bulk of the responsibility for the defeat.

Fujita Susumu didn't call Tanaka Shizuka over to show his displeasure. After a moment's silence, Fujita Susumu cheered up and said:
"Mr. Tanaka, a few setbacks are not a cause for concern. The Imperial Army suffered heavy casualties, and the guerrilla column also suffered considerable losses.

According to the information I have, the four main detachments that Yue Qianli participated in all suffered more than half of their casualties, so it was at most a draw."

Tanaka Shizuka understood what was meant. This meant that they wanted to unify their thoughts with him. Fortunately, he had a trick up his sleeve and left the flags of the two regiments on the south bank. His division headquarters still had 3 reinforcements. Now it depended on what Fujita Susumu would do. He could only cooperate.

Thinking of this, he followed Fujita Susumu's words and said:
"Mr. Fujita, it is certain that Yue Qianli's troops suffered heavy casualties. The biggest problem now is that the 13th Division lost two regiment commanders and thousands of warriors in the battle. The equipment and supplies were also lost greatly. I don't think it will be easy to report this to the commander."

Fujita Susumu had already considered this, and waved his hand and said:
"There are always casualties in war. Kitamura-kun and others are loyal to Your Majesty. Your Majesty will understand.
As for reinforcements, that is even less of a problem. What the empire lacks the least is warriors. I have already applied to the commander for 5 warriors, and obtained another 3 through personal connections.

Our two families, 4 each, will also replenish the lost equipment and supplies. All we need is for Tanaka-kun to sign and approve the battle report."

Tanaka Shizuka understood that this meant that they wanted to "polish" the battle report together, so that the signatures of both of them would be more convincing;

With 4 reinforcements and Fujita taking the lead, he naturally had no objection and immediately put on a smiling face and said:

“Mr. Fujita, I have no objection. The warriors are all loyal to your majesty, and this is their honor.

The Shanghai-Nanjing guerrilla column was severely damaged, and the goal of the battle was basically achieved. Considering that there are a lot of Chinese troops gathered north of the Huai River, withdrawing to the south of the Huai River is also the best option. "

Fujita Susumu finally smiled. As long as he reached a consensus with Tanaka Shizuka, the rest would be easy.
This battle was fought in accordance with Yu Ren's oral order. The goal of weakening the guerrilla column has been achieved. The high casualties are understandable, and the emperor cannot send his soldiers to starve.

The two of them discussed some details, and a battle report that looked acceptable was drawn up. Tanaka Shizuka also signed his name, and the matter came to an end.

As for the matter of hunting down the remnants of the guerrilla column, both of them chose to forget about it. Now, even if they had the guts, they would not dare to cross the Huai River.

It’s not that we don’t dare to cross, but it’s more cost-effective to confront each other across the river!
Commander Li was very excited about the great victory on the southern front, and he immediately announced the results of the battle. The whole country celebrated, and the enthusiasm for resisting Japan was even higher. The Military Commission also sent a commendation order and asked the Fifth War Zone to replenish the equipment and supplies lost by the guerrilla column.

Before the Chinese people could be happy for too long, the Japanese also announced the results of the second phase of operations on the southern front, loudly declaring victory, severely damaging the guerrilla column, annihilating more than 3 enemies, and suffering casualties of their own.

Both sides started to fight on the public opinion front, and both declared themselves victorious. Considering that the enthusiasm of the public is already high enough;

If it was higher, it would affect the subsequent retreat, so both Commander Li and Yue Qianli chose to keep a low profile and did not release relevant supporting materials, intentionally downplaying the impact of the victory on the southern front. The Japanese were not confident either, and just boasted a few words and left it alone. Compared with the victory in Taierzhuang, the victory on the southern front did not attract much attention.

The southern route was not limited to Bengbu. At the end of April, two Japanese divisions broke through the Huaihe River defense line in the direction of the canal.
Then they moved northward to the west bank of the Feihe River and the Wohe River. In mid-May, after the Japanese captured Mengcheng and Yongcheng, they immediately launched an attack on Xiaoxian and Dangshan. Bengbu, where the guerrilla column was located, gradually became an isolated city.

On the northern front, the 16th Division set out from Jining on May 5, crossed the canal and occupied Yuncheng, and then quickly advanced towards Shanxian, Jinxiang, Yutai, Fengxian, Jiangsu, and Dangshan.

At the same time, the 14th Division of another army crossed the Yellow River from Puyang to the south and quickly occupied Heze and Caoxian and went straight to Lanfeng.
On May 5, the Japanese invaders from the north and south met in the direction of Longhai Road, successfully blocking the reinforcements of the Chinese army from Zhengzhou, and also blocking the retreat route of the main force of the Fifth War Zone to the west.

On May 5, the Japanese 16th Division crossed Weishan Lake near Xiazhen and began to attack Peixian County. At this point, the Japanese had formed a strategic encirclement of Xuzhou.

Bad news was reported to the guerrilla column one after another, and everyone was silent, although they blocked one of the routes and won the victory;
But they could not control the other five armies, and the initiative of the attack was in the hands of the Japanese.

Xuzhou was a place of four battles, and the Fifth War Zone was both fortified and undefended. When the total strength of the Japanese army increased to 13 divisions and 30 troops, there were more attack routes to choose from;

The guerrilla column has lost its value, and there is no need to defend Xuzhou. Now it depends on what Commander Li decides.

In the battle north of the Huaihe River, although the guerrilla column achieved great results, it also suffered heavy casualties, and the total strength dropped to less than 4.

Considering the difficulty of subsequent supply, Yue Qianli did not recruit more soldiers, but maintained the organization of 5 detachments, with the strength of each detachment reduced to 6500 people;
Some of the equipment was eliminated and buried in several places, enough to equip about 2 people. Too much was captured and could not be taken away.

Because a large number of mules and horses were captured in previous battles, and after eliminating some old, weak, sick and disabled ones, 2 well-equipped mules and horses were left, the baggage and heavy weapons were basically transported by mules and horses, which greatly improved the mobility of the guerrilla column.

After a series of operations by Yue Qianli, the guerrilla column had made preparations for retreat and was waiting for the order from the war zone headquarters.

At the Fifth War Zone Headquarters, Commander Li was also considering the issue of retreat. He was also waiting for a reply from the Military Commission.

In front of the huge map, Commander Li was discussing the retreat plan with Chief of Staff Xu. General Bai and the Military Commission's staff team had already evacuated in advance.

The head of the headquarters' communications department rushed over and reported to Xu:
"Chief of Staff, the Military Commission has an urgent message!"

Commander Li on the side finally smiled. After reading it, Chief of Staff Xu handed it to Commander Li and nodded at him.

Commander Li just glanced through it and said:
"Draft telegram: Order the 69th Army and the Marine Corps to conduct guerrilla warfare in southern Shandong and central Shandong, and the remaining troops to break out to the mountainous areas on the borders of Henan and Anhui;

Liu Ruming led the 68th Army to provide cover in Xuzhou, while the 24th Army stayed in northern Jiangsu;
Order the guerrilla column to leave a part to contain the enemy south of the Huai River, and the main force to immediately move north and arrive in Xuzhou before dawn tomorrow to replace the 68th Army as the rear guard..."

(End of this chapter)