Chapter 745 'Songhu Defeat' reappears (ask for subscription!) ）

The reappearance of the 'Songhu Defeat'

A day later, the two field divisions of the Kwantung Army, which were advancing lightly, were less than 50 kilometers away from their target Yichang City. An urgent telegram from the front line was finally delivered to Chen Cheng through telegram.

"Commander-in-chief, the front line is in an emergency...."Seeing the commander-in-chief and operational staff officer with a leisurely face in front of him, he said with an anxious face.

"Read...."Chen Cheng waved his hand and said with an indifferent expression. Because he believes that with 500,000 ** soldiers on the front line, blocking the attack of 250,000 people of the Kwantung Army, there will definitely be no accidents.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief... The 186th Division of the Sichuan Army on the front line was in an emergency. A day earlier, the position of the 3rd Regiment of the 186th Division, in the face of the powerful offensive of the Kwantung Army, had only lasted less than three hours before it was broken through by an infantry brigade of the Kwantung Army. So far, the entire 186 Division positions have been completely occupied by the Kwantung Army. At the same time, the Kwantung Army units of the two field divisions were advancing lightly, along the breach, and quickly advancing towards Yichang, where the headquarters was located, in an attempt to block the retreat of our army to Chongqing and Sichuan...."The operational staff officer reported in a low voice.

"What do you say, the defense line of the 186th Division was broken through by the Kwantung Army. How is it possible, as far as I know, the 186th Division is a fully integrated A division with more than 10,000 people. It only lasted less than a day before it was broken through by the Kwantung Army, why did this happen? Chen Cheng's face was immediately enveloped by a shocked look. Facing the combat staff officer in front of him, he asked rhetorically with an incredulous face.

"Commander-in-Chief, it's true. At present, a large number of troops of the Kwantung Army are using the position of the 186th Division as a breakthrough point to extend to both sides of our army's defense line. In addition, according to the reports of local militia groups and guerrillas scattered in various places, the strength of the two lightly armed divisions of the Kwantung Army had already advanced along the breakthrough to a position less than 50 kilometers from Yichang. In a day at most, the troops can come to the city and complete the siege of Yichang City. The combat staff officer replied in the affirmative.

"Hún eggs, more than 10,000 people, can't even hold on for a day, the party-state huā spends so much military food to feed them, what are they going to eat. On my order, the Judge Advocate Advocate General's Office immediately set off to the front line and, in accordance with military law, shot all the commanders of the 186th Division and above at and above the regimental level. Chen Cheng's face immediately showed an angry look. Then, with a murderous expression, he ordered.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief. It's just that, according to the front-line battle report, there are more than 10,000 people in the entire 186th Division, except for more than 1,000 seriously wounded. Before the breakthrough of the position, according to the order of their division commander, withdraw from the position ahead of schedule. All the remaining combat personnel, including commanders at and above the regimental level, were killed...."The combat staff officer replied with a look of embarrassment.

"The whole army is killed, how can this be. More than 10,000 brothers were killed in less than a day. Say, what the hell is going on? As soon as the words of the combat staff officer fell, the angry spirit once again shrouded Chen Cheng's face. Then, he asked rhetorically with a serious face.

"Commander-in-Chief, the situation is like this. According to the report of the soldiers withdrawn from the 186th Division. Before the war, the entire 186th Division was not replenished at all with any weapons and ammunition from the higher authorities. Therefore, in the course of the battle, both in terms of weapons and equipment, or in bullets, it was very lacking. Without the replenishment of weapons and ammunition, in the face of the Kwantung Army's jīng Rui, which was equipped with jīng liang, what the 186th Division could do was to block the Kwantung Army's offensive through a very life-consuming white-knives battle. So, the casualty rate of the troops is very huge...," the combat staff officer reported.

