The sky gradually darkened, but the southwest city of Yingkou was still brightly illuminated by the flames ignited by artillery fire.
The Japanese Second Fleet continued its artillery bombardment for a whole day, and it was conservatively estimated that it fired nearly 3,000 artillery shells. More than half of the city of Yingkou was plunged into a sea of flames, with billowing black smoke and monstrous flames weaving a tragic scene in the sky.
situation.
During the day, due to the suppression of continuous artillery fire, the officers, soldiers and civilians were unable to carry out rescue operations. It was not until the Japanese fleet stopped bombarding in the evening that search, rescue and aftermath work began one after another. Fortunately, a few days ago, the commander of the United Front Work
The ministry has ordered the evacuation of the people in the southwestern city as much as possible. Although the evacuation was not very intensive, many people also believed that China and Japan would not go to war, so many people still stayed here, but after all, heavy losses were avoided as much as possible.
According to the artillery loss statistics reported to the headquarters in the afternoon, the most serious losses in the southwestern urban area were houses. The number of casualties is not clear yet, but preliminary estimates are that they will not be too serious.
Yuan Su set up a resettlement area in the northeastern suburbs of Yingkou and set aside some military tents for ordinary people to stay. Subsequent relief supplies are also on their way to be transported here from Fengtian.
Security forces have been strengthened in the area around the United Front Work Command. After the bombardment of the Japanese Navy, the southwest city will be evacuated today and tomorrow. By then, the buffer zone of the southwest city will be lost. Once the Japanese army begins to deploy
During the landing operation, the United War Command will face a great threat.
In the staff room, all the officers were focused on the work at hand. The aide-de-camp busily shuttled between the staff room and the telegraph room, delivering translated messages one after another to the relevant officers.
After listening to Du Yu's report on the casualty statistics sent back from the front lines of today's battle, Yuan Su's eyebrows gradually twisted into the character "Chuan".
The battle was naturally the most intense in the morning. In the afternoon, the Japanese army experienced some hardships, so the offensive posture and rhythm became more cautious. The casualty statistics sent at 12 noon showed that more than 120 people were killed.
, nearly 400 people were injured and evacuated from the fire line, but the report we heard now is that the number of killed has increased to more than 350 people, and the number of injured people evacuated from the fire line has reached more than 1,000.
"This is only the first day of fighting. The combatants have lost more than 1,300 people. We are still on the defensive side. The level of casualties is too serious." Yuan Su sighed slowly and said meaningfully.
.
"It is expected that the casualties of the Japanese army will not be much better. As the saying goes, one thousand wounds to the enemy will cause eight hundred losses. What's more, we still occupy a favorable defensive position and will definitely not make it easy for the little Japanese." Du Yu said comfortingly.
.
"It's better to be like this, but I don't think so. Looking at the casualty statistics, the most injured were in the main position in the south, but the most killed were in the southwest flank position. Once the Japanese army can break through our first trench
, entered the position and started hand-to-hand combat, at that time we had to pay a huge price to hold the position. The low number of casualties in the main position meant that the Japanese army did not force a breakthrough at all, but relied on artillery fire to suppress it, so their casualties
It is already limited." Yuan Su said with a worried analysis.
"Alas, Commander, no matter what, the brothers on the front line have tried their best." Du Yu sighed helplessly.
"Of course I know that my brothers have tried their best, but the current battle damage is far beyond my expectation. There are only more than 10,000 people on the Gaizhou defense line, and more than a thousand combat units were destroyed in just one day. What will happen next?
How can we hold on?" Yuan Su said in a solemn tone.
From a tactical level, the defensive forces do have advantages in firepower and defense, but from a strategic level, the defensive forces are in a passive state. Once the fortifications are built, they must stick to the perimeter of the fortifications to conduct operations. And
In order to guard against the possibility of penetration from different directions, a sufficiently long line of defense must be designed in advance, and other troops stationed on this line of defense cannot be easily mobilized during the operation.
