Chapter 273 Before the War

In three days, Zhang Lingfu's independent brigade completed the combat missions required by the command headquarters.

During these three days, more than 1,000 people were killed in the entire Independent Brigade, and the commanders of the First and Second Regiments died in their country.

In front of the Chinese soldiers' positions, the island army also paid the price of 600 casualties.

Faced with heavy casualties, the 16th Division of the Island Army finally put away their arrogance, and its division commander Nakajima Ashigo lamented.

"In the past, we always said that there was only one Zheng Yong in China who could fight, but now we have painfully discovered that there is far more than one Zheng Yong in China..."

Later, Caojia Village and other places fell one after another, and all Chinese troops began to retreat to Changshu and make the final resistance.

At that time, Tao Ping served as the defense work inside and outside Changshu City with the 173,174,176th Division, and ordered the 98th Division to serve as the defense of the Yushan position.

China and Japan have fought fiercely for two key points, Changshu City and Yushan.

On the afternoon of the 11th, more than 20 enemy planes bombed Changshu City in turn.

A part of the island army defends the gap area, and when they enter the north of the city, they can overlook the Yushan Mountain in the whole city.

The next day, the island army increased its troops to Yushan and controlled Changshu City with firepower.

From the 12th to the 14th, Tao Ping personally commanded the main force of the 40th and the newly reinforced 98th Division to launch a counterattack. At dawn on the 15th, the 40th and 98th Divisions attacked Yushan and captured the 218th Highland at 8:00 a.m. The island army retreated to the 244th Highland.

The two sides fought several times, but they were in a stalemate.

In the afternoon, the 40th Division and other units continued to attack fiercely, and the 98th Division threatened the enemy's back with one attack.

At 2:00 p.m., after suffering major casualties, the 40th Division regained Yushan.

At this time of the battle, both the Chinese army and the island army were exhausted. The 16th Division of the Island Army suffered heavy casualties and their spirits had basically been wiped out.

"The 16th Division has never suffered a shame. Changshu will be a terrible disaster for us that we will never forget..."

This is the lament that Nakajima Atsugo when facing Changshu City.

Although the Chinese army suffered major casualties and each division lost more than half of its strength, they turned it into the grave of the islanders.

Here, the Chinese soldiers exerted their blood and their dignity.

On the 18th, the General Command ordered the Changshu defenders to retreat in a planned manner and at the same time abandoned Changshu Yushan and other places.

Tao Ping used the 173rd Division as a cover to organize all Chinese troops to evacuate.

In the early morning of the 19th, with the departure of the 173rd Division, which was cut off, the first Changshu battle ended.

This time a tragic war.

The 16th Division of the Island Army suffered nearly 10,000 casualties, and even the humiliation of the entire regiment being completely wiped out, but what they got was an empty Changshu...

But this is just the beginning and it is far from the end...

"Thanks for your hard work."

When he returned to the General Command of the Third War Zone, Zheng Yong personally came to the door and took Tao Ping in.

The young officer who was full of energy was gone.

Tao Ping in front of him was old, haggard, covered in dust, and had a sloppy beard and his hair was messy, looking ten years older than his actual age.

Here, Tao Ping saw his old friends. Situ Tianrui, Tiedingguo, Ouyang Ping, Cheng Hong...

He knew that when these people appeared, a new war was about to begin...

"Commander-in-chief, how is Zhang Lingfu's injury?"

As soon as he sat down, Tao Ping couldn't wait to ask.

If you hadn't retreated in time, I'm afraid Zhang Lingfu would really die in his country on the position.

When he was evacuated, the military doctor could not believe his eyes.

There are thirteen wounds in the whole body, the most serious one is that the injury to the right leg has already ulcerated.

"Must have to be amputated."

As soon as the doctor finished speaking, Zhang Lingfu immediately said to the entourage adjutant: "If I am unconscious, you must stop the doctor from sawing his legs!"

After saying that, he gave the adjutant a pistol and said sternly.

"Whoever saw my legs will shoot you!"

Zheng Yong smiled: "Zhang Lingfu has shown his power this time. Even the commissioner has personally inquired about him, and sent a special plane to pick him up and will send him to Hong Kong for treatment. Moreover, it is said that he has hired a British doctor."

