Age of Conquest Reborn

The commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army, General Nanjiro, was stunned. Lieutenant General Matsuda, as the chief of staff of the Kwantung Army and the de facto second-in-command, would ask such a childish question. General Nanjiro did not expect that. He was speechless for a while.

After a while, General Nanjiro smiled bitterly and did not get angry. He said in a rather melancholy tone: "Matsuda-kun, this is not a question of confidence. The so-called confidence is based on corresponding strength. Without strength,

The so-called confidence is nothing but arrogance that deceives oneself and others!”

"As far as our current strength in the Liaodong Peninsula is concerned, the main combat forces are only two and a half divisions with more than 50,000 troops. As for the independent division's troops crossing the sea to attack, do you think the strength will be less than ours? No, that China

The devil's method of using troops is accustomed to concentrating superior troops and firepower. In addition, we have lost air superiority. If we do not establish a third line of defense south of Fengtian, Yokoyama Yoshihiko's Seventh Army will not be able to sustain it for two months.

!”

"At that time, our main force in western Liaoning will be the first to fall into the dangerous situation of being attacked by the independent division troops from both front and rear. The gate to western Liaoning on the Manchurian border will be opened, and the independent division troops from North China will flood in. Therefore, Matsuda-kun,

Don’t expect the empire’s defenders on the Liaodong Peninsula to be able to perform miracles, even if all armed civilians are mobilized!”

Chief of Staff Matsuda felt ashamed for a while, lowered his head and said: "Commander, you are speaking out of office. I will immediately start making arrangements to mobilize troops and secretly deploy the third line of defense!"

General Nanjiro waved his hand and said nonchalantly: "It's not a lie. The generals of our empire should have such confidence. However, the current war situation is very unfavorable to the Kwantung Army. This kind of confidence regardless of reality will make us

You made a fatal mistake! Matsuda-kun, please leave me with the secret mobilization of troops!"

The order from the Kwantung Army Headquarters was handed over to Lieutenant General Yokoyama Yoshihiko, the commander of the Seventh Army and the commander of the Liaodong Peninsula Military Region. He frowned and read the telegram carefully several times, but still found that there was still some missing information.

Commander-in-Chief Jiro meant that when the troops of the 31st and 32nd Divisions on the front line of Lushunkou began to attack the landing troops of the Independent Division, they briefly blocked the attack and then began to retreat.

Lieutenant General Hengshan felt very uncomfortable with such an order from the headquarters. The Seventh Army had been operating in the Liaodong Peninsula for many years. Relying on the natural terrain conditions of Laotieshan at the southernmost tip of the peninsula, a large number of cement concrete bunkers and fortifications, as well as underground shelters, etc. were built.

defense

System, because Lushunkou is an important military port, it is naturally a key defense area, not only the Laotieshan line, but also the line starting from Laotieshan to Lushunkou. From Zhoushuizi to Shilibuo, there is a second defense system, the same

It is a solid and permanent fortification.

With these solid fortifications and perfect defense system, Lieutenant General Hengshan believes that he may not be able to compete with the independent division landing force. Although the Seventh Army troops deployed on the front line of Lushunkou only have two divisions, they are all

They were an elite unit that fought against the Russians on the battlefield in the Far East. They had rich combat experience and were well-equipped. They retreated after just a few shots. Lieutenant General Hengshan was very unwilling to do so.

Of course, this is not the most important thing. The main thing is that Lieutenant General Hengshan believes that the headquarters’ order on the Liaodong Peninsula defense plan has put the cart before the horse. The best place to fight against the enemy’s cross-sea attack is in the enemy’s landing area.

If you want to inflict maximum damage on the beachhead before the enemy troops land, how can there be any reason to let the enemy troops in and then attack?

As for the second line of defense from Zhuang River, Hengdao River to Bayuquan, Lieutenant General Hengshan did not believe that the Imperial Manchuria Fighting Team and the local garrison, whose main force was armed civilians, could stop the independent division troops on this line of defense.

To Manchuria

The pace of advance in the hinterland, "If the independent division troops are allowed to gain a foothold in the Liaodong Peninsula, and the troops of the two divisions retreat while fighting, and are chased by the Chinese soldiers, that will be a real disaster!" Hengshan Zhong

The end is not a thought of the mind.

Major General Katano Jiro, Chief of Staff of the Seventh Army, saw his commander, whose expression changed uncertainly and remained silent, and roughly guessed what he was thinking, "Commander, the staff also believes that the headquarters' defense plan for the Liaodong Peninsula seems to be unclear.

There is something very wrong. We retreated without a fight at Lushunkou. Wouldn’t we have lost our best fighter opportunity? Then, in the ensuing blockade, wouldn’t we have been on the defensive?” He said according to his own thoughts.

.

Lieutenant General Yokoyama raised his head. The words of the chief of staff seemed to have touched his mind, and he already had an idea in his mind, so he said: "Katano-kun, there is indeed something wrong with the headquarters' order, so some modifications should be made. I have decided,

On the front line of Lushunkou, relying on the strong

With solid fortifications and a complete defense system, we will inflict heavy casualties on the landing troops of the Independent Division before retreating. Katano-kun, I will stay on the front line of Lushunkou to direct the operations. You rush to the second line of defense immediately and uniformly command the troops there.

