In response to the political commissar's rhetorical question, Yang Zhen threw the red and blue pencils in his hand on the map, raised three fingers and said: "I only gave them three days. If the enemy situation does not change within three days, I can give them It may be extended appropriately, but once the enemy's situation changes, the 23rd Division must be completely annihilated or defeated within three days."
Yang Zhen's words made the commander and political commissar take a breath of cold air. In three days, annihilating a full Japanese division was simply a dream for him. Wang Guangyu's command was only a reinforced division. Even with the subsequent airlift of troops, the total strength will not exceed two divisions.
Even if a large number of tanks and cavalry are added, it is somewhat unrealistic to defeat a Japanese division with complete fortifications to rely on within three days. You must know that the strength of the two armies is roughly equal, and although the equipment is resistant to The Allied troops have the upper hand, but when dealing with an army like the Japanese army, one cannot simply rely on firepower to make a judgment.
The quality of the individual soldiers of the Japanese army is high. The junior officers have a strong will to take the initiative to fight and are extremely tenacious in fighting. Moreover, these junior officers who were born in the sergeant academy and many of whom have even received military training for more than ten years have strong command capabilities. In addition, the so-called With non-commissioned officers such as Commander Cao and special agent Commander Cao as the backbone, the two veterans knew the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army.
Not to mention the Eighteenth Group Army, it is the best-equipped unit of the Chinese army. It concentrates more than ten times the force. Even if it is equipped with a large number of artillery to provide fire support, let alone three days, thirteen days may not be able to kill a Japanese army. A standing division with complete strength and sound organization.
Whether it was the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, the Battle of Wanjialing, or the Battle of Shanggao in March this year, these were some of the most truly great victories in the war of resistance. During the battle, the Kuomintang army gathered hundreds of thousands of elite troops. They came face to face with the Japanese army several times, but they were never able to capture a complete Japanese division.
Although they achieved quite a victory, they were eventually broken out by the remnants of the Japanese army despite having an absolute advantage in military strength, and their own casualties were far higher than those of the Japanese army. In fact, it can only be said to be a tragic victory. This kind of The battle with huge casualties could barely be considered a victory based on the attempt to prevent the Japanese army from fighting, but in reality, it was nothing more than that.
In addition to other factors such as military strength and firepower, the extremely high military quality displayed by the Japanese troops in the battle cannot but be said to be one of the main reasons why the few victories failed. Yang Zhen is now It is really difficult for the two coaches to believe that Wang Guangyu was only given three days.
It's not that they look down on anyone, or that they don't believe in Yang Zhen, it's just that their experience with the Japanese army since the July 7th Incident made them less confident that the Anti-Japanese Alliance could fight in three or only three days with equal forces. Time, it would be very difficult to defeat a well-organized and well-equipped Japanese division, even with air cover and heavy artillery.
Looking at the confident Yang Zhen, the two veterans didn't know whether he was talking big words and blindly confident, or whether he was strong-willed and confident in his words. In three days, he defeated or even surrounded and annihilated a Japanese division. This kind of Apart from the person in front of me, I am afraid that no one else, including thousands of generals from the Kuomintang and the Communist Party, would dare to say such a thing.
The two veterans looked in disbelief while clicking their tongues. Yang Zhen naturally saw it, but he didn't want to explain, and there was no need to explain. Let the result of the battle speak for itself. But as for whether Wang Guangyu could To really defeat the 23rd Division within three days, Yang Zhen was not very confident.
After all, the combat area of the 23rd Division itself has quite complete fortifications, and the 23rd Division is the first batch of standing divisions after the expansion of the Japanese army. It is not only extremely powerful in combat, but its equipment is even more powerful than the Kwantung Army. It is also one of the best internally. Compared with the ad hoc divisions composed of reservists, the combat effectiveness is one level higher.
Its real combat effectiveness is no worse than any old Japanese standing division, and it is even much stronger than some old divisions that are full of arrogance. In Wang Guangyu's opinion, its real combat effectiveness is better than that of the First Division. This so-called ace division of the Japanese army is also the oldest division, but it only shows up. In fact, it is much stronger than a not-so-good division.
As for the rubbish like the Fourth Division, it is even more incomparable. It is at least equal to the real ace divisions like the Second Division and the Sixth Division. In addition, the 23rd Division is currently adopting incomprehensible tactics. Even Yang Zhen was not sure whether the 23rd Division could be annihilated or defeated within three days.
Of course, Wang Guangyu had already fought fiercely with the 23rd Division for several days before. According to the conservative estimate of Wang Guangyu, who was always cautious, he had roughly annihilated nearly one-third of the strength of the 23rd Division. After the hard battle, Wang Guangyu said The troops captured a considerable part of the 23rd Division's entrenched positions.
Except for one highway that is actually under the control of the Anti-Alliance artillery fire, Wang Guangyu's headquarters has cut off all external contacts of the 23rd Division. It is precisely with this premise that Yang Zhen will give Wang Guangyu three days. Time, otherwise, he would not give such an order easily.
However, judging from the consistent resilience of the Japanese army, the resistance becomes more tenacious towards the end. Especially when the Japanese army is very likely to launch a full-scale counterattack, its resistance will become more and more crazy. For an army that has never known what it means to be passive and defensive, As far as the army is concerned, the current performance of the 23rd Division has no connection with the Japanese army's subsequent operations. Yang Zhen would not believe it if it were killed.