As he said that, he put away his smile.

"Everyone is old brother, so I won't be polite. Changshu's persistence has greatly traumatized the island army, and at the same time, it has won enough time for our army to adjust defense. I think the opportunity to annihilate the 16th Division has arrived!"

All the senior officers present looked at each other and showed an excited expression on their faces.

These soldiers who were originally the ones who had taken their lives back at the gun, and fighting was the best reward for them.

"The island army is attacking Fushan, Xiejiaqiao, Lijiaqiao and others. Fushan has carried out the most tenacious resistance to the 76th Division that defends the country. I have transferred the 39th Army and the 48th Army to reinforce."

Zheng Yong stood there and said.

"In Changshu, the 16th Division of the Island National Army suffered casualties, but after receiving reinforcements from the Guoqi Detachment, it was advancing towards Suzhou. I decided to fight an annihilation battle here and completely eat up this Japanese pirates!"

He paused for a moment and said.

"This time I decided to concentrate all the main forces of the 36, 87, 88 and 111 divisions to attack the 16th Division of the Island Army, and be sure to complete the battle cleanly.

Everyone, although the above divisions have suffered a lot in Shanghai and have been supplemented, the newly joined soldiers are no longer as elite as the German divisions in the past, and will increase the difficulty of attack, but this is not an excuse to give up.

It doesn’t matter if it’s not the elite army that was originally. Let’s create another elite army. You are all the foundation of the 111th Division. You are even more clear about the growth experience of the 111th Division than me.

Student camp, the death squad, when they were in the Northeast, these people had never even touched guns before, but they also formed an iron army, an elite soldier that scared the Japanese pirates, and an invincible invincible army!"

Thinking of the glorious years in the Northeast, these senior officers smiled slightly on their faces, and Situ Tianrui said in a loud voice.

"Commander-in-chief, let's follow you. He was from a platoon leader with a dick to a general, a major general, and a division commander. It sounds so glorious. We have only used it for a few years to climb to this position? I didn't say anything, just do it. Maybe after this battle, there will be more stars on our shoulders."

The officers laughed loudly, and Ouyang Ping said with a sarcastic smile.

"I just think Lao Tie is an official fan. I didn't expect that you are more addicted to being an official than him."

"You kid know nothing." Situ Tianrui cursed: "What does this mean to be an official? That means yellow Cancan's gold bars and white oceans. You kid know something!"

After they had enough laughter, Zheng Yong said.

"What Situ said is true. In order to fight this battle, I have prepared a lot of oceans to reward my brothers. Those who have meritorious will be rewarded; those who are guilty will be killed! This rule of my 111th Division cannot be broken!

"Yes!" All the officers responded loudly and stood up.

"This time our army gathers 40,000 people. If we attack him, we will win the battle and win the attack!" Zheng Yong's eyes swept across the officers one by one and said.

"To ensure victory, the air force and tank troops will be dispatched this time.

At the same time, I will also go to the front line to supervise the battle. If there is no place to fight well, I will only hold the responsibility of you division commanders. If you should kill, you should withdraw, and you will never be ruthless!"

As he said that, he suddenly smiled: "There are two of your old friends, and I want to meet you too."

As he said that, he ordered the adjutant: "Let them come in."

While the officers were puzzled, the door of the conference room was pushed open and the two officers walked in.

"Wang Yiheng, Liu Yidao?"

A cheer came from the officers' mouths, and Situ Tianrui was the first to go up and hug them.

"Mani, Mani, Mani." Wang Yiheng quickly took out Situ's bear hug, and repeatedly wiped the place where he had just been hugged with the snow-white scarf, looking unhappy.

The people behind laughed, Situ Tianrui looked embarrassed.

He really forgot Wang Yiheng's character...

"This time the commission has allocated the Air Force to our third war zone for use. The purpose is only one, that is, to defend the national defense line, defend Nanjing, find opportunities, and defeat the main force of the island army!

The operation will start from February 26. I have asked the Commission and the Ministry of Military Affairs for instructions and approval. At that time, the friendly and neighboring forces will work hard to cooperate in combat with our Third War Zone as the center."

The officers stood upright, and Zheng Yong let out a long sigh.
Chapter completed!