Chapter 718 Who is willing to take the lead tomorrow
In the northern sky, ten large Japanese transport planes were flying towards Tongguan Kiln in the northwest.
It was a sunny and windy day there, without a trace of smoke or rumbling artillery fire, and it was very safe.
There were also a large number of Japanese soldiers surrounding the large white airdrop circle, cheering at the transport planes in the air.
This trip was led by the Japanese Army Aviation Flying Wing Commander Takeda Tomohito himself.
He saw the situation on the ground and praised with satisfaction:
"Yoshi! The preparations have been very thorough."
The pilot of the Japanese transport plane flying in front asked:
"Sir, the wing commander! Would you like to airdrop supplies?"
Tomohito Takeda picked up the megaphone and issued an order:
"All transport planes lower their altitude and begin airdropping supplies."
"Hello!"
The Japanese transport plane pilot hurriedly received the order.
Soon, the supplies carried by parachutes were dropped into the large white circle on the ground like dumplings.
The "fake devils" on the ground kept bowing to express their gratitude.
"You're welcome!"
Takeda Tomohito waved his hand happily and led the transport plane formation to fly north.
On the ground, Gan Rong led the elite assault division into intensive action.
One piece of supplies after another was loaded onto the boat, transported to the left bank of the Xiangjiang River, loaded onto trucks, and delivered directly to the defense zones of each division.
At the Japanese position, three Japanese division commanders looked at each other in bewilderment as they watched the transport plane fly away.
The commander of the Kumamoto Division wondered, "What the hell are these transport planes doing? Why are they dropping supplies there?"
The commander of the Hokkaido Division shook his head and said, "Something is wrong! The new troops will definitely not be short of food and ammunition. I have a feeling that the 34th Chinese Army is up to something."
Qiu Zukagoro hurriedly ordered: "Chief of Staff Toyoshima! Call Commander Okamura and ask if there is another imperial troop in the direction of Tongguan Kiln."
"Hello!"
Toyoshima Mion hurried to send a telegram.
Soon, he ran back in despair, crying out in tears:
"Your Excellency the Division Commander! According to Commander Okamura's investigation, food and ammunition were airdropped to the Chinese 34th Army. Woohoo!"
"what?!"
Qiu Zuka Goro was stunned.
The commander of the Hokkaido Division shook his head and said, "It's over! The 34th Chinese Army was originally out of ammunition, so this will solve their urgent problem."
The commander of the Kumamoto Division said anxiously: "Our army was already no match for the 34th Army, and now they have both food and ammunition, but our army has nothing.
We should ask Commander Okamura to withdraw immediately!"
After saying this, he turned and ran towards his own division.
"Yes! Retreat immediately."
The commander of the Hokkaido Division also escaped.
Qiu Zuka Goro ordered: "Chief of Staff! Ask Commander Okamura to withdraw the troops."
"Ha! But I really don't want to accept this."
Toyoshima Meinan obeyed the order very reluctantly.
North of Yuelu Mountain, 34th Army Command Post.
Yu Xiaowan said happily: "Brother Chu! The initiative is in our hands."
Xiang Chu nodded and said, "Yes! We will just wait until the Japanese get hungry and then we will launch a massive attack."
Kong Ling shook his head and said, "If we report the situation, they will definitely order us to attack immediately."
"Then I won't report it!"
Xiang Chu and Yu Xiaowan said in unison.
Kong Ling shook his head and said, "I'm afraid we can't hide it from the higher-ups."
At this time, Shima received the plaintext message and reported loudly:
"Commander! Okamura Ningchi sent a telegram, insulting you for defrauding his airdrop supplies and threatening to engage in hand-to-hand combat with our 34th Army."
Xiang Chu waved his hand and said, "Now our army has enough food and ammunition, just starve him, why fight him hand-to-hand? Call him back and reject him."
"Yes!"
Shima hurriedly accepted the order.
Kong Ling said with a smile: "This Okamura Ningchi was so angry that he wanted to win with hand-to-hand combat. How funny!"
Yu Xiaowan said thoughtfully: "If he follows Doihara Ken'er's example and proposes it to our Supreme Command, our upper echelons might agree."
"I will never agree to that!"
