roccoschili Chapter 170 The Rise of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army, and the Cowardly Act of Isogai Rens
Chapter 170 The Rise of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army, and the Cowardly Act of Isogai Rens
Chapter 170, "The Rise of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army," contains a surprise: Isogai Rensuke's cowardly act. Click to unlock now.
For the 20th Division, this was almost inevitable.
In the morning, in order to slow down the advance of the Third Detachment, they had to transfer more troops to the north of Zaozhuang, and also put their last reserves into the effort.
As a result, their defensive lines, which were originally deployed to the flanks and rear, now had a huge shortage of troops.
On many of the troops' defensive positions, only a small detachment, with a dozen or so people left behind, remained.
"Where are the reserves? Get them into battle immediately. There can be absolutely no problems on their flanks or rear."
"I can't believe it," said Bunzaburo Kawagishi, his gaze unwavering.
Hisazo Kiseki, standing nearby, reminded him:
"You've forgotten, Division Commander, half an hour ago, our last reserve force was also deployed to the north to deal with the counterattack of the Third Detachment."
These words startled Kawagishi Bunzaburo, who then realized that his forces were already stretched thin.
"Tenth Division, check with Isogai Rensuke to see if he has any spare troops that can be transferred over."
Bunzaburo Kawagishi said immediately.
Just then, the phone rang.
After the call connected, Isoya Rensuke's voice came through.
"Kawagishi Bunzaburo, do you still have any troops? Our eastern defenses are about to collapse. Enemy armored and infantry units are attacking us. I've committed my last reserve force!"
There was a hint of despair in Isogai Rensuke's voice, and this was not something that could be faked.
While Li Jianghe's Third Detachment drew away the main force of the 10th Division, the last remaining forces of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army also joined the battle.
However, their attack targeted the flank and rear of the 10th Division, and they attempted to sever the connection between the Japanese 10th and 20th Divisions.
This tactic proved effective. Despite suffering heavy losses in previous battles, the Northwest Army and the Sichuan Army were able to muster their last 20,000 men to participate in the counter-offensive.
These soldiers of the Northwest Army and the Sichuan Army, though poorly equipped, made up for it with courage.
They launched an assault on the Japanese positions almost without any artillery support.
Fortunately, the opposing 10th Division had also almost lost its ability to provide artillery support.
Therefore, the soldiers of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army were not killed in large numbers by Japanese artillery fire during the charge.
After several repeated charges, the brothers of the Sichuan Army and the Northwest Army finally reached the Japanese positions, and the two sides immediately engaged in a brutal hand-to-hand battle.
Although the Japanese soldiers were short in stature, they were much stronger, especially with their Type 38 rifles, which, after being fitted with bayonets, were very suitable for close-quarters bayonet fighting.
But the Northwest Army and Sichuan Army soldiers who rushed up did not play by the rules at all.
Many soldiers, carrying several grenades, jumped directly into the Japanese formation, intending to die alongside them.
For the first time, these Japanese soldiers felt that the enemy opposite them seemed to be even more fearless of death than they were.
Everyone was bloodthirsty, and everything they owned seemed to become a weapon to kill the Japanese soldiers.
Voices, some from the Land of Abundance and others from the Guanzhong Plain, mingled with the screams and wails of the Japanese soldiers, becoming the footnote to this battle.
Inside Isogai Rensuke's command post, he was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
They originally thought the 20th Division would still have troops, but it turned out that, like them, too many of its troops were tied up by the 3rd Detachment, and it couldn't spare any more troops.
"Report: The rear defense line is in dire straits. Two of Honda's infantry battalions are struggling to hold out."
"Weren't the attackers the Northwest Army and the Sichuan Army? These are all ragtag troops, and their ability to fortify strongholds is poor. How could they have given up after only a few hours?"
Isogai Rensuke asked in great surprise.
The Japanese army had two infantry battalions, with a strength of nearly two thousand men.
If it were before, they wouldn't be afraid of facing two divisions of the Nationalist Army.
However, lacking artillery firepower, coupled with continuous defeats, low morale, and the overwhelming numerical superiority of the Northwest Army and the Sichuan Army, these Japanese troops were also plunged into a bitter struggle.
"There are too many enemies, and according to reports from the front, these enemies seem to have no fear of death."
Even if the first wave of enemies is killed, those behind will continue to charge forward, stepping over the corpses.
Furthermore, many of those inside weren't our soldiers engaging in bayonet fighting; they simply jumped into the trenches, detonated the explosives they were carrying, and perished together with our men.
As Atsuro Umemura spoke, one could imagine just how terrifying that scene must have been.
Upon hearing this, Isogai Rensuke's heart sank.
"Are these enemies even more courageous than us?"
Just then, an explosion was heard.
It was a shell that landed in a Japanese trench 200 meters away from the position.
While the shell might not pose a threat to Isogai Rensuke's safety, the fact that it landed in this location was sending a signal.
The enemy artillery advanced again.
This means that the Japanese positions at the front could no longer hold out and were breached by enemy armored forces.
"Division Commander, it's getting dark. Perhaps we should consider splitting up and breaking out."
Atsuro Umemura said, looking at the twilight outside.
He knew very well that if he didn't retreat now, he would never have another chance.
Once daybreak, the enemy's attack will only become more ferocious.
Isogai Rensuke knew very well that if they broke out in different directions towards the Baodugu mountain area at this time, they could take advantage of the cover of night and kill a lot of people.
But what about the 20th Division?
Kawagishi Bunzaburo and his soldiers will likely be completely annihilated under the combined attack of Li Jianghe and the entire Fifth War Zone.
"If we leave, what about the 20th Division..."
Rensuke Isogai hesitated and wavered.
Atsuro Umemura stamped his foot and said:
"Now is not the time to consider them. In Chinese terms, this is called 'birds of a feather flock together, but when disaster strikes, they fly away separately.'"
"When we break out, we just need to send them a telegram. They're breaking out to the north, where there are vast plains. If they disperse and break out separately, they should be able to kill quite a few of them."
At this moment, Isogai Rensuke's face showed a hint of struggle.
At this moment, a communications soldier stood up and said:
"Reporting to the Division Commander, our rear defense line has been completely destroyed, and the enemy has cut off the passage between our army and the 20th Division."
This was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, weighing heavily on Isogai Rensuke's mind.
"Prepare to break out separately, heading northeast towards the Baodugu Mountain area."
"Isoya Rensuke finally made up his mind and said."
He knew very well that he would wait until tomorrow, no, he didn't even need to wait until tomorrow.
Faced with the combined attack of the Third Detachment, the Northwest Army, and the Sichuan Army, the last remaining force of the 10th Division would be wiped out here.