BSI Chapter 146 Tang Enbo's Scheme
Chapter 146 Tang Enbo's Scheme
Welcome to the fantasy world of military fiction! The entrance is here:
"What is Tang Enbo doing? The 10th Division has been unable to capture Taierzhuang for a long time. I'm afraid it won't be long before they start to consider retreating, and by then it will be too late!!!"
Despite his anger, if it were anyone else, Commander Li could have arrested them, executed them, and replaced them with a new commander.
But he really had no way to deal with Tang Enbo.
This person was neither from the Guangxi clique, nor the Sichuan army, nor the Northwest army, but from the elite of the Central Army.
Tang Enbo himself was also someone the principal highly valued.
So what if it's disobeying Commander Li's orders? If the principal says it's okay, then it's okay.
If I were to actually execute this person, I'm afraid the principal wouldn't let him off the hook either.
Commander Li smiled dismissively and said:
"What else could it be? They'd love for us, these ragtag troops, to wear down the Japanese elite forces so that their Central Army can reap the benefits."
Inside the 20th Army Group headquarters, looking at the telegram from the Fifth Theater Command, Chief of Staff Wan Jianfan said:
"The war zone command has sent another telegram. The fighting at Taierzhuang is going to be tough. Shouldn't we take action?"
If we don't take the initiative and cut off the Japanese army's retreat, we might miss a crucial opportunity.
But Tang Enbo sneered:
"If it were other troops defending Taierzhuang, I might have already led my troops out to attack."
But the main force holding that position right now is Li Jianghe's third detachment. He's a capable fighter, and I think we can hold out for another two days without any problem."
Wan Jianfan still expressed his concerns:
"But the telegram from the Commander-in-Chief also instructed our army..."
Tang Enbo said calmly:
"Take another look at the commander's telegram. He didn't urge me to cut off the Japanese army's retreat as soon as possible. Instead, he told me to make a good impression in the subsequent battles and not let these ragtag troops steal the limelight."
Wan Jianfan suddenly realized that the telegram actually contained many deeper meanings.
Although their army group is currently under the Fifth War Zone, in reality, as the direct line of the Central Army, the only orders they truly need to obey are those issued by the Commander-in-Chief.
The orders from the Fifth War Zone Command can be set aside for now.
"Let them fight some more, and we'll reap the benefits."
Tang Enbo said with his hands behind his back.
In the direction of Taierzhuang, the guard battalion personally led by Li Jianghe is still fighting fiercely against the main force of the Japanese 10th Division and the Sakamoto Detachment.
Although the 1st Mixed Brigade was almost completely annihilated, its main force remained.
Chi Fengcheng's 31st Division had suffered heavy losses and completely lost its combat effectiveness, so it had to retreat to the south of the canal to rest and reorganize.
Before leaving, Chi Fengcheng grasped Li Jianghe's hand and said:
"Brother Li, I'm leaving Taierzhuang to you! We Northwest Army really can't be of much help."
"Brother Chi, rest assured, with me here and my brothers here, Taierzhuang will not fall!!"
That being said, it was really difficult for Li Jianghe's mechanized troops to fight this kind of defensive war.
In addition, the main force of the Japanese army deployed on the periphery had already built quite solid defensive fortifications in order to prevent a sudden attack by Li Jianghe's mechanized troops.
According to reports from scouts on the perimeter, the Japanese army has deployed a large number of anti-tank guns, which could pose a considerable threat to their armored tracked vehicles.
Moreover, anti-tank mines were also laid on many major roads, specifically to delay their armored forces' advance.
In front of the position, there are also special anti-tank trenches, as well as triangular stakes used to block tanks, etc.
Blindly launching armored forces into these well-developed defense systems will only result in even greater losses.
The buildings in the city had long since turned into ruins, and Li Jianghe's command post had been moved underground in order to survive the bombardment from artillery and aircraft.
The two sides engaged in street fighting within the city, the battle lasting from day to night, and then from night to day again.
In terms of casualties, Li Jianghe's troops were outgunned by the Japanese army, which was equipped with a large number of heavy artillery pieces, and suffered significant personnel losses.
However, having earned enough merit points to continuously summon new troops, Li Jianghe was able to maintain the situation at Taierzhuang.
The opposing player, Rensuke Isogai, was also becoming increasingly surprised as the game progressed.
The enemy on the other side seemed to be endless; despite the heavy losses during the daytime battles, they could organize large-scale counterattacks at night.
It was as if the soldiers who had died earlier had automatically come back to life at night.
This made it extremely difficult for the 30,000-strong 10th Division and Sakamoto Detachment to advance.
Even though the city of Taierzhuang actually only had the guard battalion under Li Jianghe, totaling less than three thousand soldiers.
Isoya Rensuke was unaware that although the city only had three thousand troops, Li Jianghe could continuously replenish them through the system's summons.
However, due to the ferocity of the Japanese artillery fire, many of Li Jianghe's troops were killed or wounded by artillery fire before they even saw the Japanese.
Even with the fortifications built by engineers, these fortifications could be destroyed during the most intense fighting.
Even in air-raid shelters, soldiers couldn't stay inside for too long in order to hold their ground, because the Japanese army might occupy the streets under artillery fire, even if it meant being accidentally hit by friendly fire.
By the third day, Tang Enbo's troops still hadn't made a single move.
Li Jianghe called the Fifth War Zone Command.
"Commander-in-Chief, what exactly is Tang Enbo doing? Why haven't his troops launched an attack? Taierzhuang has been almost completely destroyed; how are we supposed to defend it?"
Commander Li naturally knew the difficulties Li Jianghe faced in defending Taierzhuang.
The entire city was almost completely destroyed; any other army would have lost it long ago.
It is only because of Li Jianghe that he has been able to lead his troops to persevere until now.
"Jiang He, don't worry, I've been urging you repeatedly."
After offering some kind words of comfort, Commander Li hung up the phone, his expression growing increasingly grim.
Now, the only elite force that can be mobilized in the entire Fifth War Zone is Tang Enbo's unit.
More than ten telegrams were sent, but Tang Enbo either didn't reply or, even if he did, only said that the troops had set off, but in reality, they hadn't moved much at all.
"Telegram to Tang Enbo again, telling him that Taierzhuang is in imminent danger and is at risk of being breached by the Japanese army at any time."
If he fails to strike now, leading to the fall of Taierzhuang, the loss of Xuzhou, and the opening of the entire Jinpu Railway by the Japanese army, he will be a traitor to the nation and a traitor to the people.
Commander Li said in an icy voice.
At this moment, Commander Bai reminded him:
"I think it's unlikely that we can get this guy moving no matter what we say. Why don't we make another call to Wuhan and tell them that Li Jianghe can't hold out any longer and that the Chairman should give him the order personally? Otherwise, I don't think he'll do anything."