However, Yang Zhen was not too sure whether Wang Guangyu could complete the tasks he assigned within the scheduled time. But as long as Wang Guangyu could completely defeat the 23rd Division within the specified time, then for As far as the Anti-Japanese Alliance is concerned, the initiative in this battle will be firmly in their hands, and the Japanese army will have no possibility of overturning their losses.
Of course, for Yang Zhen, his doubts about whether Wang Guangyu could complete the combat mission within the specified time could only be buried in his heart and could never be expressed openly. However, the two old commanders opposite him had something to say. Yes, after all, it is related to the issue of cooperation between the two armies.
Regarding Yang Zhen's suggestion that the advancing army should speed up, the commander shook his head and said directly: "Comrade Yang Zhen, although the main force of the advancing army has been fully committed to the front-line battlefield, can the problem be solved within three days? , to be honest, I don’t have much confidence.”
"Although our equipment has been greatly enhanced and we have a powerful artillery force of our own, you should also know that the combat quality of the troops cannot be improved too much at once. The quality gap between us and the Japanese army is not It may be completely remedied in a short period of time."
At this point, the commander remembered Yang Zhen's request to finish off the 23rd Division within three days, and added with a wry smile: "You have the confidence to finish off a regular Japanese field division within three days. We can Without such confidence, even if we use firepower, it will be difficult for us to completely, cleanly and completely eliminate the more than 10,000 Japanese puppet troops in front of us within three days."
"This is not a question of whether you have confidence in yourself. The gap is the gap. There is nothing to hide. As for the reason, I have said it many times and there is no need to repeat it. Comrade Yang Zhen, I suggest that you still focus on the inability to advance towards the army. To achieve the combat objectives within the scheduled time, it is best to make certain preparations as early as possible."
Regarding the commander's concerns, Yang Zhen didn't say anything. The two veterans were both understanding people. They pointed out some things, but they were about the same. They just said: "Old commander, there is a gap in combat quality between the army and the Japanese army. I don't understand. Understandable, but this does not mean that there is no way to make up for it."
"I think the gap in military quality can be made up by relying on firepower. We should not let the Japanese army always talk about the human sea tactics we adopt. When necessary, we will also use the sea of fire tactics to eliminate them. With artillery, we can also There are enough artillery shells why not use them."
"In terms of military literacy, if we are not as good as them, then we will use artillery shells to kill them. The Japanese army is here to mop up, and it is impossible to have a solid offensive. And our army has an absolute advantage in strength and firepower. In addition, with the old Given the commander’s ability in command, there is absolutely no problem in defeating this Japanese and puppet army within three days.”
"I hope that when the old commander is deploying for combat, we will make full use of our current advantages in firepower. Don't worry about ammunition. Use firepower to reduce the number of casualties and speed up the battle process. Old commander, now is not the time to worry about equipment and ammunition. As long as the troops are here, everything will be possible."
"Please rest assured, two old chiefs, as much ammunition as you destroyed this time, I will immediately replenish it for you. I guarantee that there will not be a single shell or bullet missing. In addition, we are mobilizing combat aircraft to Linxi Airport and stocking up on ammunition. and fuel, we will officially provide air fire support for the advancing army starting tomorrow."
"Although the equipment of this independent ninth garrison is not inferior to that of the regular field division of the Japanese army, it is still incomparable with the regular field division in terms of firepower and troop strength, and it is impossible for them to all dispatch, unless they do not want Chengde and Chifeng, the two strategic points as well as the Ye-Chi railway line."
"In addition to the necessary garrison troops, after comprehensive calculation, even if the puppet Manchukuo army is added, the number of troops that the Japanese army can dispatch will not exceed 70% of their garrison in Rehe. Although the combat effectiveness of the puppet Manchukuo army is stronger than that of the puppet army in Guannei, , and they are mostly Koreans, but these people are dogs.”
"As a puppet army, no matter what its composition is, it is an army without a soul, an army made of sand. What they rely on now is the master behind them. As long as they are defeated, they can rely on Master, these people are like dogs with their backbones broken, unable to make big waves."
"The Koreans are amazing, aren't they? They think that replacing the so-called Manchus with Koreans will ensure that the puppet Manchu army will fight to the death for them. Dogs will always be dogs and will never become wolves. When it comes to There is shit everywhere, an army without a soul, no matter how well trained it is and how loyal it seems, it is only on the surface."
"And among the troops dispatched by the Japanese army this time, it is precisely these soulless troops that account for more than half. This is the biggest weakness of the Japanese army and the best fighter opportunity we can use. Regardless of the actual combat experience of the two old leaders, , or the command ability is superior to mine, as long as a fighter opportunity appears, I will not be unable to catch it."
"So I think that as long as we implement the tactical principles of concentration of troops and firepower, and focus on the Japanese army first, I think it is not unimaginable to solve the problem within three days with the advantages of the advancing army in strength and firepower. As for the If the two old chiefs feel that the ground firepower is still insufficient, as long as the two old chiefs need it, I can transfer some more artillery from Wang Guangyu."
"At the same time, in order to speed up the fighting process of the advancing army and provide full combat support to the advancing army, we have airlifted a batch of special incendiary bombs to Linxi Airport, which is what we call special bombs. In a word, what does the advancing army need? We I will do my best to satisfy you.”