"Why didn't I get the bullet yào supplement. Didn't I give an order to all the troops before the war, the Quartermaster Department, it was necessary to replenish the various combat units with enough weapons and ammunition, why did this happen? Immediately send a telegram to their army group headquarters, asking them why they did not replenish the 186th Division with sufficient weapons and ammunition. Hearing the explanation of the combat staff officer, the anger on Chen Cheng's face became even stronger. Because, as a descendant of Chiang Kai-shek, in his life, what he hated the most was his subordinates, sī swallowing military salaries....This kind of thing happened.

Chen Cheng's order was given, and the combat staff officer in front of him did not leave immediately. On a face, there was immediately a god of embarrassment. I wanted to speak, but after a short hesitation, I couldn't.

"Don't worry, if you have anything to say, just say it, I won't blame you...."Chen Cheng waved his hand impatiently, and ordered decisively to the combat staff officer in front of him. "Yes, Commander-in-Chief..."

"Commander-in-Chief, the situation is like this. The entire army of the 168th Division was composed of the Sichuan Army, and the headquarters of the group army was subordinate to the Central Army. Therefore, whether it is in terms of ammunition supply or military salaries, there are some... You should be clear about these situations, and there is no need to explain them in a humble position...", replied the combat staff officer.

"Hún eggs, scum, they are all a bunch of moths, moths of the party-state....It's time for the party-state to live and die, and there are still some factional disputes. Don't they know that because of their partisanship, hundreds of thousands of ** troops will be guillotined by them? The party-state, the party-state is destroyed in the hands of these people....are all a bunch of guys who should be shot...."Slamming the desk in front of him, Chen Cheng scolded angrily.

"Commander-in-Chief, now is not the time to be angry. The two field divisions of the Kwantung Army and 50,000 troops of the Kwantung Army are already close to Yichang City. I think that our urgent need for delay is to solve these two field divisions. Otherwise, the 500,000-strong army of the party-state gathered in the Hubei region will be surrounded by the Kwantung Army..."The operational staff officer reminded in a low voice.

"Let's go, let's go to the war room..."After speaking, Chen Cheng walked out of his office quickly....

In a busy war room, as the two field divisions of the Kwantung Army were on the verge of Yichang City, a group of operational staff officers, under the command of the chief of staff, immediately became busy. The atmosphere of the entire war room also became solemn. Chen Cheng's figure had just appeared in the war room, and the anxious figure of the chief of staff appeared in front of Chen Cheng.

"Commander-in-chief, you're here...."Seeing Chen Cheng with a heavy face in front of him, the chief of staff asked.

"Hmm... Chief of Staff, I have just learned the specifics. How's it going, what's going on now...? Facing the chief of staff with a sad face in front of him, Chen Cheng nodded, walked quickly to the huge combat sand table, and asked with a concerned face.

"Commander-in-Chief, the situation is very unoptimistic. With the breakthrough of the position of the 186th Division, the two field divisions of the Kwantung Army unexpectedly penetrated into the rear of our army. At the same time, the units of the Kwantung Army, which were responsible for attacking the positions of our troops at the front, had already slowed down the pace of the offensive. Obviously, these Kwantung Army are waiting for their surprise troops to occupy Yichang and cut off the rear route of our army. Attacking from front to back, and completely annihilating the 500,000 **jīng rui gathered in the Hubei region by our party-state in one fell swoop..."The chief of staff replied with a gloomy face.

Quickly swept to the combat map in front of him, about 50 kilometers away from Yichang City, representing the two lightly armed field divisions of the Kwantung Army, the sun flag of the 50,000-strong army, clearly marked on the combat map. Seeing that on the map, the soldiers were pointing directly at the 50,000 Kwantung Army in Yichang City, Chen Cheng's brows immediately furrowed.

"Chief of Staff, throughout Yichang, how many more mobile troops do we still have that can be mobilized... In addition, is it possible to mobilize the Kwantung Army's raiding troops to march into the local guerrillas and local militia groups along the route, and slow down the Kwantung Army's march speed by destroying roads and laying mines?"

