Anti-Japanese War: From Becoming Chu Yunfei to Rising

Japanese 11th Army Forward Command Post.

The leaden-gray clouds, like solidified lead blocks, weighed heavily on the Jianghan Plain.

The air was damp and cold, and the fog, which seemed to cling to clothes, made everything in sight blurry.

It was terrible weather, so terrible that Yokoyama Isamu's mood was as gloomy as the sky, almost dripping with water.

The reconnaissance aircraft of the air force have been unable to take off for two consecutive days.

He felt like a boxer with his eyes covered, only able to guess the opponent's deployment adjustments and movements based on the scattered and delayed intelligence from the front-line troops.

"strangeness."

He muttered to himself, his knuckles tapping lightly on the cold battle map, producing a dull and suppressed sound.

The area under Yokoyama Isamu's fingertips was Xinhe and Dongpu, which should have been the focus of the bloody battle, but at this moment, not even a single message came from the battlefield.

This is really not right!

"Your Excellency Commander!"

Chief of Staff Takeji Shimano strode in, his military boots making a rapid "clack" sound on the wooden floor.

He handed a newly compiled intelligence report to Yokoyama Isamu, his face also filled with confusion.

"According to the latest reports from the Toda and Koshiba detachments, since last night, the main force of the Chinese 10th Army Group has been retreating along the entire front. Judging from their combat situation, the enemy is certainly not in a state of collapse, but should be retreating."

Yokoyama Isamu took the intelligence report, skimmed through it quickly, and frowned deeply.

"An orderly retreat?"

His voice was full of doubt, "Having been repeatedly and severely damaged by our army, with their organization almost completely broken up, where did they get the ability to organize an orderly retreat?"

"I am also puzzled."

Shimano Takeji walked to the map and pointed to the area shrouded in fog. "These troops, although they suffered heavy losses, still have their core members."

Based on our assessment, although their organization was incomplete, they certainly hadn't suffered casualties to the point of needing a full retreat. This unusual behavior seemed more like an attempt to lure us into pursuit; they appeared to expect a decisive battle with us along the Changde line.

It's that same old tactic of retreating for a decisive battle, that same old strategy of feigning weakness to force them to stretch their supply lines.

This strategic tactic was particularly favored by two commanders in the Nationalist Army.

The first one is naturally Xue Yue. His famous Heavenly Furnace Battle Strategy is essentially a retreat-based decisive battle strategy.

The other one, of course, is Chu Yunfei.

Why do people like to use retreating tactics in a decisive battle?

There is a very basic logic to this.

Making good use of terrain and deploying troops in stages are the most basic tactical principles in defensive warfare.

Flanking maneuvers to cut off the enemy's excessively long supply lines are also the least risky tactics.

However, why did the Nationalist army troops, who were originally determined to protect the grain-producing areas, suddenly retreat?

Could it be that someone has taken over battlefield command?
Is it Xue Yue or Chu Yunfei?
If it was Chu Yunfei, why didn't he intervene on the battlefield before?
Strangely, the movements of Wang Jinzai's troops were also very strange. This iron-willed man, who acted like a fascist king and tyrannical ruler in the local area, was particularly suspicious.

After being captured by the Japanese army, no information was revealed.

Various forms of torture, and even seduction.

None of these methods worked for Wang Jinzai.

They were unable to obtain more intelligence as a result.

This puts the Japanese military in a rather passive position.

Thinking of this, Yokoyama Isamu immediately turned to ask his chief of staff: "Has the intelligence department sent any new information? Who exactly is our opponent in this battle? Have we figured out Chu Yunfei's specific movements?"

"Commander, it doesn't matter who is commanding this battle."

Shimano Takeji noticed his hesitation, stepped forward, and said with a suppressed excitement in his voice: "I believe that, regardless of whether this is a trap or not, and regardless of who our opponent is, we have basically achieved our second-phase operational objective, namely, to severely damage the 10th Army Group of the 6th War Zone in China!"

"idiot!"

Yokoyama Isamu cursed angrily: "If that Chinese war commander were in charge of the battle, all 60,000 troops of my 11th Army participating in this attack would be at risk of being completely wiped out!"

"In addition, the Third Division was attacked by an entire Chinese army group. Their troops were not at full strength, and the enemy was also equipped with heavy artillery."

Since gaining a decisive advantage.

Yokoyama Isamu was always worried that Chu Yunfei would intervene in the command.

After all, the dispatched army had previously had doubts about the annihilation of the 3rd Division's regiment stationed in Yingshan.

Heavy artillery units are strategic forces and cannot be mobilized by just anyone.

The title of "firefighting team leader".

