pappabearbooks Chapter 282 The 3rd Column's "Disarrayed Escape" and the 3rd Division's Triumpha
Chapter 282 The 3rd Column's "Disarrayed Escape" and the 3rd Division's Triumpha
I'd like to see how many cards they still have up their sleeve, and whether they've run out of options.
No sooner had he finished speaking than two Japanese tank companies attacked from the flanks, the roar of their engines making one's chest feel tight.
These tanks were already fully equipped and ready to go. The crew members sat in the cramped cabins, their palms sweating, waiting for the order to launch a counterattack.
With the roar of their engines, Japanese light tanks and armored vehicles sped through the night like a pack of hunting dogs chasing wounded prey.
They charged toward the retreating tanks of the 3rd Motorized Infantry Detachment, their headlights suddenly blazing, the blinding beams slicing through the thick darkness like swords.
The tracks rolled over the muddy ground, splashing up bits of dirt and mud that flew high into the air.
A clash of steel is about to unfold in the night, the air thick with the smells of diesel fuel and tension.
Over at Huangkan Village, Wang Dayong watched as the bright headlights of the vehicles approached their defensive line and put down his binoculars.
He muttered under his breath, "You little punk, you're getting cocky now, thinking I'm easy to bully?"
The communications officer next to him asked in a low voice, "Should we attack? The brothers are all itching to fight."
Wang Dayong certainly wanted to fight, and he was capable of fighting, but Li Jianghe's order was for him to put on a show, not to actually kill the Japanese soldiers.
Since it's just a performance, if they actually wiped out those two tank companies, it might really scare the Japanese 3rd Division on the other side.
But if he didn't fight, the easy prey was right in front of him, and Wang Dayong would feel uneasy if he didn't take a bite.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally said, "Call the corps commander and ask what he says."
Inside the Third Column Command Post, Li Jianghe heard Wang Dayong's voice coming from the telephone receiver and turned to look at the map.
"Even the tank squadron has been deployed. These Japanese devils aren't just testing us; they're serious now," he said.
Judging from the daytime troop deployment and the fact that the Japanese army was well-prepared at night and even had counter-attack forces ready, the commander of the opposing 3rd Division, Yu Chuanxiang, must be a cautious person.
Since they've committed two tank squadrons, it must be because they feel it's time to counterattack, not just a feint.
Ultimately, the third column of Huangkan Village only had a few thousand soldiers in total, and that was the number that was on the surface.
The 3rd Division was, after all, a first-class division with a full strength of nearly 30,000 men, several times the size of the 3rd Motorized Infantry Detachment.
Even if Yu Chuanxiang is extremely cautious, his counterattack at this moment should be genuine, not a test.
"After putting up some resistance, leave some of the wrecked tanks behind to make the Japanese happy," Li Jianghe ordered.
"The remaining troops should retreat. Don't linger in battle. If you're going to put on an act, then play it right."
"Okay!" Wang Dayong replied, then turned around and shouted in his thick Northeastern accent, "Back up, quick, don't dawdle!"
Thus, the two Japanese tank companies, along with the accompanying infantry and mobile cavalry, quickly achieved a breakthrough.
They broke through multiple positions of the 3rd Motorized Infantry Detachment deployed on the flanks one after another, as smoothly as a hot knife through butter.
The soldiers on the flanks hurriedly boarded trucks or motorcycles and fled for their lives, raising a cloud of dust in their wake.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, one could also see many burning tanks and trucks, their flames illuminating half the sky.
This greatly boosted the confidence of the Japanese counter-offensive forces. The commander brandished his sword and urged the troops to continue their pursuit.
At the same time, the Japanese defensive positions in the center also began to launch a counterattack against Huangkan Village under the cover of heavy artillery fire.
The Japanese troops in this direction concentrated hundreds of artillery pieces in the rear and launched a concentrated bombardment of Huangkan Village.
Shells rained down, almost leveling the entire village; not a single intact building could be found.
The original mud walls, tiled houses, and wood stacks were all reduced to fragments and powder, and the air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder.
After that, two Japanese infantry battalions formed an attack force, like two sharp knives, and fiercely stabbed towards Huangkan Village.
In the Third Division headquarters, Yu Chuanxiang sat in a chair, holding a cup of tea, looking quite relaxed.
In reality, he was quite anxious, and his outward composure was merely a way of suppressing that anxiety.
His fingers were slightly cold, and he couldn't taste anything in the tea.
