Chapter 259: War Is Fought with Industrial Power

The Songhu Battlefield!

Lao Chang was unwilling to withdraw his troops; he still believed that his particular method of diplomacy was correct.

Unless it reached a critical moment, Lao Chang would not give up.

Right now, the Brussels Conference was the most critical of critical moments.

Lao Chang decided to hold on a little longer to await changes in the international situation and strive for Western aid.

After all!

"What you say makes sense."

Its predecessor was the Wan Army 2nd Mixed Brigade.

Tani Hisao and Kunisaki Noboru still had confidence.

Lao Chang pondered for a moment and said, "Hmm..."

Liu Heding's 39th Army was a local force that had been incorporated by Lao Chang.

But!

Tani Hisao and Kunisaki Noboru were not afraid at all.

He immediately found his Adjutant and issued the order for an emergency assembly.

Upon hearing this, Tani Hisao nodded slightly, "Kunisaki-kun."

Combat effectiveness had dropped by a significant margin!

He had played this trick very smoothly during the One-Two-Eight Incident.

"If we carry out an encirclement and annihilation then, it will surely be twice the result with half the effort."

"Furthermore, they will be under the command of Huo Kuizhang."

Now, on the Songhu Battlefield!

"Tani Hisao-kun, what you said is correct."

Sitting in his chair, Lao Chang looked at Dai Chunfeng.

A Field Heavy Artillery Brigade possesses between 48 and 72 artillery pieces, with a total strength of over eight thousand men.

On the road to Jinshan County.

After a while!

Dai Chunfeng returned to Lao Chang's office.

"Principal, do you have any other orders?"

The two old devils looked at each other and smiled.

"Transfer a few units to go and assist Huo Kuizhang."

Countries like the United States, Gaul, and the British Isles had also severely sanctioned the little devils.

The 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment had to take the Songjiang Strategic Town, so they had to capture Jinshan County first.

"The industry of the Republic of China is mostly concentrated in the Songhu Region."

"By outflanking the rear of the Republic of China Army, the final victory will belong to the Imperial Army."

"These industries are the economic lifeline of the Republic of China."

Upon hearing this!

For this siege battle, the 10th Army had specifically been assigned a Field Heavy Artillery Brigade.

"Send a telegram to Gu Mosan."

"Tell him to lead the 39th Army and hurry to reinforce Huo Kuizhang."

"According to intelligence from the Special Higher Police, the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and the Railway are constantly transporting supplies."

The concentrated artillery still numbered several dozen pieces.

And!

"Among them, there are 1,168 in the Songhu Region alone."

The entire army headed toward Huo Kuizhang's location.

"I have transferred the 39th Army that was reinforcing the Suzhou River."

The 114th Division marched toward Jiaxing.

"Previously, they were defending the line at Chuanshakou and Shizilin when the 11th Division landed."

And!

Capture the Songjiang Strategic Town in one fell swoop.

Kunisaki Noboru, standing to the side, could not help but nod, clapping his hands in praise for Tani Hisao: "Yoshi!"

Tani Hisao's 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment were now without their Supply Troops and Artillery Regiment.

And the Songjiang Strategic Town happened to be on the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and the Railway.

Lao Chang waved his hand, "Send a telegram to Liu Heding immediately."

The Republic of China Army had gathered heavy troops at both these places, preparing to defend them.

He then spoke up: "Your Excellency Division Commander."

"I checked, and right now, only Liu Heding's 39th Army is around Huo Kuizhang."

"As long as we take Songhu, the Empire's Holy War will be half complete."

For a siege battle, this was the Imperial Army's specialty.

With so much force, they could sweep through a tiny Jinshan County.

"As far as I know!"

Upon hearing this, Dai Chunfeng hurried back without stopping and stood before Lao Chang.

The 10th Army has been assigned the Field Heavy Artillery 6th Brigade!

Jinshan County can be taken very easily.

"The student will go handle it right now!"

"The Imperial Army's progress in conquering the Far East Continent will also be greatly accelerated."