In fact, the same applies to Chu Yunfei.

Command the battle with this thought and idea in mind.

This made it difficult for Yokoyama Isamu to make any decisions.

He felt that he was no longer the hunter, but the prey.

Every step is treading on the edge of a carefully laid trap; the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.

Especially the current performance of the various combat units in the Sixth War Zone.

Yokoyama Isamu did not continue to berate and insult his subordinates; instead, he stared intently at the map, his mind racing.

It cannot be seen or understood.

This feeling made him extremely irritable.

He would rather face a fair and square duel than play a guessing game with an unseen ghost in this fog.

Most importantly, Yokoyama Isamu believed that the Nationalist army at this time was capable of engaging them in a direct confrontation.

But they insist on playing tactics and strategies with them.

Chief of Staff Shimano Takeji saw his concerns and continued to persuade him: "Commander, it is not very meaningful to continue to entangle with these remnants here. The weather is bad, our air superiority cannot be utilized, and resupply is becoming increasingly difficult."

But our real destination is here.

His baton, slowly, moved away from the battlefield that was no longer the focus, and returned to the core of the entire battle.

The Yangtze River shipping route, and the Shipai Fortress that pierces the sky like a sharp sword!
Yokoyama Isamu's gaze sharpened again as the baton moved.

Yes, Shibei Fortress!
That was the real purpose of his trip!
As long as we can remove this obstacle and open up the Yangtze River waterway, all the previous losses and confusions will become insignificant!
The battlefield location of Shipai Fortress was equivalent to that of Madang Fortress in the Battle of Wuhan.

The fall of Madang Fortress was one of the important reasons for the failure of the Battle of Wuhan.

Once they capture Shipai Fortress, they will have the opportunity to advance unimpeded and conquer the mountain city.

Their opponents, Wu Qiwei's Yangtze River upstream defense force,

This unit was specifically formed to defend the Yangtze River defense line near Yichang.

Their combat capabilities should not be underestimated.

Yokoyama Isamu carefully considered the current situation.

Currently, there is no new information from the intelligence department.

Both the 73rd and 87th Armies suffered heavy losses under their attacks.

The battle has escalated to its current state.

It seemed that they could not afford to hesitate even for a moment.

"In that case."

A chilling killing intent rekindled in Yokoyama Isamu's eyes. "There's no need to pay any more attention to these stray dogs!"

His hesitation and concerns were replaced by a strong desire to make a name for himself.

Yokoyama turned around sharply and issued a series of thunderous orders to the solemn-looking officers behind him!

"Order!"

His voice echoed in the operations room, filled with unquestionable authority!
"The main force of the entire army shall immediately shift its troops northward in accordance with the original battle plan!"

"Our army will launch a pincer attack from both the north and south, capturing and annihilating the main force of the Sixth War Zone's river defense army between Shipai and Qingjiang!"

"Hai!"

"Order!"

"The 13th Division, quickly move to the Yuyang Pass line and launch a feint attack towards Changde! Make sure to draw the attention of the Chinese army to the southern front!"

"Order!"

"The 39th Division is assembling near Yunchi in the southeast of Dangyang!"

"The field detachment has completed its assembly in Yichang!"

Yokoyama Isamu's baton slammed heavily onto the stone tablet, his eyes fierce as a wolf's!
"We have only one true goal!"

"Shipai! I must remove this 'nail' blocking the Yangtze River waterway! We must pull this nail out!"

"Hai!"

With each order issued, the massive Japanese war machine once again began to operate with astonishing efficiency.

……

Meanwhile, outside Xinyang City.

The battle has entered its most brutal and bloody phase.

The bodies of various units of the 21st Army Group.

In front of the Japanese positions, the enemy troops advanced in layers, almost covering the entire path of their charge.

The air was filled with a nauseating smell of blood and gunpowder.

Xinyang is not large in area, but it is not small either. An attack could involve more than two regiments.

Three or four thousand men launched a battle to attack the city, and this is how it turned out.

This is enough to prove how brutal the battle was.

"boom!"

Several more 150mm howitzer shells accurately hit a Japanese bunker hidden behind the ruins of civilian houses.

The violent explosion ripped up the entire foundation, throwing bricks, stones, and human remains dozens of meters into the air.

However, such a victory could not change the predicament of the entire war situation.

On the temporary positions of the 8th Artillery Brigade.

Brigade Commander Shi Wengui watched helplessly as the last box of artillery shells was loaded onto the transport vehicle. "Go, send a telegram to the forward command headquarters, and tell them that our artillery shell reserves have run out."

