12th month, 1st day, the Japanese army attacked the Jiangyin Stronghold, and the battle to defend Nanjing officially began.
In order to capture the capital and break down the people's will to resist, the Japanese army gathered the 9th Division, 16th Division, 13th Division, and 10th Brigade of the Shanghai Dispatching Army, the 6th Division, 114th Division, 18th Division (incomplete) of the Central China Front Army, and the Guoqi Division (half-destroyed), about 150,000 troops, and attacked from three directions.
The battle had begun in broad daylight, with both sides exchanging blows, bullets flying everywhere, and blood staining the ground.
As the national defense force was only 180,000, including more than 30,000 new recruits, the difference in strength was not significant, so it was very difficult to defend, and the Japanese army kept retreating.
Faced with the Japanese army's comprehensive attack, the national army was determined, but the weapons in their hands were not satisfactory, causing them to be suppressed and very passive.
On the 6th of December, after four days of fighting, the 18th and 9th divisions of the Japanese army broke through the 83rd and 66th armies 'alert and forward positions. They occupied Jurong and advanced to Huangmei, Tuqiao, and Hushu towns west of Jurong. The 114th Division broke through the 72nd and 74th Corps 'defenses and occupied Lishui. They entered the area north of Lishui, including Moling Pass, Lulang Town, and Jiangning Town.
At this point, Liu Zhiguo knew that it was time for the Iron Blood Army to attack.
At night, the Iron Blood Army's command post was brightly lit. The staff officers were busy calculating the distance, planning the retreat route.
Staring at the map, Liu Zhiguo said to Chen Tiejun,""Our army is determined not to let the Japanese capture Nanjing safely. The purpose of this attack is to disrupt the rhythm of the Japanese army's attack and reduce the pressure on the front line.”
Although he knew that doing so would not change the final outcome, it would cause more trouble for the Japanese and tear off a few pieces of meat. It was much better than just watching!
"Commander, where do you plan to start?”
"Here,"
Liu Zhiguo pointed at the word 'Jurong'." If everything goes well, we can strike Lishui's 114th Division and familiarize ourselves with the terrain to prepare for the next stage of the rescue.”
Liu Zhiguo knew that Tang Zhisheng had blown up all the ships at the ferry and planned to go all out. However, in the end, he failed to do so, causing most of the national army to stay in the city and unable to escape. In the end, they were captured.
Tens of thousands of captured soldiers, the Japanese only killed the sick and disabled, leaving the strong to work as laborers. The concentration camp was built on the Yangtze River.
If they wanted to go to the Yangzijiang concentration camp to save people, they had to pass through the Lishui defense area. This was why Liu Zhiguo had his troops familiarize themselves with the terrain of Lishui.
"Commander, I'm a little worried that the troops will attack at night.”
Knowing what Chen Tiejun was worried about, Liu Zhiguo smiled and said,"The troops will have to go through night battles sooner or later. Besides, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th regiments are all veterans.”
In fact, Liu Zhiguo did not want to attack at night, but he had no choice. The Japanese planes restricted the Iron Blood Army during the day.
" Alright," Chen Tiejun nodded." Then who do you plan to be the frontline commander of this battle?" Eh, it's that look again. You're not planning to let me go, are you?”
"If it wasn't you, could it have been me?"
Chen Tiejun was speechless. Yes, the Iron Blood Army could only be led by him and the commander. As for the former generals who had integrated into the Iron Blood Army, they needed to be further observed before they were entrusted with important tasks.
" Commander, I don't have any experience in commanding large-scale battles. Aren't you afraid?"
"Who's born to fight?" Liu Zhiguo interrupted with a smile. This battle was an assault, not a siege, so it could be considered training.”
"Alright, since the commander trusts me, I'll accept it.”"It's better to do it sooner rather than later. If you don't have any other instructions, I'll take the troops and set off immediately."”
" Hmm," Liu Zhiguo thought about it seriously to see if he had left anything behind." If it doesn't go well and we delay it until dawn, remember to defend against air.”
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
..................
On the forest road from Golden Bull Peak to the foot of the mountain, traffic was surging. Trucks were either loaded with soldiers or ammunition. The last few dozen were all pulling cannons.
The Iron Blood Army had sent out the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Infantry Regiments, Artillery Regiments, Logistics Regiments, and Communication and Medical Regiments, totaling more than 12,000 people.
In the moving car, Chen Tiejun's expression was solemn. This time, he had brought out half of the Iron Blood Army's assets. To be honest, he was a little nervous.
"Forget it. It's just a problem to think too much. Just like the commander said, as long as you 'put your heart into it', it's fine!”
Two hours later, the troops stopped three kilometers away from the battle zone. They could already see the sky full of flames and the deafening sound of cannons.
" Jurong is up ahead." Chen Tiejun did not have the time to sigh and decisively ordered,""Artillery Regiment, immediately set up an artillery position. Regiment 2, feint attack from the front, Regiment 4, take care of the flanks, and Regiment 3, attack the right wing with all your strength to drive the Japanese to the 66th Army's defensive position.”
Chen Tiejun didn't reserve his troops and threw them all into the battle.
Was it negligence? No, the Iron Blood Army had a clear path behind them. It would be a waste to keep the reserve troops. It would be better to use them collectively to give the defenseless Japanese a sharp blow.
Fifteen minutes later, the 4th Regiment called to report that the troops had quietly moved to the rear of Hushu Town and were ready to attack at any time.
After another five minutes, 2 and 3 respectively called to report that their troops were in position and ready to deploy, waiting for orders to be issued.
When they were all in position, Chen Tiejun looked at the time, picked up the walkie-talkie, and asked,""Cannon Regiment? This is Chen Tiejun. How much longer do you need?”
"Chief of Staff, our troops are fixing the cannon positions. We can guarantee that we can start firing within ten minutes.”
"Huang Yifa, let me tell you, after the artillery regiment is ready, you don't need to ask for instructions. Immediately bombard the Japanese in Huangmei Town. Don't worry, the civilians in and out of the town have already run away, understand?”
"I understand. Just wait and see. I guarantee that the Japanese will cry for their parents!”
They didn't need to fear the Japanese planes at night, and the artillery was set up far enough, so they could fire as much as they wanted.
About seven or eight minutes later, Chen Tiejun heard the sound of artillery shells whistling. He knew that the artillery regiment had begun.
"Very good, kill those bastards!”
The Iron Blood Army Artillery Regiment was equipped with a total of 54 105 Howitzers. Each volley could cover a thousand to thousands of square meters, and its power was unparalleled.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The artillery shells came into close contact with the ground, and parts of Huangmei Town instantly collapsed.
The 6th Infantry Brigade of the 9th Regiment was located in a wealthy family west of Huangmei Town. The brigade commander, Akiyama Yoshino, had not rested yet. The quake-like shaking almost made him fall to the ground.
"Baka, what's going on?"
"Reporting to the regiment commander, our unit has encountered an unknown artillery attack.”
"Nani?"
Feeling the tremors grow stronger and stronger, Akiyama Yoshino no longer dared to hesitate. He decisively said,"Order the troops to withdraw from the town immediately.”
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