Age of Conquest Reborn

Shells from large-caliber heavy artillery rained down like raindrops. Wulongbei north of Andong, from the side gate to Baoshan, was filled with smoke, blocking the morning sun. The newly formed First Corps of the Kwantung Army

The soldiers were so bloody that they couldn't even maintain a complete formation, let alone attack.

The temporarily formed First Corps of the Kwantung Army was originally a miscellaneous army composed of most of the Manchurian soldiers, Japanese army rear agency personnel, and some police officers. It had no heavy weapons at all, time was tight, and it was in a hurry to set off.

The brigade has so many dozen mortars, which is pretty good. It is the opponent of the six 155-caliber howitzer regiments of the Korean Railways!

Artillery fire turned half the sky red. Under the fierce artillery fire, the newly formed First Corps of the Kwantung Army was littered with corpses. The first round of artillery bombardment took away all their courage. The tired soldiers who had traveled a long distance were first attacked by two rounds of fierce attacks.

bomb, pick up

Then, there was another ferocious bombardment. These soldiers could no longer withstand it and lost their courage. Some Japanese included, leaving broken corpses everywhere, wounded soldiers wailing in pain, like the ebbing sea water, they turned around and went back.

run.

Even Japanese officers at all levels shot and killed many soldiers in succession. Because they could not prevent the rout across the entire front, the commander-in-chief, Colonel Fukuzawa, was also coerced by the rout and ran for more than 20 miles in one breath until the artillery shells fell behind.

, just stop,

Looking at the embarrassed soldiers around him, he sighed and ordered the communications troops to report to the commander-in-chief of the Kwantung Army, General Umezu Yoshijiro, that the First Corps was blocked by the independent division troops at Wulongbei, Bianmen, and Baoshan.

In the telegram, Captain Fukuzawa emphasized the fierce artillery fire of the independent division's blocking force. He also implored the commander-in-chief to immediately reinforce at least five large-caliber field artillery regiments to suppress the firepower of the independent division's artillery, and

The troops are allowed to retreat temporarily and out of the range of the independent division's artillery fire. Otherwise, it will be absolutely difficult for the First Corps to launch an attack on Anton on time. This is not due to the department's failure to do its best, but to the weapons and equipment of both sides. The difference is too big and cannot be achieved by the number of troops.

make up!

In fact, this was Colonel Fukuzawa's best estimate. He murmured in his mind, "The artillery fire of the independent division is so fierce that it is the blocking line in front of us. Whether the First Corps can pass through is still a question.

Fucking attack Anton? Just talk about it?"

"Block! Block again! Prepared again! Why do the independent division troops always seize the opportunity?" After receiving the emergency telegram from Colonel Fukuzawa, commander of the First Corps, General Umezu Yoshijiro's face was ashen and he was so angry.

He was going crazy and tore the telegram into pieces with just a few handfuls.

The old trick of fighting hard was blocked again. General Umezu now had neither field artillery nor any heavy equipment, so he temporarily organized two corps, which basically used all the troops in Fengtian and the surrounding areas of Fengtian.

Empty, otherwise, the Manchurian Japanese soldiers would not be allowed to act as the main force in attacking Anton!

General Umezu's face was gloomy and terrifying. Chief of Staff Matsuda asked cautiously: "Commander-in-Chief, how do you call Captain Fukuzawa back?" Since last night, General Umezu, who has always been calm and composed, with the demeanor of a general of the Japanese Empire,

His temper became extremely irritable, like a reckless man, and he even got angry even if he didn't touch him!

A lieutenant general and staff officer was shot because of a trivial mistake. In normal times, the punishment would be three days of confinement at most. Even Chief of Staff Matsuda himself received severe reprimands several times, and he was still on the spot.

In the face of many staff officers in the headquarters, the current Commander-in-Chief Umezu is like a powder keg. Therefore, Chief of Staff Matsuda has to be very careful when he speaks.

General Umezu Yoshijiro, with a fierce look in his eyes, said in a hoarse voice: "Chief of Staff Matsuda, call back to Fukuzawa and attack! Keep attacking! Don't be afraid of casualties. You will never allow retreat. Tell Fukuzawa that you have something in your hands."

With more than 90,000 troops, if you can't even break through the blocking line of the independent division troops, you will be the sinner of the Japanese Empire!"

Chief of Staff Matsuda was trembling all over, looking at General Umezu with a fierce look in disbelief. Without enough artillery cover, the First Corps was bombed and had already suffered heavy losses. Now, the remaining soldiers were forced to brave the overwhelming

What's the difference between launching an attack and committing suicide? That's tens of thousands of people. Although most of the division is Manchurian, there are also seven or eight thousand Japanese!

"Commander-in-Chief Umezu has gone crazy, lost his mind, and lost his mind!" Chief of Staff Matsuda lamented in his heart, but he had no choice, and his own words had no effect at all.

"Huh huh huh!" General Umezu sneered ferociously, stared at Chief of Staff Matsuda with a cold gaze, and said: "Chief of Staff Matsuda, do you think that my order is very cruel, allowing the First Corps without artillery cover to forcibly

Is it irrational to risk the fierce artillery fire attack from the independent division's artillery?"

