mtl008 Chapter 357: Get ready
Chapter 357: Get ready
After attacking for more than 20 minutes, Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo ordered the attacking troops to withdraw. He had seen from the telescope that his troops had been suppressed in front of the position and could not move. Instead of continuing to consume their energy in this way, it would be better to withdraw.
Anyway, everything that needs to be investigated has been investigated, and my regiment has tried its best. As for whether there are any unexposed firing points on the Chinese army's defensive positions, I can do nothing about it. This is already the maximum attack force of my regiment.
But ten minutes later, Colonel Fukushima Yoshitoshi's heart was bleeding. He had just looked at the retreating troops and saw the miserable state of his own supply regiment. Colonel Fukushima Yoshitoshi's mood also fell to the bottom.
Colonel Fukushima Yoshitoshi has not had time to count the losses of the troops, but from the miserable appearance of the officers and soldiers, it can be seen that the losses this time must be not small.
"Your Excellency the Division Commander, the attacking force of the Quartermaster Regiment has withdrawn, and Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo is conducting the post-war inventory." Chief of Staff Major General Ishikawa Takuma walked up to the division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, and reported in a low voice.
The division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, knew from the cessation of gunfire in front that the attacking force had withdrawn. From the previous gunfire, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei already had a rough idea of how fierce the firepower of the Chinese army's defensive positions was.
It seems that this battle is not so easy to fight. The troops of the New 22nd Army of the Chinese government on the opposite side are very powerful in the defensive positions here, and their firepower configuration is also very strong.
The attack must wait until the artillery units dispatched by the 3rd Division arrive before launching. Without artillery support, the attacking infantry units will not be able to break through the Chinese army's defensive positions.
"How long will it take for the 18th Regiment dispatched by the 3rd Division to arrive here? They must arrive as soon as possible, especially the artillery units. They must arrive together with the infantry. Let the garrison troops in Changshoudian Nabin prepare the artillery shells needed in advance." The division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, also reminded the chief of staff, Major General Ishikawa Takuma, to make preparations in advance.
Before Chief of Staff Major General Takuma Ishikawa could answer, he saw Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo, commander of the Quartermaster Regiment, walking towards him quickly. Not far behind him, the retreating officers and soldiers of the Quartermaster Regiment were lining up and walking towards the back.
"Your Excellency the Division Commander, Your Excellency the Chief of Staff, the Quartermaster Regiment has completed the exploratory attack on the Chinese army's positions as ordered. The staff of the division headquarters have already drawn a map of the Chinese army's defensive positions." Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo, commander of the Quartermaster Regiment, came up to the two men, bowed respectfully and said.
The division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Ryuhei, looked at the officers and soldiers of the Quartermaster Regiment who were walking by not far away, and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Captain Fukushima. How was the loss in this attack?"
Hearing the comfort and questions from the division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, the commander of the Quartermaster Corps, Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo, felt his heart tighten. His mood, which had just calmed down a little, became excited again. Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo bent his waist even deeper.
"Your Excellency the Division Commander, it is an honor for all the officers and soldiers of our Quartermaster Regiment to serve the Empire of Japan. This combat offensive...well...the casualties are a bit heavy...this..." Colonel Fukushima Yoshitoshi hesitated when talking about the casualties. He really didn't know how to say that number.
"Stop talking about this and that, Captain Fukushima." Chief of Staff Major General Ishikawa Takuma couldn't stand it anymore and directly interrupted Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo's hesitating.
"Um, yes, Your Excellency Chief of Staff, our unit suffered 346 casualties in this attack." Colonel Fukushima Yoshitoshi bent over and closed his eyes as he said this number of casualties that made him very embarrassed.
However, to the surprise of Colonel Fukushima Yochi, the division commander and the chief of staff did not educate him for such heavy casualties. Instead, they comforted him with a few words. This deeply moved Colonel Fukushima Yochi, who had prepared himself to be scolded.
"Your Excellency the division commander, it seems that the Chinese army on the opposite side must be the New 22nd Army. Only this army can achieve such a brilliant record." Chief of Staff Major General Ishikawa Takuma looked at the back of Colonel Fukushima Yoshitomo who was leaving, but sighed to the division commander Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei.
"Yes, Ishikawa-kun, I think we can report this analysis to the headquarters. We must wait for the arrival of the 18th Infantry Regiment and artillery units dispatched by the 3rd Division before we can continue the attack. Otherwise, our attack will be useless." The division commander, Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei, nodded and said.
Lieutenant General Ogisu Tatsuhei has made up his mind that he will not launch any more attacks unless reinforcements arrive. Even if the commander gives the order, he does not intend to execute it because he needs to be responsible for the lives of these officers and soldiers.
"Your Excellency the division commander, the 18th Regiment is already rushing here quickly. It is expected that they will arrive here in the evening and should be able to launch an attack on the Chinese army's positions tomorrow." Chief of Staff Major General Takuma Ishikawa also reported on the situation of the 18th Regiment that had come to reinforce.
Lieutenant General Ogisu Rikuhei looked at the big sun in the sky and sighed in his heart. For him, today was basically over and there was nothing he could do. The only thing he had to do was to patrol the positions and remind the troops to guard against sneak attacks by the Chinese army.
On the side of the new 100th Division, Ouyang Heng also reported the situation of the Japanese attack to Zhang Wenwu. Both Ouyang Heng and Zhang Wenwu knew that this was just a tentative attack by the Japanese army.
"Division Commander, it seems that the Japanese army has no artillery units here. This time, the Japanese army did not even launch an artillery attack before the exploratory attack." Ouyang Heng said to Zhang Wenwu in a relatively relaxed manner.
"Well, I guess the Japanese army is sending reinforcements here. I think they should be drawing troops from the attacking troops on the right wing. They will probably formally launch an attack on us tomorrow. Just let the troops be on alert. I guess the Japanese army is unlikely to launch an attack today." Zhang Wenwu threw his military cap on the map, picked up a cigarette and handed it to Ouyang Heng and said.
"Division Commander, the attack in Zaoyang is very intense right now. Judging from the battle reports we have received so far, the attacks of various units are going very well. I hope they can end the battle soon so that we can feel more relaxed." Ouyang Heng said with some anticipation after taking a puff of his cigarette.
"Don't think about it, Brother Ouyang. We have just caught the Japanese army off guard. After the Japanese army adjusts, the offensive over there will advance very slowly. The pressure on our side will also increase with the arrival of Japanese reinforcements. We should be prepared for a long-term defense." Zhang Wenwu also expressed his thoughts.