"Brigadier, shouldn't we explain this? After all, our consumption is too high. We've fired over six thousand heavy artillery shells in just half a month."

Shi Wengui nodded, feeling that his subordinate made a lot of sense: "To be objective, the way the Guangxi Army fights is too wasteful of artillery shells."

Our artillery fire has already extended, while their men are still dawdling behind.

By the time they rushed up, the Japanese soldiers had already crawled out of the ruins and repositioned their machine guns.

After receiving support from heavy artillery units, they developed a strong dependence on them in subsequent offensive operations.

The siege of Xinyang, which lasted for four days, came to an abrupt end due to the depletion of artillery shells.

Inside the Fifth War Zone Command Post, Li Pinxian looked at the telegram that said "ammunition is exhausted" and trembled with anger.

This was the Battle of Western Hubei.

The plan finalized by the General Headquarters was based primarily on the Sixth War Zone.

This was actually a way to protect their Fifth War Zone of the Guangxi Clique.

However, Chen Cixiu used the same excuse to intercept a large amount of American aid and send it to the front lines.

Otherwise, the 10th Army Group would certainly have suffered far more than just over 10,000 casualties.

Li Pinxian was caught in a limbo.

They were about to capture Xinyang.

It looked like they were about to annihilate the main force of the 30th Regiment.

"Commander, if we stop now, wouldn't the Japanese Nogo Detachment surely be able to arrive to provide support?"

"Wouldn't all our previous efforts be in vain?"

"Our reinforcements are in position, but the Japanese offensive is fierce. This detachment is equipped with at least dozens of mountain and field guns. The three regiments fighting the blockade have already suffered one-third casualties. If we continue to fight like this, we can only hold them off for three or four days at most."

"Order the Provisional 51st Division to launch an attack from the west."

"Send a telegram to the Seventh Army and tell them to put all their resources on the line."

"I refuse to believe that we can't take down Xinyang City!"

Provisional 51st Division Command.

Lin Maohua looked at the telegram in his hand and was quite conflicted.

Although he is nominally a division commander, he has already suffered more than half of his casualties.

With only a little over four thousand troops currently in combat, if the fighting continues, his Provisional 51st Division will truly be wiped out.

Yu Yongrui of the Provisional 51st Division immediately gave Lin Maohua a suggestion: "In that case, why don't you send a telegram to the front-line command headquarters, mentioning the current difficulties? With Chief Advisor Chu's strategic vision, he will naturally know that now is not the best time to attack."

"If the commander finds out what we're doing, we'll probably be in big trouble."

Yu Yongrui gritted his teeth and continued to persuade, "Commander, no matter how powerful the Commander-in-Chief is, can he be more powerful than the Chief Advisor? I don't believe that after we finish the battle, we can move directly towards Jizhong. Can Commander Li still send troops to attack us?"

"That makes sense, but I still feel somewhat unworthy of the Commander's appreciation."

"Commander, with all the mess the Commander-in-Chief has made in Anhui, the conflict between the Guangxi clique and Chongqing is bound to escalate sooner or later. If we don't make plans early, it's very likely..."

Lin Maohua pondered for a moment and then nodded decisively: "In that case, let's generate electricity."

The order from the Fifth War Zone had just been sent out not long ago.

Upon receiving Lin Maohua's message, Chu Yunfei immediately ordered Zhao Pengcheng to send telegrams to all combat units in the name of the General Headquarters.

It's just four simple words above.

The attack was immediately halted.

There was no explanation.

This is the confidence Chu Yunfei possesses after the General Headquarters stopped holding him back.

The development of the battle is entirely under our control.

The key to the current battle is to continue to wear down the main force of the Japanese army by utilizing the fortified fortresses.

The goal is to allow the main forces of the Sixth War Zone to maximize their combat effectiveness, rather than conserving their strength.

The same applies to the Guangxi clique troops.

These tough battles of the War of Resistance against Japan couldn't all be fought by their main forces in North China.

Everyone has to contribute, and everyone has to risk their lives.

Only by fighting tooth and nail can we have the chance to become the next supplementary force to be organized by the Military Training Department, and the next Class A combat unit to be assessed by the Ministry of Military Affairs, thus gaining priority access to more resources.

not to mention.

Chu Yunfei is in charge now, and the orders have been issued.

Who dares to disobey? Who dares to disobey?
Do they really think the North China Inspectorate is just sitting around doing nothing, or that the Military Law Supervision and Enforcement Department is just a figurehead?

Li Pinxian held the telegram, her fingers trembling slightly.

After a long silence, he finally sighed and silently accepted it all.

He knows it himself.

