The Fourth Outstanding Person of Huangpu Military Academy

Huang Wei: "So you have to go ahead of the other units. The First Division's marching column will reach the Hui River at around 3 or 4 tomorrow afternoon. Before that, you must build the pontoon bridge and cross the Hui River before camping. Let's go!"

As the battlefield entered the Huanghuai Plain, the terrain surrounding the 1st Division changed. It was mostly flat, with a few bare hills occasionally, and the elevation difference was not significant. Although the Huanghuai Plain was flat, it still had many rivers.

After crossing the Huai River, there are two rivers of a certain width, the Wo River and the Rui River, between the First Division and Suxian.

There is a bridge over the Wo River (thanks to the local gentry for raising funds to build the bridge).

There was no bridge across the Hui River along the 1st Division's route, unless the 1st Division took a detour to Guzhen. This would require the Engineering Battalion to send another company to build a bridge across the Hui River in advance.

Tan Xilin, commander of the second engineer company, jumped onto the truck and said, "Let's go! Hey, put the light machine guns on the roof! We're at the front of the division!"

The truck started to drive away. Huang Wei chased after it and shouted, "You are just walking at the front of the marching column! A reconnaissance company has already crossed the road ahead of you!"

After crossing the Huai River and moving forward about 20 kilometers, Chen Tianheng and the division's forward command stopped.

The three infantry regiments, artillery, and baggage train continued to march, and the 1st Division's forward command headquarters had to set up a radio to obtain information on the battle dynamics.

The radio called the Bengbu Division Headquarters, which responded and sent over the battle updates of the past few hours.

From late night to early morning, on the front line of defense of the Huai River in Bengbu, the An Guo Army infantry on the opposite side were frequently changing guards and mobilizing, which showed that the An Guo Army still wanted to launch a frontal crossing attack tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.

The large-scale frontal offensives of the An Guojun Army were all carried out along the Huai River near Bengbu, as their heavy artillery could only be moved within a radius of about 1 km from the railway line.

The Fengtian Army built the strongest artillery corps in China, but it lacked sufficient draft horses. Even with six domestically-produced draft horses, a 100mm howitzer could only maneuver short distances on dirt roads, and even then, someone had to help push the cart. A 150mm howitzer would require eight draft horses and a dozen men to push it.

Zhang Xueliang's artillery army could only maneuver long distances along the railway. After getting off the train, it was best for them to squat on the spot and fire. Therefore, the range of the forced crossing location of the An Guo Army infantry was also limited to within 5 kilometers on both sides of the Huaihe River Railway Bridge.

Another development was regarding the Fourth Army. When two divisions of the First Army crossed the Huai River, the 25th Division of the Fourth Army in the eastern section also crossed the river.

The two armies moved back and headed towards Suxian together, completing the encirclement of the An Guo army's heavy troops.

The reconnaissance and blasting team of the First Division also had news. They moved near Guzhen, observed the terrain of the Guzhen defenders and the railway bridge, and determined that their team could successfully launch a surprise attack and blow up the railway bridge.

Chen Tianheng called back and asked the reconnaissance and blasting brigade to prepare an action plan, including careful consideration of the attack plan and safe evacuation plan, and to wait for instructions from the division headquarters on the specific time of the attack.

The destruction of the Jinpu Railway was inevitable, probably tomorrow night or the night after. Neither side was willing to blow up the Huaihe River Bridge. Building a railway bridge across the Huaihe River was a major undertaking, so the Huaihe River Bridge had to be blown up.

After sending and receiving a few telegrams, it was already the morning of March 2. Chen Tianheng and Xu Xiangqian planned to take a nap for two or three hours while waiting for the trucks returning from transporting the artillery to take them to the next camping spot.

"Bengbu Telegram!"

"After crossing the river, the 25th Division of the Fourth Army encountered a large number of enemy troops! They were also troops of the An Guo Army who were planning to make a detour and cross the river!"

Chen Tianheng sat up in bed in shock. "Both the Anguo Army and the Northern Expedition Army are planning to move back to encircle the enemy? Interesting. How many enemy troops did the 25th Division encounter?"

