Chapter 427: New Changes

Seeing the change in Yu Hua's expression, Liu Zhangqing asked, "What is it? What does the telegram say? Your expression changed so quickly!?"

"Good news!" Yu Hua smiled happily. "I received a telegram from the Second Route Army Command; the reinforcements for our Group Army have already arrived in Hankou."

"This time, it is Guo Xunqi, Rao Guohua, and others leading the troops out of Chuan. Our Sichuan Army is no longer short of manpower."

Great news; Liu Zhangqing was also very happy. This was indeed something beneficial to the Sichuan Army!

"Lao Liu, since our Sichuan Army's strength has changed, I must alter the operational plan this time."

"Just arrange it as you see fit; I will follow your command regardless," Liu Zhangqing only wanted to lead troops into battle.

As for the campaign planning and overall coordination of the troops, he felt that letting Yu Hua arrange it was fine, as it saved him the mental effort.

"Hai!" The Japanese Army Communication Staff Officer read out the general content of the telegram.

The Japanese Army was mobilizing so many troops this time simply to resolve the Republic of China Government in one fell swoop.

With a full force of over 400,000, no commander in the previous battles had been able to command so many troops.

Historically speaking, once ancient China basically lost the Central Plains region, coupled with the loss of Wuhan, it already lacked the opportunity to vie for the Central Plains.

Now that the 22nd Group Army has received reinforcements, and the 27th Group Army's New First Army has also completed its reorganization and replenishment.

The 27th Group Army lacks manpower and is currently on the defensive.

"Report to the Commander!"

"Next, tell the officers in the regiment that this attack on the airfield will be led by our Sichuan Army officers."

Attacking an airfield is quite easy; just set up artillery positions and bombard the little devils' airfield fiercely, and it will definitely be blown to smithereens!

First Army Commander Xiangyue Qingsi stepped down, and Umezu Yoshijiro became the new commander. Suzuki Ritsudo's position as Chief of Staff of the Second Army was also replaced by Machijiri Motoki.

"At the same time, contact the Navy units and have them do their best to cooperate with Inaba Shiro and the Hada Detachment if the operations in Anqing City and the Madang region go smoothly."

"Since Major Meiling concluded that reinforcements have entered Wuhan from Chuan Province, there must be a reason for it, especially since the Imperial Air Force previously scouted the routes out of Chuan Province."

Shinozuka Yoshio replaced Isogai Rensuke as the Division Commander of the 10th Division. Taniguchi Motojiro replaced Shimomoto Kumaya as the Division Commander of the 108th Division.

The main force of the 20th Division could only flee to places like Quwo and Houma to hold their ground. At that time, the Central China Area Army and the Pingjin Area Army were fully engaged in the Xuzhou Battle, and Terauchi Hisaichi and Hata Shunroku were unable to reach them in time to help the 20th Division, which was under encirclement.

Many high-ranking Japanese officers believed that as long as Wuhan was taken, and then troops were swung south to occupy Guangdong to cut off the Republic of China Government's foreign aid, this war would be nearly over.

"Major Meiling reminds us that the Imperial Army is currently attacking Anqing City; we must be careful of the Independent Brigade of the Sichuan Army launching a surprise attack on the Imperial Army, especially the airfield outside Anqing City—we must not be careless."

Furthermore, Wuhan is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River; if the Japanese Army occupies Wuhan, E Province, a major grain-producing province, will be lost, the Republic of China Government's economy will become even more difficult, and the Yuehan Railway will be severed.

"Prince Kan'in Kotohito's Second Army and Okamura Yasuji's 11th Army are still assembling, but their vanguard units have already set out; it is estimated they will arrive in three to four days."

Nowadays, the scale of the little devils' divisions has changed from 17 permanent divisions to 34 divisions.

"Commander, we have received an urgent telegram from the Special Higher Police."

Hata Shunroku looked at this Communication Staff Officer with a burning gaze.

