ATPnovel Chapter 216 The Chairman's Support, A Rushing Attack on Huainan
Chapter 216 The Chairman's Support, A Rushing Attack on Huainan
The previous large-scale counter-offensives were all thwarted by the Japanese army, resulting in significant casualties and a severe blow to morale.
Now the Japanese army is continuously reinforcing its troops in the Jiujiang and Huangmei areas, sharpening its swords in preparation for a large-scale counter-offensive.
If Li Jianghe's engineering battalion hadn't severely damaged the Japanese Navy's 11th Squadron with sea mines at Zhanghu Town, the Japanese full-scale counter-offensive would probably have already begun.
In any case, Li Jianghe's battle at least bought the Fifth War Zone a few precious days of respite.
If this infiltration plan can achieve a breakthrough in the north, a large number of troops can be transferred from the northern front to reinforce the front.
At that time, the defensive pressure on Wuhan will be greatly relieved.
Inside the Wuhan military camp, the heat was even more intense, with cicadas chirping incessantly outside the windows and fans whirring loudly.
Commander He gently placed the urgent telegram from the Fifth War Zone Command on the principal's desk.
The principal picked up the telegram and read it word by word, his expression shifting between light and dark, making for a fascinating read.
"Only Li Jianghe would dare to think of and propose such a risky plan."
Commander He leaned forward slightly and asked in a low voice, "Chairman, do you think this plan is feasible?"
The principal did not answer immediately, his gaze returning to the battle map on the wall.
If this battle plan had been proposed by any other general, he would have rejected it immediately.
The person who can propose a solution is Li Jianghe.
Combined with the Third Column's terrifying mobility and infiltration capabilities, as well as its ability to achieve numerous miraculous breakthroughs in attacking fortified positions.
This originally fantastical and impossible battle plan suddenly became a real possibility.
Finally, the principal suddenly opened his eyes and slammed his cane heavily on the floor, making a crisp sound.
"Go, tell Chen Cheng to come to the operations room immediately!"
"If this plan can be successfully implemented, the chances of winning the battle to defend Wuhan will increase by at least 20%!"
During this time, Chen Cheng had become extremely haggard and lost a lot of weight.
This has always been the case in large-scale military operations; countless generals have worn down their health in protracted battles.
His eyes were sunken, with heavy dark circles under them, and the collar of his military uniform hadn't been straightened.
Looking exhausted, he walked into the operations room and first gave a proper military salute.
Upon seeing this, Commander He immediately picked up the battle plan on the table and handed it over, without explaining who had proposed the plan.
Chen Cheng took the plan, looked down and quickly flipped through it, his brows soon furrowing tightly together.
After a long pause, he raised his head, his face grave, and hesitantly asked, "Principal, who... proposed this plan?"
He disagreed with the plan from the bottom of his heart, feeling that it was too risky and not feasible at all.
But since someone proposed this plan, and the principal even called him in specifically to discuss it, it was clear that he was interested in the plan.
So next, even if he disagrees, you should carefully consider how to say it appropriately.
The principal smiled faintly, waved his hand, and spoke calmly.
"You don't need to know who proposed it, just tell me whether this battle plan is reasonable."
Chen Cheng lowered his head and looked at the plan twice more. After thinking for a long time, he slowly spoke.
"This battle plan is very bold. The person who proposed it has a vision that is ahead of its time and is extremely forward-thinking."
His words sounded like a compliment, but when translated, their meaning couldn't be clearer.
This plan is just wishful thinking and impractical. Given the current capabilities of the National Revolutionary Army, it is simply impossible for them to implement it.
"Is it feasible?" the principal asked directly, without beating around the bush.
Chen Cheng raised his hand to rub his throbbing forehead, his tone full of helplessness and certainty: "It's not feasible. At least not with our current troops."
Neither the principal nor Commander He seemed to be surprised by Chen Cheng's answer.
Commander He looked at him with a smile and slowly asked a question.
"What if the task of flanking and outflanking is assigned to Li Jianghe's Third Column?"
These words left Chen Cheng frozen in place.
His hand holding the proposal froze in mid-air as he fell into deep thought.
After a long pause, he slowly raised his head, his tone carrying a hint of undeniable admiration, and spoke again.
"If Li Jianghe's armored forces were to carry out the operation, as long as they could successfully capture Huainan and destroy the Japanese army's logistical reserves."
"Then this plan does indeed have a chance of success."
He knew all too well how ruthless Li Jianghe's third column was.
Not long ago, this team destroyed the logistics warehouses of four elite Japanese divisions on the northern slope of the Dabie Mountains in just 24 hours.
They also annihilated thousands of Japanese soldiers and destroyed a Japanese field hospital, before making a clean getaway.
Not to mention, even the Japanese Yangtze River Fleet, which was causing them so much trouble, was ambushed by Li Jianghe's engineering battalion in Zhanghu Town and suffered heavy losses.
