Chapter 972: Beat Them to Death
Kumamoto Erhe was uneasy and looked back as he walked into the valley.
The commander of the Hegu Regiment consoled him, "Your Excellency the Brigade Commander! You don't have to worry. The 34th Chinese Division has already chased a small group of the Imperial Army into the valley."
Kumamoto Erhe shook his head and said, "The division commander is eager for revenge, so it's unnecessary."
The captain of the River Valley Alliance smiled bitterly and said, "He is a man who cares about his reputation. He has achieved such a great success today. He can no longer stop."
Kumamoto Erhe sneered, "No! We can't let the division commander sleep comfortably. Radio operator! Ask the division commander for a battalion of reinforcements."
"Hello!"
The Japanese radio operator hurriedly received the order.
However, before he could send the telegram, he received a telegram from Captain Datian.
"Brigade Commander Kumamoto! I have led the troops to reinforce us. Please feel free to attack the Chinese 34th Division."
This guy deliberately didn't say how many soldiers he led, and Kumamoto Erhe didn't know that he had been demoted to battalion commander.
Kumamoto Nihe suddenly gained confidence and said happily: "Wow! The division commander was so generous to send the Daejeon Regiment. Our army has an absolute advantage against the Chinese 34th Division, and we will definitely win."
The commander of the Hegu Regiment suggested: "Your Excellency, Brigade Commander! Now that we have sufficient troops, why not launch a charge immediately and annihilate the entire Chinese 34th Division in the Xiyang Valley."
Kumamoto Erhe was suspicious by nature and sought stability, so he fell into deep thought and did not answer.
At this time, the radio operator reported: "Your Excellency the Brigade Commander! The radio operator of the Watanabe Squadron sent a desperate message. They encountered a desperate charge by the Chinese main division in Chenjiaji and were collectively killed."
Xiong Ben Erhe was furious and roared: "Baga! It was all the 34th Division's fault. They lured our troops away from Chenjiaji and snatched away General China's coffin. This vengeance must be avenged by this brigade commander."
The captain of the River Valley Alliance asked excitedly: "Should we attack immediately?!"
Kumamoto Erhe shook his head and said, "No! Let's wait until the Ota Brigade arrives."
The commander of the River Valley Corps smiled bitterly and said, "Brigade Commander! You are missing a great opportunity."
Xiong Benji sneered and said, "This brigade commander has experienced hundreds of battles, big and small, and it is all because of his caution that he has come to this day. Please don't rush me."
At this time, a scout came running from the west and reported loudly:
"Your Excellency, the Brigade Commander! The Chinese 34th Division has already wiped out the small group of Imperial Army troops and is digging fortifications ahead, preparing to fight our army."
Another scout ran over like the wind and shouted:
"Your Excellency the Brigade Commander! The Chinese 34th Division is coming."
"Boom! Boom!"
Grenade launcher shells fell among the Japanese vanguards, causing countless casualties in an instant.
Kumamoto Nihe roared: "Fight back!"
The Japanese soldiers rushed forward in frustration, and the harassing troops of the 34th Division immediately retreated westward.
The Japanese soldiers kept chasing and gradually moved away from the eastern exit of Xiyang Valley.
Kumamoto Erhe was so anxious that he shouted loudly: "Don't continue to pursue westward."
Captain Hegu consoled him, "Your Excellency the Brigade Commander! Captain Daejeon will be here soon. Our army has nothing to worry about. We should do our best to strangle the Chinese 34th Division."
Seeing that the troops were already charging and attacking uncontrollably, Kumamoto Erhe nodded and said:
"Okay! The whole army will give chase. At worst, we can kill them all the way to Xiangyang from the west of the Xieyang Valley."
The Japanese soldiers liked to "rebel against their superiors", so they forced Kumamoto Jihe to change his decision.
At the eastern exit of Xieyang Valley, the main force of the 34th Division quickly pressed forward and blocked the valley entrance.
Xiang Chu said with relief: "Kumamoto Erhe was too cautious, and finally fell for it, but it gave Lao Liu time to dig fortifications. Chief of Staff! Quickly dig fortifications, lay mines, and block the enemy's retreat."
Gan Rong nodded and said, "Commander! I told everyone not to make too much noise. Kumamoto Erhe is so cautious. If they encounter Lao Liu leading his troops to block the attack, the Japanese will definitely retreat. Let's catch them off guard."
