Kuancheng frontline headquarters at 7:40 a.m. on March 4, the 22nd year of the Republic of China.
Hu Jialin, who had not shaved for many days, gave the order for all officers and soldiers to withdraw to the second-line trenches in the south of the city, put on their helmets, and strode out of the simple headquarters.
When he arrived outside the door, Hu Jialin stopped and looked at the rising sun that gradually turned from red to white in the eastern sky. He took a deep breath and strode towards the frontline observation post. The captain of the guard and more than ten brothers followed closely behind.
As soon as Hu Jialin left, Huang Yingwu brought several female reporters who couldn't get rid of him. The female reporters who rushed to the entrance of the command department stared blankly at Hu Jialin's tall back, their eyes full of reverence and respect.
Curious, especially delicate
The eyes of the graceful "Times" reporter Lang Qin were full of yearning and intoxication. Within a few days of meeting Hu Jialin, the young girl was impressed by Hu Jialin's cold and tough demeanor. She suddenly understood that what she had been praying for for many years was...
What.
"Chief of Staff Yang, what are you..."
Ye Qing looked confused and asked, pointing to the generals who were busy packing up and preparing to evacuate.
Yang Guan was laughing at Lang Qin's gaffe. Hearing this, he quickly turned to Ye Qing and explained: "We are about to retreat. The combat objective has been achieved. Both divisions and brigades must withdraw to the pre-built positions five kilometers south of Kuancheng.
Otherwise, if the Japanese planes bomb again, the losses will be extraordinary."
Several female reporters looked at each other, looking very puzzled. They all said that the independent division had already reached more than 20 kilometers to the north, and would be able to attack Hiraizumi in one go. How could it suddenly retreat after the victory?
Ye Qing has been interviewing the military all year round and knows that there must be important reasons for this. Especially with An Jiajun's bravery and excellent style, there will definitely be no negative factors in it.
But before Ye Qing could ask, Yang Guan had already left. This resourceful but very low-key chief of staff still had countless things to do.
Seeing this, Ye Qing could only turn around and ask Huang Yingwu, the party representative and political training section chief who was accompanying him: "Parrot, why did you retreat even after you won? Can you reveal some inside information?"
Huang Yingwu didn't care about the nickname Ye Qing called him. Huang Yingwu vaguely guessed the subtle relationship between Ye Qing and An Yi. They had been getting along well with each other for many years and had a good relationship. Huang Yingwu had long regarded Ye Qing as one of his own.
As long as Ye Qing is not asking about highly sensitive military secrets, he will answer all questions:
"This is the latest order from the command, and we must implement it unconditionally. Furthermore, judging from the large-scale air raids by Japanese fighter planes yesterday, in order to support their ground troops, they launched an attack on our positions, and they are likely to do so again today.
Take turns to bomb our army positions, now
The sun is already high in the sky, and it is estimated that the locust-like Japanese fighter planes will arrive here soon. After days of hard fighting, only one-third of the aircraft in our aviation force are left, and nearly half of the pilots died in the battle. It will be impossible to fight with the small army in a short time.
Japan is trying its best and can only hide if it can’t afford to offend them.”
"Ming Pao" reporter Ms. Zhou asked worriedly: "General Huang, if Kuancheng falls, have you considered the huge impact? You are not the Northeast Army, not a miscellaneous army, you are the most elite direct line troops of the Central Army.
Moreover, he is an Anjiajun who has made great achievements in battle and shoulders the high expectations of the people across the country!"
Huang Yingwu explained patiently: "Look, everyone, the Kuancheng behind us is already empty of ten rooms. Almost all the buildings were razed to the ground in yesterday's air raid. Moreover, the terrain is flat and there is no danger to defend. How many people are there?"
The above is not enough for Japanese planes to bomb. At this time, can we ignore the lives of more than 30,000 soldiers for the sake of a little fame and this ruin?
"Miss Zhou and all of you must have seen it when we entered this place the day before yesterday. From Liangzi, about five kilometers south of the city, to Jiguan Mountain, our army's engineering corps, which was urgently transferred, has been quietly constructing. After three days and three nights of work by 2,200 soldiers,
Through unremitting efforts, we have completed the construction of a relatively stable defensive position, and this defense line is five kilometers long.
Here, we tightly locked all the passages south of Kuancheng. We took a small step back to avoid the Japanese army's fierceness, just to better eliminate the Japanese army's effective forces instead of making unnecessary sacrifices. More importantly, Kuan City
The city is the flank barrier of Chengde and the first gate of several dangerous passes of the Great Wall. Will our An family army give up so easily?"
Several female reporters looked around the decadent Kuancheng, feeling desolate in their hearts, and nodded to express their understanding. Everyone knew that An Jiajun had never shown weakness to the enemy, and this sudden decision to retreat was also to better attack the enemy.
, because any fool will see that the defensive positions in the south of the city are much superior to the current defensive positions in the city and north of the city in terms of terrain and height.
