plumnovel Chapter 153 Pursuit of the Japanese 1st Division
Chapter 153 Pursuit of the Japanese 1st Division
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Therefore, they had to wait until dark. Only after it got dark could they take advantage of the chaos and allow Seya Kei's 33rd Brigade to quietly complete the troop rotation on the position, thus buying them enough time for their subsequent retreat.
Kei Seya felt somewhat uneasy, as he was unsure how the enemy's main force would launch its attack.
Even after replenishment, the 33rd Brigade currently has only a little over 5,000 soldiers, making it no easy task to cover the front lines.
Kitano Suzuki leaned closer and said:
"Brigade Commander, the basic deployment is complete, but the enemy on the other side has not made any move yet, especially at the north gate. Perhaps the enemy will launch an attack from both flanks."
Kei Seya sighed deeply and said:
"This mission may mean that we will both perish here."
He knew very well that the enemy would unleash formidable fighting power this time, and a large number of reserve troops would press forward on the front.
"Then let us perish here. We were only able to escape by chance in Teng County because of the protection of Amaterasu. We cannot run away again this time."
Kitano Suzuki said with a firm gaze, like a mule ready to die a heroic death.
While the two were talking, a communications soldier reported to the commander:
"Report: The enemy has moved out from the north gate and is approaching our front lines."
"Good, good timing. Let me see, Li Jianghe, is your armored force more powerful, or is the anti-tank position we have carefully deployed for your armored force more powerful?"
Kei Seya's eyes burned with fighting spirit; he was ready to take revenge or calmly face death.
But the communications soldier said:
"It's not Li Jianghe's troops, it's infantry, it's all infantry advancing."
"What? Infantry?"
Kei Seya was somewhat surprised.
Just then, a soldier came running up and said:
"Report: Large numbers of enemy armored units have been spotted moving out from both the east and west city gates. However, they do not intend to attack our positions. Instead, they are flanking from both sides and marching rapidly northward."
These words made Seya Kei realize that the troops attacking from the front were not Li Jianghe's troops at all.
Li Jianghe had no interest in attacking their defensive positions; instead, he bypassed them and pursued the main force of the 10th Division that was fleeing from the rear.
"Damn it, that bastard, do I not even deserve to fight him?"
Kei Seya roared angrily.
The next moment, the shells were already raining down.
It was the artillery of the Fifth War Zone that was bombarding this area with their remaining shells.
The forces launching the frontal attack were not other troops, but the Northwest Army and the Sichuan Army. Under the command of Chi Fengcheng and Wang Mingzhang, they launched a night raid on the Seya Kei Brigade.
"Should we move closer to the main force of the division?"
Kitano Suzuki inquired:
"At the very least, we should inform the division commander that Li Jianghe's armored forces have bypassed our defenses and are pursuing our main force."
Kei Seya nodded and said:
"Inform the division commander immediately."
He had a bad feeling. Li Jianghe's armored forces would certainly be hindered if they directly attacked their well-defended positions.
But what if we attack the main force of the retreating 10th Division?
Isn't that like wolves chasing sheep? They could easily scatter the main force of their division.
Especially at night, on the plains, the enemy's tank formations would not encounter any effective resistance and would inevitably rampage and be invincible.
As Isogai Rensuke looked at the telegram sent by Seya Ikari, his expression grew increasingly grim.
On the truck, Chief of Staff Atsuro Umemura, who was standing to the side, asked:
"What is it, Division Commander?"
"Li Jianghe's armored forces did not attack Seya Kei's frontal positions, but bypassed them directly."
"Isoya Rensuke said with an icy expression."
This would be difficult for ordinary infantry units, as taking a detour would waste a lot of time.
But Li Jianghe's unit is an armored force; all soldiers and supplies are transferred via armored personnel carriers, trucks, and the like.
And on this flat terrain, there were almost no terrain obstacles that could restrict their movement.
"So... what should we do now? Leave all the tank units behind to buy time?"
Atsuro Umemura asked.
They still have two tank squadrons available, which, while not enough to completely stop Li Jianghe's pursuing forces, can buy time for the main force.
Isogai Rensuke pondered for a moment and said:
"This is the only way. Leave all the tank units behind to buy time. Once our army enters Yixian, we won't have to worry about the enemy inflicting casualties on our main force along the way."
As he spoke, Li Jianghe's armored force of over 5,000 men was advancing rapidly through the darkness.
Compared to infantry units, this armored force can advance faster; compared to cavalry units, it has greater offensive capabilities and firepower.
"Report: Enemy tank units spotted. Should we engage?"
A communications soldier shouted at Li Jianghe.
Inside the carriage, the roar of the engine forced them to speak as loudly as possible.
"Fight back!!! Fight back decisively!!!"
Long Wenzhang led his guard battalion to charge ahead and attack the main force of the Japanese army.
After issuing orders to the troops led by Long Wenzhang, Li Jianghe issued combat orders to another unit that was still hidden in the Baodugu Mountain area.
It is the tank battalion of Baicheng Mountain.
The tank battalion led by Bai Chengshan did not enter the Tengxian area with the other three motorized infantry battalions to cut off the Japanese army's retreat. Instead, they chose to remain as a reserve force and were deployed in the Baodugu mountain area.
Compared to a regular motorized infantry battalion, this tank battalion is different mainly in that it possesses armored vehicles equipped with more cannons, machine guns, and anti-tank guns, making its firepower more formidable.
There was even a separate artillery unit.
In terms of overall combat capability, this armored vehicle battalion has the most ferocious firepower among all units.
The tank battalion of Baicheng Mountain had not shown its strength in the previous battles, which made him resentful.
Do you think the detachment commander believes that because they only joined the Third Detachment during the Battle of Nanjing, they are not considered loyal members and therefore he doesn't trust them?
But that doesn't make sense either.
If you don't trust them, why give them the last chariot?
That evening, he received a phone call from Li Jianghe.
"Baichengshan, lead your troops to intercept the main force of the Japanese 10th Division in the southern part of Yixian County."
Upon hearing these words, Bai Chengshan almost burst into tears.
He immediately stood up straight and saluted:
"Yes, sir!!"
After speaking, Bai Chengshan turned to look at his battalion commanders.
"Brothers, we've got a job! Let's take down the 10th Division!!!!"
His voice was incredibly loud, and at this moment it was even louder, so loud that even the soldiers outside the command post could hear it clearly.
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