Troops and armed civilians!"

Chief of Staff Katano hesitated and reminded: "Commander, changing the headquarters' defensive operation plan is not a trivial matter. Whether it is reported to the headquarters or not, we will take action after it is approved. Otherwise, we will be held responsible if the headquarters investigates!

"

Lieutenant General Hengshan said impatiently: "No need, as the supreme commander of the Liaodong Peninsula Defense Force, I have the right to make local adjustments to the combat plan. Moreover, Katano-kun, my adjustments are to better implement the orders of the headquarters.

, if the independent division's landing troops are not given heavy damage, can the troops of our two divisions escape smoothly? No, by then, once they are entangled by the independent division's troops and unable to withdraw, that will be the biggest danger

Woolen cloth!"

"Katano-kun, you must be carefully organized on the second line of defense. The remaining half of the division of the Seventh Army, which is also the final capital, is in your hands. If I command the troops, from Lushunkou

Retreat from the front line. No matter what, you have to buy me time to reorganize the troops. By the way, deploy those Imperial Manchurian brave troops on the front line to consume the strength and vigor of the independent division troops. How to arrange it? No need

Did I say more?"

Lieutenant General Yokoyama's tone suddenly became ferocious, with the madness of a gambler. Of course Major General Katano understood what the commander meant, which was to use those armed civilians as cannon fodder to consume the strength of the independent division, half of the division of the Seventh Army.

, hiding behind, although a little colder

, but it is also an effective method. Those civilians who migrated from the mainland, relying on the Seventh Army, have spent many years of plundering and plundering in the Liaodong Peninsula. This time, it should be their turn to fight for the Empire of Japan.

Contribute your strength to His Majesty the Emperor!

Chief of Staff Katano stood up and solemnly saluted Lieutenant General Hengshan, "Commander, please take care of yourself. The war is dangerous. Once the battle at Lushunkou becomes impossible, please do not hesitate and retreat immediately. I will be there on the second day."

The second line of defense welcomes the arrival of Your Majesty the Commander!"

Chief of Staff Katano's tone was absolutely sincere, full of reluctance, and advice from the heart. But to Lieutenant General Yokoyama's ears, it was not the same thing, "This guy Katano, how come he seems to be giving me advice?"

I left my last words as if we were saying goodbye and never seeing each other again! The war is about to begin, it’s really unlucky to say these depressing words!”

Lieutenant General Hengshan endured the unhappiness in his heart, waved his hand and said: "Katano-kun, I will assess the situation, so you don't have to worry too much. The Battle of Lushunkou can break out at any time, so get on the road immediately!" These words were also unpleasant to the ears of Katano, Staff Officer.

After listening to it for a long time, I felt uncomfortable in my heart, "Why are you on the road? Do you know how to talk? It feels like I am going to the execution ground?"

The two people were so careless that they were no longer in the mood to talk. The two people, who had been partners for several years, were also surprised. Why did everything they said today feel awkward? The so-called non-congenial words did not last long, so Chief of Staff Katano left immediately.

, facing the morning sunshine of the Liaodong Peninsula, he took the guard and rode northward in a car.

Watching Chief of Staff Katano leave, Lieutenant General Yokoyama dressed neatly and ordered the guard captain: "Enter the underground command post immediately!"

The underground command post of the Seventh Army Headquarters is located under a rocky mountain about ten kilometers south of the seaside of Lushunkou. It is a very solid underground shelter. Relying on the surrounding solid rocks and thick concrete and steel reinforcement, various facilities are very

Perfect, the original shooting requirement was to be able to withstand two hours of continuous bombardment by large-caliber naval guns. Lieutenant General Hengshan had entered the underground command post and ordered a staff officer beside him: "Call immediately and ask the frontline troops.

What's going on?"

Within a few minutes, the staff officer came back and reported: "Your Excellency, Commander, according to the Laotieshan observation post, the shadow of the independent division's troop transport fleet can be seen, and the forward troops have entered the fortifications! It is expected that in an hour, the independent division will

The troop transport fleet can enter the fire range of our forward troops!"

"Yo Xi!" Lieutenant General Hengshan said with satisfaction, "Order, the Coast Defense Artillery Regiment, immediately prepare for bombardment. The target is the independent division's troop transport fleet!" He ordered fiercely with a fierce look in his eyes.

.

This is a secret weapon of Lieutenant General Hengshan, and it is also a big killer. Lushunkou is a military port, so it has the only coastal defense artillery unit of the Seventh Army, which has a Japanese-style 180-caliber coastal defense

There are forty-eight howitzers with an astonishing range. All targets on the sea fifteen kilometers around Lushunkou Military Port are within the artillery range. Lieutenant General Hengshan’s intention is to use the coastal defense artillery unit to transport the independent division’s troop fleet.

with a sudden blow.

Lieutenant General Hengshan was not afraid of being retaliated by the firepower of the independent division's landing force after the coastal defense artillery exposed its target. His large-caliber howitzers were all concealed in solid fortifications. The shooting masters had already set the target and fired according to the established target.

Even if he was attacked by artillery fire from the Independent Division, he would not be injured at all. This was another basis for his determination to fight the independent division's landing troops at Lushunkou.

(To be continued)