At 8:50 in the morning, just as many reporters entered a hidden and thick bunker in the middle of the mountain in the southern position to point out, more than 70 Japanese aircraft were like locusts, attacking the Kuancheng area menacingly, attacking Kuancheng.
The defensive positions seven kilometers long in the urban area and the north of the city were bombarded indiscriminately.
At this time, the two brigades of the Independent Division, the 17th Division and the two brigades of the Northeast Army had safely withdrawn to the existing positions. Only the New 1st Brigade, where the Model Battalion was located, stayed behind and had no time to withdraw. The soldiers are still stranded in the north of the city.
On the front line, many reporters were extremely nervous and worried about whether they could escape the intensive bombing by Japanese aircraft.
Almost at the same moment, An Yi and his brothers at the Tangshan Headquarters in Peiping breathed a sigh of relief. The correct decision-making by the headquarters and Hu Jialin's efficient execution ability enabled more than 30,000 soldiers in Kuancheng to successfully avoid a large-scale bombing by Japanese fighter planes.
What is even more gratifying is that Gu Changfeng's five thousand soldiers finally escaped from the tiger's mouth and successfully arrived at Peng Zhen
From the mountainous area in the northeastern part of Dunhua controlled by the Ministry of National Defense, we rushed to Dunhua and rested for one day before heading south to Luanping. The transportation group directly under the headquarters collected more than 40 trucks from two military depots in Langfang and Baoding to form a fleet of more than 70 trucks.
We have already set off for Miyun, and by the way, we will send the additional food and ammunition that An Yi allocated to the Fifth Army at the request of the young marshal.
Lin Yaodong, the captain of the guard, hurriedly walked into the headquarters and was very happy to see the long-lost smile on An Yi's face: "Commander, the munitions allocation meeting of the theater headquarters is about to be held. The liaison officers of the Northeast Army, Shanxi-Sui Army, Northwest Army and other corps
We have entered the conference hall next door, and the young marshal's car has driven downstairs. General Ji Kuan and General Geng Guang asked their subordinates to come down and urge the commander."
"Okay, I'll go right away."
An Yi ordered Liu Qing to continue to maintain contact with the frontline ministries, and ordered the staff team to continue tracking the movements of the enemy and ourselves, and must not relax at all. Finally, An Yi used a famous saying to warn everyone before leaving in a hurry - a journey of half a hundred miles.
ninety.
At 8:40, the front line of Chengde and the Japanese forward position in Gejiazhuang.
The commander of the 7th Independent Mixed Brigade, Ishikawa Koichi, stood on the mountainside northwest of the position and repeatedly observed the left-wing position of the Chengde garrison through high-power telescopes.
Zuo Su stood behind him. Late yesterday night, Ishikawa Koichi ordered all ministries to secretly advance the front three kilometers, and the brigade headquarters also moved to Gejiazhuang, which is only five kilometers away from the garrison position outside Chengde.
Since the capture of Hiraizumi and the pressure to the Sanchakou position northwest of Chengde, Ishikawa Koichi, who has made outstanding achievements, has not allowed his two regiments and a cavalry brigade to move once. Ishikawa Koichi's order is not only to defend to the death, but also to defend to the death. This
The officials were very puzzled, but they didn't dare to ask.
Since the Battle of Butterfly Valley, Ishikawa Koichi's outstanding command level and calm and extraordinary temperament have established important authority in the Seventh Independent Mixed Brigade. Especially during the Battle of Hiraizumi, the brigade was led by Ishikawa Koichi.
He achieved a surprise victory and became famous among the Kwantung Army. He was awarded by the headquarters and General Muto.
At this point, the Seventh Independent Mixed Brigade, which had been hit hard and had low morale, finally fully accepted Ishikawa Koichi and recognized his status as the brigade leader. Although the officers and soldiers held the promise of great achievements in their careers,
Thoughts on fame and glory, blood surged all over his body but he could not go forward to fight. More than 5,400 officers and soldiers clamored all day long to forge ahead and seize victory to capture Chengde, but they could not move. They were restless and restless, but they did not dare to complain about Ishikawa Koichi.
.
It wasn't until last night that the remnants of Gu Changfeng's Anjia army were severely damaged. The remaining 5,000 soldiers were tired and hungry. Their ammunition was exhausted and the remnants were successfully surrounded by three regiments again. Ishikawa Koichi ordered all the troops to launch an appropriate exploratory attack.
, then all the officers understood what Colonel Ishikawa was worried about.
Thinking about it carefully, everyone was filled with admiration and gratitude. The headquarters was located at the edge of the entire front. Due to terrain restrictions, the newly fully formed artillery brigade could only stay in the south of Pingquan City. If one were not careful at this time, it would be very dangerous.
It may invite a sudden attack from the enemy and ruin all previous efforts.
