Age of Conquest Reborn

Chapter 1,039 The Performance of the Yunnan Army

Li Honggang's determination was undoubtedly an attitude to the division commander Tang Qiuli. The 29th Corps could complete any arduous task, and its subtext was also obvious, and it did not need to be inferior to the main force groups.

Tang Qiuli smiled. He admired his subordinates' unwillingness to admit defeat. He pulled Li Honggang to the map and said: "The main purpose of the first phase of the Kunming campaign is to encircle and annihilate the four Japanese divisions that attacked Kunming. More than ten

With a strength of 10,000 people, the corps directly under the division and the Tang Qiusheng corps are responsible for this task."

Li Honggang couldn't hide the disappointment on his face. He still couldn't get the main attack. It seemed that in the eyes of the division commander, the 29th Corps was not the real main field corps. Tang Qiuli saw all this in his eyes.

He continued: "In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the first phase of the Kunming Campaign, troops are needed to block the main force of the Japanese army moving south from Loushanguan."

"It's right here, Songshaoguan." Li Honggang's fist hit Songshaoguan hard. He understood and said seriously: "Commander, please give this blocking task to our 29th Corps to complete," Tang Qiu

Li said: "That's what I mean. The two corps have already deployed near Kunming. It is impossible to turn around and attack the main force of Shouichi in the temple. It will disrupt the battle plan."

"Your regiment is on its way to Kunming. The location is very suitable and the time is available. Come to Honggang and let's study it carefully." The mission has been determined. All that remains is the details.

Tang Qiuli said after careful consideration: "Hong Gang, your regiment has to hold off the main force of the Japanese army for five to seven days at the front line of Songshaoguan. The task is not light. There are more than 200,000 people in the main force of Shouyi in the temple, and you only have more than 70,000 people.

The terrain conditions of Songshaoguan are not suitable for blocking operations, but this is the only favorable terrain that can be used. Behind it is Qujing, where the battle headquarters is located. You must ensure that the Japanese army cannot break through Songshaoguan."

Li Honggang answered almost word for word: "Commander, please rest assured, even if the 29th Corps fights to the last man, it is guaranteed to hold off the Japs for seven days. Besides, we are a force that has fought tough battles."

Tang Qiuli nodded approvingly, "Okay, I will strengthen you two artillery brigades, one tank brigade, and four rocket launcher battalions from the directly affiliated corps. In this case, your firepower will slightly exceed that of the Japanese army, making up for the disadvantage in strength.

,In addition, from

Tang Qiusheng's regiment has deployed three brigades as your reserve team. Le Yiqin's aviation force will also cooperate with you. According to intelligence, the Japanese troops heading south have already entered the Xuanwei area. The time left for you is only

Twenty-four hours.”

Li Honggang's eyes lit up and he said: "Commander, we don't need the reserve team. We don't need others to do our own work. The more artillery and tanks the better, especially the thunder rocket launcher. I heard that this guy is very powerful. It can blow up a large area. It's a pity."

Ah, in the eyes of the division commander, the 29th Corps is not worthy of recognition. Everyone else is equipped, but we are not."

Tang Qiuli laughed and scolded: "You guys, are you saying that I am partial? Well, as long as you, Li Honggang, complete this blocking mission, the two artillery brigades and four rocket launcher battalions will be yours. The tank brigade will not give it to you."

ah!"

Li Honggang was overjoyed and shouted, "Commander, this is what you said. Once it's settled, I will immediately order the troops to concentrate in the direction of Songshaoguan." Tang Qiuli nodded and said, "Hong Gang, we only have twenty-four hours.

The marching belt has entered the blockade area and fortifications have to be built. Time is tight."

After bidding farewell to Li Honggang, more than a dozen cars continued towards Yunnan along the bumpy mountain road. When they arrived at Luoping, they could no longer see the overcrowding of transport convoys and combat troops on the road. The troops of the 29th Corps

, all diverted to the direction of Songshaoguan, and the speed of the vehicles accelerated a lot.

At around 10:30 that night, the last batch of division commanders arrived at Qujing, an important town in northeastern Yunnan where the Yunnan Campaign Headquarters is located. As soon as they entered the headquarters, Tang Qiuli said to Chief of Staff Chang Feng: "Report the current positions of each unit.

And the progress, and what’s going on with Long Yun?”

Chang Feng replied: "The troops of the Directly Affiliated Corps have arrived at the line from Songyang to Fumin in the northwest of Kunming. They will reach the designated position before four o'clock tomorrow afternoon. The Tang Qiusheng Corps has already arrived at the line from Yiliang to Zaogong in the southeast of Kunming. They will arrive at the line from Yiliang to Zaogong in the southeast of Kunming at noon tomorrow.

The designated position can be reached before the time. There is a time difference of four hours between the two corps. Is the time to launch the attack based on the arrival of the directly affiliated corps? "

"Well!" Tang Qiuli was noncommittal, and Chang Feng continued: "Long Yun's situation is not optimistic. The Japanese army launched a fierce attack on Kunming from the northeast and north directions of Kunming. After a day of fierce fighting, Kunming's outer positions were completely destroyed.

Part of it was lost. At present, the Japanese army has approached Biji, Beijiaochang, Mayuan, Bainishan, and fierce fighting has taken place in the northern suburbs."

Tang Qiuli raised his eyebrows in surprise. The difference in combat effectiveness of the Yunnan Army and the extent of the war in Kunming were beyond his expectation. According to Long Yun, there were 180,000 elite troops of the Yunnan Army in Kunming, and 110,000 Japanese troops.

How many people?

Why was the Japanese army beaten like this just one day after the war started? Kunming was Long Yun's home base for many years. The fortifications and defense facilities couldn't be so bad that they couldn't withstand a few artillery shells, right? Logically speaking, they shouldn't be so vulnerable.