As long as the Japanese Army properly supports Dean Wang's new government, strengthens control over the occupied areas, and lets this new regime control the whole country, the Japanese Army will focus on inducing surrender, hoping to end the war completely.

"This time, Major Meiling reported that the Sichuan Army reinforced to Wuhan from Chuan Province is at least three divisions; she guesses that the enemy generals are likely Guo Xunqi and Rao Guohua and others who previously slipped away from the 23rd Group Army."

"Nani!?" Hata Shunroku was stunned. "An urgent telegram? Read it."

Because the main force had already been committed to Xuzhou, the 20th Division, holding the two aforementioned places, could only wait for the Pingjin Area Army to dispatch troops for rescue.

The Republic of China Government's economic and military power suffered a devastating blow; even if the Nanjing Command moved into Chuan Province later, the Republic of China Government's influence in these mountainous areas would be very weak, effectively becoming a local government.

Because the Sichuan Army is truly difficult to fathom, just like the New Fourth Army and the Eighth Route Army in Shandong Province, Jin Province, and the Jiangzhe region, the Imperial Army is particularly inept at dealing with harassment tactics.

In southern Jin Province, the Sichuan Army, the Jin-Sui Army, and various units of the Eighth Route Army cooperated to recover Puzhou, Wocheng, Pinglu, Yuncheng, Hejin, Wenxi, and other regions.

However, at that time, it rained heavily in Jin Province for a week, and the devil's planes only air-dropped food twice, still failing to completely solve the 20th Division's food and fodder problem.

In order to make himself shine in the Wuhan Battle, Hata Shunroku also ordered Inaba Shiro and Boda Chongyi to be very careful when dealing with the Sichuan Army.

The ten new divisions trained by the devils this time were prepared specifically for the Wuhan Battle and the Guangdong operation.

For Zhang Yungang, the Sichuan Army had so many Type 92 Infantry Guns and Type 41 Mountain Guns, as well as 105mm Howitzers.

The defenders in the city could not hold out for two days; Inaba Shiro indicated to Hata Shunroku that after taking Anqing, the 6th Division would immediately march on the Madang Fortress to clear obstacles for the Imperial Army's advance!!

"Yoshi!" Hata Shunroku was very happy!

Inaba Shiro and Boda Chongyi acted very quickly, especially with the 26th Group Army collapsing so fast, which was something the Central China Area Army had not expected at all.

Hata Shunroku nodded: "Yoshi! Your analysis is reasonable. The Imperial Army suffered such high casualties in the bloody battle of Xuzhou; according to a one-to-five casualty ratio, the Republic of China Army certainly cannot be doing any better."

The 20th Division had no choice but to scavenge for local wild vegetables and tree leaves to stave off hunger! It was not until the Xuzhou Battle ended completely that Terauchi Hisaichi dispatched the Independent Mixed 4th Brigade, the 14th Division, and the 108th Division to rush to Quwo and Houma.

"Staff Officer Hirahara Daio, what is your take on this intelligence?"

"Yes!" Zhang Yungang said sonorously: "I will go prepare now. Twenty minutes later, we will launch the attack on the airfield on time."

Why are they still being sent to attack the airfield now? Isn't this purely a waste of troops!!

"I am willing to cede most of the rights to the Navy!!"

"There are traces of marching on the road; although Imperial planes have bombed many roads, the Chinese commoners repaired them in a very short time."

Hata Shunroku was afraid of ending up like Xiangyue Qingsi, so he deliberately let Inaba Shiro attack Anqing City with composure and calmness, not to be blinded by temporary victory.

Hata Shunroku looked at Hirahara Daio, "Sonoda Meiling transferred from the Pingjin Area Army to my Central China Area Army; you two have been working together for some time now."

"Hirahara Daio, is there any Chinese military reinforcement in the Anqing City area?"

Ushijima Sanetsune replaced Kawakishi Bunzaburo as the Division Commander of the 20th Division!