Fortunately, the frightened remnants of Gu Changfeng's Anjia Army were about to perish, and the Tang Yulin Army they faced was not the Anjia Army that had stirred up chaos in Liaoxi and brought painful memories to nearly ten regiments of two divisions.
.
After another ten minutes, Ishikawa Koichi left the high-powered telescope held up by the stand, turned around and looked at his seven or eight subordinates one by one. He actually smiled and asked kindly: "I'm afraid your hearts are all broken.
Are you burned with desire?"
All the officers laughed heartily, as the highly anticipated battle was right in front of them. They all quickly put away their smiles and straightened their waists.
Ishikawa Koichi nodded with satisfaction: "I just admire your spirit... Miyazaki-kun, you can convey it."
"Hiyi!"
Chief of Staff Gong Qiyi raised his pointed head and announced in a deep voice: "The enemy opposite our department is the weakest division of Tang Yulin's department. The division commander is Tang Yulin's younger brother Tang Yufu. Nominally, this department has 9,000 troops.
, divided into two brigades and an artillery regiment, nothing
Combat experience and combat effectiveness, but they occupy favorable terrain, and their weapons and equipment were strengthened again half a month ago. If our troops suddenly launch a strong attack, it is possible to break through their defensive positions or one of their four-kilometer positions after a sustained fierce battle.
point.
"It is expected that as long as the enemy's defense line is broken through a little bit, the enemy's confidence will collapse and the enemy's entire defense line will fall apart. Everyone, the three-line general offensive launched by our army's three brigades is right in front of us. Although the number of enemies we face is large,
The terrain is also extremely complicated, but Commander Ishikawa Brigade
I have full confidence in you and encourage you to go all out and use the indomitable and valuable enterprising spirit of the Japanese Army to launch the most violent attack on the enemy. Even if you pay the maximum price and fight to the last person, you must strive to be the leader in the storm into Chengde.
The first heroic army!"
"Hey Yi——"
The officials and subordinates were excited and their eyes flashed fiercely.
Ishikawa Hiroshi nodded and said calmly: "Before you leave, I want to tell you some good news. Itagaki-kun, the head of the intelligence section of the headquarters, privately sent me a secret message an hour ago, with only one sentence.
I want you to share this sentence with me before the war begins: the enemy chief Tang Yulin quietly left Chengde last night and retreated to Luanping!"
All the officers were shocked, and then they were all overjoyed. Captain Junji Shinohara howled like a wild beast, and each one took turns to bow in front of Ishikawa Koichi, expressing infinite gratitude.
After sending away all the officials, Ishikawa Koichi ordered Gong Qi to take command of the overall situation, while he went to the front with only two personal guards to supervise the battle.
At 9:10, under the cover of artillery fire, more than 28,000 officers and soldiers of three Japanese brigades launched a fierce attack on the Chengde defenders from Longtan Valley in the east, Daxigou in the middle, and Gejiazhuang in the west.
To the great shock of the Japanese army, before the smoke cleared, the attacking troops were still more than three kilometers away from the enemy's position. All the troops of Tang Yulin's regiment on the opposite side gave up their defense in unison, and turned around and fled in great confusion.
Ishikawa Koichi, who was on the front line of Gejiazhuang, stood on a high hill and watched the officers and soldiers of Auxiliary Division Tangyu abandon their positions in despair and flee westward crazily. He was so shocked that he almost lost his footing and fell from the high hill. He put away his binoculars and rushed down the high hill in excitement.
, leapt onto the black horse and rushed in front of the cavalry squadron waiting to attack on the flank.
After a roar, one hundred and twenty-five war horses followed closely behind Ishikawa Koichi and two bodyguards who were charging south. They struggled to pass over groups of officers and soldiers rushing forward, and took the lead in rushing towards the enemy in the flying dust.
The position disappeared in the blink of an eye.
It was 10 o'clock in the morning on March 4th. This was a shameful time that the Chinese army will never forget.
One hundred and twenty-eight riders from the Japanese Seventh Independent Brigade took the lead in rushing into the North Gate of Chengde, where there was no longer a single defender. Looking around, they were all panicked people running around and wailing loudly. Tang Yulin's first
There are more than 30,000 officers and soldiers in the Fifth Army Corps.
He resisted and abandoned a large amount of food and ammunition supplied by the Anjia Army, all of which escaped. The capital of Rehe Province, the most prosperous and important strategic location outside the customs, was lost in such a heartbreaking and...
Fallen in a way that I hate so much.
Ishikawa Koichi rode his horse around the city and finally climbed onto the South Tower. He slowly grabbed a handful of remaining snow on the ancient blue bricks and gently put it on his hot face.
After carefully scrubbing away the dust, Ishikawa Koichi looked at the people running for their lives in the darkness and looked up to the sky and sighed: The vast land of China is a gift from Amaterasu to the Japanese Empire. Such a generous gift is so easy to get. If you don't take it, you will be punished by God!