“We encountered over 4,000 enemy troops, which could be a division of the Anguo Army.

Chen Tianheng lay down again: "The 25th Division is only one division of the An Guo Army. It's far away from the railway line, and the artillery corps can't appear there. Go to sleep."

City Wang City City Wu Jin

Fengyang County, lower reaches of the Huai River.

The 25th Division crossed the river in the early morning of March 2. The Northern Expedition Army gathered more than 3 large and small boats and made four ferries under cover of darkness, barely getting Ye Ting's 25th Division across the Huai River. During the day, the fleet planned to ferry the 12th Division of the Fourth Army across as well.

After the first batch of troops of the 25th Division landed, Zhou Shidi led the 73rd Regiment of the 25th Division to advance deep into the enemy's territory. At dawn, Chen Geng's 74th Regiment also advanced deep into the enemy's territory.

The 74th Regiment encountered the main force of the An Guo Army at approximately 8:00 a.m. Almost simultaneously, two waves of scouts from the 74th Regiment encountered the enemy ahead, immediately firing probing shots at the An Guo Army and firing two signal flares into the sky.

Chen Geng immediately ordered two battalions of the 74th Regiment to rush to the two battle locations. Zhou Shi’s 73rd Regiment, which was not far away, also moved towards Chen Geng.

At 9 a.m., the 73rd and 74th Regiments met up.

The process of the two regiments joining together was also the process of defeating this enemy force. The incoming force was the 2nd Division of the 1st Corps under Zhang Zongchang's An Guo Army. Not only did they lack heavy artillery support, but their 75mm mountain guns were also left behind. Two regiments of the 25th Division, backed by mortars, launched an infantry attack, tearing through the An Guo Army's formations, which neither marched nor attacked, and defeated the division in a single hour.

While the three thousand officers and soldiers of the Anguo Army were running backwards in a disorderly manner, the two battle command posts in Huainan and Huaibei also received news of the encounter between the two sides.

Xu Xiangqian: "The Anguo Army now knows that our right wing is moving back. The Fourth Army has stirred up a hornet's nest.

Chen Tianheng: "If the An Guojun's attention is drawn to the right flank, that would actually be good news for us."

Chapter 66: Camping in Su County tonight!

At 4 p.m. on March 2, Chen Tianheng received a telegram from the division's vanguard group led by Lu Deming and Yuan Zhongxian.

This proved that the advance group had reached the end of today's march and had set up a radio station and was able to send and receive telegrams.

Chen Tianheng: "The radio station is spreading the antenna! Pack up and get ready to go!"

Today, the 1st Division had marched 50 kilometers, and including the distance they had covered after crossing the Huai River late last night, a total of 60 kilometers. However, Chen Tianheng and the 1st Division's forward command were still near the starting point of the march; only the division's vanguard group was accompanying the troops.

Because Chen Tianheng is now the deputy commander of the First Army, in charge of the three divisions of the First Army that have entered the war zone, he has to keep the radio turned on...

The lead group carried a radio and moved quickly, arriving at the end of the march slightly ahead of the main force. They then set up the radio and called division headquarters. Once the call was established, division headquarters confirmed that the lead group was ready to take over the radio reception duties. The division headquarters then shut down its radio and moved forward.

As for how to complete the whole day's journey from 4 pm to before dark... the car came.

Chen Tianheng: "How's the road ahead, Huang Wei?"

"Unimpeded, my teacher is unimpeded,

Huang Wei jumped out of the passenger seat and said, "In the Great Plains, the Huanghuai region's plum rain season didn't arrive last winter, so now the road is dry and hard, so trucks and artillery vehicles are not affected by the drought.

"The Huanghuai Plain is suffering from severe drought...

Chen Tianheng's attention was distracted. Winter had been a severe drought, and if spring had another dry spell, farmers in the Huanghuai region would be in for a rough time.

Huang Wei: "The logistics department didn't purchase food locally. After I got off the bus, I took a look at the three villages. The situation was truly dire. They were poor, with little food in stock. Even if they paid for the food, the farmers probably wouldn't have anything to eat this spring. I also never expected the barrenness of the land in the north."

