latelenovela Chapter 235 Crying children are fed by milk
Chapter 235 Crying children are fed by milk
As soon as the battle horn sounded, the battle swept in like a violent storm.
The rapid progress of the right-wing group targeting Mandalay caused the situation on the entire battlefield to change dramatically in an instant. Before the commander of the Pegu Front, Kimura Heitaro, could react, he realized that it was time to prepare for the defense of Mandalay;
The left-wing cluster targeting Lashio was naturally not willing to be outdone, and its offensive was unstoppable and unstoppable.
Zhang Chi conducted a profound analysis of Lashio's terrain long before the war.
He believed that the terrain of the Lashio area was similar to that of the "Jin Province" with mountains and rivers outside and inside, as well as the northern part of the Bangzi Peninsula, with many mountains and hills (the author said the map was at the end of the chapter).
Therefore, the division commander, Sadaichi Takeuchi, was likely to deploy heavy troops mainly on the hills on both sides of the highway, allowing the 55th Division stationed there to take advantage of the favorable terrain to control the highway from point to surface.
But this defensive method may not be able to fundamentally stop our attack.
After all, the terrain in the Lashio area is similar to that in the northern part of the Bangka Peninsula, with rolling mountains and hills.
But in comparison, the mountains in the northern part of Lashio are not steep, and the terrain is far less restrictive than the rugged areas of the Bangzi Peninsula.
Afterwards, aerial reconnaissance quickly confirmed Zhang Chi's judgment.
The Japanese did deploy heavy troops on the hills of the second line, but the defense line of these heavy troops was not solid. There was not much space left for the Japanese to dig fortifications on the hills, and there was a lack of effective defense in depth.
After several rounds of intelligence analysis, Zhang Chi realized that although the Japanese defense was complex, it was not impenetrable.
In the last battle, Hao Yi led the Eastern Route Army to defeat nearly 6000 Japanese soldiers from the Gushui Detachment who came to reinforce from the north (see Chapter 197), and then went south in one breath to control Mengbie Mountain and some ferry crossings on the Nandu River, having solved the biggest difficulty in advance.
The terrain is similar to that of North Korea, but not as steep. Our side has mechanized troops supported by the air force. Zhang Chi naturally knows how to fight this kind of battle.
After some instructions, Zhang Chi explained the main combat ideas to Hao Yi and reminded the latter to pay attention to the connection between the attack arrows and never make them disconnected.
Of course, the experience Zhang Chi gained from "reverse training" in the Peninsula War was ultimately just theoretical, and the specific operations on the battlefield still depended on Hao Yi, the battlefield commander, to act according to circumstances.
As the most obedient and the brave general with the fewest extra thoughts among the three Vajras, Hao Yi resolutely carried out Zhang Chi's orders.
At the beginning of this battle, he led the Infantry Training Division, the 2nd Infantry Division and the 7th Armored Division and several independent light artillery battalions, and formed a "regimental battle group" based on several M4A3 (105) Sherman tank battalions, and launched continuous breakthroughs on the Japanese front line in a "multi-point" manner.
After the breakthrough, there were continuous small-scale pincer attacks and encirclements, which divided the Japanese on the front line into small teams and squadrons and devoured them.
After that, the right-wing group, which had already taken the initiative in the battle, quickly attacked, and the troops advanced in parallel along many highways and dirt roads leading directly to Lashio.
Under the command of Hao Yi, multiple infantry units carrying mountain artillery and recoilless rifles occupied the commanding heights on both sides of the road one by one, and provided cover for the armored battle group's advance along the road.
The armored battle group then covers the infantry units to capture the next commanding height.
If you encounter a tough opponent, just fire colored smoke bombs to cover it, and then call for air support.
This cycle repeated itself, and under a smooth, three-dimensional, roller-like advancement, the ridge defense line that the 55th Division relied on gradually lost its effectiveness.
With his keen war intuition, Hao Yi constantly attacked the weak points of the devils with a rapid offensive rhythm.
Due to the double disadvantages in manpower and firepower, Takeuchi Sadaichi found it difficult to respond effectively.
The 55th Division was losing ground. Although it tried to use the terrain advantage to build a defense line, once the key point was broken through by Hao Yi, its defense-in-depth system collapsed instantly.
Finally, Takeuchi Sadaichi's three lines of defense were broken through one after another under Hao Yi's fierce attack, and the defense line outside Lashio collapsed like paper.
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The news that the main force of the right-wing group was approaching the city of Mandalay and the main force of the left-wing group was approaching the city of Lashio reached the command center almost at the same time.
However, it was soon discovered that the left-wing group was short of heavy artillery shells and the siege artillery was inadequately prepared, and a telegram requesting additional support was also sent.
"Hao Yi is complaining?" Zhang Chi sat on the chair and turned to look at Chief of Staff Tan Zhijie.
Tan Zhijie nodded, then shook his head. "General Hao is a tough guy, he won't complain easily. But they say crying children get milk, he's complaining about our bias."
Zhang Chi fell silent upon hearing this. Compared with the main attacking right-wing cluster, the left-wing cluster was more like a detachment.
Therefore, in this battle, both material supply and air support were mainly focused on the right wing cluster.
Zhang Chi knew clearly that Hao Yi was leading his troops in a close-range battle with the Japanese in the mountains around Lashio, so it was normal for him to have a few complaints about this.
Just looking at Zhang Chi's expressionless face, many senior military officers in the conference room felt uneasy, wondering if Zhang Chi would vent his anger on Hao Yi.
"I think he fought too hard in the front, and only found out that he didn't have enough shells when he was about to attack the city." Kang Huojian, the director of the logistics department of the Anmin Army and dressed in the uniform of a major general, patted the telegram sent by Hao Yi and joked.
"No problem, this incident is my fault. I will immediately organize people to transport the ammunition to him." Kang Huojian straightened his military cap, expressing his attitude and actually taking the responsibility on himself.
Zhang Chi wasn't one to shy away from admitting his mistakes. He waved his hands and said seriously, "Nonsense! How can this be your fault?"
"The Lashio region is nestled in the mountains. All logistical supplies must first flow south along the Irrawaddy River from Myitkyina, then travel overland across the Lebe Mountains before reaching the Left Wing Group."
"Crossing mountains and hills to provide food, drink, and shelter for nearly 5 troops across three divisions, Kang Huojian, you've done a great job."
Zhang Chi pointed at himself and said, "In the final analysis, I underestimated the difficulty of supplying goods across the mountains."
This is different from all previous battles where logistics could be transported either by water along the river or by land along major highways and railways.
This time, Hao Yi's troops had only a few dirt roads and secondary highways to rely on. Although the offensive in the first week was fierce, it also used up most of the ammunition stockpiled during the three-month rest period.
In response to this situation, Zhang Chi also began to reflect.
In the end, I underestimated the Japanese and made a wrong decision.
In fact, there is an old site of the Burma Road leading to Yunnan Province in the northeast of Lashio. Once it is completed, logistical supplies can first go to Yunnan Province via the Stevenson Highway, and then make a circle to the Lashio front line.
However, if they want to control this part of the highway, they need to send an expeditionary force from Yunnan Province, or the left-wing group will first go around to liberate this part of the border mountainous area and then launch an attack on Lashio.
Thinking of this, Zhang Chi sighed.
More haste, less speed...
He, who had always been successful, was also taught a lesson by reality.