Chapter 333: I’m so annoyed. Did you get promoted?
"I didn't expect that the Japanese Army's third-line troops would have such tight defense. It really exceeded my expectations." In a hidden jungle in front of the position of the Japanese Army's 129th Division, Zhao He and the soldiers of the reconnaissance battalion were sizing up the defense line arranged by the Japanese Army.

After seeing the Japanese army's defense, Zhao He was stunned.

Because the Japanese army dug a four-meter-wide and two-meter-deep trench directly in front of the position.

Do not!
Now it should be called a river.

In fact, there were no trenches here at the beginning.

As a result, just after completing the rest and sending out the reconnaissance battalion to conduct battlefield reconnaissance, they heard reports from their subordinates saying that the Japanese positions were somewhat strange.

With doubts, Zhao He followed the reconnaissance battalion and went to the front of the Japanese position to observe.

But as I watched, I felt something was not right.

The overall layout of the Japanese positions was quite good and the defense was very tight.

Maybe because they knew they had tanks, they did not deploy heavy firepower at the front of the position, but only deployed a certain amount of heavy firepower in the middle section.

In addition, there is a trench that is four meters wide and two meters deep.

It also brings in water from the Pearl River behind it.

"How did the Japanese dig it? They brought the river water into the trench? They relied on that floating bridge to go back and forth?" Tang Lian, who came along with them, was also dumbfounded. How did the Japanese come up with this idea?

"It must have been dug at night. What a ruthless man! He dug such a wide trench in the middle of the position and filled it with water. This Japanese commander is really smart." After seeing the Japanese position, Zhao Hedu couldn't help but be convinced.

In front was a position, in the middle was a trench dug and filled with river water to form a river, behind was another position, and at the back was the Pearl River.

very good!

The Japanese commander is really smart. With such defense, how can he attack?
The armored regiment is basically useless.

Even if we take the front position, the tanks won't be able to pass through the water-filled trench in the middle.

It's obvious that they are basing it on the length of your tank.

"It seems that we can only rely on your infantry from now on." Zhao He knew that his armored regiment could not play a big role, so he shook his head and said.

"Well, it looks like there will be a bloody battle next." Tang Lian said with a serious expression.

"Don't be so serious. Wait until the heavy artillery regiment arrives at the battlefield. Let them bombard the Japanese army for a few days and blow up most of their important fortifications before you go into battle." Zhao He saw the heaviness in Tang Lian's heart and said with a smile.

Hearing this, Tang Lian forced a smile.

He originally thought that he could make rapid progress with the help of the armored regiment, but who would have thought that the Japanese would play such a trick, which directly shattered his hopes.

Naturally, I couldn't laugh anymore.

"Well, I see."

Looking at Tang Lian's expression, Zhao He could only pat him on the shoulder and think about how to break the deadlock.

At present, there is little hope of taking Guangzhou from the western front.

There is no point in the armored regiment staying here any longer.

Or withdraw.

Do not!
He had finally managed to stretch his muscles, so there was no way he would go back so soon.

"Commander, I think why don't we try to attack Yangcheng from the direction of Zengcheng?" At this time, the reconnaissance battalion commander, who had been silent, suggested.

"Zengcheng?" Zhao He tilted his head and looked at the other party, motioning to continue.

"I have studied the terrain near Yangcheng these past two days. I found that only the south of Yangcheng is full of rivers, which is not conducive to the advancement of armored forces. There are relatively few rivers in the west, but the Japanese army is now digging trenches and diverting river water. It is very difficult for our troops to continue advancing."

"There are relatively few rivers in the north, but the Japanese army must have defended tightly. The only gap is Zengcheng in the east."

"As long as our troops occupy Zengcheng, we can march straight to Yangcheng. As long as we occupy Yangcheng, the Japanese positions around it can be broken in no time." The reconnaissance battalion commander's words made Zhao He nod his head.

"Yes, this plan is indeed good."

But the transition is not that easy and requires certain support.

And to be honest, Zhao He was not familiar with the troops in the Fourth War Zone, and the transfer must be coordinated with ground troops.

