The 26th Division withdrew, Hukou fell, and the balance of the entire battle situation was broken in a moment, and the defense of Hukou ended with the defeat of the national army.

At the headquarters of the 19th Army, the atmosphere around was dull, and an aura of defeat hung over the room.

The chief of staff said in a low voice: "We have done our best. It's not that we're incompetent and the soldiers aren't brave enough, it's that the overall strength of the two sides is too different. Next, it depends on how Zhang Fakui guards Jiujiang. ”

The chief of staff refers not only to land strength, but also to the navy and air force. In this battle, the Japanese army relied entirely on the power of the navy.

"Order the 60th Division and the 77th Division to evacuate south to Nanchang, and order the 11th Division to ......"

"Report! The 18th Army broke through the defense line of Meilankou and Longtan Mountain! ”

Just when Luo Ying was about to give up and let the main force withdraw to Nanchang, the signal corps suddenly reported the news that the 18th Army had broken through the Japanese Longtan Mountain position, which made Luo Zhuoying shocked.

Immediately, Luo Zhuoying changed his mind and ordered: "Order the 18th and 11th Divisions of the 18th Army to counterattack Hukou County with all their might!" ”

"Commander......

"Don't say it, I've made up my mind. I can't cheapen those bunnies for nothing! ”

The 18th Army received Luo Zhuoying's order, and Peng Shan took the 11th Division to bear the brunt. The second line of defense had been broken by the main Japanese army, and the ace 11th Division completely ignored the enemy behind it and directly pursued the retreating 106th Division.

This may be their last madness, for the last dignity of Chinese soldiers. The 11th Division was like a steel knife, plunging straight into Hukou County.

"Kill!" "Kill!"

The 11th Division counterattacked on all fronts and wiped out the defeated 106th Division. The 106th Division retreated to the river in fright, accepting the shelter of warships.

"Order, go down, don't take prisoners! Kill until Hukou County! ”

Peng Shan seemed to be able to understand Luo Zhuoying's unwilling mood, and also understood why the defeat was decided, and he had to launch the final blow against the Japanese army. This is a cry and a declaration that the Chinese will never give in!

The 11th Division fought all the way to the outskirts of Hukou County, and the Potian detachment hurriedly responded to the battle. But will they be able to stop the wrath of the Chinese soldiers?

"Boom, boom!" "Boom, boom!" “……”

Countless angry shells scattered to the Japanese positions on the periphery of Hukou, and the 31st Brigade of the 11th Division charged and occupied the outlying Japanese positions.

Taking advantage of the fact that the devils had just occupied Hukou County and had an unstable foothold, the 33rd Brigade took the opportunity to rush into the county seat.

The 11th Division was like a bamboo, and the Hatian detachment was like a mountain. The officers and soldiers of the 33rd Brigade fought all the way to Moon Mountain in the city.

Part of the Botian detachment escaped from Nancheng and joined up with the brigade in front of the 101st Division, and the first division went to pursue the 26th Division, and the rest were either killed or hid on Moon Mountain, taking advantage of the terrain to block the 11th Division and wait for the arrival of the large army.

The battle situation in front reached the rear headquarters of the Hatada detachment, and Hatada Shigeichi slammed the telegram on the table and said, "Is the Shina army crazy!?" ”

Hakuda Shigeishi never expected the national army to launch an attack on Hukou, and he did not prepare for defense in advance, which led to the current situation of defeat.

The 60th Division and the 77th Division of the second line of defense have withdrawn to the southern front, and the 26th Division has been pursued out of Hukou County, and the overall situation has been decided. It was difficult for Shigeichi Hauda to understand the crazy approach of the Chinese soldiers.

The adjutant on the side asked, "General, what should we do now?" More than 300 of our soldiers were trapped on Moon Mountain. ”

After thinking for a moment, Hakata Shigeichi said: "Please ask the 101st Division and the 106th Division to assist in arranging the defensive line from the north and south, and trap this group of madmen in Hukou County." ”

The adjutant reminded, "This has to be done by Commander Okamura." ”

"Yes."

