RPAGF Chapter 198 Change of Main Attack Force, 3rd Column Takes Over
Chapter 198 Change of Main Attack Force, 3rd Column Takes Over
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He drew lines on the map with his pencil, his knuckles turning white from the force, and his voice was full of helplessness.
At 12:30 pm, the frontal attack still showed no signs of progress.
Holding a newly translated urgent telegram, Chen Ruihe walked up to Song Xilian with a serious expression and spoke in a low voice.
"Reporting to the commander, bad news."
The Japanese 13th Division and the Imperial Guard Division each dispatched two infantry brigades, two independent mountain artillery battalions, and two tank companies, splitting into two groups and rushing towards the position of the Kameda Regiment from the directions of Huojiazhuang and Shisandaogou.
"The vanguard has already engaged in fierce fighting with the outer blocking positions of my 36th and 89th Divisions."
Upon hearing this, Song Xilian abruptly stopped and grabbed the telegram.
He glanced at the telegram, his temples throbbing.
He knew perfectly well that this Japanese reinforcement was less than three or four kilometers away from the besieged Kameda Regiment.
Two fully-equipped infantry brigades, plus heavy firepower and armored vehicle companies, this force is almost equivalent to the firepower configuration of more than half of the 71st Army, and even stronger in terms of heavy weapons.
Once this reinforcement breaks through the outer blocking positions and joins up with the Kameda Regiment, all previous plans will be in vain.
Even the entire Fujinshan defense line will be put on the defensive.
He abruptly turned his head to look at the battle map spread out on the table, his fingertips tapping heavily on the markings of the blocking positions, his voice hoarse.
"How long can the outer blocking forces hold out?"
Chen Ruihe shook his head, his face full of bitterness.
"uncertain.
Moreover, this was only the first wave of Japanese reinforcements; more troops would certainly follow.
What he was even more uncertain about was the surrounded Kameda Regiment.
It was originally thought that this isolated Japanese regiment, surrounded on all sides and subjected to heavy artillery fire, would be in disarray and easily defeated.
But who could have imagined that they would withstand the 88th Division's fierce attack all morning, and their position was almost completely intact.
The fighting strength of this Japanese army was truly terrifying.
Song Xilian took a deep breath and clenched his fists.
We can't wait any longer; if we drag this out any longer, things will only get worse.
Once night falls, Japanese reinforcements will break through the defenses, and the situation will be completely irreversible.
He turned around abruptly and gave a stern order to the communications officer.
"Pass down the order! Have the 88th Division immediately withdraw from its main attack position and bring in the 3rd Motorized Infantry Detachment of the 3rd Column to take over the main attack mission!"
"Li Jianghe's troops have strong offensive capabilities; let them take the lead!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the command post was taken aback.
Logically, the Third Motorized Infantry Detachment was a friendly force sent to provide defensive support, and should not have been tasked with leading the main offensive unless absolutely necessary.
But now, Sun Yuanliang's 88th Division is really too disappointing, and Song Xilian no longer cares about factional face or military rules.
He has only one goal:
The entire Kameda Regiment must be annihilated before nightfall.
A hint of hesitation flashed across Chen Ruihe's face, but he also knew that if the 88th Division continued to charge forward, it would only increase casualties and achieve nothing.
He immediately stood at attention and replied in a deep voice.
"Yes! I'll pass on the order immediately!"
The forward command post of the 88th Division was a makeshift fortification built with sandbags and logs.
The sounds of explosions, gunshots, and screams outside were incessant, and the atmosphere inside the fortifications was extremely oppressive.
Sun Yuanliang held up his binoculars and watched the charging troops being routed by Japanese firepower once again, retreating in disarray. He was so angry that he trembled all over.
He suddenly turned around, slammed his fist hard on the sandbags used for building fortifications, the veins on his fist bulging, and roared.
"How did they fight this battle?! Seven consecutive charges! They couldn't even take the outer perimeter of the Japanese positions!"
After his roar, he looked at the soldiers falling in droves on the battlefield, a trace of undisguised melancholy flashing in his eyes.
He couldn't help but think of the 88th Division during the Battle of Shanghai.
That was a true elite German-equipped force. The entire division, from officers to soldiers, consisted of battle-hardened veterans selected through rigorous screening, and their weaponry was among the best in the country.
The Battle of Sihang Warehouse made the Eight Hundred Heroes famous throughout the world.
But the rebuilt 88th Division has long lost its former vigor and fighting power.
The majority of the recruits were new recruits, with very few veterans, and their equipment was vastly different.
After a morning of relentless attacks, both main regiments were decimated, suffering more than half their casualties. Yet, the Kameda Regiment's main position remained untouched, not even a single corner was breached.
Just as he was filled with resentment, the communications staff officer stumbled in, his military cap askew, and gave a breathless salute.
"Report to the Division Commander! Urgent telegram from headquarters! Orders have been sent for our unit to immediately relinquish the main attack position, with the motorized infantry detachment of the 3rd Column taking over the main attack mission!"
"What?!"
Sun Yuanliang's eyes widened suddenly. He snatched the telegram, glanced at it, and his face turned a deep purplish-red with anger.
"Why?! Our brothers fought the Japanese to the death all morning, suffering such heavy casualties, and now we're sending the Third Column over? Isn't that just letting them come and reap the benefits?!"
He slammed the telegram to the ground, stormed to the telephone, grabbed the receiver, and rang the military phone.
As soon as the call connected, he suppressed his anger and questioned the person in the microphone.
"Commander! I don't understand! Why suddenly order the Third Column to take over the attack? Our brothers in the 88th Division fought the Japanese to the death all morning, and now they're changing shifts? Isn't this just letting Li Jianghe reap the benefits?!"
On the other end of the phone, Song Xilian's voice was as cold as ice, and he only asked one question.
"Can you annihilate the entire Kameda Regiment before nightfall?"
One sentence left Sun Yuanliang speechless.
He opened his mouth, his face turning bright red, but he couldn't utter a single word for a long time.
Let alone before dark, at this rate, even if he were given three more days, he might not be able to crack this tough nut.
"No...no." He gritted his teeth, managing to squeeze out a few words, then retorted unwillingly, "But his Third Column can?"
"Whether they can do it or not, we'll know once we let them take the plunge."
Song Xilian's tone left no room for negotiation: "Obey orders and withdraw immediately!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than a "snap" came from the other end of the phone, and the receiver was abruptly hung up.
Only a busy tone came through the receiver. Sun Yuanliang stood there, holding the microphone, his face turning pale and then red, trembling with anger.
The command post was deathly silent; everyone had their heads down, not daring to look at his face.
Sun Yuanliang slammed the receiver onto the telephone, his chest heaving violently. After holding it in for a long time, he finally gritted his teeth and squeezed out an order.
"Pass down the order! Tell the brothers to withdraw! Hand over the position!"
After the order was given, he grabbed the binoculars and looked at the Japanese positions again, muttering to himself with a face full of resentment.
"They really dare to boast, saying they'd wipe out the Kameda Regiment before dark. There are only seven hours left until nightfall."
"I'd like to see what kind of superhuman abilities your Third Column has to offer in order to crack this tough nut."
He crossed his arms, leaned against the sandbag, and looked ready to watch the show.
On the main position of the Kameda Regiment, Kameda Oka also saw the retreating soldiers of the 88th Division.
He stood in the trench, leaning on his military knife, watching the Nationalist troops retreat like a tide. He couldn't help but look up and laugh loudly, his laughter full of contempt.
"Hahaha! This bunch of useless trash actually retreated! It seems I overestimated them. I originally thought their attack would last until at least nightfall."