SWDnovel Chapter 147 The Electric King Finally Deploys, Cutting Off the Japanese Army's Retreat Route
Chapter 147 The Electric King Finally Deploys, Cutting Off the Japanese Army's Retreat Route
Commander Li took a deep breath and said:
"Okay, let's fight now."
When the call connected, a voice with a Fenghua, Zhejiang accent came from the other end of the line.
"Delin, what's the matter?"
"Commander, the situation at Taierzhuang is critical. The Third Detachment can't hold out any longer. Tang Enbo's troops have missed their chance, remaining inactive and watching Taierzhuang fall into the hands of the Japanese. Xuzhou is about to fall, and the Fifth War Zone is about to fall!"
Commander Li complained.
While his claims were somewhat exaggerated, they were largely true.
"He hasn't made a move yet? I sent him a telegram two days ago."
The principal said with a look of surprise.
"They haven't moved. They've remained in the Baodugu area. Chairman, let me be frank: I think Tang Enbo is simply preserving his strength. He's no different from the likes of Han Fuqu!!"
Commander Li's words were very strong.
Because Han Fuqu was passive in resisting the Japanese in order to preserve his strength, Shandong fell to the Japanese, and he was subsequently executed.
Tang Enbo is now passively resisting the Japanese. As the commander-in-chief, shouldn't you treat him the same way? Shouldn't you also give Tang Enbo a bullet?
The principal said in a gentle tone:
"Delin, you're exaggerating. I know Keqin well; his attitude towards resisting Japan was correct."
Here's what we'll do: tell Li Jianghe to hold out no matter what. I'll send him another telegram, instructing him to cut off the Japanese army's retreat!
After saying this, he deliberately didn't hang up the phone and shouted to Commander He, "Get me connected to the 20th Army Group Command immediately."
Inside the 20th Army Group headquarters, Tang Enbo picked up the phone and heard the Chairman's voice coming through.
"Kechin, when it's time to act, you should act decisively. If you keep looking at things like this, are you going to become a sinner in history?"
His voice wasn't loud, but his meaning was quite clear.
"Yes, Chairman, Keqin is waiting for your orders. With just one word from you, Keqin and the 20th Army Group will go through fire and water for you and for the Party and the country."
Tang Enbo's coldness vanished, replaced by only respect for his superior.
"Keqin, play well, there are too many eyes watching this place now."
The Chairman spoke earnestly.
After hanging up the phone, Tang Enbo said to Chief of Staff Wan Jianfan:
"Pass on my order: All troops mobilize! Cut off the Japanese retreat route according to Plan Number One!!!"
After receiving orders from Tang Enbo, the 30,000-strong 20th Army Group finally broke out of the Baodugu Mountain area.
Their target was Teng County, which was now poorly defended due to the constant withdrawal of troops.
The Japanese 20th Division originally stationed an infantry regiment here.
However, in order to advance towards Xuzhou, Kawagishi Bunzaburo had to frequently divert troops to support the front lines.
Now, only two Japanese companies, a force of just over three hundred men, remain here.
As soon as the 20th Group Army in the Baodugu mountain area began its operation, Li Jianghe's command headquarters received the news.
"The 20th Army Group has finally moved, and its target is Tengxian County."
Long Wenzhang said somewhat excitedly.
Although the guard battalion is showing resilience and continuing to resist the Japanese offensive, the overall casualties are simply too great.
Cutting off the Japanese army's retreat route sooner would allow them to launch a counterattack as quickly as possible.
Upon hearing this news, Li Jianghe immediately slammed his fist on the table and stood up, coldly saying:
"This Tang Keqin is really a master of endurance. He probably only took action because he was given a firm order by the Wuhan authorities. Otherwise, he might have continued to observe."
Long Wenzhang said:
"Then can our main force outside the city also begin operations?"
After their main force annihilated the Japanese 1st Mixed Brigade in the last operation, they went into hiding again and disappeared from the battlefield.
Later, Li Jianghe considered launching a night attack on the Japanese 10th Division, but the Japanese were much more cautious. Their defensive positions were solid, and they had a large number of anti-tank facilities, making it difficult for them to attack.
"It's perfectly feasible to mobilize them. To be honest, the 20th Army Group looks well-equipped and well-supplied, but the 20th Division is no pushover either. They may not be able to take Tengxian completely."
Our timely support was crucial in ensuring the complete cutoff of the Japanese army's retreat.
After saying this, he instructed Long Wenzhang to send a telegram to Yang Ruifu and the others, ordering them to march rapidly towards Tengxian and cut off the Japanese army's retreat route before dawn.
Outside the city, Yang Ruifu and his group, still hiding in the Baodugu area, decisively set out after receiving orders from Li Jianghe and moved towards Tengxian.
At this moment, the Japanese army's attention was focused on the area south of Hanzhuang and the Taierzhuang line, and the number of troops actually left behind was quite limited.
Their operation, carried out in the darkness, went unnoticed by the Japanese army.
In Tengxian, a Japanese company that remained there continued to patrol the city walls, while also deploying at least one small detachment to guard each city gate.
The city walls here are dilapidated, damaged in previous battles, and the Japanese army has been too lazy to repair them.
At that moment, gunshots rang out in the darkness.
Tang Enbo's commando team launched a surprise attack on Teng County overnight.
In Zaozhuang, at the command post of Kawagishi Bunzaburo, he was suddenly woken up from his sleep.
"Commander, Tengxian has been attacked by enemy forces. Our troops are putting up a fierce resistance, but the enemy has a large number of troops."
"Teng County?"
Kawagishi Bunzaburo frowned deeply and, without even putting on his shirt, strode into the command post.
Looking at the map, he then said in a deep voice:
"Immediately order the cavalry regiment and tank squadron to provide support."
At that moment, Kawagishi Bunzaburo sensed something unusual.
Why did the enemy, with such a force, not go to support the critically endangered Hanzhuang and Taierzhuang, but instead attack Tengxian?
Could this be the start of the enemy's counterattack?
The Japanese cavalry and tank squadrons moved much faster than the infantry, and after setting out from Zaozhuang, they rushed along the highway to Tengxian to provide reinforcements.
Inside the 20th Army Group Command, checking the time, it had been an hour since the attack began, but there was still no news from the front lines that Tengxian had been completely captured.
"Report: The defenders in the city are putting up a fierce resistance, and the three battalions responsible for the main attack have suffered heavy losses."
Wan Jianfan stood up and said.
"What?"
Tang Enbo's expression tightened.
He knew very well that the attack on Tengxian was to be swift and decisive, giving the Japanese army no time to react.
If Japanese reinforcements from Zoucheng, Jining, and Zaozhuang were to arrive, they would not even be able to cut off the Japanese retreat route.
Just then, another communications officer stood up and said:
"Report: There is unusual activity from the enemy in the Zaozhuang direction. A cavalry regiment and a tank company have been dispatched and are advancing rapidly towards Tengxian."
Tang Enbo sneered:
"Let the 221st Regiment ambush this Japanese force."
He anticipated that the Japanese troops from the Zaozhuang direction would rush to reinforce the Japanese troops here, so he set up blocking forces in advance.