Therefore, he had to ask for instructions to see if a division could be transferred over.

…………

After receiving Zhao He's telegram, Cun Yunsheng frowned.

These Japanese devils were indeed difficult to deal with. They even came up with the idea of ​​filling the trenches with water, which directly made the armored regiment lose its propulsion function.

"We really can't underestimate the Japanese army." Cun Yunsheng handed the telegram in his hand to Meng Fanle and said with emotion.

When Meng Fanle finished reading the telegram, he was also stunned.

I originally thought that we could take over Guangzhou in the next two days, but we found that something unexpected happened again.

"These Japanese soldiers are really impossible to kill." Meng Fanle was speechless.

"Sir, what should we do now?"

Hearing this, Cun Yunsheng did not answer immediately, but fell into deep thought. He did not have many troops he could mobilize.

He originally planned to go directly to Bangkok to supervise the war and be responsible for commanding the Battle of Borneo.

On the other side, Long Wenjian had already penetrated deep into Borneo and led the Old A Special Operations Brigade to decapitate the headquarters of the Siamese First Division.

At the same time, Duan Zhenguo has begun to deploy his troops.

The vanguard force consisted of 20,000 natives trained by the Japanese army, followed by Long Wenjian's 10,000 elite native troops.

Supervising the battle in the rear was Duan Zhenguo's New 1st Regiment.

As for the 60th Army of the Yunnan Army, it is still in the stage of refitting, and it will take some time before it can be fully deployed on the battlefield.

Because the fighting had not officially started yet, the Japanese army did not pay much attention to it.

Therefore, the only troops that can be mobilized at present are Han Shaogong’s New Third Regiment.

"How is the training of Han Shaogong's new third regiment going?" After thinking for a while, Cun Yunsheng asked.

"We have completed the training syllabus, but since most of them are new recruits, what if we let them go to the battlefield rashly?" Meng Fan hesitated for a moment, but still expressed his inner thoughts.

For him, the New Third Regiment is mainly composed of new recruits.

The soldiers are mainly recent immigrants. After all, the benefits of being a soldier are much higher than those of ordinary immigrants.

Naturally, there are many people joining the army.

"Training alone is useless. You still have to go to the battlefield and experience the test of war." Cun Yunsheng shook his head.

"But what you said makes sense. An infantry regiment with most of its soldiers being new recruits is indeed not stable enough. How about this? Let the 12th Division transfer an infantry regiment to cooperate with Han Shaogong's new 3rd regiment to support Zhao He."

This time Meng Fanle did not open his mouth to refute, but nodded in agreement, but then showed hesitation.

"Then who should be sent to command?" Meng asked in annoyance.

There are four regiments with different commanders, but who is in command?

According to seniority?
Krupp definitely had the highest seniority, but he was completely focused on studying artillery, and was definitely lacking in battlefield command.

Needless to say, Zhao He only knows about tanks.

Han Shaogong's military command ability is good, but his qualifications are insufficient.

The qualifications here refer to the qualifications for joining the Sichuan Army, not the qualifications for serving in the army.

After all, we also have to consider the feelings of Krupp and Zhao He.

Can a person who has just joined the Sichuan Army command the two of them?

Even if they didn't have any ideas in their minds, others did. After these words came out, Cun Yunsheng was also thinking about who should be in charge.

After thinking about it for a while, I felt overwhelmed.

Logically speaking, it would be most appropriate for him to command personally.

But as mentioned earlier, he needed to go to Bangkok to command the attack on Borneo.

Too weak to split.

He also began to train his officers.

At present, Han Shaogong is the most suitable person to be the commander, but he lacks the qualifications and it will take some time.

The only two candidates are Lin Yi and Meng Fan.

But Lin Yi has been busy with immigration during this period.

Then there is only Meng Fan left.

Thinking of this, Cun Yunsheng looked at Meng Fanle and said with a smile.

"Sorry, how about you take the trouble to go and be the commander this time?"

Hearing this, Meng Fan was confused.

Command four regiments by yourself?

That’s more than 10,000 people.

It's equivalent to a Type A division.

This is really too big a leap, isn't it?

