ushernet Chapter 370: Two Days of Defense
Chapter 370: Two Days of Defense
"Well, the troops of the New 104nd Army have been entangled with the 104th Regiment of the Japanese Army. It is unlikely that the th Regiment of the Japanese Army will be able to get together with the troops of the th Division. Judging from the current situation of the th Division, they cannot send out reinforcements." Chief of Staff Xu also happily added some information about the situation and his own analysis and judgment.
"Order the 104st Army Group to contain the Japanese th Division's troops on the front. Never let the Japanese Army withdraw troops to rescue the th Regiment. We must eat the meat that is at our fingertips." Commander Li continued to supplement the order to the st Army Group.
"In addition, we must also pay close attention to the situation over there with the New 100th Division. They are very critical. Now it depends on how long they can hold on. The attack time and final effect here depend entirely on the New 100th Division." Commander Li continued to pay attention to the situation over there with the New 100th Division.
Chief of Staff Xu also quickly expressed his understanding and said that he would go and notify the new 100th Division to pay attention and try to hold out for a while longer to buy more time to annihilate the enemy here.
From the current perspective, the situation of the new 100th Division is generally good. The Japanese army is unlikely to launch an attack at night. If the Japanese army launches a night attack at night, it will completely give up the advantage of its own artillery. In terms of numbers, the Chinese troops are not really afraid.
Night combat is the advantage of the Chinese troops. In the absence of heavy firepower, the Chinese troops were forced to develop their night combat capabilities.
At the 11th Army Headquarters, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also reported the latest situation to Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura.
"Commander, your Excellency, the troops of the 16th Division have been cut off by the Chinese army. Their western defense line has been completely breached by the night attack of the new 22nd Army of the Chinese government. Judging from the latest information reported by the 16th Division, their situation is very bad." After taking a look at the telegram, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto handed it to the staff and asked them to quickly update the combat symbols on the sand table.
Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Neiji looked at the sand table that the staff was updating and said without turning his head: "Mr. Yoshimoto, tell me, what is the current specific situation of the 16th Division."
"Yes, Commander, the commander of the 104th Division, Lieutenant General Fujie Keisuke, reports that the 104rd and 104th Regiments on the west wing defense line have lost contact. The th Regiment assigned to the th Division and other troops have been engaged in a melee with the Chinese army. Their transfer routes have been blocked by the Chinese army. Now the th Regiment has been completely separated from the troops of the th Division. The next step of the Chinese army will definitely be to launch a major attack on the th Regiment that has been separated and surrounded." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi reported the details in a low voice to the commander, Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji.
In the opinion of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto, the 104th Regiment and other troops attached to the th Division were definitely finished this time. Not only were they surrounded and isolated by the Chinese army, but they themselves were also divided into several groups by the Chinese army. They were simply unable to concentrate their forces to organize an effective defense.
In this case, the destruction of the 104th Regiment is only a matter of time, unless the commander of the th Division, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikihisa, can lead reinforcements to quickly break through the blocking positions of the New nd Army of the Chinese Government on the north side of the Xiang-Zao Highway.
But judging from the battle report sent today by Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, commander of the 13th Division, there is no need to wish for such a beautiful idea.
The 18th Regiment, which came as reinforcement today, attacked for the entire afternoon, even using the tactic of killing one thousand enemies and losing eight hundred of their own. In addition to losing more than one battalion of troops, they were unable to advance even one meter.
Even if the 18th Regiment launches an attack with such high intensity tomorrow, it is estimated that it will not make any progress, because according to the tactics of the 18th Regiment, they intend to desperately consume the manpower of the defense forces of the New 22nd Army of the Chinese Government to create good offensive conditions for the 34th Regiment that will arrive later.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, the 104th Regiment drawn from the rd Division will be able to reach Lieutenant General Ogisu Tatsuhei tonight. According to the th Regiment's fighting style today, Lieutenant General Ogisu Tatsuhei will not be able to break through the positions of the New nd Army of the Chinese Government until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. However, it is estimated that the th Regiment will find it difficult to hold on until then." Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji was very clear that the time was very unfavorable for his troops.
"Yes, Commander, now everything depends on the 104th Division and the th Regiment. As long as they hold on for two more days, the reinforcements led by Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei will have a good chance of breaking through the Chinese army's blocking positions." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi also expressed his thoughts cautiously.
Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura looked at the updated situation markings on the sand table. He did not make any expression on the surface, but he knew in his heart how difficult it would be for the surrounded troops to hold out for two days. The supplies of the surrounded troops were only enough for tomorrow, and the ammunition was also insufficient.
These situations can still be slightly alleviated by airdrops, but after several days of continuous fighting, the officers and soldiers of the besieged 16th Division have reached their mental and physical limits. Moreover, the manpower of the besieged troops is really not enough. Without sufficient manpower, how can they resist the fierce attack of the Chinese army?
According to Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura's deduction, the 104th Division would probably still have a regiment-sized force left in two days, which would be very good. As for the th Regiment, there was basically no hope for it.
The only thing the 104th Regiment can still do now is that they can hold back a large part of the Chinese army, indirectly reducing a lot of defensive pressure on the remaining troops of the 104th Division. If the th Regiment can hold on for two days, it will be the greatest help to the remaining troops of the th Division.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, arrange for the Air Force to airdrop some supplies to the 16th Division tomorrow. Order the commander of the 13th Division, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikiei, to break through the Chinese army's blocking positions the day after tomorrow. The battalions of troops drawn from other divisions must also rush to the front line as soon as possible. After Commander Ogisu Rikiei breaks through the Chinese army's blocking positions, these troops will have to take on the subsequent offensive combat missions." Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji also made the latest orders and instructions in response to the current situation.
(Thanks to the gift support from users, Louis who loves fried leek eggs, Duke Wei who loves beef jerky, the director of Shenlong Library, Mu Yue who only eats dumplings without vinegar, and Shucheng tea oil! Thank you all for your support and encouragement!)