sovbooks Chapter 151 Cutting off the Japanese army's retreat route, the Japanese headquarters' orde
Chapter 151 Cutting off the Japanese army's retreat route, the Japanese headquarters' orde
Inside Li Jianghe's command post, looking at the telegram sent from Tengxian, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Everything that Taierzhuang did was worthwhile.
Although the 20th Group Army was unable to achieve a quick victory, at some key junctures, it was still necessary for Li Jianghe's Third Detachment to take action in order to maintain stability.
However, this is a flat area, and a large number of soldiers are needed to fill in the gaps in order to build a relatively tight defensive line.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the more than 10,000 men of the Third Detachment to cover such a wide battlefield and completely block the Japanese army in this area.
Of course, Li Jianghe thought to himself that it was still quite satisfying to annoy Tang Enbo, the king of electric shocks, even though it was just a casual thing to do.
After all, Li Jianghe could also see that Tang Enbo had been holding back a lot of energy at the beginning, wanting the Central Army to overshadow the local armies of the entire Fifth War Zone.
As it turned out, he was given the opportunity but failed to capitalize on it. After a battle, he failed to capture the most crucial points and almost suffered a disastrous defeat.
In the end, it was only thanks to the timely arrival of Li Jianghe's third detachment that the pocket formation was completely blocked.
Seeing Li Jianghe laughing because of the telegram, Long Wenzhang couldn't help but ask:
"Has it worked out?"
Li Jianghe handed over the telegram and said:
"Alright, now let's see what the 10th and 20th Divisions do."
If they retreat decisively, there's still a glimmer of hope. But if they continue to waste time here, they'll be doomed.
As Li Jianghe spoke, his gaze fell upon the ruins of Taierzhuang.
At this moment, the fierce battle between the two sides was still going on, but Li Jianghe knew very well that when the news that Teng County had been captured and the rear route had been completely cut off reached Isogai Rensuke's command, the battle here would most likely come to an end.
Unless Isogai Rensuke is stubborn and insists on continuing the attack to the very end.
Meanwhile, in the 10th Division headquarters of Isogai Rensuke, Umemura Atsuro's hands trembled as he looked at the telegram.
This was sent by the North China Area Army Headquarters.
Seeing that Atsuro Umemura's expression was not good, Rensuke Isogai asked:
"What's wrong? What bad news is it now?"
I've heard bad news more than once or twice in the last couple of days.
However, one thing is certain: this time it has nothing to do with their 10th Division.
"Your Excellency Division Commander, urgent telegram from the Commander: Tengxian has fallen. The enemy's 20th Army Group and the main force of the Third Detachment have completely cut off our army's retreat route to the north."
I hereby order my troops to retreat to the Yixian area before nightfall, and after joining up with the main force of the 20th Division, break out northward together.
At the same time, the army headquarters would urgently dispatch troops from Jining, Zoucheng, and the Jinan area to support our breakout.
Atsuro Umemura finished reciting the contents of the telegram in one breath, his face already covered with a layer of frost.
"What!?"
Rensuke Isogai slammed his hand on the table, a surge of blood rushing to his head, and he felt his body swaying slightly.
The bloody battle at Taierzhuang had finally made some progress, but now he was told that his retreat had been cut off.
Wasn't Teng County still under their control yesterday?
What is the 20th Division doing? What is Fumizaburo Kawagishi doing?
No one could answer his question; the orders from the army commander were as cold and unyielding as could be.
Reality is even colder.
If it were just the 20th Army Group, even if it were fully staffed, Isoya Rensuke would not have any fear.
After all, the main forces of two Japanese divisions, plus the Sakamoto Detachment, and even additional reinforcements, were fully capable of breaking through the 20th Army's defenses.
But adding Li Jianghe, the main force of the third detachment, makes all the difference.
This unit was too powerful on the plains. Whether it was maneuvering, supporting various parts of the battlefield, ambushing along the way, or launching surprise attacks on advancing Japanese troops, the Third Detachment could play a huge role on the battlefield.
"Division Commander, what do you think... should we carry out this military order?"
Atsuro Umemura inquired.
Because he knew very well that at this stage of the battle, the honor of the entire 10th Division had been pinned on the city of Taierzhuang.
They actually have another option: to continue their southward advance, break through the Taierzhuang direction, and open up the entire Jinpu Railway.
This is a path fraught with peril, yet also a path of unwavering determination.
Rensuke Isogai fell into deep thought; he was pondering.
·····
News has arrived from the Fifth War Zone Command that Teng County has been brought under control.
"Alright, we still have to rely on Li Jianghe. This Tang Enbo has been hiding for so long, but when it comes time to use him, he's actually a bit unreliable."
Commander Li said coldly.
Commander Bai then said:
"In any case, the plan has been accomplished. Now, the troops on the front lines must begin their counterattack."
Commander Li nodded emphatically:
"That's right, the Japanese army has been holding out against us here for too long, and their morale has been exhausted."
With their escape route cut off, their morale will inevitably be affected.
Thinking of this, Commander Li decisively said:
"Order all reserve units to be fully committed to the front lines of the battlefield without holding back in the slightest. Our army is to launch a counter-offensive on the front!!"
"yes!!"
Commander Bai answered loudly.
The Fifth War Zone, located south of the Grand Canal, also had tens of thousands of reserve troops.
However, Commander Li always regarded these reserve troops as his last resort and dared not use them lightly.
Because he knew very well that once this trump card was revealed, even if the enemy was surrounded, it might not achieve the desired effect.
Upon receiving the order, these troops decisively crossed the canal and deployed to the front lines of the battlefield.
Li Jianghe also received orders to launch a counterattack against the Japanese army before nightfall, at which time surrounding troops would also launch a coordinated counterattack against the Japanese army.
Wuhan Headquarters.
Looking at the telegram from the Fifth War Zone Headquarters, Commander He said with some excitement:
"It's done. The Third Detachment successfully captured Teng County last night, and together with the 20th Army Group, cut off the Japanese army's retreat route."
The principal, who was staring at the map, suddenly turned around and said:
"Who did you just say took Teng County?"
In fact, cutting off the Japanese army's retreat route and taking Tengxian was within the principal's expectations.
But shouldn't this be something the 20th Group Army should be doing?
Why is it Li Jianghe's third team again?
Why is this unit everywhere?
Commander He read the telegram again, confirming it repeatedly, before looking up and saying:
"It's confirmed. It was the Third Detachment that captured Teng County. The telegram from the Fifth War Zone Command should not be false."
After hearing this, the principal took a deep breath and then said:
"Whoever takes it, it's good nonetheless. Make sure Tang Enbo holds the line. If he can't stop the Japanese breakout, I, Chiang Kai-shek, will bring him to justice!"