Chapter 208

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

Inside the Central China Expeditionary Army Headquarters, Lieutenant General Matsui Iwane paced back and forth irritably in front of the map.

Just having received battle reports from the 101st Division and the 11th Division sent from the Changshu frontline, obviously, before the sturdy Wufu Defense Line, the little devils' attacks were frustrated for yet another whole day, with their troops unable to advance a single step before the Sichuan Army's solid fortifications.

"Baka! Why hasn't the naval gun support on the Yangtze River arrived yet?!" Matsui Iwane turned around and asked Asahiko, "Tell Gu Qingchuan that if his fleet cannot provide fire support again, the attacks of the 11th Division deployed on the right wing and the 101st Division will completely stagnate!"

Asahiko sighed helplessly: "The Chinese army has laid dense minefields in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and every night they dispatch torpedo boats to harass.

The Third Fleet has already lost two destroyers and three minesweepers; Commander Gu Qingchuan stated that before the waterway from Baimaokou to Changshu is completely swept clean, the main fleet ships absolutely cannot risk advancing."

Now the Third Fleet only conducts minesweeping operations during the day, and must strengthen vigilance at night, completely unable to push forward."

Hearing these words, Matsui Iwane considered them nothing but excuses from the navy.

Matsui Iwane angrily slapped the table: "The navy spent so much money, and a few mines have them stumped? Those cowards in the navy just know how to find reasons to shirk responsibility!"

"Commander, please calm your anger." Asahiko walked up to the map, pointing at the location of Suzhou City on the map: "Since the right wing cannot be broken through temporarily, we should focus on the left wing of the Wufu Line.

The three divisions attacking Suzhou have completed their assembly; my Shanghai Expeditionary Army's 3rd, 13th, and 16th Divisions can launch a general attack at any time."

"As long as Suzhou is taken, the left wing of the Wufu Defense Line will collapse; by then, the defenders in the Changshu direction will surely have shaken morale, and might even retreat without a fight."

Matsui Iwane calmed down, carefully examining the map: "How are the preparations for the offensive against Suzhou City?"

Asahiko said: "The 3rd, 13th, and 16th Divisions have completed their campaign assembly; together with artillery and armored forces, the total strength reaches over sixty thousand men."

"As long as Suzhou is taken, the entire left wing of the Wufu Defense Line will collapse; by then, the Changshu defenders will surely have to divert troops to rescue, and the stalemate on the right wing will naturally be resolved."

"How are the air force and armored forces prepared?"

Asahiko said confidently: "All are already in place; the attached armored forces and the 3rd Flight Group of the air force have also made full preparations for full support."

"This time we can let loose and fight hard; the air force will provide full support throughout, and tanks will be attached to the main attacking forces. As long as Suzhou is taken, half of the entire Wufu Defense Line will collapse."

Matsui Iwane's expression finally eased somewhat: "Then do as you say. Order the 3rd, 13th, and 16th Divisions to launch a general attack on Suzhou at dawn tomorrow!"

However, Matsui Iwane suddenly thought of something: "Your Shanghai Expeditionary Army is ready, but where has Yanagawa Heisuke's Tenth Army advanced to now? Have his troops reached Jinshanwei? The Tenth Army is our other big hand for outflanking Jinling."

Asahiko shook his head: "When the Tenth Army was advancing south, it was blocked by Wu Keren's 67th Army at Songjiang; according to intelligence, the forces Zhang Fakui deployed in Hangzhou Bay have already begun withdrawing successively to the National Defense Works on the Zhapingjia Line; it seems that Lieutenant General Yanagawa Heisuke's Tenth Army will also have a big battle to fight."

Matsui Iwane suddenly felt as if he had fallen into the enemy's trap, sinking deeper and deeper into the enemy's layered defensive lines, unable to extricate himself.

After a long silence, Matsui Iwane thought of the Sihang Warehouse; regarding this Sihang Warehouse, Matsui Iwane considered it the only thing he could hold in his hand.

"How is the Sihang Warehouse? Have the Marine Corps surrounded it?"

Asahiko smiled: "Please rest assured, Commander; the Marine Corps has already surrounded the Sihang Warehouse on all sides; the defenders inside cannot fly away with wings; sooner or later there will be a day when ammunition and food run out; by then they will either surrender or starve to death inside."

"Very good." Matsui Iwane nodded with satisfaction: "Tell Gu Qingchuan that although we cannot count on naval gun support from the Yangtze River for the time being, the enemies at the Sihang Warehouse absolutely cannot be allowed to escape!"

"At the same time, your Shanghai Expeditionary Army Headquarters orders the 3rd, 13th, and 16th Divisions to immediately prepare for attack; tomorrow I want to see the Sun Flag planted on Suzhou City's walls!"

"Yanagawa Heisuke's Tenth Army should break through Songjiang as soon as possible, find a way to open the Zhapingjia Line, detour to the south bank of Taihu Lake, and threaten Jinling!"

Orders were quickly transmitted to all units. On the Suzhou frontline, the Japanese three divisions began their final pre-battle preparations.

Twenty kilometers east of Suzhou City, Asahiko's Shanghai Expeditionary Army's three divisions completed their preparations.

Tanks rumbled into their departure positions; artillery busied themselves calibrating firing parameters; infantry checked their weapons and equipment, ready to storm into Suzhou City at any time.

At this very moment inside Suzhou City, the headquarters of the Ninth Group Army was stationed here.

Qiu Qingquan's hands were piled high with various intelligence reports from the frontline: "Brother Weiyue, it seems the enemy is about to launch a major offensive targeting Suzhou City."

Lv Muzhi had long smelled the gunpowder ahead; the Japanese devils of the Shanghai Expeditionary Army were attacking along the Shanghai-Nanjing Railway Line, and Suzhou was a key town on this railway line.

Fortunately, outside Suzhou City, the various units of the Ninth Group Army had already entered the National Defense Works, facing alone the concentrated firepower and fierce attack of the Japanese three divisions; this was Lv Muzhi's first time.

Other friendly troops had already advanced to the Xicheng Line in the rear; some units had been pulled to Jinling for rest and refit.

Lv Muzhi looked at the various generals at the meeting; they were all from his Ninth Group Army.

Two group armies were deployed on the Wufu Defense Line: one was the Sichuan Army Liu Xiang's 23rd Group Army deployed at Changshu, and the other was Lv Muzhi's Ninth Group Army deployed at Suzhou.

Now inside this Suzhou City, there were only Lv Muzhi's troops.

The 36th, 87th, and 88th German-equipped Divisions, as well as two divisions of the Youth Army, a Tank Regiment, and an Artillery Regiment.

Regarding the defense of Suzhou, the officers of the Ninth Group Army were all very confident; this place was over eighty kilometers from the Yangtze River, and the Japanese warships could by no means deliver their naval guns here.

Liao Yaoxiang stood up: "Rest assured, Lu Commander; what if the Wang Jingwei Regime has three divisions? They absolutely have no possibility of breaking through our army's defensive line!"

Song Xilian, commander of the 36th Division, was also very confident: "I have already inspected the fortifications of the Wufu Line; withstanding the little devils' 150-caliber artillery is absolutely no problem!"

Chu Yunfei: "Lu Commander, the latest batch of ammunition supplies has already been transported by train line, and the various units are distributing them!"

Lv Muzhi nodded and asked: "The civilians of Suzhou City should evacuate to the rear as much as possible; the little devils' shells have no eyes; this matter cannot be ignored either."