Seeing Chen Cheng's expectant eyes in front of him, the chief of staff wanted to give an affirmative answer. However, in the face of the facts, after a short period of contemplation, I had to shake my head in pain. Then, he spoke.

"Commander-in-Chief, these two divisions are lightly armed divisions that have abandoned all heavy weapons. The destruction of roads and the laying of mines do nothing for them. In the same way, because the forces of the little devils are too many, the small attacks launched by the local militias and guerrillas against them have no effect....so far, these 50,000 troops, like a group of madmen, are desperately advancing towards Yichang..."

Seeing Chen Cheng's face, a trace of despair slowly appeared. The chief of staff's words changed sharply, followed closely behind, and continued to speak.

"However, Commander-in-Chief, around Yichang, except for one of the main divisions in Yichang City. We also have a mobile force of the corps, which can be mobilized to reinforce Yichang and participate in the defense of Yichang. In addition, it is possible to transfer the reserve of an army from the front line chōu, and within two days, rush to Yichang...... Therefore, what we need to do at present is to hold Yichang City for two days with the strength of an army in our hands..."

"Okay, convey my order, all the troops around Yichang will immediately assemble in the Yichang area, and no matter what, they must hold Yichang for two days. At the same time, he ordered all local militia groups and guerrillas along the route to use all means to launch continuous attacks on the Kwantung Army's surprise troops..."In the face of life and death, Chen Cheng still showed the determination that a senior commander should have at the first time. Facing the chief of staff in front of him, he ordered with a decisive face. "Yes, Commander-in-Chief..."

Looking at the chief of staff who was leaving quickly, Chen Cheng immediately put his eyes on the deputy chief of staff on the other side, and continued to order.

"Deputy Chief of Staff, immediately report the situation faced by our army to the Ministry of Defense and ask the chairman for instructions..."

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief..."

In the former enemy headquarters of the Wuhan Kwantung Army, the commander General Mitsu every time, with the sudden change in the battle situation, has already set his eyes on the two raiding troops, hoping that the two raiding troops can successfully complete their orders, surprisingly encircle and occupy Yichang, and cut off the retreat of the ** troops back to Chongqing and Sichuan...

"Your Excellency, Air Force Reconnaissance Plane Telegram...", an operational staff officer hurriedly walked in. Then, he reported loudly.

"Read...," Mitsu commanded every time Admiral Lang opened his mouth.

"Ha Yi, reconnaissance aircraft reconnaissance shows that my raid troops are less than fifty kilometers away from Yichang City. In a maximum of ten hours, the siege of Yichang can be completed. However, half an hour ago, there were three **, about three main divisions of troops, were rapidly advancing towards Yichang Tǐng from three directions. At the same time, the agents hidden in Yichang City also sent an urgent caller showing that a ** main force division stationed in Yichang City had begun martial law on the whole city an hour ago and was building fortifications outside the city..."The operational staff officer reported.

"Yo Xi, it seems that the ** troops in Yichang City have discovered our intentions. However, it is not too late to discover our intentions now....to convey my command right away:

Attached to a flying division of our Kwantung Army, the troops were immediately divided into three routes. Bomb the ** troops from these three directions separately to reinforce Yichang City, carry out air strikes to destroy Xìng, and slow down their reinforcement of Yichang City. In addition, Chōu transferred a squadron of bombers and a squadron of fighters to attack the city of Yichang by air, slowing down the progress of the enemy's fortifications, forcing the entire city of Yichang into a húnluàn, and creating powerful conditions for the attack of our troops..."General Mitsu ordered decisively.

"Ha Yi, Your Excellency the Commander is wise...", the combat staff officer quickly replied.

"In addition, order the raiding troops of the two divisions to speed up the march and complete the encirclement of Yichang City within ten hours, otherwise, the military law will be engaged...."Mitsu ordered every time Lang Da continued to speak.

