Chapter 356: Republic of China: Starting from the First Class of Whampoa Chapter 366: As Long as We Reach That Place!

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Protagonist:

Lv Muzhi

"Lv Commander is here!" a loud announcement rang out.

Lv Muzhi walked into the frontline command post of the Huangchuan Campaign, and everyone stood up at once.

"Lv Commander, the two divisions of Prince Higashikuni have turned back toward the Dabie Mountains to attack Wuhan! Should we send troops to pursue them?!" Qiu Qingquan said.

Lv Muzhi walked to the sand table, placed both hands on its edge, and said: "I am already aware of the situation. Our forces are limited; for now, we must capture Huangchuan City as quickly as possible!

In the Dabie Mountains, the strategic pass of Xiaojieling is now defended by Huang Wei's Eighteenth Army. Within one week, Xiaojieling will absolutely not fall.

Within this one week, as long as we capture Huangchuan, I refuse to believe we cannot pull back Prince Higashikuni's two divisions crossing the Dabie Mountains!"

Song Xilian said: "Huangchuan City is not easy to attack either. There are two divisions inside and outside the city, and to the west, two more divisions are coming along the Huai River for reinforcements."

Hu Gongnan: "Lv Commander, this Huangchuan Campaign carries extremely high risk."

Lv Muzhi glanced at him: "It is already September. The Songhu Campaign ended a year ago, and our army has spent this year constantly losing cities and territory;

although we achieved many victories annihilating Japanese troops during this period, as soldiers, losing cities and territory is already a great disgrace. If we lose Wuhan again this time, we truly cannot face the people and the late Prime Minister!"

Therefore, in this Huangchuan Campaign, we must firmly pin down six Japanese divisions, help the Fifth War Zone and Ninth War Zone, and defeat Gangcun Ningci's Eleventh Army on the Yangtze River!"

Qiu Qingquan immediately said: "I am willing to follow Lv Commander's lead!"

Du Yuming and Song Xilian also expressed support, and Hu Gongnan finally agreed somewhat reluctantly.

"Some people, every time the Japanese attack, think that as long as they block and delay it will be fine. They have already decided in their hearts that Wuhan will be lost, and join the war with the idea of preserving their strength.

I put my words here: in this campaign, if anyone cowers in battle, do not blame military law for being merciless!"

"Qiu Qingquan! Hu Gongnan!"

"Present!"

"Qiu Qingquan will lead two divisions of the Youth First Army to attack Huangchuan City. Hu Gongnan's First Army and Forty-fifth Army will cooperate in the attack."

"Du Yuming!"

"Present!"

"Your 200th Division will follow the two divisions of Prince Higashikuni hurrying back to the Dabie Mountains. Note: only guard them, prevent them from returning to reinforce Huangchuan."

"Song Xilian's Seventy-first Army will be the Reserve Force."

"Yes!"

Lv Muzhi finally said: "I will personally command the Youth Third Army to block the Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division coming from the west for reinforcements, and buy time for the recapture of Huangchuan City!"

The orders were issued, and the Huangchuan battlefield, which had temporarily stagnated, once again resumed its scene of artillery fire filling the sky.

Qiu Qingquan concentrated his forces, commanded heavy artillery, and launched a wild bombardment against the city walls of Huangchuan City.

The two divisions coming from the west for reinforcements were blocked by the Youth Third Army, so Qiu Qingquan could attack Huangchuan with greater peace of mind.

"Rocket Artillery Battalion, full firepower! Rocket shells—Lv Commander has already sent them with the army! Annihilate the Imperial Guard Division inside!"

Lv Muzhi was about to lead the Youth Third Army to block the Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division coming along the Huai River for reinforcements.

Compared to the old troops of the Youth Army's First and Second Armies, the Youth Third Army, besides meeting the required number of personnel, fell short in training level and equipment level.

This force was officially established at the end of May, reached full personnel in early July, and was brought to the Huangchuan battlefield in mid-September.

The only thing that put Lv Muzhi at ease was that over 70 percent of this force were men recruited from other units, most of whom had combat experience.