Chief of Staff Matsuda was shocked by General Umezu's fierce eyes and hurriedly lowered his head and said: "The staff dare not! Any decisions and orders of the Commander-in-Chief will be implemented by the staff!"

"Hey!" General Umezu sighed and said: "Matsuda-kun, when will you be able to follow my thinking? The current situation is that we cannot provide any support to the First Corps at all, even a field artillery brigade.

the only way,

It is to use the tens of thousands of people in the First Corps to consume the ammunition of the independent division troops and wear down the spirit of their soldiers. The real main force to attack Anton will reach Wulongbei, Side Gate, and the third line of Baoshan in a few hours.

Second Corps, do you understand?"

The words were so explicit that Chief of Staff Matsuda couldn't understand that he was just a stick. It was precisely because he understood General Umezu Yoshijiro's intention that he couldn't help but feel chills in his heart. More than 90,000 people were used as cannon fodder and human bodies were used.

When it comes to changing the shells, Commander-in-Chief Umezu’s handiwork is too big, too ruthless and vicious! The plan is extremely vicious!

"The staff understands!" Chief of Staff Matsuda replied with a trembling voice, "Just understand! Matsuda-kun, strictly ordered the First Corps not to stop the attack, and ordered the Second Corps to launch an attack immediately after reaching the independent division's blocking line. Today

Before evening, I want to see the result of Anton City falling into the hands of the Kwantung Army again!"

"Matsuda-kun, it is related to the life and death of the Kwantung Army. We can't have any mercy, women's kindness! Is there any news about the retreating Third Army and the Kwantung Army's first and second detachments?" General Umezu suddenly said

asked, obviously he didn't want to talk more on this topic.

Chief of Staff Matsuda replied: "Commander-in-Chief, an hour ago, we received a telegram from Major General Sakai, Chief of Staff of the 107th Division, which retreated from the eastern front of the Liaodong Peninsula. They have reached the southeastern part of Ansu and are retreating at the fastest speed.

The troops were so fast that they suffered heavy losses. Along the way, they were bombarded by the Independent Division’s aviation forces and pursued relentlessly by the Independent Division’s ground troops!”

"What about the central and western fronts? Is there any news?" General Umezu asked.

Chief of Staff Matsuda said in a very serious tone: "Not yet. Two hours ago, I sent a telegram to inquire. The situation is not optimistic. The retreating troops on the central and western fronts suffered the same as those on the eastern front. They were even attacked.

The bombing was more intense, and it seemed that most of the independent division's aviation force was concentrated on the central and western fronts. The speed of the troops' retreat was greatly affected! This is the main reason for lagging behind the troops on the eastern front!"

General Umezu's eyes were wandering, and he seemed to grasp something in his heart, but he had no clear line, so he said casually: "Matsuda-kun, because of this, we need the continuous attack of the First Corps and even the Second Corps to attract

All the energy of the independent division troops in the Andong direction will create conditions for the smooth retreat of the 107th Division!"

"Wait a minute! Are you saying that most of the aviation force of the Independent Division is concentrated on the central and western fronts? Is the news reliable?" General Umezu raised his head suddenly, sparks suddenly flashed in his eyes, like a will-o'-the-wisp, and he asked urgently.

.

Although it was strange why the commander-in-chief would ask such a question, Chief of Staff Matsuda answered truthfully: "Yes, the commanders of the two retreating troops reported this!"

The light in General Umezu Yoshijiro's eyes flashed suddenly, he strode to the military map, pointed at the location of Gaizhou and said: "Matsuda-kun, based on this, we can draw the following judgment, the independent division that crossed the Yalu River

, because of the convenient location, they can quickly occupy Anton, but they cannot reach the Gaizhou line in a short time. They need to cross the entire Liaodong Peninsula. In other words, there is currently no independent division on the Gaizhou line.

force!"

"From Andong to Gaizhou, the distance of more than 200 kilometers still requires a detour. It cannot be reached in a few hours. The China Devil concentrated most of its air power on the central and western fronts in order to delay the emperor.

The speed of the army's retreat will buy him enough time for his troops to move westward to capture Anton and seize the Gaizhou frontline as soon as possible! Gaizhou is the biggest loophole in Tang Qiuli's plan!"

General Umezu Yoshijiro's judgment is correct. At this moment, several brigades of the Han Railway Force are rushing towards Gaizhou, cutting off the Japanese army's retreat to Fengtian. Gaizhou is the western line of the Liaodong Peninsula, leading to

The most important node in Fengtian.

"Commander-in-Chief, what do you mean?" Staff Chief Matsuda asked with confusion in his eyes.

General Umezu said: "Matsuda-kun, the Gaizhou line is the only chance for the retreating imperial troops. Order the 107th Division to retreat on the eastern front to leave a small number of troops to maintain the illusion of retreating from the Andong line. The rest of the troops

, immediately begin to turn laterally towards Gaizhou. The troops on the central and western fronts must speed up. In the telegram, they must clearly tell the commanders at all levels that this is the only opportunity to seize time. You must seize time!"

(To be continued) (To be continued..)