Age of Conquest Reborn

Chapter 961: Give up

As the night fell, sporadic gunshots continued to ring out in Nanning City. Under the fierce firepower from both sides, the houses were turned into ruins and rubble. Every street, every alley, and every house was fought over.

Focus, after a day of fierce fighting, the sound of gunfire that echoed through Nanning City stopped.--%.net

Burning houses, buildings with black smoke, corpses of Japanese and Gui soldiers lying in the streets and alleys, stains of solidified blood on the roads, and in the air, in addition to the choking smell of gunpowder smoke, there is also a lingering

The burning smell was gone, the whole city was burning, trembling while burning, resisting while trembling, and countless lives were lost during the resistance.

On the north bank of the Hujiang River, in a building that has half collapsed, there is a relatively intact house. There are several lanterns in the house, which illuminate the interior. The windows have been tightly blocked by thick quilts. Looking from the outside

There is less than a glimmer of light. This is the new headquarters of General Bai Chongxi, commander-in-chief of Nanning City Defense.

If you include this place, Bai Chongxi has moved three times today, from the south of the city to the north of the city, and from the south bank of the Hujiang River to the north bank. He was constantly driven away by the Japanese army. In just two days, there were more than 90,000 defenders on the outskirts of Nanning.

, there were less than 40,000 people left, and there were more than 50,000 defenders in the city, with more than 20,000 casualties. Bai Chongxi still had less than 70,000 troops left in his hands.

From May 13th to May 22nd, in ten days, the elite Gui Army troops suffered more than 80,000 casualties, but they still could not withstand the crazy Japanese attack. For two days, Bai Chongxi kept repeating the same thing

After receiving the order, the scattered troops gathered together and established a new line of defense. He threw the Gui army troops into the battlefield of death. For a belief or a persistence, for the land of Bagui or his own reputation, Bai Chongxi himself

I can't figure it out either.

The only thing that made Bai Chongxi happy was that none of the troops surrendered, and they would rather die in battle. The fierceness of the Gui army also brought huge casualties to the attacking Japanese army. The corpses of more than 50,000 Japanese soldiers were covered in Nanning.

In the suburbs and in the city, Bai Chongxi was silent for a long time, his tired eyes scanning everyone around him, all of whom were his close and beloved generals.

Zhang Gan, commander of the Ninth Army, raised his eyebrows and stepped forward to speak. Bai Chongxi waved his hand and said in a low voice: "Let me think about it." The room fell into silence, and everyone looked at their commander Bai silently outside the window.

, sporadic gunshots constantly broke the tranquility of the night, but made the atmosphere in the room even more depressing.

In a private house in the south of Nanning City, Lieutenant General Masaharu Honma, the commander of the Japanese Nanning Campaign, was holding a military meeting. Compared with a few days ago, the lieutenant general looked much better. His face was ashen and defeated a few days ago.

He was as decadent as a rooster, his face was glowing red, and he glanced at the senior officers present with piercing eyes, showing that he was sure of victory and confident.

"Gentlemen, the capture of Nanning City has become a foregone conclusion. The key question now is whether our Third Army and Fourth Army can completely annihilate the China-Guangxi Army on the Nanning front line and avenge the shattered warriors of the Japanese Empire. My

The idea is that the large-scale attack on the north of Nanning and the north bank of Hujiang River will be temporarily suspended.

, maintain appropriate pressure, attract the Guangxi Army to Nanning City, mobilize forces overnight, attack Luan City on the right wing of Nanning, and then surround Nanning and cut off the retreat route of the China Guangxi Army." Masaharu Honma said, looking at the location of Nanning on the map.

, punched hard, it seemed that the Gui army was already under his control.

The senior Japanese generals present expressed their agreement with the Commander-in-Chief's plan. This was the best way to end the Nanning Battle and deal with the China-Guangxi Army. After a few days, all the Japanese generals were certainly angered by the huge casualties. At the same time,

The tenacious resistance spirit and fierce fighting will of the Gui Army soldiers were somewhat chilling. In one battle, more than 50,000 Imperial Army soldiers were shattered. Thinking about it makes me feel chilly at the back of my head.

If the Guangxi Army is surrounded, the situation will be completely different. The casualties in the fight will be much smaller. Only that fool would oppose the commander's plan. The meeting ended quickly. In the dark night, we withdrew from the line of fire.

Two Japanese divisions quietly left the smoke-filled Nanning City and headed straight for Luan City.

All this happened, the Gui Army troops confronting the Japanese army did not know, nor did Bai Chongxi. If he knew that the Japanese army put its main attack force on Luan City on the right wing of Nanning, I am afraid he would not hesitate anymore.

Once the city is lost, the more than 70,000 Guangxi troops in Nanning will be made dumplings by the Japanese. I am afraid that he, the second-largest figure in the Guangxi faction, will have no choice but to be a prisoner.

In the Nanning City Defense Headquarters, other senior generals of the Guangxi Army were almost suffocating from waiting. Bai Chongxi finally spoke, "Send a telegram to Vice Chairman Tang to inform you that our troops will evacuate Nanning City tonight." This telegram

It's quite interesting. He neither explained the time of retreat nor where to retreat. It was a meaningless sentence. It can be seen how confused Bai Chongxi was. He said it was a briefing and asked Tang Qiuli for advice.

almost.

In the past few days, Tang Qiuli had not slept well at all. The war in Nanning City was always on his mind. As for the Japanese Yamashita Fengwen 15th Army approaching from southwest Guangdong, they were still far away from Guangzhou. The battle goal had been determined.