Chang Feng glanced at Tang Qiuli and said, "Commander, I received a telegram from Long Yun an hour ago. According to his description, the situation in Kunming is probably more serious than what we know." Tang Qiuli answered.

Send a telegram.

"Vice Chairman Tang Xunjian, at 4:30 in the morning on September 11th, the Japanese army launched a fierce attack on Kunming. By noon, many peripheral positions were breached. In the afternoon, the Japanese offensive became more fierce. By evening, the Japanese army

It has broken into the northern suburbs of Kunming, and after a day of fierce fighting, our Yunnan Army lost about 20,000 troops."

"After research and decision by all colleagues of the Yunnan Provincial Security Command, at 1:30 in the morning on the 12th, our Yunnan Army troops began to withdraw from Kunming and moved into northwest Yunnan. They were not willing to fight against the Japanese invaders because of their humble position. The situation was actually dangerous.

In order to preserve the strength of the Yunnan Army,

This was done as a last resort. Although the Vice Chairman's troops had already entered Yunnan, they were beyond reach. I'm afraid that the Yunnan army had not yet arrived, and the Yunnan army had already fallen into the encirclement of the Japanese army. The situation forced us to do it. Long Yun was willing to shoulder the responsibility of Kunming.

Responsibility for loss.”

After reading the telegram, Tang Qiuli's face turned livid with anger. Long Yun was too embarrassed to be on the stage. He had been operating in Yunnan for decades. He was timid in the first battle with the Japanese army and lost more than 20,000 people, so he thought about giving up.

Kunming fled to the west. As long as the Yunnan Army held firm in Kunming City and the two regiments arrived and cooperated inside and outside, hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops could not escape.

Of course, even if the Yunnan Army escapes from Kunming, it will not affect the final result of the battle. At worst, there will be another Nanning Battle. But this will not only affect the process of the battle, but also increase the difficulty. Retaking Kunming will be more difficult than annihilating it in the suburbs.

For the Japanese army, it will be much more difficult, and the casualties of the troops will also increase significantly.

The associated problem is that the main force of the Japanese army from northern Guizhou, the 29th Corps, must be extended to block the attack at Songshaoguan, which will increase the casualties of the troops. No, the Yunnan Army cannot be allowed to abandon Kunming. Damn it, and

In two and a half hours, Long Yun was about to run away.

He ordered: "Send a telegram to Tang Qiusheng's Corps. Your Corps must arrive at the attack position before 10 a.m. on September 12th and launch an attack on the Japanese army on time at 11:00. The directly subordinate Corps must arrive on the afternoon of September 12th.

Arrive at the attack position before two o'clock and launch the attack on the Japanese army on time at three o'clock."

Chang Feng hesitated and asked tentatively: "Commander, the battle plan is for two corps to attack the Japanese army at the same time. Now, only Tang Qiusheng's corps attacks the Japanese army. The effect may not meet the requirements of the campaign. Furthermore, the troops are marching at a speed

, we have reached the limit. Each time we go two hours in advance, if it is too difficult, please consider it, commander."

Tang Qiuli said: "You are right in your considerations, but the war situation in Kunming has changed. Long Yun doesn't want to stay in Kunming for a minute. I have no choice but to do it. According to Long Yun, can I hold on for a whole morning tomorrow?

It’s hard to say. Losing Kunming and then regaining it will double the difficulty.

Plus, tell the two corps, can they regain another hour of time under the premise of the order? Also, Tang Qiusheng corps, after the vanguard arrived, immediately launched an attack on the Japanese army to disrupt the Japanese army's offensive rhythm.

Cheer up Long Yun and stabilize his mind."

Chang Feng left in a hurry. Tang Qiuli called Chen Feng, the director of the communications department, and ordered, "Send a telegram to Long Yun again."

In the defeated area, Kunming city defense facilities can also protect Kunming from being invaded by the Japanese army soon."

"If the outer positions of Kunming are not conducive to holding on, the troops can be withdrawn into the urban area and compete with the Japanese army inch by inch for the urban area. This will surely delay the Japanese army's attack speed. Our ** Division troops will be ready by 11 a.m. on September 12 at the latest.

At that time, it was impossible to launch an attack on the Japanese army, but to retreat overnight."

"If Chairman Long insists on going his own way, does not change his original intention, and abandons Kunming in order to preserve the strength of the Yunnan Army, and the whole army flees westward, I, Tang Qiuli, can still regain Kunming, but this Kunming is not Chairman Long's Kunming, but mine

The soldiers of the Japanese Army who fought back from the Japanese with their blood will never be handed over to others. Tang is definitely not making false threats. Previously, Xu Liejun in Guizhou has learned from the past. I hope Chairman Long will think twice before taking action."

After receiving Tang Qiuli's telegram, in the Yunnan Provincial Government Building, dozens of military officers and civilian officials, large and small, all stared at Long Yun, whose expression changed drastically. After a long time, Long Yun raised his head and handed over the telegram.

The content was read out in front of everyone.

The room was like a pot boiling, and there were a lot of discussions. The literati who had been leading the battle had been blown away by the Japanese shells in one day, and they never mentioned the defense of Kunming again.

The thing is, there were several officers who had participated in today's battle. When fighting the Japanese army, their calves were so trembling that they couldn't move.

But at this moment, each of them had a bad temper. He slapped the table and shouted, "Don't listen to him. This is a bluff. Who knows whether Tang Qiuli's troops will arrive tomorrow morning?" Long Yun was confused in his heart.

He didn't dare to fight if it turned into a pot of porridge, and he didn't want to fight.

(To be continued)