A Journey Through the Flames of War in the Republican Era

"Judging from all the signs and the timelines, Xi Qia, Yu Zhishan, and even Rong Zhen, the chief of staff of the Fengtian Army, must have already colluded with the enemy. The Japanese intelligence infiltration and subversion of the Fengtian Army have long been riddled with holes. With inside and outside cooperation, the fortress is most easily breached from within," Song Hongfei said.

He then waved the intelligence documents in his hand and said with a wry smile, "Including this huge pile we have now, the intelligence of the great powers is truly all-pervasive."

"Especially Japan, which has long coveted our country, has been infiltrating since the Meiji Restoration. Its ambitions extend far beyond just the Kanto region! Now that it has acquired Kanto as a forward base, we must be on high alert for what it will do next!"

Wang Zhi and Zhang Yi's expressions also turned solemn, their hearts filled with mixed feelings. Neither of them spoke, and they couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Wang Zhi thought for a moment, then asked with some confusion, "This Rong Zhen was the highest-ranking commander of the Fengtian Army at its headquarters in Fengcheng at the time. Although he made a series of mistakes in his response, and the order not to resist was actually issued directly to the troops by him, according to the intelligence we have received, there is no evidence to suggest that he has defected to the enemy."

Song Hongfei thought to himself, "Of course I can't tell you, 'I know that in a few years, after the Japanese army occupies North China, Rong Zhen and his son will defect to the enemy and become traitors.'"

He smiled and said, "My intuition tells me that, regardless of his military skills, the ancient heroes would draw their swords when facing an enemy. This man is definitely not a general who would dare to risk his life to fight the enemy."

Zhang Yi chimed in, "That's right! As a general in charge of actual command, how can one lead troops into battle if one only tries to escape and retreat, allowing oneself to be slaughtered, once the battle has begun?"

Song Hongfei nodded.

During this period, the three of them frequently conducted sand table simulations, simulating operations at various scales, from the brigade level to the provincial garrison, the garrison in the entire Northeast, and the entire Fengtian Army.

As Chinese soldiers, the question that the three of them cared about and thought about the most was: how to fight and defeat the Japanese army?

"Let's first look at the initial stage of the incident, from the fall of key locations in Liaoning and Jilin provinces, and the offensive posture of the Japanese army in those few short days," Song Hongfei said, pointing to the sand table.

"The main force of the Japanese army in the Kwantung region consisted of the 2nd Division with over 1 men, an independent garrison of over 4000 men, and other garrison troops of over 3000 men, totaling about 1.7 regular troops. That is to say, even if the Japanese army committed all its regular troops when the incident broke out, it would only have a maximum of over 1 men available for combat!"

"With this much manpower, the Japanese army wouldn't even be able to take over the entire Kwantung region, let alone capture Fengcheng and Liaoning Province!"

Song Hongfei added, "If we also include the soldiers, police, and overseas Chinese who can be quickly replenished in an emergency, the total number is about 1. The total number of troops available to the Japanese army is about 2.7."

Wang Zhi calculated again and said, "The forces that can be reinforced in a short period of time are two understrength divisions of the Korean Army, about 26,000 men. The total forces that the Japanese Army can mobilize are about 53,000 men. Of course, this is the total force, and the actual number of troops that can be mobilized is greatly reduced. The combat force that can be deployed to the battlefield is no more than half."

Song Hongfei said, "The Japanese army can quickly mobilize and reinforce along the Andong and South Manchurian railways. Similarly, the Fengtian army can also use the Beijin-Fengtian railway to quickly mobilize a large number of troops from within the Great Wall to reinforce."

Song Hongfei pointed to the sand table and said, "It is obvious that in the early stages of the incident, judging from the process of the Japanese army deploying troops, it can be seen as two phases:

In the first phase, at the time of the incident, the Kwantung Army had about 1.5 regular troops, plus more than 1 troops to be added as emergency reinforcements.