The counterattack was decisive and swift, and he also borrowed artillery from the 107th Division and two heavy artillery regiments.
The goal was to decisively destroy the enemy's defensive facilities in Huangkan Village and quickly capture the area.
The battle continued until after eight o'clock in the morning before news finally came.
"Reporting to the Division Commander, the flanks of Huangkan Village have been completely breached by our army, and the enemy forces on the front are beginning to retreat."
"The enemy has completely retreated into the village and is currently engaged in street fighting, but the enemy's gunfire is becoming increasingly sparse."
Hearing this, Yu Chuanxiang finally breathed a slight sigh of relief, but his nerves remained taut, like a fully drawn bowstring.
"Be wary of an enemy counterattack." He immediately ordered, "Order the artillery units in the rear to bombard the enemy's support routes."
"Have reconnaissance aircraft continuously scout the enemy's rear, and once enemy troops are discovered, call in artillery or air support to strike them decisively."
He knew very well that even though the enemy had suffered some losses in this battle, they still had the ability to launch a frontal counterattack.
We cannot give the other side any chance to breathe; we must press on with all our might.
After the order was given, the Japanese air force began to take effect, and the roar from the sky grew louder and louder.
The Japanese air force has learned its lesson and no longer acts recklessly as it did before.
They no longer focused on destroying the air defense positions of the Third Column, but instead first used reconnaissance aircraft or fighter jets to probe the area.
As soon as the air defense positions of the third column are exposed, they will have the subsequent fighter and bomber groups bypass them as much as possible.
Like a flock of cunning vultures, they circle around the muzzle of their prey's gun, targeting its weakest point.
By noon, the battle had raged on, with Japanese fighter and bomber groups making over 300 sorties in the airspace and behind Huangkan Village.
They bombed the area intensively, the sound of bombs hitting the ground like continuous muffled thunder.
This included the defensive positions of the Third Column, the armored vehicle assembly area, and the truck parking area, all of which were bombed.
Of course, mobile anti-aircraft vehicles also caused some damage to these Japanese warplanes and bombers.
However, without the 88mm guns in fixed artillery positions, the threat posed by these anti-aircraft vehicles is greatly reduced.
Those Type 88 cannons were the real "aircraft killers," but unfortunately, most of them were hidden away for the sake of acting.
Finally, Huangkan Village was completely captured, and the last remaining detachment of the Third Column troops that held out there also retreated.
The soldiers ran in a "disheveled" manner, but if you looked closely, you could see a strong determination in their eyes.
After taking this place, the 3rd Division did not rush to advance, but instead first built strongholds and positions along the highway.
They needed to protect the transportation lines while deploying reconnaissance forces on the flanks, keeping a close watch on the surrounding mountains, and proceeding cautiously step by step.
After completing these tasks, the Third Division assembled its forces and began its advance towards Minshan Township, proceeding at a slow but exceptionally steady pace.
According to Yu Chuanxiangtai's plan, as long as this place is taken, Li Jianghe's third column can be compressed to the area around Ma Huiling Town.
By then, the opponent's room for maneuver will be compressed to the extreme, like a wild beast trapped in a cage.
That evening, the battle report reached Okamura Yasuji's command post in Shibasan, where the lights were on and the staff were busy moving about.
Chief of the General Staff Torashiro Kawabe handed over the telegram, saying, "Although Yukawa Shota's attack was somewhat cautious, it was remarkably successful."
"Especially during the day, the enemy's defenses have been breached."
After listening, Okamura Yasuji chuckled and handed over the telegram reported by the air force.
"The air force also helped a lot; they destroyed many enemy tank units that had been assembled in the rear."
"Those enemy tanks didn't even have time to send reinforcements to the north; they had only just assembled when they were destroyed by our aerial bombs and incendiary bombs."
After he finished speaking, he took the detailed battle report and read it repeatedly from beginning to end, as if he were savoring a fine tea.
The way he looked so engrossed made it seem as if victory was already within reach.
Kawabe Torashiro said with a smile, "As expected, after we overwhelmed them with superior troop strength and firepower, these enemies were not as formidable as we had imagined."
"However, we must be wary of the enemy's counterattack. They are most adept at launching surprise attacks at night, even when their forces are insufficient."
He paused, then added, "We've suffered quite a few losses from this in our previous encounters."
Upon hearing this, Okamura Neiji said, "You're right. I'll send a telegram to Yukawa Shota and ask him to send two more anti-tank gun squadrons over there."
