bookrebus Chapter 710 You can’t have your cake and eat it too
Chapter 710 You can’t have your cake and eat it too
710 You can't have your cake and eat it too
The atmosphere in the Japanese headquarters was somewhat depressing.
After a while, Tanaka Hisaichi asked the Japanese Chief of Staff: "The headquarters promised to let the Seventh Flying Regiment give us tactical guidance. When will it arrive?"
Before facing Tanaka Hisaichi, he made a series of requests for help to the Japanese headquarters and the domestic base.
Finally there was a response.
Now, the old devil Nishio Hisazo has agreed to transfer the 7th Flying Regiment from North China to support them.
Strengthen the Japanese air force in Guangdong Province.
Because, according to the information provided by the Japanese Special High Section.
Ye Qingshan still retains a strong air force in southern Zhejiang. This air force is likely to move south to participate in the attack on Guangdong Province.
In this case, it is necessary for the Japanese to strengthen the air force of the 23rd Army.
“We need the aviation force, but we need the tactical guidance of the army even more.
Tell the Commander-in-Chief to stop hesitating.
It is time to let Anami Korechika's 11th Army move south.
Anyway, we have been fighting in Xiangxi for such a long time, but we have not seen their 11th Army take it down.
There will be another chance later.
But we must not lose this side of Guangdong Province.
Commander-in-Chief Nishio and the domestic headquarters should clearly distinguish between the important and the unimportant. "
Tanaka Hisaichi's tone was filled with impatience.
Two days ago, in the 23rd Army headquarters of Tanaka Hisaichi, a Japanese officer boldly proposed a plan that could resolve their crisis in Guangdong Province.
That is to let Anami Korechika's 11th Army give up fighting in western Hunan.
Go directly south, defeat the Tenth Army, and retake northern Guangdong.
Then they joined forces with their 23rd Army to keep Ye Qingshan in Guangdong Province and solve the problem of Ye Qingshan once and for all.
But after this plan was sent by Tanaka Hisaichi to Nishio Toshizo's headquarters and the domestic headquarters.
All of them fell on deaf ears, and there has been no accurate reply so far.
This made Tanaka Hisaichi very anxious.
Before, when the 19th Mixed Brigade had not been annihilated, Tanaka Hisaichi still felt that it would not be easy for Ye Qingshan to reach Yangcheng.
But now, the 19th Mixed Brigade was wiped out so quickly.
Tanaka Hisaichi never dared to be careless again.
“Send another telegram to Commander Nishio Hisazo and ask them to make a decision as soon as possible.
Then, he ordered the 170th Regiment and the 104th Cavalry Battalion fighting in northern Guangdong to return immediately.
Go to the line from Chacheng to Dongjiang and meet up with the 108th Regiment.
Build a more complete defense line from Chacheng, Dongjiang to Echeng.
Next, that will be the frontline position of our 23rd Army against Ye Qingshan’s 89th Army.”
Tanaka Kyuichi gave the order quickly.
Regardless of whether Nishio Toshizo and the Imperial Headquarters will eventually agree to allow the 11th Army, which is currently in western Hunan, to move south.
Their 23rd Army must make defensive preparations in advance to meet the next attack from the 89th Army.
“Also, send the Engineer Regiment and the 107th Regiment to reinforce the defense line from Fengcheng, Beijiang, to Wenshui Town, north of Yangcheng.
Notify Liu Sang and Wang Sang again and ask them to cooperate with the Imperial Army and recruit 20,000 civilian laborers starting immediately.
Dig trenches outside Yangcheng and build a second line of defense..."
Tanaka Hisaichi looked at the topographic map around Yangcheng and formulated the next defensive operation plan.
The area around Yangcheng is mainly mountainous and hilly, which provides the Japanese with a lot of convenience in building defensive positions based on the terrain.
But the terrain around Guangzhou is relatively flat.
This forced the Japanese to block Ye Qingshan's 89th Army at the outermost line of defense if they wanted to hold on to Yangcheng.
Once Ye Qingshan's 89th Army reaches the vicinity of Yangcheng, it will be difficult for the Japanese to defend.
"Hi!"
The Japanese chief of staff immediately responded and went down to convey the order.
Along with a series of war preparation orders from the old devil Tanaka Hisaichi, they were passed on.
The entire Yangcheng, as well as all the Japanese troops and the Imperial Army in its surrounding areas, all took action.
At the same time, in the Japanese Expeditionary Army Headquarters in Nanjing City, a dispute broke out between Nishio Toshizo and Itagaki Seishirō.
"Your Excellency, Commander-in-Chief, another telegram from General Tanaka has arrived.
Ye Qingshan's 89th Army has captured eastern Guangdong.
Kondo Shinpachi's 19th Mixed Brigade was completely destroyed.
We can no longer hesitate and must make a decision.”
Itagaki Seishirō anxiously persuaded Nishio Toshizo.
But Nishio Toshizo, who was standing in front of the window, remained silent and was still thinking.
When Itagaki Seishirō saw that the old devil Nishio Hisazo still did not express his opinion, he couldn't help but sigh.
Itagaki Seishirō was a supporter of the plan submitted by Tanaka Kyuichi to abandon Xiangxi and protect Guangdong Province.
However, the commander-in-chief, the old devil Nishio Hisazo, was reluctant to agree.
As for Anami Korechika, who was leading the troops on the front line, he strongly opposed it after hearing the news.
They had invested too much energy in Xiangxi, and now they were unwilling to give up. Neither Nishio Toshizo nor Anami Korechika were willing to do so.
But what does it matter if they are unwilling? In Itagaki Seishirō's opinion, they must face reality.
But if the commander-in-chief, Toshizo Nishio, and the commander-in-chief of the Xiangxi front, Korechi Anami, disagreed with Tanaka Hisaichi's plan.
Then, this plan will be impossible to implement.
Even the top brass at their domestic headquarters needed to listen to the opinions of Nishio Toshizo and Anami Korechika, the two generals who held real power on the front lines.
Therefore, Itagaki Seishirō decided to persuade Nishio Toshizo first.
As long as we get Nishio Toshizo's consent, the problem with Anami Korechika will be much easier to solve.
So Itagaki Seishirō continued, "Commander-in-Chief, there is an old Chinese saying that goes, 'He who knows the times will act accordingly...
No, it means that as long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.
That’s not right either. It should be said that you can’t have your cake and eat it too.
Now, Xiangxi is the fish and Guangdong Province is the bear's paw.
We can only protect one.
I still tend to protect Guangdong Province.
General Tanaka was right. Xiangxi was not easy to conquer and it had never been completely conquered.
If it doesn’t work this time, try again next time.
But it’s different with Guangdong Province, which has been occupied by us for more than two years.
If Ye Qingshan takes it back now, the impact will be huge.
By then, the headquarters and His Majesty will also blame us."
After hearing this, the old Japanese soldier Nishio Hisazo was finally moved, and he also considered deeper strategic issues.
"Hey, my Chief of Staff.
You convinced me.
Indeed, at this time, the empire could not lose such an important occupied area as Guangdong Province in China.
Go inform Tanaka Hisaichi and tell him.
I will let Anami Korechika cooperate with his plan, and after a while, the 11th Army led by Anami Korechika will move from southwestern Hunan.
Let him use this time to firmly attract the main force of Ye Qingshan’s 89th Army around Yangcheng.
After Anami Korechika leads his troops to Guangdong Province, let the two of them cooperate with each other.
This time, Ye Qingshan and his 89th Army will be left there.
This is a great opportunity to get rid of Ye Qingshan.
If they succeed, it will be no less significant than seizing the entire Xiangxi territory.”