Chen Tianheng: "The north has low temperatures and little precipitation, so vegetation growth can't keep up with the rapidly growing population's demand for firewood. From the Huai River northward to Shanhaiguan, the so-called densely populated areas of Central China are mostly like this. In fact, even in your hometown of Jiangxi, when you go up the mountain to chop firewood, you only cut down bushes and small trees. Timber forests have long since disappeared.

"Yes.

Chen Tianheng: "If we don't quickly enter an industrial society, establish a large-scale coal industry and modern transportation in China, and replace firewood with coal to solve the urban and rural fuel problem, in a few decades, Chinese civilization will probably be like the Easter Island civilization."

After the artillery battalion arrived at its destination, the car towing the artillery sent four trucks back to pick up the division headquarters, which finally allowed Chen Tianheng to use the wheels to march. At 7 pm, the division headquarters met up with the leading group, and Lu Deming handed over a stack of telegrams.

"It's really strange. As soon as you, Commander Chen, started moving, the telegraph station here started receiving telegrams at a rapid pace. We received 11 in three hours."

Chen Tianheng took the stack of telegrams. The first one was the combat plan submitted by the reconnaissance and blasting team.

"Did you reply to the telegram?"

Lu Deming: "Well... I've verified the battle plan and found it feasible, so I replied and approved it."

Chen Tianheng: "Very good.

The telegram sent back by the reconnaissance battalion's Xuzhou reconnaissance station further clarified the size and number of the defenders in Xuzhou City. It was the 15th Army of Zhang Zongchang's Zhilu Allied Forces, commanded by Liu Wenzhao, plus more than 3,000 Xuzhou local garrisons, with a total force of about 30,000 troops and an armored train in Xuzhou City.

The reconnaissance battalion also figured out the size of the Suxian garrison: Zhang Zongchang's troops consisted of one regiment, 1200 men.

"Suxian only has one regiment?" Xu Xiangqian said, "This shows that Suxian is not the battle headquarters of the Anguo Army."

Chen Tianheng: "Considering the distance to the battlefield and the command conditions, Suxian is the best choice as the battle headquarters, followed by Guzhen. But now Suxian only has one regiment stationed there, and Guzhen also has one regiment stationed there. Neither of them looks like the battle headquarters of the An Guo Army. Xuzhou is not a battle headquarters either. It's interesting that the leaders of the An Guo Army are gathered on the front line of the battle.

Lu Deming: "Why isn't Xuzhou the An Guo Army's battle headquarters?

Chen Tianheng: "Zhang Zongchang and Zhang Zuolin's eldest son, Zhang Xueliang, both had their own special trains. Whenever they fought along the railway, they would bring them along, and they would eat and sleep on the trains. Since the reconnaissance battalion didn't find any special trains belonging to the An Guo Army at Xuzhou Station, and they've ruled out Suxian and Guzhen, there's only one conclusion: Zhang Zongchang and Zhang Xueliang are both at the front lines. The big bosses are all gathered at the front lines of the battle."

Qian Deng Ruoxian: "Unfortunately, from Guzhen south, the railway line is densely packed with An Guojun troops, totaling 12 men. It's difficult for the reconnaissance battalion to sneak in and find out the situation."

Chen Tianheng: "There's no need to figure out their exact location. We can capture Suxian and cut off Xuzhou's connection with the An Guojun heavy forces ahead, and then we can capture a large group of 12 people."

Lu Deming: "Commander, there is another telegram. The situation of the Fourth Army on the right has changed from the original plan.

"Um?

The next telegram was sent from Bai Chongxi's front-line headquarters.

The 4th Army crossed the river. That morning, the An Guojun army also sent a division back across the river. A fierce clash ensued, and the An Guojun army was routed. At noon, Ye Ting led the 25th Division forward, encountering more An Guojun troops. From noon to the afternoon, the 25th Division continued its offensive, repeatedly forcing the Fengtian Army troops in front of it back approximately 10 kilometers, where they held out in a few fortified villages.

