ushernet Chapter 466 Nanning Must Not Be Lost
Chapter 466 Nanning Must Not Be Lost
Commander Li knew very well that judging from Commander Bai's current deployment of troops in southern Guangxi, the Japanese army would most likely occupy Nanning later. And it would be difficult to quickly recapture Nanning if they only relied on the troops in Guangxi Province. They must send more government troops there. If they wanted to mobilize the government troops to participate in the war in southern Guangxi, they must obtain orders from the highest level of the government.
Therefore, Commander Li also stated the strategic purpose of the Japanese army. As long as the key point of cutting off the international supply lines of the Chinese government was mentioned, based on Commander Li's understanding of this old friend, the top level of the government would definitely attach great importance to it and cooperate.
As Commander Li had expected, when he spoke out the strategic intentions of the Japanese army, the expressions of the highest levels of the government immediately became solemn. Now the Chinese government is relying on the transfusion of international supply lines in the southwest to barely hold on. If the Japanese army cuts off the international supply lines in the southwest, the replenishment of strategic materials will be cut off. If the army has no weapons, ammunition and other supplies, how can it continue to fight the Japanese?
“Jiansheng, just tell us what you think about the battle in southern Guangxi. The government will help in any way it can. We must ensure that the international supply lines are unobstructed.” The highest level of the government also made the final decision and set the tone. This military meeting immediately became a special session on the Battle of Southern Guangxi.
After hearing what the top government officials said, Commander Bai also walked to the large map hanging on the conference wall and said, "At present, the Japanese army has successfully landed in the direction of Qinzhou Bay, and most of our troops are currently deployed in Laibin, Guigang, Yulin and Yangjiang. I plan to transfer the 170th and 135th Divisions stationed in Hengxian and Guiping to quickly reinforce Nanning and strengthen Nanning's defense forces."
All the bigwigs in the conference room looked at the markings on the map, and they were not optimistic about the defense of Nanning. According to the current distribution of the 16th Army's forces, although these two divisions were the closest to Nanning, the Japanese army's attack speed has always been very fast. In addition, there are very few troops that can stop the Japanese army's advance, which makes it even more impossible to stop the Japanese army's advance. It is very likely that these two divisions have not even repaired their positions before the Japanese army attacked, and it is difficult for them to play any substantial role.
"In addition, I need to quickly transfer at least three armies from the Ninth War Zone's troops in Hunan Province to join the Fourth War Zone's combat sequence to provide strong military support for the operations in southern Guangxi." Commander Bai also directly stated the need for additional troops.
After hearing Commander Bai's next words, Commander Xue of the Ninth War Zone raised his eyebrows, thinking that he still needed to withdraw troops from his own war zone to strengthen the combat force of the Fourth War Zone. It seemed that he would have to be prepared to endure the hard times of tight military forces during this period.
That is to say, the victory of the Changsha Battle made Commander Xue feel more at ease. Since the Japanese 11th Army had not yet replenished its damaged troops after the previous defeat, and had not been able to stockpile the necessary combat supplies, the Japanese 11th Army currently did not have the ability to launch a large-scale attack, which made the defense mission of the 9th Theater relatively easy.
The top government officials listened carefully to Commander Bai's arrangements and demands and nodded. He also knew that this was the only way to make such arrangements under the current circumstances. Let's stabilize the front line first. As for sending additional troops to fight in the Fourth War Zone, this is also necessary. It would be difficult to stop the Japanese army relying solely on Guangxi Province's 16th Army.
"Well, Jiansheng, I think your arrangement is okay. You can discuss the troops you need with the Ninth War Zone and then report to me. I have only one request, and that is that the city of Nanning must not be lost. This is our only international supply line at sea." The top government level also set the bottom line goal of this battle, which is that the city of Nanning must not be lost.
Lieutenant General Ando Toshiyoshi, commander of the 21st Army of the Japanese Army, was very satisfied with the current progress of the troops. The landing attack force had completely eliminated and defeated the resistance of the Chinese army. It would not take long to occupy Fangchenggang and Qinzhou. As long as these two places were occupied, the subsequent landing troops would be able to quickly advance to Nanning.
The Imperial Headquarters attached great importance to this attack operation. It even felt that as long as Nanning was occupied and the Chinese government's only sea supply line was cut off, the Chinese government would have no choice but to surrender to the Empire of Japan. This war that had lasted for almost three years would end with the final victory of the Empire of Japan.
Most people in the Imperial Headquarters believed that this was the "last battle" of the Empire of Japan against the Chinese government, which is why the Imperial Headquarters paid so much attention and importance to it.
However, Commander Lieutenant General Ando Toshiyoshi was still not very satisfied with the decision of the headquarters. It was not that he had any doubts about the decision of the headquarters, but the headquarters wanted to occupy Nanning on its own but did not send any additional troops to him, which was a bit embarrassing.
I finally managed to squeeze out more than 30,000 attack troops. Although it is not a problem to destroy the 16th Army of the Chinese government, and occupying Nanning is not a big problem, but what about after the occupation? The Chinese government will definitely send more direct troops to recapture Nanning. That is the most critical time. Occupying it will not be of much use. The most important thing is to hold on.
Commander Lieutenant General Ando Toshiyoshi felt that it was impossible to attack and occupy Nanning and defend Nanning with more than 30,000 troops. Therefore, Commander Lieutenant General Ando Toshiyoshi planned to send telegrams to the headquarters every other day starting from tomorrow to ask for reinforcements.
The course of the battle was just as expected by Lieutenant General Ando Toshiyoshi, commander of the 21st Japanese Army. In the evening of the second day after the Japanese landing, the Japanese landing attack force successfully occupied Fangchenggang and Qinzhou. The Chinese defenders, who were originally weak in strength, suffered heavy casualties under the fierce attack of the Japanese army and could not resist the advance of the Japanese army at all.
After occupying Fangchenggang and Qinzhou, the Japanese landing troops continued to attack Nanning City in the north at a rapid speed. This rapid advance of the Japanese army made Commander Bai anxious. He could only order the 170th and 135th Divisions to reinforce Nanning City to rush to the south of Nanning as soon as possible to block the advance of the Japanese army, first save Nanning, and then wait for the reinforcements to arrive before driving the Japanese army out of Guangxi Province.
On the third day after the Japanese landing, all Japanese troops participating in the battle landed successfully, which made the defense of Nanning by the Fourth War Zone of China even worse.
(Thanks to Li Ruofei who likes deciduous trees, Wei Guogong who loves beef jerky, and Dumplings Without Vinegar for their gifts! Thank you all for your support and encouragement!)