RPAGF Chapter 329: Defending Aohan
Chapter 329: Defending Aohan
The 72nd Division's combat strategy has now been basically summarized. The initial artillery bombardment is crucial. It is necessary to mobilize all the artillery of the participating troops to deal a fatal blow to the enemy.
The Aohan position outside the city is about 12 kilometers long and 2.6 kilometers wide. More than 12,000 Japanese soldiers are scattered on such a rectangular position.
Under Li Shaoyi's order, hundreds of artillery pieces had to fire at least tens of thousands of shells, otherwise there would be no conditions for attacking.
The artillery assembled by the Japanese side was able to fire some shells except for the first fifteen minutes. It did not even have a chance to speak for the rest of the time as it was directly covered by the artillery of the Second Security Brigade.
In addition to these destroyed artillery pieces, the Japanese also hid four Type 92 infantry guns. After more than an hour of shelling, everyone thought that the Japanese had no artillery left. However, they seized the opportunity and fired at Zhang Haiguang's command point, which scared everyone.
Fortunately, our air force arrived at this time. Four Stuka bombers swooped down from the sky and dropped eight 250-kilogram bombs, turning the last Japanese artillery position into a big pit.
"These little Japs are really insidious. I thought all the artillery was gone, but I didn't expect there were still some in stock."
Zhang Haiguang was also shocked when he saw the huge fireball rising from the artillery position in the distance. We are thick-skinned and tough, so we will be blown up. But if something happens to the division commander, we really can't afford it.
"Keep fighting! As long as the cannons can still work, you guys can still work."
Zhang Haiguang issued a stricter order into the intercom. If something had happened to the division commander just now, no matter how great the achievements of our Second Security Brigade were, they would have been wiped out.
When the brothers saw that Li Shaoyi was almost injured, they felt even more resentful and sent artillery shells and mortars to the front line one after another to attack him.
This made life difficult for the Japanese soldiers on the battlefield. They didn't know where to run because there were falling shells everywhere.
If I don't run, I won't feel safe staying where I am.
It was in this kind of dilemma that Japanese officers and soldiers left this world one after another. Those who were lucky were killed by a bomb and felt no pain at all. Those who were unlucky were blown in half and could only watch their lower bodies fly away without being able to do anything.
When you fall to the ground, your whole body will feel a heart-wrenching pain, and this pain is not short-term. You will bleed to death only after you have bleed to death. This is the most unfortunate thing.
When the war just started, Inoue Fuo ran back to the city.
This guy knew very well how powerful the 72nd Division's artillery was.
So when the artillery fire was not serious at the beginning, he walked back with his guards. This guy was not an idiot general. He studied all the battle records of the Japanese army and the Type 72 and knew that it was his only chance of escape. If he continued to stay in the position, the chance of survival would be very slim.
So this guy didn't care about bravery or face anymore, and ran back with his men. When he returned to the air-raid shelter in the city, he was still out of breath.
"Send a telegram to General Tanimoto immediately and tell him we've encountered the main force of the 72nd Division, at least... over 30,000 men, over 60 aircraft, and 500 artillery pieces..."
Inoue Fuuo hesitated for a moment. He had to make these things sound more urgent. Otherwise, without the support of the army, it would be impossible for him to hold on with only the tens of thousands of men under his command.
Liu Mazi's arm was injured by the explosion nearby, but he was very sharp-eyed. When Inoue Puxiong ran into the city, this guy immediately followed with a few lackeys. If it were someone else, Inoue Puxiong would definitely be shot on the battlefield. He allowed himself to be a deserter, but would never allow others to follow him.
But Liu Mazi is different. Liu Mazi is the chairman of Aohan's maintenance association. The air-raid shelter was dug by his subordinates, and he doesn't even know the entrance. If he is not with him, he can't even enter the door of the air-raid shelter.
When Liu Mazi heard what Inoue Puxiong said, he agreed in his heart. If he were to report, these numbers would have to be doubled.
Masao Tanimoto, who was far away in Xinmin, soon received the telegram. When he saw the 72nd Division attacking Aohan fiercely, he knew what Li Shaoyi was trying to do.
In the news stations these two days, the Japanese have the upper hand, and he was commended by the commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army for this. But if Aohan fell, the only photo would also be questioned.
"That damn Li Shaoyi, he must have seen that photo and wanted to knock Ao Han down, then take another photo at the same place where I took it..."
When Masao Tanimoto thought of this, his hands and feet turned cold. If Li Shaoyi really did it, not only his personal reputation would be damaged, but also the reputation of the entire Kwantung Army and even the Japanese Army.
"Notify the troops in Jianchang and Ningyuan to immediately and fully support Aohan. Also, give the First Division, who are waiting at the train station, the highest priority and send them to support Aohan as soon as possible."
Masao Tanimoto thought that when Li Shaoyi's photo appeared in the newspaper, not only would people in Longguo laugh at them, but some people in the international community would also probably label the Japanese Army as liars.
It is true that many people have lied in the newspaper to work for their own side. If it succeeds, it means you are smart enough, but if it fails, the result is not something that ordinary people can bear.
"Notify the First Aviation Division. I don't care what their reasons are. Send out all combat-capable aircraft and fly to Aohan."
Masao Tanimoto thought of their air force again. It was basically impossible for the army to win against the 72nd Division without the cover of the air force.
The First Air Division suffered heavy losses during this period. They had just received some reinforcements, and before they could even warm their hands, they had to go to the front line again.
"Commander, the Kwantung Army Headquarters has sent a telegram requesting you to be at the Aohan front within twelve hours."
When Masao Tanimoto was giving orders, one of his combat staff officers came in with a telegram. The Kwantung Army Headquarters knew everything about his stay in Xinmin. If nothing had happened, you could do whatever you wanted, after all, you were a veteran of the Army. But now the 72nd Division was attacking, and you were still hundreds of kilometers away from the battlefield. How could this work?