By now, the 12th and 25th Divisions of the Fourth Army had landed and were eyeing the village guarded by the Fengtian Army. However, the two divisions could not wipe out the enemy in front of them in a short period of time - this place was very close to the heavy troops of the An Guo Army, and it was difficult to split and surround it with only the two divisions of the Fourth Army.

The Anguo Army was on high alert. If they continued with their original plan, sending two divisions of the Fourth Army on a long-distance assault on Suxian would be highly vulnerable to a flanking attack and their rear routes cut off. The lower reaches of the Huai River exceeded the maximum width of a pontoon bridge, and the limited capacity of ferry boats alone was sufficient to support only two divisions ashore; no additional troops could be deployed.

Bai Chongxi said that he had changed the combat objectives of the Fourth Army on the right wing, from a long-distance attack on Suxian to a flank attack on the Fengtian Army between Xinmaqiao and Caolaoji, which is now the direction of the confrontation between the Fourth Army and the Fengtian Army. As for Suxian--

Bai Chongxi ordered the 1st and 2nd Divisions to independently complete the combat mission of cutting off Suxian County.

“Let’s see how this battle plan works out.

Chen Tianheng pinned the telegram to the wall: "Commander-in-Chief Bai has confirmed that the 22nd Division will not be deployed to other battlefields after its arrival. Old Xue will lead his troops across the river immediately to replace the 2nd Division, allowing Liu Zhi's 2nd Division to rejoin us early. However, the 4th Army, which was originally scheduled to rendezvous with us in Suxian, is no longer here. There are only the 1st and 2nd Divisions in total. How should we adjust our battle plan?"

Wei Lihuang: "I think we should send a telegram to the forward command post, requesting permission to blow up the Ruihe railway bridge in Guzhen."

Lu Deming: "Yes, this bridge must be blown up.

Wei Lihuang: "Then there are no more. The most that can come to Xuzhou to support is one of Zhang Zongchang's armies. The First Division can handle it on its own, and with the addition of the Second Division, it's a double insurance.

Chen Tianheng: "Everyone, what if I want to not only prevent Xuzhou from coming to support, but also have the First Division join the general attack on the An Guo Army's Huaihe River Group?

Lu Deming: “Hmm…”

Xu Xiangqian: "Hmm..."

The General Staff and the regiment commanders fell into deep thought.

Yuan Zhongxian: "Can the Second Division handle Zhang Zongchang's 15th Army on its own?"

Lu Deming: "There's another armored train. But the First Division has field artillery, two companies at that. If we use field artillery to assist the Second Division, we can handle it.

Xu Xiangqian: "Commander, the safest way is to find a way to annihilate or mostly annihilate Zhang Zongchang's 15th Army in Xuzhou along the way from Xuzhou to Suxian. Only then can we free up our forces to join the southern battlefield.

Chen Tianheng: "The first thing we need to do is get Liu Wenzhao's 15th Army to deploy at least two divisions at a time. However, according to previous rules, the Xuzhou 15th Army would only send one division and an armored train as a vanguard to rescue Suxian and open up the logistics line. How can we get Liu Wenzhao to pull two divisions out of the city at once?"

"Commander, we've reached the vicinity of Xuzhou."

Lu Deming walked to the map and said, "Caocun Railway Station is between Suxian and Xuzhou. We have captured Suxian and quickly seized Caocun, 30 kilometers from Xuzhou. This situation should trigger Liu Wenzhao to rush out of Xuzhou to rescue the city."

"When Liu Wenzhao's troops arrived at Caocun from Xuzhou, our army, about a regiment in strength, abandoned Caocun. But instead of retreating along the railway to Suxian, we left the railway and retreated westward. The west is a coal mining area with some mountains and ravines... If Liu Wenzhao's troops also pursued westward, we would have retreated a few more kilometers."

"So, Liu Wenzhao needed to continue attacking Suxian to open up the railway, but he also needed to station a considerable force in Caocun to prevent the Northern Expedition Army from launching another attack on Caocun from the west side of the railway. At this time, his inevitable choice was: station one division or most of one division in Caocun, while another division with armored trains continued to attack Suxian.

