klisemfg Chapter 262: Dangerous Moment
Chapter 262: Dangerous Moment
Kuang Zhengqi led the 47th Army and the 11th and 37th Divisions to the Hanjie and Diwaniya front lines without stopping. They quickly took action and invested in the intensive construction of the position.
Prior to this, Weimade had already dispatched a British engineering regiment to the area, following Kuang Zhengqi's suggestion. Simultaneously, the Governor-General's Office actively enlisted the participation of local residents. The engineering regiment and local residents worked together to construct sturdy bunkers, trenches, hidden tunnels for tank attacks, and artillery arrays along the route. These fortifications were already showing initial success.
Upon arrival, the 47th Army and other units immediately set about expanding their positions in depth and, based on their own troop deployments, further strengthening their fortifications. They meticulously planned and rationally deployed their forces to ensure the stability of their defensive line.
Meanwhile, Pu Zhengsong and the remnants of the 13th and 17th Brigades continued to harass the Germans along the way. They exploited the terrain to their advantage, skillfully maneuvering the Germans and delaying their advance as much as possible. However, the Germans, determined to abandon their entanglement with Pu Zhengsong and his remnants, continued their advance at lightning speed. Their momentum was fierce, determined to break through Hanja and Diwaniyah, rapidly advance into the heart of Iraq, and achieve their strategic objectives.
Fighting quickly spread to the areas of Hanje and Diwaniya. The complex terrain and crisscrossing rivers posed certain challenges for both sides. However, the blocking forces, with their strategic deployment, successfully slowed the German advance.
Hoepner decisively ordered the deployment of grenadiers and armored infantry from various armies to engage in a fierce battle for position after position with the Chinese army. For a time, the battlefield was filled with the sound of gunfire and artillery fire, and the air was filled with smoke.
In Najaf, the German Third Army and the First Army successfully reunited. Rommel held a brief meeting with Hoepner and other high-ranking German generals, who were promptly informed of the battle situation in Hanjë and Diwaniyah. They sat together, unfolding a map of the surrounding area, carefully studying the battle situation and discussing their next course of action.
Commanders on both sides demonstrated exceptional improvisation. Kuang Zhengqi calmly commanded his troops, constantly adjusting tactics based on the battlefield situation and fully leveraging the Chinese army's strengths. Not to be outdone, Rommel and Hoepner worked closely together, attempting to find a way to break through the Chinese defenses.
In this fierce battle, both sides gave their all, and neither dared to take it lightly. The situation on the battlefield changed rapidly, and every decision could affect the entire outcome of the battle.
After a day and a night of fighting, the Germans advanced less than 15 kilometers. The 1st Tank Army lost over 3000 elite grenadiers and mechanized infantry, and nearly 80 tanks were destroyed. The Chinese also lost nearly 2000 men and abandoned many positions. However, if the battle continued at this pace, the Germans would lose their momentum and waste precious time, making the gains more than they gained.
Rommel and Hoepner planned overnight, mainly drawing out the 5th Armored Army, plus the 1st Tank Division and the 17th Light Armored Division, a total of 7 troops, and marched south from the river channel on the east bank of the Euphrates River to attack the plain. Early the next morning, they captured Shinafye. A light brigade of the British army responsible for the defense here surrendered after a brief resistance, opening the roads along the way to the German army.
In Baghdad, the British 8th and 33rd Armies continued to conserve their strength, offering a brief resistance before hastily retreating. They even abandoned strong positions in Baghdad and Mahmudiyah. This gave the German-Turkish forces in the north an opportunity to rapidly advance southward. Within a single day, they captured strategic positions such as Karbala and Hillah. The vanguard even appeared in Qassim, threatening the Chinese flank. It became pointless for the 47th Army and other units to continue holding the Hanja and Diwaniyah lines.
Weimed, the theater's chief of staff and commander of the Iraqi front, stood in his command post, his eyes burning with anger as he stared intently at the British army's retreating signs on the map. His heart was like a volcano about to erupt, filled with disappointment and anger at the British army's performance.
Just now, Second Army Commander Kuang Zhengqi called and questioned General Wimaide. Are the British planning to repeat the same mistakes they made in Burma in early 2? Do they believe the Chinese should be their victims? If so, what's the point of continuing this war?
Weimad's anger grew more intense, and he called Mountbatten directly without any hesitation: "General Mountbatten, if the British army does not obey orders and fails to fulfill its obligations as an ally, then I will call Washington and request the termination of the alliance between the two countries." His voice was filled with uncontrollable anger and dissatisfaction.
Mountbatten felt a thin layer of sweat on his forehead after receiving Weimad's call. He knew that the British army's performance had caused strong dissatisfaction among all parties. If the situation could not be reversed as soon as possible, the consequences would be disastrous.
Mountbatten quickly apologized and said to Wedemeyer sincerely: "General Wedemeyer, please calm down. I will fly over immediately to deal with the problem of poor performance at the front line."
Weimad said coldly: "Calm down? How can you expect me to calm down? The Chinese army fought desperately along the Euphrates River. Entire regiments and divisions were sacrificed, but they still held their positions. What are you British doing? Giving up resistance time and time again and retreating in large strides. This is extremely irresponsible to the Allies!"
Back home in Britain, Prime Minister QJE's face darkened upon receiving the news. As Britain's wartime commander, he granted Mountbatten full authority, granting him the power to act on the spot. At the same time, he issued a stern order: "Any commander who fails to achieve strategic objectives will be held accountable for life!"
This order hung like a sword over the heads of every British commander. Under such immense pressure, the British Eighth Army had no choice but to engage in a life-and-death battle at Sumur with the advancing German 8nd Motorized Corps.
After a long and arduous battle, the British Eighth Army finally pushed back the Germans and successfully covered the Chinese flank. However, this victory came at a great cost, and the British Eighth Army was almost crippled and suffered heavy casualties.
After urgent consultations with the arriving Mountbatten, Weimad finally ordered the abandonment of the Hanjie and Diwaniya lines, ordering the remnants of the British 8th Army to retreat to Diwaniya under the unified command of Chinese Commander Kuang Zhengqi. The US 82nd Airborne Division was urgently airdropped there, and a supply of anti-tank weapons was quickly airlifted in for replenishment. Thanks to the concerted efforts of China, the US, and the UK, they finally gained a foothold in Diwaniya.