Since the change of guard, Rokuro Matsuura has complained constantly to Shigeichi Hatada, and even personally called to blame him. Hukou County was obviously defeated by the 106th Division, and it also lost a lot of troops, but it asked the Botian detachment to pick up a big bargain.

In the 11 Division Temporary Command.

A soldier reported: "Report, the 106th Division that we repulsed is moving towards the mouth of the lake, while the Japanese troops to the south are deploying. ”

The chief of staff of the 11th Division judged: "The Japanese army is trying to cut off the rear of our southern front and wait for a large force. Otherwise, let's withdraw, and the cheap is enough. ”

"Withdraw what to withdraw! If you don't eat the more than 300 devils on Moon Mountain, the 11th Division will not withdraw! ”

Immediately, Peng Shan ordered: "Order the 31st Brigade to block the enemy in the north, and the 33rd Brigade will destroy all the devils on the moon within an hour." ”

The devils on Moon Mountain have been surrounded by death, and Peng Shan, who is fat in front of him, is not willing to give up easily. Also, if they don't take Moon Mountain, they won't capture Hukou County, so why did they still launch the final charge?

The 65th Regiment of the 33rd Brigade continued to charge at Moon Mountain, but although Moon Mountain was not large and the terrain was not high, it was densely wooded, overgrown with weeds and shrubs, making it difficult to launch an effective attack. The head of the regiment, Zhu Dingqing, is now at a loss.

A soldier walked into the command tent: "Report! Commander Falcon asks to meet! ”

"What!? You're saying it again! ”

Zhu Dingqing was overjoyed and couldn't believe it, this was simply timely rain.

The soldier repeated: "Commander Falcon asks for a meeting." ”

"Quick, call him in!"

"Yes!"

Subsequently, Shao Fei walked into the command camp, and Zhu Dingqing hurriedly stepped forward to greet him and asked, "Are you really falcons?" Didn't the 26th Division withdraw, why are you still there? ”

Shao Fei replied: "Stay and kill devils." Seeing that you can't attack Moon Mountain for a long time, the main force of the Japanese army on the periphery will soon surround you, so you better retreat quickly. ”

Zhu Dingqing said helplessly: "The division commander gave a death order, if you don't take Moon Mountain, the 11th Division will not withdraw." Thanks to your attention in the last night attack on the Devil Field Artillery Wing, I hope you will help again this time. ”

Shao Fei smiled: "What kind of attack." Moon Hill is an excellent location for defense, with very dense weeds and shrubs, and people can be hidden everywhere. However, when the Japanese army attacked the city, I did not send a single soldier. ”

"Why? Why did you send troops in such a good defensive place? ”

"I'm afraid. People in the county town often go to Moon Mountain to cut firewood, and sometimes they directly dry the cut on the mountain in order to dry it. It's really hot in July. ”

"Oh~" Zhu Dingqing seemed to understand what Shao Fei meant, and quickly ordered. He ordered troops to pour gasoline on the trees and shrubs at the foot of the mountain and on the mountainside, and set fire to Moon Mountain.

For the 11th Division, they did not want to occupy Moon Mountain, but to eliminate the devils on it. The fire attack has achieved what they wanted.

The main force of the Japanese army on the periphery has moved closer to the mouth of the lake, and time is urgent. Luo Zhuoying immediately ordered the 18th Army to withdraw from Hukou and head to Nanchang, where an even bigger battle awaited them.

The defense of Hukou lasted 7 days, although the time was short, and finally ended in the defeat of the national army, but the 19th Group Army played the prestige, morale, and blood of the Chinese soldiers, and also saved the face and dignity of Madang Fortress for the easy loss.

The 19th Army moved south to prepare for the subsequent Battle of Nanchang. Zhang Fakui of Jiujiang was actively preparing for the battle, buying time for the defensive battles in Nanchang and Wuhan.

(PS: It is recorded that the 11th Division did carry out a major counteroffensive, recaptured Hukou County in a fit of anger, and then quickly evacuated.) The defeat is decided, and the reason why Luo Zhuoying did this can only be understood as his unwillingness and anger! ）

(End of chapter)