"And then,--hmm.

When Lu Deming said this, basically everyone understood.

Chen Tianheng: "Do you have any better solutions?

Xu Xiangqian: "Let's push forward the overall plan based on this idea.

The entire staff is mobilized.

The most basic requirement for Lu Deming's battle plan to be successful is speed.

Before Xuzhou could react, they had to capture Suxian and Caocun successively. This way, the First Division could arrange an appropriate force - currently, the Second Regiment of the First Division was prepared to be deployed in Caocun. This regiment was responsible for retreating to the west of the road when attacking Caocun from the direction of Xuzhou.

Xu Xiangqian: "We originally planned to launch the attack on Suxian tomorrow afternoon. Now it seems that we have to advance it by at least 2 hours to leave enough time for the Second Regiment.

Huang Wei: "The First Regiment will march lightly tomorrow and arrive at the battlefield an hour earlier than originally planned. Together with the mountain artillery of the artillery battalion, we will quickly eliminate the enemy defending Suxian."

Zheng Dongguo: "What is the fastest marching speed of an artillery battalion?"

Huang Wei: "The motorized mountain artillery can move at a speed of 20 kilometers per hour. As long as the road conditions are good, the speed of motorized artillery is 2 to 3 times that of infantry, which is more than enough. Inform the logistics units of each unit to prepare dry food for lunch and pots and bowls for dinner--"

"Camping in Suxian tomorrow night!

Chapter 67: How much does the Guzhen Railway Bridge cost?

They were all marching on foot. The First Division's performance in the Battle of Xuzhou and Bengbu, no, the Battle of Jinpu Road, was much better than last time.

The last time was from western Zhejiang to eastern Zhejiang, the first long-distance march after Chen Tianheng took over the First Division. Although the march was fast, many soldiers and supplies were left behind along the way.

After the first day of the march, there were very few soldiers left behind by the First Division. Chen Tianheng only took the car after the entire division's marching column reached the end point, and he saw them clearly when he passed the reception team.

Moreover, this march is not a long-distance march. The total distance from the floating bridge ferry to Suxian is 98 kilometers. We will camp in the middle section for one day today and reach the end point tomorrow.

"Tomorrow, your First Regiment will capture Suxian, a key station city on the Jinpu Railway, while on the march," Chen Tianheng said. "Xu Xiangqian, you and Zheng Dongguo will review the battle plan again and plan responses to various different scenarios. Attacking on the move will encounter various unexpected situations. Once we begin our march tomorrow, the First Regiment will gradually pull away from the main column of the First Division. At that time, all situations will be judged and resolved by the First Regiment itself."

Xu Xiangqian: "As long as the trucks can pull the mountain artillery battalion and appear outside Suxian at the same time as the First Regiment tomorrow, it will be no problem to quickly capture Suxian. How many teams should the First Regiment's reconnaissance company send out?

Zheng Dongguo: "The reconnaissance company has been divided into five teams and rushed to Suxian.

Xu Xiangqian: "Pay attention to receiving reports from the reconnaissance company during the march.

Chen Tianheng had just sent a telegram to the front-line headquarters requesting the bombing of the Guzhen Railway Bridge on the Jinpu Railway. Bai Chongxi waited a full hour after receiving the telegram before replying with "permission," but added, "Just make the bridge impassable for a short period of time, but don't let it be completely destroyed."

Large infrastructure projects such as railways and bridges are extremely rare in China today. If they are bombed or destroyed in a war, it will often shock the whole country.

When the Red Army approached Luding Bridge, the defenders were reluctant to blow it up. The bridge's construction required two fundraising rounds from the public, and it took 13 years to complete, demonstrating the immense difficulty of the project. Luding Bridge served as a vital trade route for over a dozen surrounding counties. If the warlords had blown it up, the surrounding gentry families and the wealthy families in over a dozen counties wouldn't have minded your resignation and overseas inspection.

With permission from the front command, Chen Tianheng immediately issued specific combat instructions to the reconnaissance and blasting brigade.

3 month 3 day.