That's why he completely changed his mind and felt that it was feasible for Li Jianghe to carry out this mission.
"But..." Chen Cheng changed the subject, then spoke with some hesitation.
"Just say what you have to say." The principal looked at him with a smile, wanting to hear the true opinion of this trusted general.
Chen Cheng then composed himself and spoke in a serious tone.
"Even if Li Jianghe's third column were to carry out this mission, the chances of success would not exceed 30%."
"Whether we can even take Huainan is still uncertain. After all, Li Jianghe's troops have been attacking Japanese logistics warehouses in Longtan Town and Yaoli Town one after another."
"Even if Nishio Toshizo is slow-witted, he should have been on guard."
This is exactly what he is most worried about.
If Li Jianghe's troops were to make a long march to Huainan, only to find that the enemy had already heavily fortified the city and could not break through it in a short time.
That would completely collapse the entire battle plan, and the infiltration troops would be trapped in the Japanese army's counter-encirclement, facing utter ruin.
Besides these, there are too many uncontrollable risks.
Any mishap in any of the following areas—the movements of Japanese troops in the Fujin Mountain area, the threat of aerial reconnaissance, and the speed of Japanese reinforcements—would be disastrous.
All of these could lead to drastic changes in the battle situation, forcing the original battle plans to be modified and producing unpredictable and serious consequences.
"So what do you mean?" The principal turned his head, his gaze falling on him, and asked in a deep voice.
Chen Cheng took a deep breath and gave his final suggestion.
"What I mean is, unless Li Jianghe's third column can completely complete the preliminary operations of this plan."
"Otherwise, our Central Army must not send a single soldier to take this risk with him."
He now fully understands that this outlandish plan must have been proposed by Li Jianghe.
Only this fearless guy could come up with such an incredible yet subtly exciting battle plan.
"Alright." After listening, the principal finally made up his mind and gave the order to Commander He in a deep voice.
"Send a telegram to Hu Zongnan, instructing his troops to be ready to deploy at any time."
"However, if Li Jianghe's Third Column cannot make corresponding progress on the Japanese flank and rear."
"Let him remain still and not move a single soldier."
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On a summer night in western Anhui, the sultry wind carrying moisture swept across the surface of the Shihe River, and at two in the morning, the darkness was as thick as ink that could not be dissolved.
After marching more than a hundred miles, the main force of Li Jianghe's third column finally arrived at the banks of the Shi River north of Gushi.
The river crossing operation unfolded quietly under the cover of night, without making a sound.
The engineering detachment had arrived at the scene well in advance and rushed to build a pontoon bridge under the cover of darkness, with the steel bridge planks being steadily laid out on the river.
The soldiers quickly crossed the river on the pontoon bridge, rifles slung across their shoulders, their steps neat and rapid, stirring up tiny splashes on the river's surface.
The tracks of armored vehicles and tanks rolled over the gravel on the mudflats, the roar of their engines deliberately suppressed, blending into the deep night.
The entire team, like a dormant dragon, silently crossed the Shi River and sped towards Huainan.
Meanwhile, inside Huainan City, the Japanese army's defenses remained lax, completely unaware that annihilation was approaching.
The unit stationed here was the 47th Infantry Regiment under the 36th Brigade of the 6th Division of the Japanese Army, with a total strength of just over three thousand men.
The brigade commander of the 36th Brigade was none other than Mitsuru Ushijima, who later inflicted heavy casualties on the U.S. military in the Battle of Okinawa.
At this moment, he is stationed in Huainan with his guards, responsible for ensuring the safety of the transportation line from Gushi to Huainan.
His 45th Regiment had already been transferred to the front line in Gushi, where they fought a bloody battle with the Nationalist army along the Fujinshan line.
Ushijima Mitsuru never imagined that Li Jianghe's armored column was crossing the Shi River and rushing towards Huainan at breakneck speed.
As dawn broke, a thin layer of morning mist enveloped the fields outside Huainan City, and all was quiet.
Suddenly, a deafening roar of a tank engine came from afar, shattering the tranquility of the early morning.
The earth trembled slightly with the roar of the engine, and even the roadside weeds rustled.
Farmers who were busy in the fields stopped what they were doing and looked in astonishment in the direction from which the sound came.
On the dusty highway, a massive armored torrent was rolling in, speeding toward Huainan City.
To their surprise, the turrets of these tanks were not decorated with the Japanese Rising Sun flag.
Instead, rows of bright red flags, the Republic of China flag with a white sun and a red background, fluttered in the morning breeze.
Inside the city of Huainan, in the command post of the 47th Regiment, freshly made sushi was laid out on an exquisite white porcelain plate.
Ushijima was dressed in a crisp general's uniform, with a gold-inlaid military sword at his waist, and his face was expressionless.