The main force of the Third Army was the Sichuan Army's 22nd Group Army, plus various units that had retreated and scattered from the Xuzhou battlefield, and reserve units from the Southwest.

In terms of equipment, the Third Army had many mountain guns and few heavy artillery pieces, but all three Rocket Artillery Battalions were fully equipped with portable rocket launchers.

The tank organization was incomplete: no division had a tank battalion. Only one tank regiment was established under the Third Army, mainly equipped with T light tanks, totaling over eighty vehicles of various types, for concentrated use.

Most had been re-equipped with Zhongzheng Rifles; MG34 Machine Gun coverage reached 70%. As for shortages, they were filled by Czech-style weapons and others......

It could be said that the Youth Third Army was a force that could not match the top but surpassed the bottom.

Lv Muzhi summoned the commanders of the Third Army and said: "With Wang Minzhang, commander of the Youth Eighth Division, as the vanguard, attack west and occupy Gushi County, to serve as our bridgehead for blocking the enemy!

The Seventh Division and Ninth Division will deploy on both sides of Gushi County, dig fortifications on the spot, move quickly, and complete all this before the Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division arrive!"

Gushi County, about 60 kilometers east of Huangchuan County, was on Prince Higashikuni's route in. It had been occupied for over half a month. Now, as the Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division came for reinforcements, they too had to pass through Gushi County via the highway.

In less than a month, Gushi County once again welcomed artillery fire.

Unlike last time, the artillery fire coming this time was from the Youth Army.

After Prince Higashikuni captured Gushi County, his main force continued west to attack. The troops left in the city for public order were no more than a squadron.

The Youth Third Army's fifty-plus thousand men attacked, and the Japanese resistance was almost negligible.

Wang Minzhang, commander of the Eighth Division, led his troops. Under relatively restrained artillery support, they almost directly entered the city.

The Eighth Division was mainly reorganized from the Sichuan Army's 122nd Division. Previously, under Wang Minzhang's leadership, it had shone brilliantly in the Teng County Defense Campaign.

Now, this force had gained new life, transformed and reorganized into the Youth Eighth Division, and arrived at the Central China Theater.

Wang Minzhang stood on the city head of Gushi County, turned to the signal soldier and said: "Report to Lv Commander: my troops will definitely defend Gushi to the death, fight to the death and never retreat!"

At the same time, the Youth Third Army's Seventh Division and Ninth Division were digging fortifications on the left and right wings of Gushi County, to welcome the arriving Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division.

Meanwhile, at the foot of the Dabie Mountains, Prince Higashikuni, as usual, set up his command post here, arranged the Eighteenth Division and Sixteenth Division to attack Xiaojieling, and himself stationed at the mountain foot. If Huangchuan changed, he could respond at any time.

"Your Highness! The Imperial Guard Division and Fifth Division at Huangchuan City are under fierce attack!"

"Your Highness! The Youth Army's Third Army has deployed at Gushi County, blocking the Eighteenth Division and One Hundred Sixteenth Division reinforcing Huangchuan."

"Your Highness! Du Yuming's 200th Division has appeared behind us. Currently no other movements!"

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko's heart pounded nonstop.

"Make a phone call. Have Lieutenant General Nakajima Kyōasu take the call!"

The phone connected, and Prince Higashikuni explained the current situation in detail, finally saying: "Lv Muzhi has indeed concentrated his main forces at the Huangchuan Battlefield; if Huangchuan falls, we will all be trapped in the Dabie Mountains!"

"Your Highness, we have no way out; the only method is to break through Xiaojieling as soon as possible, cross the Dabie Mountains, and reach the Yangtze River North Bank. The war situation at Huangchuan is no longer within our consideration."

Prince Higashikuni was stunned; his own subordinates no longer obeyed his commands, and the two were actually under the direct command of General Hata Shunroku, bypassing the chain of command.

On the other end of the phone, Shimomoto Kumaya, commander of the 108th Division, snatched the phone and said: "Your Highness, please believe us!"

"Before Huangchuan falls, I will definitely break through Xiaojieling and cross the Dabie Mountains."

"Lv Muzhi's tank troops cannot cross the Dabie Mountains; provided that we reach the Yangtze River North Bank, we will be safe!"