You were tasked with guarding the Sihang Warehouse, and you ended up with a German-equipped division

Chapter 152 Old Acquaintances Reunite to Destroy the Bandits

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Commander He knew very well that the principal would not say such things to his trusted subordinates unless the battle had reached its most critical moment.

This shows that we are now at a point of no return.

We must win this battle in the Fifth War Zone.

After all, the Japanese army was advancing with unstoppable momentum and winning battle after battle in other directions, and he desperately needed such a victory.

It's not just him; the Chinese people desperately need a victory like this, a resounding and exhilarating triumph, not a victory like Li Jianghe's, a victory shrouded in the shadow of a lone hero.

At the 10th Division headquarters, Rensuke Isogai was still hesitating.

At that moment, Chief of Staff Atsuro Umemura brought a message.

"A large number of enemy troops have been discovered crossing the canal, with a total number of at least 20,000."

These words became the final straw, weighing heavily on Rensuke Isogai's shoulders.

He suddenly realized that he had never seen through Li Zongren's true intentions from the very beginning.

Not only Li Jianghe's Third Detachment, but also the 20th Army Group hidden on the battlefield, and the reserve force of tens of thousands of people used for the final counter-offensive.

"Division Commander, it's time to make a decision. We don't have much time left."

As he said this, Atsuro Umemura pointed to the setting sun outside.

Yes, they really don't have much time left.

Isogai Rensuke took a deep breath and said:

"I understand, don't rush me."

After saying this, he slammed his hand on the table and said:

"Follow the orders of the Army Group Headquarters to retreat to the Yixian defense line, while maintaining contact with the 20th Division."

As he said this, he looked at Atsuro Umemura and said:

"Send a telegram to Seya, instructing him to have his 33rd Brigade cover the rear and make sure to buy three days for the main force to retreat."

"yes!!!"

Atsuro Umemura answered loudly.

When Seya Kei saw the military order sent by the division headquarters, he knew that the situation was extremely critical.

Chief of Staff Kitano Suzuki, with a long face, said with a somewhat exaggerated expression:

"Why did those idiots in the 20th Division let the enemy take Tengxian? Their troops weren't far from Tengxian, were they all blind and deaf?"

Kei Seya waved his hand and said:

"It's too late to say all this now. You should have seen the division headquarters' orders. Our 33rd Division must be prepared to fight to the death."

As he said this, he looked up and gazed ahead.

At this moment, Taierzhuang seemed to be a lion slowly awakening under the setting sun, opening its blood-red mouth and baring its sharp fangs, ready to tear them apart at any moment.

The atmosphere in Li Jianghe's command post was more enthusiastic than ever before.

He saw several familiar faces here.

Wang Mingzhang, a soldier from the Sichuan Army, had a square face and large ears. Compared to when he was in Teng County, he seemed to have gained some weight, but he was in better spirits.

"Jiang He, when we were resting on the south bank of the canal, we heard news about you every day. You really made us local military commanders proud."

He patted Li Jianghe on the shoulder and said.

Li Jianghe originally thought that the Sichuan Army had withdrawn from the current battle in the Fifth War Zone, but he did not expect that they had been transferred to the rear for rest and reorganization, and were now being transferred back to the battlefield as a reserve force.

Chief of Staff Zhao Weibin also said:

"That's right, Jiang He. When we were resting in the rear, we looked forward to seeing the battle reports every day, because we knew that as long as there was any good news, it would definitely be because you were the one who made the difference."

He remained the same as before, exuding a scholarly air and possessing the demeanor of a Confucian general.

"Brother Wang, Brother Zhao, you jest. How many men from your Sichuan army have come this time?"

Li Jianghe asked.

He knew very well that Commander Li had probably deployed all the mobile forces he could muster for this counterattack.

Wang Mingzhang smiled calmly and said:

"Five thousand men, but many of them are no longer from the Sichuan Army. They were later added by the war zone, so their combat effectiveness is slightly weaker. However, after a period of training, they can be used."

"Five thousand people is not a small number."

Li Jianghe thought to himself, after all, when they withdrew from Teng County, Wang Mingzhang only had about three thousand soldiers.

Zhao Weibin asked:

"By the way, Jiang He, where are your troops? Actually, we all know that we're just here to help out. Your Third Detachment is the main force for the counterattack."

Originally, Li Jianghe's troops, including the anti-aircraft artillery battalion, numbered around four thousand men in Tengxian County.

After all, no matter how many more were added, the small town of Taierzhuang couldn't contain them all.

But things are different now; it's time to fight back, so Li Jianghe naturally won't hold back.

He spent tens of thousands of merit points and summoned a reserve force of two thousand men.

It has almost the same configuration as a normal motorized infantry brigade.

However, this unit was mostly composed of new recruits with insufficient combat experience, and the weapons and equipment they used were the same as those of other units.

The newly summoned force will primarily be responsible for mobile support and will serve as a reserve force.

The main force of the attack will still be the veterans of the guard battalion who experienced the bloody battle of Taierzhuang.

More than six thousand people.

Li Jianghe said, "However, we are all tank units, so we will definitely be at the forefront."

Wang Mingzhang chuckled and said:

"That's not necessarily true. I know your Third Detachment's tanks are incredibly powerful when they charge, but our Sichuan Army won't be any slower when they charge."

As the group was talking, Chi Fengcheng walked in, his voice deep and resonant:

"Gentlemen, we should also include our Northwest Army in this counterattack."

He and Chief of Staff Wang Huayu walked into the command post together.

"Commander Chi, are you also going to participate in the counterattack?"

Li Jianghe asked with some surprise.

After all, he was well aware of the casualties suffered by the 31st Division at that time.

The entire army was basically wiped out, and even the cooks had to take over. There was no other way but to withdraw from Taierzhuang and hand over all the defenses to Li Jianghe.

"There's no other way, we don't have enough troops. Our 31st Division has been reinforced with a regiment, and we have to step up."

Chi Fengcheng said with a hint of helplessness, "But even so, the spirit of our Northwest Army remains, and we still dare to fight and struggle!"

Li Jianghe sighed inwardly, thinking that these tough men were the key to supporting the entire Taierzhuang defense line and the entire Fifth War Zone defense line.

Otherwise, relying on those troops who only know how to preserve their strength and only act when they see a clear benefit, the entire Jinpu Railway would probably have been breached by the Japanese army long ago.

"Alright, everyone, tonight let's join forces and wipe out the bandits!!"

Li Jianghe raised his arm and called out.

Even though he was the lowest-ranking officer here, his voice was met with immediate and enthusiastic responses, with everyone joining in the cheers.

Before nightfall, the Japanese 10th Division's position remained firm, showing no signs of retreat.

Although Isogai Rensuke had decided to carry out his superiors' orders, he was well aware that if they retreated during the day, the enemy would definitely press forward, and their situation would become even more passive.