The second brigade commander kept sending soldiers to attack, but could not make any progress.
It started at ten o'clock in the morning and lasted until four o'clock in the afternoon. This battle had a temporary pause. Unfortunately, the defensive position set up by Adams was as stable as a mountain and could not be moved by any wind. However, the second brigade commander was so busy that he did not care about it. No matter how much he ordered, no matter how much he encouraged his soldiers, it was difficult to break through.
The war was temporarily suspended, and the second brigade commander returned to the division headquarters dejectedly.
He lowered his head, not daring to look into Qi Zhenhai's eyes, and said with shame: "Commander, I can't break the British defense. Please send the first or third brigade commander to fight." Although the second brigade commander is also very capable. He wanted to continue fighting and tear apart the opponent's defense, but time was tight and he could not afford to waste a moment, so he could only ask Qi Zhenhai to substitute.
The first brigade commander's eyes flashed, and he seized the opportunity and said immediately: "Division commander, although my first brigade suffered heavy losses in the battle of Minle Town, the soldiers have experience and want to take revenge. Please allow the soldiers of the first brigade to participate in the battle. , guaranteed to tear a hole."
"Okay, the first brigade will be the main attacker."
Qi Zhenhai nodded in agreement and asked the soldiers of the first brigade to attack.
The first brigade commander left with high morale and full of confidence.
Liu Jintang had a bad premonition in his heart and asked: "Second Brigade Commander, how did the British army defend themselves?"
The second brigade commander thought for a while and described the situation in detail.
After hearing this, Liu Jintang gasped and couldn't help but sigh: "The British army's defense is really powerful. They are interlocked and difficult to break through. The first, second and third lines of defense are connected layer by layer. Then, just like a whole body, if we want to take the first line of defense alone, we will definitely be attacked by the second line of defense. If our soldiers attack the second line of defense, and there is a third line of defense, they will be attacked by the third line of defense. It’s a fierce attack on the defense line, so it’s very difficult to deal with.”
Having said this, Liu Jintang continued: "The most important thing is that the tanks of the British army are beyond the range of the artillery shells. Even if we have armor-piercing projectiles to restrain the tanks, they are not within the range and it is difficult to deal with the British tanks. And our soldiers are on the third When a defense line encounters tanks, it's almost like death. This time, it's really hard to break through."
Chen Yucheng nodded and said nothing.
Qi Zhenhai said: "Wait a moment and see if the first brigade commander has a solution."
The three of them listened to the sound of gunfire on the front line and knew that fighting had begun again. From about four o'clock in the afternoon, the battle continued until seven o'clock in the evening. By this time, the sky had darkened and the gunfire gradually stopped.
The first brigade commander returned to the division headquarters dejectedly. He was also listless and said helplessly: "Division Commander, the soldiers under my command cannot break through the British army's defense line. Most of the soldiers in the regiment are dead, and they will not be able to charge forward after all."
Qi Zhenhai sighed softly and put it down for the time being.
After fighting for a day, it was time to eat. Qi Zhenhai ordered the cook in charge of logistics to prepare dinner. After dinner, the first, second and third brigade commanders went to rectify the soldiers, while Liu Jintang, Chen Yucheng and Qi Zhenhai Staying in the command post, thinking about how to fight the next battle, the three of them were a little silent, with deep worry in their eyes.
Judging from the current situation, it is very unoptimistic.
Liu Jintang said: "Mr. Qi, we failed to break through today. We will choose a breakout position again tomorrow."
"Breaking through is necessary, but I decided to ask the President for help." Qi Zhenhai sighed with deep helplessness in his eyes. He understood that this request for help proved his failure.
No matter what the final result was, I always asked for help.
Liu Jintang frowned slightly and said, "Mr. Qi, you can't give up until the last moment."
"It's not that I don't give up, I don't dare to gamble again."
After Qi Zhenhai made up his mind to ask for help, he relaxed and said slowly: "Even if we ask the President for help, if we succeed in breaking through and capture the Hong Kong Governor's Palace in the shortest time, the presence of reinforcements will not affect our victory. , but if the breakout fails, the importance of reinforcements is self-evident."
He looked at Chen Yucheng and said: "After Brigadier Chen made the suggestion to ask for help, I went to ask the personnel in charge of logistics. Our army's food reserves can only last for another five days, and the ammunition can only last for six days. If the ammunition The consumption is very high, and it is very likely that the ammunition will be used up early. Now that the escape route is cut off, without a steady stream of food and weapons support, how can we fight with the foreigners? Therefore, it is better to send the news back. This is responsible for the soldiers of the army. ."
Liu Jintang remained silent and agreed with Qi Zhenhai's statement.
Liu Jintang's insistence on not asking for help was based on the situation that he could break out of the encirclement and go south. Now that he was surrounded by the British army and could not break out, Liu Jintang could only agree to ask for help.
Immediately, Qi Zhenhai sent soldiers to deliver the news and reported the news to Li Zhen.
Early the next morning, Qi Zhenhai dispatched all the artillery battalions of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd brigades to fight and bombarded the British army's defense line with all their strength. The fierce firepower attack put huge pressure on the British army's defense, and even Breaking the opponent's first line of defense.
However, it was only the first line of defense and could not move forward.
At the British command post, Adams kept sending soldiers up. He ordered excitedly: "No matter what the cost, we must stop the Chinese army from advancing and not give the other side any opportunity to take advantage of it."
This battle was extremely fierce between the two sides.
When the two sides were fighting, the troops surrounding Jardine's Hill began to shrink their scope, constantly shrinking Qi Zhenhai's space for movement. After a day of fighting, the British army suffered very heavy casualties, but the final result was to block Qi Zhenhai's attack. Similarly, The same was true for the soldiers under Qi Zhenhai's command. They suffered huge losses and consumed too much ammunition.
…
Guangzhou, governor's official residence.
Huang Qiang looked panicked and hurried to Li Zhen's room. He held the telegram he had just received and said: "President, the war in Hong Kong suddenly changed. Commander Qi's army was blocked at the Jardine's Hill line on Hong Kong Island. Moreover, armies from various countries also surrounded the army led by Commander Qi, and Commander Qi asked the President to send troops to support."
"How can it be."
Li Zhen stood up abruptly, with an incredible look on his face.
A few days ago, good news kept coming back. It was not long before they were immediately surrounded. Li Zhen didn't believe it and asked: "Are you sure the news is correct?"
Huang Qiang nodded and said, "This is indeed a telegram sent by Master Qi. It is absolutely correct."
Li Zhen paced back and forth in the room with his hands behind his back. At this time, Huang Qiang did not say anything to disturb Li Zhen's thoughts and waited quietly for Li Zhen to speak. Li Zhen thought about it for a long time and then ordered in a deep voice: "Send a telegram to Guangxi Yang Banhou ordered him to dispatch a division of troops to take the train and rush to the border as quickly as possible. At the same time, I will rush there as soon as possible to let him go as quickly as possible."
"yes."
Huang Qiang nodded, looking very serious.
Li Zhen then ordered: "After conveying the news, let the soldiers of the Jiandao Battalion gather and set off immediately."
"clear."
Huang Qiang became excited when he thought that the Sharp Saber Battalion was going to fight.