Kong Ling and Xiang Chu said in unison.
Before they finished speaking, Shima reported loudly:
"Commander! The Supreme Command has sent an urgent telegram ordering our army to agree to Okamura Ningchi's request to engage in hand-to-hand combat on the right bank of the Xiangjiang River at 3:30 p.m. the day after tomorrow."
Xiang Chu and the other two looked at each other, unable to believe their ears.
After a while, Kong Ling said angrily, "Her father! I will report the truth to the higher-ups."
Xiang Chu said anxiously, "Dear! I have one more thing to report: our army has less than 7 combat personnel, and there will be 5 Japanese divisions on the right bank of the Xiangjiang River, with at least 10 combat personnel."
"it is good!"
Kong Ling nodded and quickly sent a telegram.
Not long after, the above message was received: "Orders cannot be disobeyed. The remaining 1 elite troops of the New 3st Army will be sent to your unit to participate in hand-to-hand combat."
Kong Ling said with a smile: "Oh my God! What kind of elite force is the New 1st Army?"
Yu Xiaowan shook her head and said, "If you act like this, won't it ruin our army in vain?"
Xiang Chu checked the message and sneered, "My two wives! Don't be afraid. Let's learn from the devil's tactics and use the opportunity of hand-to-hand combat to cross the river with enough weapons and ammunition to wipe out the three divisions of the devil in one fell swoop."
Kong Ling said with some concern: "Her father! Is this not a good idea?"
Xiang Chu said bitterly: "Thinking about the 30 compatriots who died in Nanjing, I feel very good."
"good, very good!"
Kong Ling and Yu Xiaowan said indignantly.
Xiang Chu said thoughtfully: "Okamura Ningchi is very cunning and will definitely take advantage of the hand-to-hand combat to do something. I don't need to wait until the day after tomorrow. I can cross the river at dawn tomorrow and destroy the Japanese soldiers on the other side, so that it will be easier to destroy the other two Japanese divisions when they arrive."
Kong Ling nodded and said, "Her father! I agree with your idea."
Yu Xiaowan praised: "Brother Chu! This is how we should fight."
Shima reported loudly: "Commander! The Supreme Command has ordered that in order to demonstrate integrity and to cover the actions of friendly forces in other battlefields, no troops are allowed to cross the river in advance to attack the Japanese troops. All troops on the right bank of the Xiangjiang River must return to the left bank immediately."
Xiang Chu and the other two looked at each other, feeling like crying but without tears.
Needless to say, some people above wanted the 34th Army to hold back the main force of the Japanese and prepare for the development of their own troops.
With such a strict order from above, Xiang Chu did not dare to cause any unhappiness. He immediately ordered the 6th Division, the 7th Division, and all the reconnaissance companies to return to the left bank of the Xiangjiang River and be ready for hand-to-hand combat with the Japanese at : p.m. the day after tomorrow.
At noon the next day, the commanders of 34 divisions of the 10th Army and the commanders of the three remaining divisions of the new 1st Army gathered at the command post.
Because of Xiang Chu's previous battle report, Wang Lin and Liu Zhandong were appointed as the commanders of the 1nd and 2rd Divisions of the New 3st Army respectively.
The commander of the 1st Division was Lai Deguang, the former chief of staff of the New 1st Army Group.
This man was Lai Dexing's elder brother. He rushed to Changsha after the defeat of the New 1st Army and luckily escaped the fate of becoming a traitor along with Wu Xing and the other two.
Lai Deguang, once the chief of staff of the army group, has now been demoted to a division commander. He is naturally very dissatisfied.
Moreover, he has contacted Wu Xing and two others who were far away in Wuhan, provided them with intelligence, and was ready to lead people to betray them at any time.
However, he is extremely shrewd and never shows his emotions. He behaves extremely humble and proactive in front of outsiders.
After Xiang Chu arranged the hand-to-hand combat for tomorrow, he specifically asked, "Everyone! Who is willing to lead the charge tomorrow?"
Just as Gan Rong was about to raise his hand, Lai Deguang suddenly stood up.
But he said firmly: "Commander Chu! Lai Deguang is willing to lead the 1st Division of the new 1st Army to lead the charge."