klisemfg Chapter 700 Japanese Broadcast on the Miluo River
Chapter 700 Japanese Broadcast on the Miluo River
The Japanese soldiers from the 3rd and 40th divisions slowly retreated towards the Miluo River at the same time.
The two Japanese island divisions responded to each other from a distance, more than ten miles apart.
They had been walking for a whole day. It wasn't that they didn't want to walk faster, but they were really hungry.
The air force of the temporary capital and the aviation units of Tongguan and Gannan took turns to intercept Japanese planes.
This made it impossible for the Japanese air force in Hankou to carry out normal airdrop operations.
They could only rely on airdropping supplies when it was almost dark.
But on the way back, it was dark and two transport planes were damaged.
It was thanks to this airdrop that they were able to reach the outskirts of the Miluo River at dawn.
On the way of retreat, the luck of their two divisions was much better than that of the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade.
They basically did not encounter any obstruction from the various units of the National Army.
These national army troops were all moving hurriedly towards the Liuyang River.
Division Commander Mishima also sent out scouts to secretly conduct close reconnaissance.
After overhearing the words of the Kuomintang soldiers over there, four armies have already rushed over.
They said they were going to encircle and suppress the Imperial Army, the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, and the 6th Division.
As for why they didn't come to stop them, Division Commander Mishima already had a guess in his mind.
One reason is that their 3rd and 40th divisions are advancing in parallel.
The Nationalist troops on this road are not large in number and may not dare to take action against them.
Although they also lost a lot of troops in the Battle of Changsha.
But these two divisions can gather more than 30,000 people.
In addition, the Imperial Army had a fierce reputation, and facing the huge marching troops, no one dared to provoke them.
Another reason was that they picked up a lot of leaflets left by the Kuomintang army along the way.
It is clearly written above that the Sixth Division is dedicated to attacking the Japanese island in order to avenge their dead compatriots.
As for the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, it was probably too close to the 6th Division and was indiscriminately attacked by the National Army.
Division Commander Mishima breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, their Third Division did not participate in the siege of the National Army's capital that time.
Seeing that the danger was decreasing, he informed the commander of the 40th Division, Takahashi, of the intelligence he had obtained.
Because Mishima remembered that the main force of the 40th Division had never been there.
But they once sent a detachment to participate in the massacre.
Sure enough, not long after the news spread, Takahashi's 40th Division immediately accelerated its march.
Finally, at one o'clock in the morning, they arrived at a place about twenty kilometers away from the south bank of the Miluo River.
According to reports from their vanguard team, the south bank was very safe.
The floating bridge they used to cross the river was still lying quietly on the river, without any damage.
They then decided to rest here for one night and continue their journey across the Miluo River the next morning.
Just at four o'clock in the morning, bad news came from behind.
"Your Excellency the Division Commander, please wake up quickly. The scouts behind us have important military intelligence to report to you."
Division Commander Mishima, who was sleeping soundly, heard important military intelligence.
He put on his glasses and immediately climbed out of the military blanket on the camp bed.
Mishima: "What did the scouts find out back there? What happened?"
Staff Officer: "Report to the division commander, according to the scouts behind us, there are Kuomintang troops following us."
Mishima: "How many Chinese soldiers are there chasing us? How far are they from us?"
Staff Officer: “The Chinese army has sent four corps, accompanied by an artillery brigade.
There are about 70,000 of them, and they are still about 15 kilometers away from our Third Division."
"Bagayalu, order the Third Division to assemble urgently and set out in ten minutes, running towards the Miluo River.
At the same time, he informed the division commander Takahashi that Chinese troops had been spotted behind him.
Let them set out immediately to cross the Miluo River, and after they finally cross the Laodao River, they can decide where to rest."
After Mishima finished speaking, he quickly left the tent and waited to set off.
Ten minutes later, the hungry and cold Third Division set out in the dark.
The Third Division had just marched for two hours, or ran at full speed, less than ten kilometers.
Then we heard intensive gunfire coming from the direction of the Miluo River ahead.
Division Commander Mishima's face changed and he immediately called the combat staff for questioning.
"What happened up ahead? Why were there gunshots?"
The staff officer said in panic, "It's bad, sir, there is something going on on the south bank of the Miluo River ahead.
A large number of Chinese troops suddenly appeared there, and they completely cut off our retreat.
Now the 40th Division under Commander Takahashi is storming the ferry on the south bank of the Miluo River.
However, the Chinese troops on the opposite side showed toughness and they had repelled two attacks by the Takahashi Division.
and……"
Mishima: "Baka, it's already this late and you're still hesitating.
Whatever you want to say, just say it quickly."
The operations staff suddenly whispered, "Your Excellency, the division commander, the scout team that just came back from the front reported an important intelligence.
The Chinese troops lying in ambush on the banks of the Miluo River were broadcasting in Japanese through loudspeakers.
The national army there said that the 40th Division had a mortal feud with the Chinese military and civilians and would never let them cross the river.
They also said, they also said, there is no Third Division here, let's get out of here as soon as possible."
Mishima: The national army on the opposite side is too weak. It is obvious that they are trying to sow discord.
This is an attempt to sow discord between their 3rd Division and the 40th Division.
However, it is not impossible to do so.
Anyway, the Sixth Division has been betrayed by him once.
Now, selling out the 40th Division wouldn't be too much.
He thought for a moment and said, "We won't be able to cross the Miluo River ahead anytime soon.
It seems that the Chinese army has no intention of letting the 40th Division go this time."
The operations staff replied with a serious face: "Your Excellency, since the road ahead is blocked, why don't we cross the river somewhere else?
We can retreat first, and then go east for thirty kilometers.
There is also a small ferry crossing there that will allow our division to cross the river.”
Division Commander Mishima nodded with satisfaction. Now that the show had been staged enough, it was time for their Third Division to begin action.
"Well, send a telegram to the 40th Division now, telling them that everything ahead is impossible.
Our Third Division is about to take the lead in breaking out, opening a gap at Liujiadu and crossing the river.
I hope Gaoqiao will follow our pace. We will see you after crossing the Laodao River.
Order the 3rd Division to retreat immediately and break out from the northeast of the battlefield."
After the order was issued, their Third Division immediately turned around and ran back.
Mishima had no intention of waiting for Takahashi's Sixth Division's intention.
It’s just a pity that man’s plans are not as good as God’s plans.
Their Third Division had no chance to escape as it was blocked by the Nationalist troops of the four armies led by Commander Sun.
Takahashi and Mishima chose this ferry as their crossing point at the very beginning.
That is because after crossing the Miluo River from here, it is closest to the ferry crossing of Laodao River.
There was also a Pingkou detachment there to meet them on the other side of the Laodao River.
At the same time, it also made it convenient for their two divisions to retreat directly back to Hubei.