Chapter 677: Let the 34th Army Turn the Tide
One general is incompetent and the three armies are exhausted!
The commander of the 71st Army, Li Mi, abandoned the river defense positions, resulting in the loss of defensive depth.
The entire army moved into Miluo City, which made evacuation and maneuvering difficult.
Such a reckless deployment brought devastating disaster to the entire 71st Army.
After 20 minutes of shelling by the Japanese Kagoshima Division, the 71st Army suffered heavy losses.
Without even figuring out the enemy's situation, they abandoned a large amount of baggage and fled south in panic.
The Japanese Kagoshima Division easily captured Miluo City with almost no resistance.
The Japanese division commander said excitedly: "Radio operator! Report to Commander Okamura immediately. It was me, the butcher Gu Shou, who led the army to break through the Miluo River defense line in just two hours, defeated the Chinese 71st Army, and occupied Miluo City."
"Hello!"
The radio operator hurriedly received the order.
The chief of staff of the Kagoshima Division suggested: "Your Excellency, Division Commander! Why not take advantage of the chaos to attack the positions of the Chinese 81st Army and create a miracle of defeating two Chinese armies in one night."
The commander of the Kagoshima Division laughed and said, "Teragai-kun! Your suggestion is very good. Our army will leave one squadron in the city, one squadron will go after the remnants of the Chinese 71st Army, and the rest of the troops will go all out to attack the Chinese 81st Army, creating a miracle in the history of imperial warfare!"
The Japanese Chief of Staff said hesitantly: "Your Excellency, Division Commander! Do you think one squadron is a little too little to pursue the 71st Chinese Army?"
Gu Shou the butcher sneered, "The setting sun outside the temple! The commander of this division feels that it would be too much for the Empire to send out a squadron to pursue the remnants of the 71st Chinese Army."
Seeing that he was angry, the setting sun outside the temple quickly echoed: "I understand. It's like a tiger chasing a sheep."
Gu Shou the butcher roared loudly: "March to the southwest immediately! Block the retreat of China's ace 81st Army."
"Hello!"
Outside the temple, Canyang hurriedly accepted the order.
He led the Kagoshima Division out of the city and headed south of the 81st Army's position.
"Boom! Boom!"
The sound of naval guns firing from the opposite shore came from the west.
Gu Shou the butcher said angrily: "Baka! The Yangtze River Fleet actually attacked the 81st Chinese Army first, disrupting the encirclement and annihilation plan of our division commander."
The setting sun outside the temple smiled bitterly and said, "This 81st Army abandoned the position of Miluo City and the Miluo River defense, and ran to the Xiangjiang River to garrison. Even the Empire's ships in Dongting Lake can be bombarded."
Gu Shou the butcher shook his head and said, "The commander of the Chinese 81st Army is really a pig. He gave up the good position in the west of the city and ran to the muzzle of the ship's guns. Isn't it like fighting separately from the 71st Army? He knows nothing about the Miluo River defense and what happened in Miluo City?"
Temple Outside Canyang praised: "Your Excellency, Division Commander! You are indeed an excellent instructor of the Imperial Army Academy. Your analysis is very insightful."
Gu Shou the butcher said with satisfaction: "Mr. Shouwai is absolutely right. The strategy of our division commander is indeed unrivaled in the world."
Outside the temple, the setting sun flattered him and said, "The Chu Xi of the 34th Army of China is nothing, because he has not met you, the division commander."
Gu Shou the Butcher sighed, "Alas! It's a pity that I wasted some time and didn't get here to fight with Chu Xi before he was assassinated."
The 81st Army’s position on the bank of the Xiangjiang River.
Because of the bombardment of the Japanese naval guns, the whole place was in chaos.
Army commander Chen Shuo shouted in panic: "Wang Lin! Quickly notify all troops to retreat southward."
Wang Lin, the 81st Army Chief of Staff, was a veteran who had experienced many battles. He said calmly:
"Commander! If we move a little to the east, we will be out of the range of the Japanese ship's guns. In addition, the 71st Army is in a fight with the Japanese, we should send troops over to help."
Chen Shuo angrily said, "Help me, retreat south quickly."
After saying this, he rushed out of the command post without even putting on his helmet.
Wang Lin said anxiously: "General! Prevent the assassins from attacking us."
"Bang!"
A sound different from that of ordinary gun bullets was heard.
Chen Shuo fell to the ground with a bang, lying straight at the door of the command post.
"Commander!"
Wang Lin shouted and went forward to check. Chen Shuo was shot in the forehead.
He shouted loudly: "Kill! Kill the Japanese sniper."