"Commander, Sonoda Meiling is not only beautiful, but her abilities are also not inferior. She understands the dialects of many regions in the Republic of China, and she even personally leads soldiers who speak the Republic of China's language deep behind enemy lines."

"This must be Chuan Province urgently reinforcing Wuhan!"

After Liu Zhangqing finished speaking, Zhang Yungang stood at attention with a "pop" and saluted Yu Hua: "I'm sorry, Officer Yu... I misunderstood."

The 5th Division's Division Commander, Itagaki Seishiro, was transferred back to the country, and Ando Rikichi was appointed as the Division Commander of the 5th Division.

"Hai!" Hata Shunroku's Adjutant nodded.

In view of the fact that the Sichuan Army would soon have three divisions of reinforcements for the 22nd Group Army, Yu Hua made minor adjustments to the battle to attack the airfield.

"The telegram is marked as 'Top Urgent'; I ask the Commander to take a look, so as not to delay military intelligence."

Only with sufficient troops did Yu Hua feel confident; this airfield was very important to the Japanese Army, and he wanted to strike the little devils here and make them feel the pain!

The designations of these ten divisions were, in order: the 15th Division, 17th Division, 21st Division, 22nd Division, 23rd Division, 27th Division, 104th Division, 106th Division, 110th Division, and 116th Division.

"Oh!" Hirahara Daio slapped his forehead, "Right... Commander-in-Chief, Major Meiling also preliminarily predicted that the Sichuan Army 22nd Group Army might have also secretly moved into the 9th War Zone."

Just as Hata Shunroku was indulging in his own self-satisfaction, a Communication Staff Officer ran hurriedly before him.

"It's nothing!"

During the Xuzhou Battle, the Eighth Route Army in Jin Province and the New Fourth Army in Jiangzhe were not idle either; they launched multiple attacks, ambushing Japanese Army transport columns, pulling out blockhouses and strongholds, and so on.

Seeing the Commander-in-Chief staring at him, Hirahara Daio stood at attention with a "click-clack" and lowered his head: "Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief."

There were also some Independent Mixed Brigades organized and trained by the Japanese Army; the total strength of the Japanese Army was 34 divisions and six Independent Mixed Brigades.

One must know that the Zhang Yungang Regiment's current strength to attack the airfield consisted mostly of new recruits, which was somewhat like hitting a stone with an egg.

Hata Shunroku looked at the large map on his wall; this time, his Central China Area Army could be described as strong in troops and horses, and possessing such strength, he had to achieve results.

Added to this was the fact that the Japanese Army was constantly replenishing soldiers from the home country, so the various divisions of the little devils had also received reinforcements, and both ordnance and provisions had been replenished.

Looking at the map, in the area of Anqing City, there were currently only the 26th Group Army and the 27th Group Army, among which the 26th Group Army had already been crushed by the 6th Division and the Hada Detachment.

Because places like Quwo and Houma had high walls, they were good defensive locations for the Japanese Army; the Sichuan Army 36th Group Army, as well as the Eighth Route Army and the Jin-Sui Army, did not take the initiative to attack either, and everyone kept the 20th Division besieged to exhaust the little devils' provisions.

"Terauchi Hisaichi speaks highly of this woman; what do you think of her capabilities?!"

Hearing this, Hata Shunroku came to the map to check the Chinese forces surrounding Anqing City.

When Zhang Yungang learned that his unit was going to attack the airfield, he was a bit stunned?!

"Officer Yu, our regiment lacks siege artillery to attack the airfield?"

"Yosh!" Hata Shunroku smiled happily: "Pass on my order, have the 2nd Army and 11th Army speed up their march."

The Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army specialized in fighting when they could win and ducking into mountain caves when they couldn't; they wouldn't clash head-on, and once you were tired, they would come out of the mountains to harass you again.