"Strengthen anti-tank firepower to prevent the enemy from repeating their old tricks and launching night attacks with armored vehicles."
The order was quickly issued, and two anti-tank gun squadrons that had been reassigned moved rapidly by truck to the front line of Huangkan Village.
The tires rolled over the road, kicking up a trail of dust. Soldiers sat in the truck bed, clutching shells, their expressions tense.
"By the way, has there been any news from the Wutai Ridge area?" Okamura Neiji turned around and asked.
Kawabe Torashiro's face darkened, as if covered in a layer of ashes: "Yes, but it's not very good."
After saying that, he handed over another telegram and pointed to a few lines of text on it.
Along the Wutailing line, the 7th Division and the 106th Division have also completed their probing and reconnaissance.
They launched a counterattack against the 11th Army at noon that day, with thunderous artillery fire and great momentum.
However, the message that reached Okamura Neiji was not good; it was like a bucket of cold water being poured over his head.
At first, this group of Japanese soldiers did not take the 11th Army seriously, even though the Jiamu Regiment had suffered heavy losses before.
Jamimoto was so ashamed that he almost committed seppuku, but his staff officer held him tightly and stopped him.
In the eyes of Watanabe no Tsuna and Matsuura Junrokuro, the 11th Army had indeed increased its firepower.
Meanwhile, some infantry from the Third Column were also sent to assist, but their manpower and firepower were still severely insufficient, so there was nothing to fear.
Ultimately, the force they organized along the Wutai Ridge line numbered over 30,000, three times the size of the 11th Army.
"Three against one, how could we possibly lose?" This was the thought in the minds of most Japanese officers.
However, once they actually clashed with the 11th Army, they discovered that things were not so simple and were not like that at all.
After last night's victory, the soldiers of the 11th Army were in high spirits, their eyes shining.
At the same time, it relies on newly equipped weapons, ample ammunition supply, and artillery fire support.
Even when facing an enemy three times their size, they still displayed considerable fighting prowess and remained composed.
The attack continued until evening, but the Japanese troops only advanced a little over 300 meters, moving as slowly as a snail.
At this rate, the 7th and 106th Divisions should be able to completely capture Wutailing in about half a month.
If they could sustain their fight by eating leaves and grass—that's clearly impossible.
After all, the total amount of supplies consumed by the two divisions every day is quite staggering, including food, ammunition, and medicine.
After the highway to Wutailing was cut off, their logistics were completely cut off, as if someone had choked them.
Okamura Neiji stared at the map, his brow furrowed, and pondered, "What exactly is the situation with the 11th Army?"
"Wow, their combat strength is so formidable! How come I never noticed before?"
Kawabe Torashiro nodded and said, "It is indeed quite astonishing; it's probably not just the support provided by the Third Column."
"Their own combat skills have also improved significantly, and they can no longer be viewed with the same perspective as before."
Okamura Neiji took a deep breath, as if trying to suppress his inner turmoil.
"Send a telegram to the 7th and 106th Divisions, telling them not to underestimate the enemy. The 11th Army in front of us is no longer the rabble we thought we had in our previous intelligence."
"They have undergone some kind of evolution, so we must be careful and not act rashly."
This night was destined to be anything but quiet; even the chirping of insects seemed particularly jarring.
As expected, at 1 a.m. in the middle of the night, the Japanese army's position in the southern part of Huangkan Village was subjected to a large-scale counterattack by Li Jianghe's Third Column.
Artillery fire ripped through the night sky like streaks of lightning, and the explosions shook the earth.
However, the Japanese army was well prepared for this, especially with a large number of anti-tank guns and supporting firepower from the rear.
In less than three hours, they completely crushed the offensive of Li Jianghe's Third Column.
The battlefield was littered with burning debris and scattered shell casings, resembling an apocalyptic scene.
However, to be on the safe side, Yu Chuan Xiangtai did not launch a counterattack this time, but instead quietly waited for dawn.
His caution acted like a chain, binding his hands and feet, but also saving his life.
As dawn broke, they saw a large number of destroyed tanks and trucks on the battlefield.
Only then did I realize how much damage the fierce shelling last night had caused to the opposing Third Column.
Looking at the battle reports that had been delivered, along with the number of enemy tanks and trucks destroyed, Yu Chuanxiang couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
"Sure enough, with sufficient preparation, plus dense anti-tank artillery and rear artillery fire, it will be effective."
"The enemy's tank force is not invincible; we overestimated them before."