usatvline Chapter 447: Give the 6th Division some support
Chapter 447: Give the 6th Division some support
"In addition, order the 45th Regiment to get to the Xinqiang River pontoon bridge as soon as possible and protect the safety of the bridge. The 47th Regiment will fully assist the heavy weapons troops in retreating." The division commander, Lieutenant General Inaba Shiro, continued to add to the tasks of other troops.
After Chief of Staff Major General Sadami Nozaki recorded the order, he turned around and arranged for people to notify the commanders of each regiment. During this period, neither the division commander Lieutenant General Inaba Shiro nor the chief of staff Major General Sadami Nozaki mentioned the problem of the 13th Regiment. Everyone knew very well that from the speed at which the Chinese army was arriving behind them, it could be judged that the 13th Regiment was in great danger. Even if the 13th Regiment was still resisting, it would be hopeless in the end.
At the headquarters of the 11th Japanese Army, Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi, Chief of Staff, also reported the situation of the air force reconnaissance to Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, the commander. After reporting the intelligence, Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi said with concern: "Commander, judging from the current retreat speed of the 6th Division, it is difficult for them to complete the retreat before the Chinese troops on both wings are in place. The retreat speed of the heavy weapons units assigned there is too slow."
Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura looked at the latest locations of the two sides' troops marked on the sand table, and felt a little anxious. The Chinese army's reaction was too fast. As soon as his side started to retreat, the Chinese army began to act, leaving no extra time for the retreating troops.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, have the Air Force send out planes to bomb the Chinese troops on both wings and try to delay their arrival at the Xinqiang River line. Then tell the division commander, Lieutenant General Inaba Shiro, to abandon some heavy weapons when necessary and make sure all the troops are withdrawn as much as possible. The replacement of personnel losses is not as fast as when the war just started." Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji also thought of using his only advantage to help the Sixth Division's retreat.
Now only the Air Force can be of some use. We should use the Air Force's advantage to slow down the advance speed of the Chinese troops on both wings and buy more time for the Sixth Division.
"Commander, even if the Air Force sends out planes to bomb, the Chinese army will disperse its troops, which will make our bombing effect very limited." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also reminded the commander, Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto believed that the commander of the 6th Division, Lieutenant General Inaba Shiro, should now abandon those heavy weapons and organize the troops to quickly withdraw to the starting positions before the war. A choice must be made at this time.
Now it seems that as long as the Sixth Division can resist the pursuit of the Chinese army behind it and slow down the advance of the Chinese army on both wings, it will be able to withdraw smoothly. However, there is a problem here. That is whether the Chinese army will cooperate with their plan.
If the Chinese troops behind the Sixth Division quickly broke through the obstruction of the rear guard, or if the Chinese troops on the two wings ignored the bombing of the air force and rushed to the Xinqiang River line regardless of casualties, if any direction of these two key points could not go according to plan, the Sixth Division would be in great danger.
"Mr. Yoshimoto, I understand what you mean. I also know that it's time to make a decisive choice, but the actual situation does not allow me to make such a decision. This operation was ordered by the headquarters personally. Originally, we wanted to save face after being defeated by the Soviet Union in the north. However, we did mess up this matter. If we not only fail to achieve the combat objectives in this operation, but also lose a large amount of heavy equipment, the headquarters will definitely vent all its anger for the defeat in the north and the defeat in this battle on me. Do you think I can withstand it?" Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji looked at the sand table and slowly expressed his true thoughts.
Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also slowly fell into deep thought following the words of Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura.
Just as Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura said, the headquarters had originally hoped to regain some ground from the Chinese government, but this time, not only did they fail to regain their face, but they were severely humiliated by the Chinese government.
The Imperial Headquarters will definitely settle all the new and old accounts with Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura for the defeat in this battle. If all goes well, Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura will resign from his post as commander of the 11th Army and be transferred back to the mainland to take up his post.
However, if this battle resulted in not only the loss of a large number of troops and supplies, but also heavy losses of heavy weapons, the anger of the headquarters would probably engulf the commander, Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji.
The commander, Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji, actually had a very clear idea. He would do his best to ensure the smooth withdrawal of heavy weapons. However, if the heavy weapons unit still failed to withdraw smoothly despite his best efforts, the headquarters would not punish the commander too much.
Even if Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji is transferred back to his home country at that time, he will be able to return in the near future. Every decision made now will play a crucial role in the future fate of Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji.
"I understand, Commander, you have given far-reaching consideration to the issues. I personally believe that the 11th Army will get better and better under your command." Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto also appropriately complimented Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura.
After hearing what Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Yoshimoto Sadaichi said, Commander General Okamura Yasuji also smiled and said softly, "Mr. Yoshimoto, there is no need for us to be so polite. We all know that someone must stand up and bear the consequences of the failure of this battle, and I am the most suitable person to bear the consequences. But it's good this way. I can go home and see my relatives. I really miss them now."
Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura spoke quite bluntly. He believed that with the wisdom of Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto, he must have thought of his own ending a long time ago, but he did not say it out loud because of the face between everyone.
However, at this time, Commander Lieutenant General Yasuji Okamura was still very grateful to the Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sadaichi Yoshimoto. It was not easy to have him encourage him at this bad time.
Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji has already thought clearly about his future fate. After the war, he will definitely be transferred back to the country by the headquarters to serve. However, Commander Lieutenant General Okamura Yasuji believes that it will not be long before he will return to China to command troops to fight. After all, his relationships in the headquarters are very good. When the end comes, those who recognize him will come forward to find a good opportunity for him.