In the Central China Area Army, Hata Shunroku received news from Inaba Shiro that the 6th Division and the Hada Detachment had joined forces and had now taken half of the urban area of Anqing City.

At the same time, the newly formed 11th Army was also assigned to the Central China Area Army; after the Xuzhou Battle, the 10 divisions newly organized and trained by the Japanese Army were now being successively replenished to the Pingjin and Central China regions.

This time, in order to take Wuhan, the Japanese moved the 2nd Army, which originally belonged to the Pingjin Area Army, under the command of the Central China Area Army.

"Rao Guohua, Guo Xunqi, and others fought bloody battles at Taihu in the 7th War Zone and fought against the Imperial Army many times; they are very difficult generals to deal with."

In the early stages of the War of Resistance, the Japanese Army's offensive was very fierce, taking many regions, but the counterattacks by the Chinese forces in the Xuzhou Battle, the Jin Province region, as well as the 3rd War Zone and 1st War Zone, and so on.

This caused the Japanese Army to suffer heavy losses, especially since they now needed to both attack the Republic of China Army and maintain the occupied areas, so their troop strength was already far from sufficient.

After sending the telegram to Inaba Shiro, Hata Shunroku asked his Adjutant: "Where are the 2nd Army and 11th Army now?"

"This battle does not seek any major results; it lies in being able to train troops and, incidentally, annihilate a batch of Japanese soldiers, forcing the devils surrounding Anqing to return to defend the airfield."

After Zhang Yungang left, he gathered his subordinates and held a pre-battle mobilization meeting for them; under his maneuvering, many grassroots officers of the 26th Group Army expressed that this time they would definitely listen to the command of the Sichuan Army Old Soldiers.

"Among them, the Chuan-Kang Pacification Office Independent Brigade, within the 22nd Group Army, has quite powerful combat effectiveness; this army is good at attacking, and she saw the brigade commander of this brigade when she was scouting in Wuhan."

The Zhang Yungang Regiment had many new recruits and poor combat effectiveness, so Yu Hua intended to first train the courage of this army by conducting a small-scale strike on the airfield.

"The casualties of the Sichuan Army must also be quite high, and now they also need to replenish their troops!!"

The total strength was about 900,000 people; at that time, 825,000 were all within China, occupying 91.7 percent of the Japanese Army's total strength.

In the Anqing area, the Sichuan Army's strength could go toe-to-toe with the little devils' 6th Division and Hada Detachment.

After hearing Hirahara Daio finish speaking, Hata Shunroku also had a few bits of interest in this Major named Sonoda Meiling.

Regarding Zhang Yungang's question, Liu Zhangqing, who was on the side, explained: "Regimental Commander Zhang, don't be anxious; we are having your regiment attack the airfield this time as a feint to attract Japanese firepower and, incidentally, to train the troops!"

It was only after these three routes of the Japanese Army arrived that the plight of the 20th Division was completely resolved!

In view of the failure of the Xuzhou Battle and the poor performance of the 20th Division in Jin Province, the Imperial General Headquarters reorganized the Pingjin Area Army.

The 20th Division had been besieged for ten days, its provisions were exhausted, and Terauchi Hisaichi had not yet dispatched reinforcements, so Kawakishi Bunzaburo had no choice but to request that Terauchi Hisaichi have the Army Aviation air-drop food to the 20th Division.

Added to this was the fact that the Sichuan Army 36th Group Army in southern Jin Province once took the initiative to attack, directly beating the Japanese 20th Division into a panicked retreat, and even Yan Laoxi took the opportunity to mobilize the Jin-Sui Army to counterattack the Japanese Army.

Hirahara Daio was responsible for the communications and intelligence of the Central China Area Army; since a major who had penetrated deep behind enemy lines to scout had put forward a suggestion, coupled with Terauchi Hisaichi's appreciation for her.

This made Hata Shunroku still have to consider the other party's suggestion; once it really came true and he had not taken measures, that would be a stain on his command.

(End of this chapter)