Xiang Chu praised: "Not bad! You also understand Kumamoto Erhe's thoughts. Go and implement it!"
"Yes!"
Gan Rong hurriedly accepted the order.
It was a dark and windy night, a perfect opportunity to block the exit of the valley and ambush the Japanese.
All officers and soldiers of the 34th Division brought engineering shovels and began to dig fortifications.
The guards also dug a simple command post for Xiang Chu at the foot of the cliff.
The radio was turned on, the map was spread out, and Xiang Chu began to command the battle in an official manner.
A shadow spy ran into the command post and reported loudly:
"Commander! A large group of Japanese soldiers came out of Zaoyang City, but their marching speed is very slow. It doesn't look like they are here to reinforce the Japanese soldiers in Xieyang Valley."
Xiang Chu shook his head and said, "No! They must be here to reinforce Kumamoto Erhe, but they are just pretending. Chief of Staff! Send a company to ambush them."
Gan Rong doubted, "Commander! Isn't one company too few?"
Xiang Chu smiled mysteriously and said, "Not a small number! Doihara Xian'er clearly doesn't want to rescue us. If we block them, this army will definitely turn back or stop moving forward."
Gan Rong nodded and said, "I understand!"
At this time, Ma Fugui received a telegram and happily reported:
"Commander! The 38th Division called and said they attacked and annihilated a squadron of Japanese soldiers at night and recovered Commander Zhang's coffin. Please give us your instructions on the next steps."
Xiang Chu was overjoyed and clapped his hands, saying, "Great! The mission has been accomplished. Order the 38th Division to escort Commander Zhang's coffin back to Yichang as soon as possible. There must be no mistakes."
"Yes!"
Ma Fugui hurriedly took the order and sent a telegram.
Gan Rong suggested: "Commander! We should have the 38th Division send a battalion to deliver the coffin, and the others should come with us to block the Japanese Kumamoto Regiment."
Xiang Chu shook his head and said, "Lao Gan! The purpose of our trip is to take back Commander Zhang's coffin. If the Kumamoto Regiment can be annihilated, then annihilate it. If it is impossible to annihilate it, then give up.
There are enemy troops everywhere now. If the 38th Division is ambushed and Commander Zhang's coffin is lost and recovered, it would be a loss."
Gan Rong nodded and said, "I understand!"
Xiang Chu walked to the radio station and sent a message himself: "Command post of the theater! The 34th Division has surrounded a Japanese brigade in the Xiyang Valley of Qinglong Mountain. Please urge the reinforcements to arrive at the western valley entrance in time to annihilate the Japanese brigade."
Not long after, I received a message from Ning Caiwei:
"Fuck! The 77th Army, which was defending Xiangyang, retreated without a fight and handed Xiangyang over to a regiment of the Japanese. Minister Chen was criticized by his superiors. We must win a battle to save the current unfavorable situation. The 77th and 78th Divisions are specially dispatched to support the 34th Division in combat."
Xiang Chu smiled bitterly and said, "Why are there these two divisions again? Can they come over?"
At this time, Ma Fugui reported: "Commander! We received a call from the 77th Army Group, saying that all their troops are besieging Xiangyang. After retaking Xiangyang City, they will come to cooperate with our army to eliminate the Japanese regiment."
Xiang Chu was shocked and shook his head, saying, "It seems that we can only rely on our 34th Division ourselves."
Fierce gunfire sounded from the west side of the Setting Sun Valley.
Soon, the sound of gunfire became sparse and the two sides stopped firing.
Liu Zhengxiong shouted over the radio: "Commander! We repelled the attack of the Japanese regiment, and the Japanese regiment turned around and headed towards you."
Xiang Chu picked up the megaphone and responded: "Lao Liu! The Japs will soon turn around and attack you with all their might. If you can't hold out, retreat to the outside of the valley entrance to block them."
Liu Zhengxiong smiled and said, "Aren't there two divisions of reinforcements? We can hold on."
Xiang Chu smiled bitterly and said, "The reinforcements are not coming! And the Japs' reinforcements will arrive soon. If you can't hold on, you should lead your brothers to retreat westward."
Liu Zhengxiong said angrily: "If we withdraw, what will you do if you are surrounded by the devils? You'd better fight to the death."