In other words, there are currently 70,000 troops on the Liaodong defense line. Facing 60,000 Japanese troops, it could have been possible to achieve a casualty ratio of one for one or even two for one. However, in fact, these 70,000 troops did not
It is scattered throughout the entire defense line. The Japanese army concentrated its forces to launch an assault on one stronghold. Before being 100% aware of the Japanese army's movements, the troops in other strongholds did not dare to easily carry out reinforcements or turn from defense to attack.
Du Yu knew the truth of this. He sighed and said: "There were whispers in the past few days that the Japanese army planned to invade Anshan within ten days. If we can hold on for ten days, maybe we can win the battle in Anshan."
The momentum and diplomacy can hit them hard."
When it comes to momentum and diplomacy, Yuan Su still has some hopes.
He still firmly believes that the Japanese army does not dare to escalate this war rashly. Regardless of whether the rumors of "taking Anshan in ten days" are true, it can be seen from this that the Lushun headquarters really hopes for a quick victory. As long as it can hold on to Liaodong
If the defense line lasts for more than a month, the outcome of this war can basically be determined.
At this time, Du Yu seemed to remember something, and immediately said: "Commander, Beijing sent a message just now, saying that in the afternoon, the British Minister to China and the French Minister to China issued a joint statement, and today ririben said to me
It has something to do with the Ministry launching an attack."
Japan's undeclared war on China is a violation of international justice. What's more, the situation in Europe is now at war. Japan's move has a major diplomatic impact on the entire Allied Powers. Britain and France are the Allied Powers.
The leading character of the camp will naturally not sit idly by and ignore this matter.
But no matter what, Yuan Su did not have any hope for the Western powers, and just asked lightly: "Really? What did they declare?"
Du Yu sighed and said in a bad tone: "The British and French ministers in China are obviously protecting Japan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Beijing told us privately that in fact, Britain and France are trying to take care of the overall interests of the Allied Powers, so they shirk their responsibilities on the surface.
But according to some internal information, the British and French ministers in China urgently summoned the Japanese minister in China at two o'clock this afternoon, seemingly to blame the Japanese side for acting rashly and damaging the overall situation."
Yuan Su has not read the original text of the telegram sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but he still learned about the current international diplomatic situation from Du Yu. Needless to say, Britain and France will definitely provide cover for Japan's actions. However,
In fact, Britain and France certainly do not want the Liaodong War to continue to expand.
After a pause, Du Yu added: "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said that the British Minister in China sent a special letter stating that as long as the President allows the British to intervene, the British side is willing to mediate the Liaodong conflict."
Yuan Su sneered, and then asked: "Does the President have a reply?"
Du Yu shook his head and said: "We still don't know yet, but I believe that once there is the latest news, Bei Jing will notify us as soon as possible. On the contrary, Director Duan sent three messages in succession today, all of which urge us to stick to it.
Front, we must not allow the Japanese invaders to advance even an inch."
Yuan Su's expression was firm, and his tone was full of unshakable meaning, and he said: "Even if I don't need to be reminded by Commander Duan, I will never give in. Later, I sent a message back to the Army Department, saying that although the battle line is tight, the
Our department must fight for every inch of land. All we need is to ensure that all relief supplies are delivered on time and in the right amount."
Du Yu responded: "Yes."
----------------------------
[The editor has repeatedly urged me. If I can apply for a big seal today, there is still hope for my efforts. But no matter what, it is an indisputable fact that this book has poor results. I will take both the good and bad aspects seriously.
Summary. The new book has entered the preparatory stage. I will definitely learn lessons, take every paragraph seriously, and strive to restore the performance of the Great Warlord.
This book will definitely have a more coherent ending, with a beginning and an end. My coding career cannot be tainted by being a eunuch, haha.
Obviously, this book has disappointed many readers, and I am very sorry. In any case, I also ask all readers to do well and support until the book is completed. Thank you very much.]