If one wants to cut off the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and the Railway, then one must take Jinshan County.

They divided their forces to head toward the north and south banks of the west side of Taihu.

This is a very important transportation hub.

"Check to see if there are any other troops around the 54th Army."

"The 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment will certainly create glory once again."

Tani Hisao stroked his toothbrush mustache, "Yoshi!"

Seeing that Dai Chunfeng was about to leave, Lao Chang called out again: "Come back!"

Dai Chunfeng stood at attention, and with a snap, saluted Lao Chang: "Yes!"

"As long as we take these two transportation networks!"

On the way back to his office, Lao Chang had already thought of a countermeasure.

Because the tactics of the Republic of China Army are very rigid.

"Wait for my instructions, and at the same time, tell Gu Mosan."

Entering the office.

Even so!

The two of them had already fought siege battles countless times in the Pingjin Region.

"As long as my 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment successfully cut off these two transportation lines."

A portion was assigned to the 114th Division and the 6th Division.

He pointed to the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and the Railway on the map.

As for the retreat of Huo Kuizhang's 54th Army.

Even if he does not have an Artillery Regiment now, the regiments under the division still have regimental guns.

Its combat effectiveness and Weaponry are not very good, but compared to the Sichuan Army that has not been re-equipped.

The next day!

The little devils' 10th Army, in accordance with the previous operational plan.

Kunisaki Noboru paused, then took out his canteen, took a sip to moisten his throat, and continued.

The 18th Division split into two, with one part marching toward Pingwang, preparing to cross Taihu.

"In this way, the potential of the Republic of China can be greatly consumed."

Lao Chang had no choice but to mobilize some reinforcements to go and plug this gap.

"Yunong!"

"That division was quickly defeated, and now after receiving replacements, it is preparing to be transferred to the Suzhou River line."

Kunisaki Noboru looked at Tani Hisao, and he could also see his gloomy mood.

The 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment continued to march toward Jinshan County.

He nodded with satisfaction, thinking of what Kunisaki Noboru had said, and was in a great mood.

This Field Heavy Artillery Brigade is a unit specifically dispatched by the little devils for siege operations.

The little devils have organized a total of 6 Field Heavy Artillery Brigades.

It only requires the Imperial Army's artillery to carry out fire bombardment, and then call in the aviation corps.

There is only one highway connecting Jinshan County and Songjiang Strategic Town.

"The Republic of China's industry has approximately two thousand four hundred and fifty-three enterprises."

This unit's equipment is actually quite good.

Now!

"This 39th Army was split up after being transferred into Songhu."

The Shanghai Expeditionary Army was assigned the Field Heavy Artillery 5th Brigade and the Field Heavy Artillery 15th Regiment.

"Then, the path for the Republic of China's industry to migrate to the rear will be completely cut off."

"You must block the 16th Division and the Chongteng Detachment, and leave a path of retreat for my army of over seven hundred thousand."

"War is fought on a country's industrial power."

"Moreover, taking Songhu can also completely destroy the industrial power of the Nanjing Command."

"Do not be discouraged; as long as we cut off the Shanghai-Hangzhou Highway and the Railway."

After Liu Heding, who was resting in Shajiabang, received the order from the Nanjing Command.

"Yes!" Dai Chunfeng nodded, then took the telegram in his hand and left the office.

"Now there is only one division and three Security Regiments from Jiangzhe."

"Have them command the troops of the Third War Zone, and they must continue to hold their positions."

Tani Hisao and Kunisaki Noboru were also very confident.

Jinshan County and Songjiang Strategic Town are both vital strategic locations.

The 6th Division and the Kunisaki Detachment still have over fourteen thousand men now.

Then they led their troops north.

"The potential of the Republic of China Army will naturally be exhausted."

"Principal!"

Each of these Brigades was equipped with Heavy Artillery ranging from 150 millimeters to 240 millimeters.

The little devils had a total of six Field Heavy Artillery Brigades, and Songhu accounted for two of them.

It is evident just how intense this battle was.

(End of chapter)