His cold gaze swept over the sushi on the table, then landed on Nobuaki Ohno, who stood to the side, his whole body tense.
Noriaki Ohno was wearing a colonel's uniform, his hat brim pulled low, his face full of tension and fear, and his palms were covered in cold sweat.
He stammered, "Brigade Commander, weren't you... weren't you at the front lines? Why did you suddenly come here?"
Ushijima placed his hand on the sword at his waist, walked forward without saying a word, and picked up a piece of sushi from the plate.
His voice was as cold as ice as he asked, word by word, "Nobuaki Ohno, do you know what the soldiers on the front lines eat?"
Nobuaki Ohno suddenly lowered his head, his forehead covered in cold sweat, his voice filled with remorse.
"I'm so sorry! These... these sushi were sent over by the kitchen without permission, I..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ushijima Mitsuru interrupted him sharply, his tone filled with barely suppressed anger.
"That's not all! Along the way, I inspected numerous outposts and positions, and their defenses were extremely lax!"
"We can't even find a single sentry post on the outskirts. What? Have we wiped out the entire Chinese army?"
"How dare you be so negligent in the rear! You are a disgrace to the Imperial Army!"
Nobuaki Ohno still wanted to argue, so he forced himself to speak: "The main reason is that Huainan is located in the rear of the battlefield, a hundred miles away from the front line."
"Even if the enemy wanted to launch a surprise attack, it would be virtually impossible!"
"Baka!" Ushijima Mitsuru cursed angrily, and suddenly swung his hand, sweeping the plates off the table.
The porcelain plate shattered on the ground, sushi was scattered all over the floor, and sauce splattered all over Nobuaki Ohno's trousers.
"The war isn't even won yet, and you dare to be so lazy and decadent? I think you want to go home and grow potatoes!"
Nobuaki Ohno lowered his head even further, not daring to say another word, and could only bow repeatedly in agreement.
"Don't forget! Li Jianghe's Third Column is best known for its surprise attacks on our rear areas!"
Ushijima Mitsuru's roar echoed in the command post, making everyone's eardrums ache.
"Hai!" Nobuaki Ohno quickly responded, his back already soaked with cold sweat.
But in his heart, he didn't take Ushijima Mitsuru's warning seriously at all, and remained completely dismissive.
In his view, no matter how capable the Third Column was, it was impossible for them to suddenly appear in Huainan across a hundred-mile front.
Even if they do come, as long as we hold the city and wait for reinforcements, everything will be resolved.
"Get back to your post immediately! If I see the 47th Regiment so lazy again, I'll report to the division commander and have you relieved of your post!"
Ushijima glared at him with exasperation, issuing a stern warning, word by word.
"Hai!" Nobuaki Ohno responded loudly again, as if granted a pardon, and hurriedly left the command post.
Ushima Mitsuru did not linger in Huainan. That morning, he led his guards back to the front line in Gushi by truck.
He never imagined that no sooner had he left than Li Jianghe's armored torrent arrived at the city gates.
Shouxian, west of Huainan, was practically non-existent; only a puppet army security regiment was stationed in the city, and it didn't even have a decent cannon.
After Li Jianghe's third column arrived at the outskirts of Shou County, only one tank battalion was assigned to attack the county town.
The main force, without stopping, bypassed Shou County and sped westward towards Huainan City.
At this point, the vanguard was less than 20 kilometers away from Huainan City.
For mechanized troops, this distance is short; at full speed, they can reach the city in less than an hour.
The puppet troops inside Shouxian County quickly discovered the armored torrent approaching from outside the city and were instantly terrified.
They dared not delay for a moment, hurriedly grabbing the phone and calling the Japanese army regimental headquarters in Huainan.
Inside Huainan City, in the command post of the 47th Regiment, Nobuaki Ohno sat at the dining table, setting out a new set of exquisite sushi.
He had just picked up his chopsticks and was about to put a piece of sushi in his mouth when the phone rang urgently.
The communications officer hurriedly answered the phone, his face turning deathly pale, and he abruptly stood up from his chair.
He turned to Nobuaki Ohno, his voice trembling, "Reporting to the Colonel! Urgent telegram from Shou County!"
"A large number of enemy armored units have been spotted outside the city and are advancing at full speed towards Huainan!"
"What?!" Nobuaki Ohno was shocked, and the sushi in his hand fell onto the plate with a "thud".
He suddenly stood up, causing the chair to tip backward with a screeching sound.
"Order! All troops immediately enter Level 1 combat readiness! Close the city gates! Recall all personnel who are outside!"
"Immediately send an urgent telegram to the 6th Division headquarters requesting immediate reinforcements! Hurry!!"
His furious roar threw the entire command post into chaos, and the atmosphere suddenly became extremely tense.
The staff officers frantically relayed orders to the outer positions, with telephones ringing, telegrams flying, and shouts mingling together.
But their reaction came too late; the raging torrent had already arrived.
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