The commander of the 81st Division of the 1st Army said anxiously: "Chief of Staff! Let's retreat quickly."
Wang Lin calmed down and nodded, "Retreat southward and join the 91st Army."
When the situation is unclear, sticking together is the right choice.
But the situation of the 91st Army was also not good at this time.
Kenji Doihara led the Linxia Brigade and continued to act as an elite commando to launch a surprise attack on the 91st Army.
Takahashi Taisho, who always claimed to be righteous, could not help but persuade him: "General! We can just play the role of the 34th Army's elite commando once. We can't play it all the time, otherwise it would be stupid."
Doihara Xian'er was so angry that he yelled, "Baka! You have no brains. Don't you know that the commander of the 91st Army of China is a pig? He would never think that we always play the role of an elite commando team."
Takahashi Taisho shook his head and said, "No matter how dumb a pig is, it's impossible for him to always fall for the same trick."
Doihara Kan'er raised the whip, but put it down again, fearing that he would whip him again.
Yamashita Yoshiaki persuaded: "Taisho! You don't understand the general's strategy. Our army pretends to be the elite commando of the Chinese 34th Group in order to scare away the Chinese 91st Army. This way, our army will win without fighting."
Takahashi Taisho said in astonishment, “Really?”
Doihara Kenji's mind was full of the "Five Lights" policy, but he didn't want to scare away the 91st Army. After Yamashita Yoshiaki's analysis, he felt it was wonderful and immediately said approvingly:
"Yoshi! Ji Qiu is the one who understands my strategy. The young are really formidable!"
At this time, the Japanese battalion commander Lin Yixiaquan rode over and reported loudly: "General! The 91st Chinese Army fled, leaving behind a large amount of baggage and food."
"Ha ha!"
The Japs laughed.
Doihara Kan'er sighed and said, "Alas! Such a cowardly Chinese army makes me want to fight to the death with the 34th Army."
Takahashi Taisho said with a smile: "General! The 34th Army is in Changsha. How about our army attack Changsha?"
"roll--!"
Doihara Kan'er shouted angrily.
Just the Kagoshima Division and the Linxia Battalion were enough to defeat the 71st, 81st, and 91st Armies.
Okamura Ningchi was so excited after receiving the victory news from the front that he couldn't sleep.
Ono Chika suggested: "Commander! The Chinese army is so rubbish, you don't need to go to Miluo City to supervise the battle."
Okamura Ningchi nodded and said, "Yes! That's true, but to capture Changsha, the Kagoshima Division and the Linxia Battalion are enough. You should immediately telegraph the three divisions of Kumamoto, Kyushu, and Hokkaido, and tell them not to go to Miluo, but to continue to attack western Hubei and march to Chongqing."
"Hello!"
Ono Zhihua hurriedly accepted the order.
Okamura Ningchi added: "Send a clear telegram to the Chinese Supreme Command, saying that the Kagoshima Division defeated the 71st and 81st Armies in one night, and a forest brigade of 91 people defeated the 34st Army. Let the th Army rush to the Miluo front to die."
Ono Zhihua said with a smile, "Commander! Ono is determined to send such a telegram to irritate the high-ranking officials of the dead China. Haha!"
Okamura Ningchi laughed and said, "Yes! It will excite them to death. Haha!"
Chongqing, Combat Conference Research Room.
Bad news came one after another from the Miluo front, and the senior officials could no longer sit still.
Those who previously praised the 71st, 81st, and 91st Armies have completely shut their mouths.
何部长无奈地说：“诸位！71、81两位军长被鬼子狙击手刺杀，71、81、91三个军被击溃，看来还是得让34集团军力挽狂澜。”
Minister Chen echoed, "Yes! Let the 34th Army turn the tide."
Minister Wu said unwillingly: "The commander of the 91st Army is still here, so we still have the strength to fight."
Commander Lin quickly agreed: "The 91st Army has no damage to its manpower, and its weapons are advanced and it can fight very well."
Chen Guo echoed, "Wu Huahu is a talented general. He will definitely be able to stop the enemy's attack."
At this time, Ma Chunfang arrived at the door of the conference room again.
Everyone could tell from her face that something bad was going to happen again.
Minister He waved his hand and said, "Just read the original text!"
"Yes!"
Ma Chunfang hurriedly accepted the order and read aloud:
"China's Supreme Command! The Imperial Kagoshima Division defeated the 71st and 81st Armies in one night, and a forest brigade of 91 people defeated the 34st Army. Let the th Army rush to the Miluo front to die. Okamura Ningchi!"