sovbooks Chapter 190 The Japanese Army Assembles
Chapter 190 The Japanese Army Assembles
Long Wenzhang stood in front of the table, looking at the urgent telegram from Chongqing in Li Jianghe's hand, scratched the back of his head, and asked:
"Sir, what do we do now?"
Li Jianghe tapped his fingertips on the table, pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the unquestionable military order on the telegram, and slowly spoke:
"Send a telegram to Commander Li and explain the situation clearly."
This also indicated that our army intended to launch a proactive offensive against the Japanese army in the southern Henan region and hoped to obtain the support of the command.
He knew better than anyone that openly disobeying military orders was ultimately inappropriate, and that the safest and most prudent approach was to have the Fifth War Zone Command mediate.
Not long after the telegram was sent, Commander Li's reply arrived.
After reading the telegram, Li Jianghe couldn't help but chuckle, thinking to himself, "As expected of a seasoned veteran, the solution in the telegram has managed to achieve the best of both worlds."
Commander Li's solution was very simple:
Li Jianghe was ordered to dispatch an infantry unit to Jiujiang to participate in the battle, while the mechanized main force, which was the core of the Third Column, remained in Huangchuan.
In this way, we could both give face to Chiang Kai-shek, respond to the military order that was sent from a higher level, and keep the main force in southern Henan so that we could launch an offensive against the Japanese army at any time according to plan. We could take care of both ends.
"As expected, they have been dealing with the Chairman for a long time and know best how to deal with this sudden military order."
Li Jianghe sighed, then looked up, his gaze sweeping over the group of officers standing in the room. He tapped his fingers lightly on the table, pondering who would lead the team.
This job is anything but easy.
Even when just going through the motions, the Jiujiang area was full of dangerous places.
Not only do we need to be wary of the Japanese naval gunfire on the river, but also of the rapidly advancing mule-drawn troops on the ground.
Even worse, they also had to guard against their own incompetent allies who might desert at any moment, leaving their flanks and rear vulnerable to the Japanese and putting them in a tight encirclement.
With all these unfavorable factors intertwined, it was no easy task to both comply with orders from above and demonstrate the might of the Third Column.
After a moment's thought, Li Jianghe had the most suitable candidate in mind.
This time, he didn't just want to appease the principal's military orders; he also planned to use this operation to inflict real damage on the Japanese fleet on the Yangtze River.
After all, those Japanese warships were like mobile heavy artillery positions, with firepower covering an area of more than ten kilometers on both sides of the Yangtze River. The National Army's defenses along the Yangtze River were almost entirely under the enemy's artillery fire, and the soldiers on the front lines were too passive.
"Long Wenzhang, you're the most quick-witted and resourceful in battle. How about I entrust this mission to you?"
Li Jianghe looked up at Long Wenzhang and asked.
Upon hearing this, Long Wenzhang's face fell instantly, and he instinctively wanted to refuse.
He led a motorized unit, whose specialty was riding across the plains of Henan, which was truly exhilarating.
However, if they went to fight in the Yangtze River area, where there are dense river networks everywhere, the mobility advantage of motorized troops would be greatly limited, and they would have nowhere to exert their full strength.
"Don't rush to refuse."
Li Jianghe seemed to have guessed his thoughts long ago. He raised his hand and waved it, explaining the key points and importance of this mission to Long Wenzhang in detail.
After hearing this, Long Wenzhang's initial reluctance disappeared.
He knew very well that allowing the Japanese warships to roam so arrogantly on the Yangtze River posed a huge threat to the Nationalist soldiers on the front lines.
"Our engineering battalion is equipped with new-style mines. If we can use mines to block the river, even if we can't sink the Japanese warships, we can slow down their advance and buy more time for the troops in the rear to deploy."
Li Jianghe looked at him and added earnestly.
Long Wenzhang lowered his head and pondered for a few seconds. When he looked up again, he grinned, revealing a set of white teeth:
"Hey, sir, you've already put it this way, what else can I say?"
However, I should have a say in which unit I should bring to fight with me, shouldn't I?
Li Jianghe knew he would make demands, flicked the ash from his cigarette, and smiled calmly:
"Sure, just name your name. As long as it's required for the mission, we'll go along with it."
Long Wenzhang chuckled, casually grabbed a piece of scrap paper, picked up a fountain pen, and began to write rapidly. The pen tip made a soft, scratching sound as it glided across the paper.
The people inside huddled over to take a look, and the paper clearly listed the troops he was to take with him on this mission:
Two engineer battalions, one motorized infantry battalion, one field air defense battalion, and two heavy artillery battalions.
The total strength is about three thousand people, which is not a large number, but the firepower configuration is quite solid.
The field air defense battalion was equipped with a number of 88mm dual-purpose guns, which could both shoot down Japanese aircraft and bombard ships on the river.
The two heavy artillery battalions' 105mm howitzers had a range sufficient to cover the Yangtze River and could directly threaten Japanese warships.
As for the two engineer battalions, they can lay mines to block waterways, as well as repair bridges and roads, ensuring the speed of motorized troops' march to the greatest extent possible.
As for the two engineer battalions, they can lay mines to block waterways, as well as repair bridges and roads, ensuring the speed of motorized troops' march to the greatest extent possible.
Motorized infantry battalions, with the support of engineers, can greatly enhance their mobility and provide support to various points on the battlefield at any time.
"You have an idea? Fine, I'll give you all these troops."
After reviewing the list, Li Jianghe nodded, his tone suddenly turning serious. "Just remember one thing: when you get to the battlefield, give those little devils a good beating and don't let down the Third Column."
"Yes, sir! Mission accomplished!"
Long Wenzhang put his legs together and snapped to attention, giving a perfect military salute. His eyes gleamed with excitement, and his earlier reluctance had long since turned into eager anticipation.
The following night, under the hazy moonlight, the low growls of engines echoed along the dirt road outside Huangchuan City.
Long Wenzhang led his well-organized troops and set off quietly under the cover of night. The troops marched south along the dirt road, traversed the dense forests of the Dabie Mountains, and sped toward the north bank of the Yangtze River.
Not long after Long Wenzhang's troops set off, an urgent telegram from the reconnaissance battalion arrived on Li Jianghe's desk.
The telegram clearly stated that the Japanese army was assembling on a large scale in the Shucheng and Lu'an directions, with a large force; the Japanese army in the Huainan direction was also showing signs of frequent troop movements, and a major battle was imminent.
This intelligence about the large-scale mobilization of Japanese troops was quickly sent to the Nationalist Army headquarters in Wuhan.
The command post was brightly lit, but the atmosphere was as heavy as if it were frozen.
On the huge battle map on the wall, the Japanese army's attack arrows were densely packed, making one's scalp tingle.
Commander Chen Cheng of the Ninth War Zone pointed to the locations of Lu'an and Shucheng on the map, looked at Commander Li of the Fifth War Zone beside him, and said in a deep voice:
"Brother Delin, the Japanese offensive in the Jiujiang direction is fierce, and we have not yet repelled them. Now, there is a large-scale enemy mobilization in the Lu'an and Shucheng directions, and their target is likely the northern foothills of the Dabie Mountains, as well as the Huangchuan and Xinyang line."
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