None of the basic tactical units (division-level) of the 21st Army Group of the Guangxi Clique possessed the capability to independently confront the remnants of the Japanese 3rd Division.
Japan, Tokyo, Imperial Palace, Fukiage Gyoen.

The heavy chrysanthemum-patterned curtains, like frozen twilight, blocked out the last rays of the setting sun outside the window.

Inside the palace, the lights were bright, but they couldn't dispel the stench of decay that seemed to seep from the cracks in the walls.

Emperor Hirohito sat upright on his imperial couch, his face expressionless.

But his tightly pursed lips and the occasional slight trembling of his knuckles betrayed the restless unease deep within him.

He was in a very bad mood.

Since the news of Marshal Isoroku Yamamoto's plane being shot down and the "flower of the navy" withering over Bougainville Island spread, the whole of Japan has been shrouded in a huge dark cloud.

It was sadness, it was shock, but more than anything, it was confusion and fear about the future of the war.

The plague of defeatism spread silently from the whispers of the common people to the highest levels of the empire.

Advocates for peace talks, and even discussions advocating surrender, have reached his ears.

This caused the locusts to...

For the first time, I truly sensed the smell of war spiraling out of control.

He had only had some doubts before, but now he's starting to feel quite certain.

Hirohito suspected that the battle reports submitted by the Imperial General Headquarters were fake.

Those battle reports were filled with flowery phrases such as "retreat," "suicide," and "secure victory."

What cruel truth lies hidden behind it all?

To this end, he had secretly arranged for trusted confidants to go to the Chinese battlefield and the South Pacific front to understand the true situation of the war through his military aide, and had even begun to convince himself to accept defeat in the war.

In front of the curtain.

Army Chief of Staff Marshal Sugiyama stood solemnly, like a withered stone statue.

His once straight back now seemed to have been hunched over by the weight of repeated defeats.

"Sugiyama-kun"

Tianhuang's voice came from behind the curtain, calm yet carrying an undeniable weariness: "Is the war in Central China still escalating?"

"Hai." A fine layer of cold sweat appeared on Sugiyama Gen's forehead. "Reporting to Your Majesty, the 11th Army of the China Expeditionary Army is currently conducting a capture and annihilation operation against the main force of the Sixth War Zone of the enemy in front of us. We are only a few hundred kilometers away from the secondary capital of the Yamashiro local government."

"Annihilate?" Tianhuang's voice was filled with doubt: "I remember that the main camp just issued 'Mainland Order No. 757' not long ago."

The directive was that, while securing the existing occupied territories, no further large-scale offensive operations should be launched. Why then is the 11th Army advancing so recklessly?

Sugiyama Gen's heart sank suddenly.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and repeat the prepared statement once again: "Your Majesty."

"The primary objective of the 11th Army in this operation is to seize the middle reaches of the Yangtze River controlled by the enemy in order to obtain urgently needed inland waterway vessels and open up the transportation line. Annihilating the enemy's Sixth War Zone Field Army is only a secondary objective."

He deliberately placed the seemingly more practical goal of "acquiring ships" first.

Sugiyama Gen was well aware that such a huge amount of manpower and resources would be invested if the goal was simply to annihilate a field army.

Given the current state of national strength, it is absolutely impossible to obtain approval from the headquarters or even His Majesty.

But what could they do?

The defeat in the war was inevitable; all they were doing was a death throes.

The locust behind the curtain only let out a soft, ambiguous hum.

“Sugiyama-kun.” Tenko’s voice suddenly became extremely serious, even carrying a hint of warning: “I don’t care what the Eleventh Army’s objective is.”

"I only want one result."

"At this point, our country can no longer afford any more defeats."

Tianhuang paused, each word seeming to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

"You must be absolutely certain of success before launching any action. You must never repeat the mistakes of Marshal Yamamoto!"

"Hai!"

Sugiyama Gen lowered his head even further, almost touching the ground: "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree!"

The audience with the Emperor has now concluded.

When Sugiyama Gen left the palace, his face was expressionless, but his heart was filled with despair.

With the war having progressed to this point, what other options are there besides continuously increasing troop numbers, mobilizing and deceiving the locust people into dying?

A guarantee of absolute success?
Although Sugiyama Gen was fanatical, he knew better than anyone else what was going on in his mind.

After losing the initiative in the Pacific theater.

There was no victory to speak of in front of them in Japan.

There is only one abyss called Destruction.

As for the future?

The Japanese people today have no future, and the Japanese people after their defeat in the war have no future either.

With this in mind, the crazed Sugiyama Gen had already made up his mind.

He plans to officially launch the "Divine Punishment" holy war plan at the end of April. (End of Chapter)