boyutpedia Chapter 397 The beginning of an easy day
Chapter 397 The beginning of an easy day
Inside the Fifth War Zone Headquarters, Commander Li was listening to Chief of Staff Xu's summary of last night's offensive operations.
"Commander Li, up to now, our attacking forces have broken through five positions in the Japanese army's circular defense positions and successfully stabilized the gaps that have been opened. Among them, the 31st Army Group broke through two positions, the Second Army Group broke through one position, and the New 22nd Army Group broke through two positions." Chief of Staff Xu also reported the results of last night's night attack with pride.
Don't underestimate the fact that the Chinese troops broke through just five Japanese positions. These five positions can be used as bridgeheads for subsequent attacks on the surrounding Japanese troops. With these bridgeheads as fulcrums, the Chinese troops can quickly launch attacks on other Japanese positions through trenches and communication trenches.
As long as they can enter the position, the Chinese troops' numerical advantage will be well reflected, and they can avoid the problem of backward weapons and equipment. As long as the Chinese troops continue to erode other Japanese positions step by step, the Japanese army's circular defense circle will completely collapse, and it will become much easier to destroy the remnants of the Japanese 16th Division. This is really exciting.
"Well, that's good. It will probably only take us two days to complete the combat objectives set before the war and completely annihilate the 16th Division of the Japanese Army." Commander Li excitedly looked forward to the future results of the battle to Chief of Staff Xu.
Commander Li was really excited. If they could completely wipe out the Japanese 16th Division here according to the goal set before the war, it would create a record of completely annihilating an entire Japanese division for the first time since the war between China and Japan.
If this matter is successful, Commander Li can be sure that he will be famous throughout the ages, and his status in the hearts of the people across the country will be greatly enhanced.
"Yes, Commander Li, the troops in the front are now preparing for daytime attacks. According to the combat plan, during the day today, the attacking forces will use the occupied positions to launch offensive advances towards the Japanese defensive positions on both sides of their respective sides, and strive to erode as much of the Japanese circular positions as possible during the day. Then, at night, all troops will launch a large-scale night assault again, and strive to completely eliminate the Japanese army tonight, or drive them out of the circular positions." Chief of Staff Xu also continued to report the subsequent combat arrangements to Commander Li.
"Well, judging from last night's night attack, the remaining forces of the Japanese 16th Division should be very insufficient. Otherwise, our attacking forces would not have been able to break through their positions during the first night attack. I think our troops' daytime combat objectives should be fine. The key is tonight's night attack. If we can drive all the Japanese troops out of their positions, and they are concentrated in such a small area, we can use artillery fire to cover and kill them." Commander Li also affirmed the subsequent combat plan.
"Also, there shouldn't be much change on the Xiangzao Highway. We need to remind the new 100th Division that although the Japanese army's attacks are now scattered, we must not be complacent and must be careful that the Japanese army may suddenly change their combat methods. By the way, the defense task time given to the new 100th Division was rather vague before. I think we should now give the new 100th Division an accurate defense time. I think it should be set at four days. What do you think?" Commander Li also discussed the issues of the new 100th Division with Chief of Staff Xu with concern.
Chief of Staff Xu did not immediately respond to Li's proposal. Instead, he carefully analyzed the current situation on various battlefields in his mind, and then said to Li: "Commander Li, four days of defense time may be a bit tight for us to completely annihilate the remaining troops of the Japanese 16th Division in the encirclement."
After hearing what Chief of Staff Xu said, Commander Li fell into deep thought. If it was according to Commander Li's estimate, four days should be enough to eliminate the remaining troops of the 16th Division of the Japanese Army. However, Chief of Staff Xu's concerns must also be taken into consideration. Who can guarantee that there will be no accidents on the battlefield?
"No, let's set it at four days. If the Japanese reinforcements on the Xiangzao Highway officially attack the New 100th Division's blocking position starting today, it is estimated that based on the remaining forces of the New 100th Division, they can only hold out for three to four days at most. So, we must focus on quickly eliminating the Japanese 100th Division in the encirclement. The faster we fight here, the less time the New th Division will have to hold out." After thinking for a while, Commander Li told Chief of Staff Xu about his thoughts.
"Also, the new 100th Division is defending to the death and has no tactical maneuvers. But in the battle in Zaoyang, each unit still has tactical space to maneuver. Tell each attacking unit to give full play to the combat characteristics of their own units and use all means to eliminate the Japanese army in the defensive positions, and prepare for subsequent battles against the Japanese army." Commander Li issued the latest combat requirements to Chief of Staff Xu.
Chief of Staff Xu also knew that Commander Li was also preparing to put all the pressure on the attacking force to encircle and annihilate the Japanese 100th Division. Indeed, if they wanted to buy time, apart from the new th Division's desperate resistance, they could only think of a way on the attacking side.
Now that the attacking force has five bridgeheads, they can use their numerical advantage at night to quickly eliminate the Japanese troops in their defensive positions. As long as they kill a large number of Japanese troops, their holding power will become fewer and fewer, and the time they hold out will be greatly shortened.
"Okay, Commander Li, I will give orders to each attacking unit right away, telling them to fight well in today's attack and strive to eliminate the remnants of the Japanese 16th Division in the encirclement as soon as possible." Chief of Staff Xu also figured out the reasoning behind this, so he quickly expressed his position to Commander Li.
On the side of the New 100th Division, Zhang Wenwu and Ouyang Heng also moved their benches to sit outside the command center after breakfast, just like they did yesterday, smoking and keeping an eye on the Japanese attack in the front position.
"Division Commander, looking at the situation today, we can spend another day with peace of mind. The theater command made our mission clear this morning. As long as we can hold on for four days, we can retreat. Now we have finally waited for a clear time to defend." Ouyang Heng smoked a cigarette and listened to the gunfire from the distant positions. He also judged that the Japanese army was the same as before, and both sides were shooting at each other from a distance.
"Well, a relaxing day has begun, haha!" Zhang Wenwu stood up from the stool, stretched lazily and said.
(Thanks to the gift support from 1980s and 1981s, the Duke of Wei who loves beef jerky, the man who only eats dumplings without vinegar, and the director of Shenlong Library! Thank you all for your support and encouragement!)