Chapter 232: Republic of China: Starting from Whampoa Class One Chapter 232 Jiangyin Fortress

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

The various division commanders also looked at each other in dismay, unable to conceal the lingering fear in their eyes.

They had previously felt impatient, to varying degrees, with the slow advance along the river, and had even secretly supported some risky outflanking plans.

But the bloody facts before them told them that the Army must advance steadily from now on; otherwise, any action could turn into a disaster of walking into a trap.

Prince Asaka-no-miya Yasuhiko sighed: "Commander Matsui Iwane... it seems the General Staff's previous concerns were not without reason.

The Sixth Division's sacrifice... was certainly heroic, but it also proved that the idea of quickly opening the situation from the Taihu direction... currently appears unworkable."

Matsui Iwane slowly raised his head, his gaze somewhat vacant as it swept over every general present.

After this defeat, to organize another similarly bold outflanking attack in the short term, whether in terms of morale or actual command, would face enormous difficulties.

The various divisions would inevitably become more conservative, more reliant on the Navy they disliked.

"Has there been any progress from the offensive forces on the Xicheng Line front?" Matsui Iwane asked helplessly, pressing his forehead.

Prince Asahiko, responsible for the frontal command, shook his head: "Ever since learning the 45th Regiment's operation might have failed, the Chinese garrison's resistance seems to have become even more stubborn. Our several probing attacks have achieved little, with not insignificant casualties. Now... it seems we cannot wait for the flank coordination either."

Finally, after listening, Matsui Iwane waved his hand: "Cease the frontal assault, withdraw the troops to a safe distance, shift to a defensive alert posture, and wait for the Navy to advance......"

"Your Excellency, will the Army General Staff order us to halt the advance?!" a division commander asked.

Upon hearing this, Matsui Iwane did not answer, merely waving his hand to dismiss everyone.

Just as the Central China Area Army Headquarters was shrouded in a stifling atmosphere, downstream on the Yangtze River, the Jiangyin Fortress guarding the throat welcomed two special inspectors.

Lv Muzhi, Commander of the Yangtze River Defense and Commander of the Ninth Group Army, and Chen Shaokuan, Minister of the Navy, stood side by side on a gun platform of the Jiangyin Fortress, gazing at the vast, mighty river surface beneath their feet.

The river wind whistled, fluttering their lapels.

The main body of the Jiangyin Fortress is a hollowed-out mountain — Huang Shan on the north side of Jiangyin City, by the Yangtze River.

Colonel An Bang stood to the right rear of the two men; this former Torpedo Boat Flotilla Commander, due to his military exploits and familiarity with naval warfare, had been nominated by Lv Muzhi as the Jiangyin Fortress Commander, and was now following behind the two superiors, concisely reporting the fortress's defensive deployment.

An Bang pointed at the faintly visible outlines of gun positions in the distance and the huge openings in the cliff face and said: "Currently the Jiangyin Fortress core consists of five major gun battery groups: Huang Shan, Dongshan, Xishan, Eshan, and Xiaoshan, with a total of thirty-six heavy guns of 150mm caliber or above, all having entered their preset permanent fortifications.

The fortification main bodies are excavated relying on the mountain mass, with concrete covering averaging over two meters thick, the tops covered by natural rock and camouflage layers, capable of effectively defending against enemy aerial bombs and naval gunfire."

Chen Shaokuan nodded; in fact, he had already come here with Lv Muzhi many times before. This visit was firstly because the fortress firepower had been strengthened, and secondly because the little devils were about to close in.

As for the Jiangyin Fortress renovation, it was Lv Muzhi who had completely redesigned it several years ago.

As a civil engineer, Lv Muzhi hollowed out this riverside Huang Shan, hid a large number of artillery pieces inside the caves, leaving firing ports overlooking the Yangtze River surface.

"Besides these big guys, we have also strengthened the medium and small caliber dual-purpose high-angle guns, especially the quantity of German-made 88mm guns, deployed at strategic positions, capable of both air defense and striking enemy light vessels and minesweepers attempting to approach.

In addition, we have laid multi-layered mixed minefields, with anchored mines, drifting mines...... my Torpedo Boat Flotilla main force is also concealed in the tributary Han Port near the fortress, ready to sortie at any time to intercept and annihilate the Japanese fleet."

Chen Shaokuan listened silently, his gaze sweeping over the solid-as-bedrock fortifications beneath his feet, then looking toward the east where water met sky, and spoke:

"Wei Yue, you have managed this Jiangyin Fortress truly impregnable. With such geographical advantage, plus these heavy guns and mines, the devils' fleet wanting to force a frontal breakthrough will not die but will shed a layer of skin......

However... I, this Navy Minister, serve with genuine shame, watching the Wang Jingwei Regime's fleet flaunt its might overseas, even arriving at our doorstep... yet I cannot lead the fleet out to sea to fight the enemy to the death! Every time I think of this, my heart is cut like a knife."

After speaking, Chen Shaokuan clenched his right fist, slamming it hard against the barrel of the 203mm howitzer beside him.

Lv Muzhi understood Chen Shaokuan's feelings. This Navy Minister had a strong patriotic sentiment, yearning to defend the maritime borders.

But the reality is, the disparity in Sino-Japanese naval strength is vast, a frontal decisive battle has almost no chance of victory.

More critically, Lv Muzhi had laid dense minefields on the Yangtze; if the Navy's fleet once sailed out for a decisive battle, it would be a one-way trip, the mines would equally block their own fleet's return route.

"Minister Chen, I understand your feelings, but the way of war lies in leveraging strengths and avoiding weaknesses, aiming to ultimately win victory, not momentary blood-courage.

The current situation: Jiangyin Fortress is our most important shield blocking the Japanese advance along the Yangtze; your fleet is the sharp sword hidden behind this shield."

Chen Shaokuan crossed his arms and smiled: "Just venting a bit of frustration; I understand all the reasoning."

The Jiangyin Fortress and minefields will inflict major casualties on the enemy, waiting until the Japanese fleet thinks it has cleared the waterway and can rush straight for Jinling.

Chen Shaokuan's naval fleet can then engage the devils' fleet in a battle, guarding the Capital.

At that time, the Japanese fleet, after many hard battles, will not have high morale either; fighting inside the Yangtze is overall advantageous for Chen Shaokuan's Navy.

Chen Shaokuan said: "Our Navy is still too weak; what I can directly command are only the Central First and Second Fleets, plus the Practice Fleet and Patrol Fleet, thirty-one warships of various types in total. Among these warships, only the two 2,600-ton ships Ping Hai and Ning Hai can enter the Japanese Navy's discerning eye;

the other various ships are all old ships and old guns left by the Qing Dynasty; some warships can't even fire their naval guns;

but even so, I must seize the opportunity to fight a bloody battle with the enemy fleet;

this is also why I support you; the old man wanted the Navy to sink all its own warships to block the Japanese warships, I felt the actual effect would be small, your plan preserved my dignity to fight the Japanese fleet!"

An Bang also nodded vigorously at the side: "Exactly, Commander Chen, my Torpedo Boat Flotilla is also holding back a surge of energy! We absolutely will not let the little devils pass through the waterway easily!"

Lv Muzhi patted An Bang's shoulder: "Tomorrow I must go with Minister Chen to Jinling for an operations meeting; Jiangyin Fortress is entrusted to you and the Navy's fleet commander; you must absolutely not hand over the fortress easily!"

An Bang stood at attention and saluted: "Absolutely will not disgrace the mission!"