, the specific plan is provided by *

Ma Chaoyang, commander of the Southeast Mobile Corps of the *Division, does not need to worry about him. He does not have as few troops as Bai Chongxi. He can mobilize more than two corps at any time to participate in the Guangzhou Campaign. A mountain serving Wen is not worthy of Tang Qiuli's attention.

.

When he received Bai Chongxi's telegram, he had just returned from a walk with Mei Xue. Seeing that he had not been out of the war room for a few days, Mei Xue forced him to go out for a walk, saying he wanted to breathe fresh air. As soon as he left the room, Guangzhou's night was sultry and humid.

of

The air almost suffocated him. Regardless of Mei Xue's pout, he hurried back. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw Chen Feng, the director of the communications department, waiting for him with a telegram, "Commander, I just received a message from Bai Chongxi."

Emergency telegram," Chen Feng said.

After reading the telegram, Tang Qiuli shook his head and said, "This guy can't stand it any longer. He's already confused. Director Chen, do you have any information from the direction of Luancheng?" "I just received the call from the 13th Detachment of the Chutian Special Warfare Detachment.

According to the information, about two divisions of Japanese troops left Nanning overnight and headed towards Luancheng. The 13th Team is under surveillance and will report specific information at any time," Chen Feng answered rigorously.

Tang Qiuli's expression changed, and he quickly walked into the war room, found the location of Luan City on the map, and said to Chen Feng who followed him: "Quickly, call Bai Chongxi back, General Lin Ge, according to the exact information, two Japanese divisions

The regiment's troops are moving towards Luancheng. According to my judgment, it seems that they have broken through Luancheng.

In an attempt to encircle Nanning from the right wing, the Guangxi Army's troops in Nanning City must withdraw tonight, otherwise, the consequences will be disastrous. The specific withdrawal direction is the Liuzhou area in northeastern Guangxi. Our ** Division troops are responsible for responding. In addition, when retreating, pay attention

It's best to stay hidden so as not to alert the Japanese troops. We look forward to getting a call back."

The waiting time is the most torturous. According to Bai Chongxi's character, there will be no reply if he doesn't consider it for several hours. Tang Qiuli is anxiously waiting for Bai Chongxi's call back. Under such circumstances, every minute is precious.

, Unexpectedly, in less than ten minutes, Bai Chongxi called back. It was very simple, just two sentences, "All units of the Guangxi Army fully implemented the order of Vice Chairman Tang and immediately began to withdraw to northeastern Guangxi."

Tang Qiuli was stunned. It seemed that he had no orders to give orders to Bai Chongxi, right? Little Zhuge has become obedient? This is not his character. Thinking about it carefully, Tang Qiuli smiled bitterly. Bai Chongxi is still tempted at this time. Once the Gui army

Troop North

On the way to the northeast of Guangxi, they were ambushed or intercepted by the Japanese army. Bai Chongxi could be said to have carried out his own orders. He also held the title of Commander-in-Chief of Military Assistance Defense of the five southern provinces on his head. Bai Chongxi also had a deep understanding of the Guangxi clique.

An explanation.

After receiving Tang Qiuli's telegram, Bai Chongxi broke out in a cold sweat. Masaharu Honma was indeed sinister and sinister. He actually mobilized two divisions from the front battlefield to cut his own retreat. After many days of fighting, the Luancheng defenders

, has been almost exhausted. If the Japanese troops of these two divisions join the attack sequence, Luan City will definitely not be saved, and the retreat route to northeastern Guangxi will be completely cut off.

"Order that all troops in Nanning City withdraw from their positions one by one in sequence, assemble in the Shanglin area, and then withdraw to Liuzhou. Tell the troops not to disturb the Japanese army and send a telegram to the Luancheng garrison. Before receiving the order, even if

Even if we fight to the death of every soldier, we must nail it there." Bai Chongxi finally issued the order to withdraw from Nanning. He had to do this. If Luancheng was lost, Nanning's troops would be attacked by the Japanese during their retreat.

volley.

Groups of Gui Army soldiers quietly left their positions and evacuated Nanning City. After several days of bloody battles, many good brothers were lying here. With tears in their eyes, the Gui Army soldiers left Nanning City, where they had been fighting for several days. Bai Chongxi didn’t know

What kind of mood did he feel? He was determined not to leave Nanning before all the troops had evacuated. No matter how persuaded by his advisers and staff, he remained unmoved.

Thanks to Honma Masaharu's plan, he unintentionally cooperated with the Gui army's retreat. By 3:18 in the morning, more than 70,000 Gui army troops had all evacuated Nanning City. Only then did Bai Chongxi leave under the protection of the guards.

He left Nanning City, which was filled with gunpowder smoke, and left Nanning City, which he had to leave.

Before leaving, Bai Chongxi took a deep look at Nanning, which had swallowed the lives of tens of thousands of Gui Army soldiers. His face was miserable. A careful staff officer discovered that there were tears flashing in Mr. Bai's eyes, showing pain, loss, and sadness.

Reluctant, perhaps, even he himself couldn't tell how he was feeling at the moment.

It was not until noon on May 23 that the Japanese army discovered that the Gui Army position on the opposite side was empty. At this time, the battle in the direction of Luancheng was going on fiercely. Masaharu Honma, who learned of the situation, came to the forward position in person

, looked at the north bank of the Hujiang River in disbelief. The water in the Hujiang River was calm, and his prey had escaped.

At this moment, Masaharu Honma felt like he had been fooled. He squeezed out the word "pursue" through his teeth. It was not a part of the Japanese army, but all of them. In order to wash away this shame, Masaharu Honma even gave up his original plan to attack Guizhou.

plan.

(To be continued)