"Hayi..."

A few hours later, the news that the reinforcements had been attacked by the Japanese air and suffered heavy losses reached Chen Cheng's ears. After receiving the news from various reinforcements, the chief of staff rushed to Chen Cheng's office as soon as possible.

"Commander-in-Chief, something happened..."

"Is it the little devil who launched an air strike on Yichang City. I already heard the explosion that had just happened outside the city..."Chen Cheng said with a frown.

"It's not just our Yichang city that was attacked by the Japanese army. According to the order of the headquarters, the three main divisions that quickly reinforced Yichang were each heavily bombarded by at least one air wing of the Japanese army. At present, the three main divisions, under the strikes of Japanese aircraft, have suffered heavy losses. At the same time, because of the continuous disturbance of the Japanese planes, the marching speed of the troops had to be reduced...."The chief of staff shook his head and replied almost in despair.

"What, heavy losses. The three division commanders, did they report how long it would take for the troops to be able to reach Yichang City? Staring at a pair of red eyes, Chen Cheng asked with an incredulous expression.

"Three main divisions, each losing about a regiment of troops. However, the heavy weapons carried by the troops, as well as all kinds of heavy ammunition, were almost completely lost in the bombing. Coupled with the continuous harassment of Japanese aircraft, it will take at least ten hours for the three main divisions to reach Yichang City...."The chief of staff replied.

"Hún egg, how can this be, ten hours, ten hours, Yichang City has already fallen into the hands of the little devil. Chief of Staff, is there any other way to save the current crisis..."For a while, Chen Cheng's face immediately showed a hint of despair. Facing the chief of staff in front of him, he asked expectantly.

"Commander-in-chief, the loss of Yichang seems to be a foregone conclusion at present. Otherwise, once the troops are surrounded by heavy Japanese troops, another 'Songhu rout' will be staged on the battlefield in Hubei..."The chief of staff cautioned himself. "You're right, no matter what, we have to ensure the safety of the 300,000 **jīng rui in our hands." As long as we have these three thousand jīng rui in hand, we will have the strength to fight a decisive battle with the 250,000 Kwantung Army....Quickly, immediately report the situation of our army to the Ministry of National Defense, and ask the chairman to decide, quickly..."Chen Cheng nodded approvingly. Then, very decisively ordered.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief..."

At this moment, as Chen Cheng's first telegram was sent to the Ministry of Defense, Jiāo was in the hands of Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek, chairman of the National People's Political Affairs Committee, also summoned his think tank and confidants to his office at the first time to discuss specific solutions.

However, just when a few people just understood the entire battlefield situation and began to get to the point. A servant of the presidential palace rushed in with a panicked face. Then, ignoring the dissatisfied eyes of the brains of the military and political circles, he said with a panicked face.

"Chairman, Commander Chen just sent an urgent telegram..."

Chiang Kai-shek knew that if his student Chen Cheng sent him an urgent telegram, then there must be a very urgent military situation. Thinking of this, Chiang Kai-shek's brows immediately furrowed. waved his hand at the shì servant in front of him, and then ordered decisively.

"Read...."

"Yes, Chairman...."

"Commander Chen reported that the Japanese air force, half an hour earlier, launched a destructive air strike against the three main divisions reinforcing Yichang. At present, the fall of Yichang has become a foregone conclusion. After the study and decision of the headquarters, it took the initiative to abandon Yichang, gather hundreds of thousands of troops distributed on the front line, find a suitable battlefield again, and conduct a large-scale military decisive battle with the main force of the Kwantung Army. Please ask the chairman to decide...", the servant replied decisively.

"Yichang has fallen... Niang Xipi, how can this be, hundreds of thousands of **jīng rui, even 50,000 Kwantung Army can't stop it, what is he Chen Cheng doing to eat, I want to shoot him..."After a short shock, Chiang Kai-shek roared with anger on his face.

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