In the second phase, approximately 6000 troops, including the 39th Mixed Brigade of the Eastern Army stationed in Korea, were dispatched as reinforcements.

Wang Zhi said, "In the first phase, the Japanese army was at a severe disadvantage in terms of troop strength and weaponry. When the Japanese army attacked Fengcheng, due to a serious shortage of troops, they even distributed firearms to the local residents in the city to assist in the attack."

Song Hongfei continued, "Looking at the sand table, according to our numerous simulations, at the beginning of the incident, as long as the Fengtian Army was able to organize a battle, Fengcheng and Fengtian Province would not have been lost!"

"The Fengtian Army's garrison situation is as follows: 19 troops are stationed along the line from Guannei to Jincheng, which is the main force of the Fengtian Army and can be deployed to reinforce at any time; there are 1.5 regular troops stationed near Fengcheng, plus local military forces, totaling more than 3 people."

Song Hongfei pointed at the sand table and said fiercely, "That night, strictly order all units to resolutely counterattack! Hold back the first wave of the Japanese army's offensive at all costs!"

“首当其冲的北大营第7旅，以620一个团据北大营既有的坚固阵地，防守、反击；另以1个团侧击、打援；另1团做为预备队，并监视、扼制其他东洋军后续援兵。第7旅完全能够把进攻北大营的东洋军两个守备大队700人的兵力反包围消灭掉！”

"After the war begins, the first strategic objective will be to destroy the South Manchurian and Anfeng Railways. Order the troops and mobilize all local militia to launch a full-scale attack to blockade and destroy the railway lines. Do not forget that the Fengtian Army's more than 200 aircraft can launch air raids and bombings at any time. Without the rapid mobility of the railways, these 2 Japanese troops in Kwantung will be unable to support each other and will fight independently, thus failing to pose a threat!"

"At the same time, we will organize other troops stationed near Fengcheng to coordinate and support each other, and first cut off the weak logistics supply line of the Japanese army. The Fengcheng army has all the advantages of logistical support, and the advantage is on our side. We are confident that we can contain the Japanese army's forces attacking Fengcheng and push them back!"

“具体部署如下：北线，洮城的省防2旅、通城的骑3旅、昌城的第20旅沿辽河布防，并动员驻黑省各部，向吉省南下增援，牵制北线春城、公主城、铁城的东洋军第4联队、骑兵第2联队、独立守备第1、第5大队、工兵第2中队等部。”

"On the southern front, the main force inside the pass quickly reinforced the area by rail, and together with the troops stationed in Rehe Province, Jincheng, and Pancheng, a total of more than 10 elite troops were deployed. A portion of them were used to reinforce Fengcheng, while the main force pressed into the line of Liaocheng, Ancheng, Haicheng, and Yingcheng to cut off the connection between Fengcheng and Lücheng on the South Manchurian Railway and maintain a posture of being ready to attack the southern part of the Liaodong Peninsula at any time."

"Given the limited manpower, equipment, and ammunition supplies of the Japanese army, as long as the Fengtian Army resists fiercely and does not back down, it can completely eliminate the Japanese army's scheme in the first stage!"

"Next, let's see if the Japanese cabinet and military have the guts to launch a full-scale war without preparation, logistical support, or an economic crisis!"

"Once the situation is effectively controlled initially, it will develop in our favor. The troops stationed in various places will be strongly mobilized, and the Fengtian Army within the Great Wall, and even the Central Army and local armies, can provide continuous reinforcements!"

Song Hongfei was heartbroken and sighed, "Not only will the Japanese not be able to eat it, but they will also lose more than they gain! They will have to give back everything they have gained before, and the long-standing passive situation in the entire Kanto region will inevitably be reversed!"

Zhang Yi and Wang Zhi stared at the sand table, deep in thought, nodding silently. They both agreed with Song Hongfei's statement, a conclusion they had reached after numerous sand table simulations over the past few days.