"Sir, am I suitable? I'm just a small lieutenant colonel." Meng Fan hesitated for a moment and felt that he was still not suitable.

"Not suitable? I think it's quite suitable. You are my adjutant and communications soldier. Who has more seniority than you?"

"If you go, I guarantee that the three of them will have no objection. Even the 12th Division will give you face." Cun Yunsheng joked.

"Okay, it's decided. You don't want to be my adjutant for the rest of your life, do you? You should get some exercise."

"Commander in Chief, I was originally just a small lieutenant. I was promoted to lieutenant colonel thanks to your promotion. Now I have to command four regiments at once. It is indeed stressful." Meng Fanle felt that something was still wrong.

Hearing this, Cun Yunsheng waved his hand, indicating that he didn't need to think too much.

"The Battle of Yangcheng is almost certain to win, and we have the 104th Division as our internal support. As long as we advance steadily, there will be no problem in taking Yangcheng. It's time for you to go out and take charge."

"Okay, don't think too much. If anyone has any objections, let him come to me."

"I still have to go to Bangkok to supervise Borneo. There is no one in charge there. It will be difficult for Duan Zhenguo to command the 60th Yunnan Army. And there is also Long Wenjian, that arrogant and brave general. I don't know what this guy will do if I am not here."

Hearing this, Meng Fanle knew that he could no longer refuse, so he responded immediately.

"Yes, my Lord."

"Well, get ready and let's go."

…………

On the other side, at the garrison of the 12th Division on Qiongzhou Island, after half a month of recruiting, the 12th Division, which was formed with the New 2nd Regiment as the backbone, has completed its basic structure and its total strength has reached more than 10,000 people.

The number of people is still increasing, but it will take some time to reach Cun Yunsheng's number of more than 30,000.

The main reason is the shortage of officers and veterans.

Therefore, during this period of time, Cun Xingxing had been trying to find ways to find his old acquaintances and mobilize the connections of the Cun family, and finally recruited a group of officers.

"Commander, here's a telegram from the Commander-in-Chief." The communications officer came to Cun Xingxing and spoke quickly.

"Read!" Cun Xingxing didn't even raise his head. He was looking at the roster in his hand.

"Within three days, dispatch a regiment, board a warship, and go to Leizhou Peninsula to form an Eastern Expedition Detachment, which will be commanded by Meng Fanle." The communications staff officer read quickly.

Hearing this, Cun Xingxing was stunned. He did not expect that a regiment would be mobilized at this time. It was indeed beyond his expectations.

However, after reading the contents of the telegram, he pondered for a moment and then spoke.

"Let Qian Zhengqing come over."

"Yes."

Not long after, Qian Zhengqing, commander of the 70th Regiment, arrived at the headquarters of the th Division. When he saw Cun Xingxing, he immediately saluted.

"Master's seat."

"Here you are. Take a look. This is a telegram sent by the commander." Cun Xingxing raised his head and handed over the telegram in his hand.

With doubts, Qian Zhengqing immediately took the telegram, quickly read it, and a hint of surprise flashed across his face.

"Commander, are you asking me to lead the troops across the sea?"

"Yes."

"Then won't the training for landing on Luzon Island have to be suspended?" Qian Zhengqing said somewhat unwillingly.

"Well, this is the order of the commander-in-chief, and the 12th Division will follow it unconditionally. As for the problem you are worried about, as long as you can take Yangcheng as quickly as possible, it will not delay the subsequent landing battle." Cun Xingxing knew what the other party was worried about and pointed it out directly.

Qian Zhengqing felt somewhat embarrassed when his little thoughts were exposed.

"Yes, Commander, I will carry out the order immediately."

"Well, go ahead, and don't make the relationship with the friendly forces too awkward. That Meng Fanle is the adjutant of the commander-in-chief, so don't look down on him." Cun Xingxing knew that the other party was a proud person, so he kindly reminded him.

Since Cun Yunsheng let Meng Fanle serve as the commander of the Eastern Expedition Detachment, it was natural for him to train him.

If the troops you have selected do not obey other people's orders, there will be unpleasantness between the two sides.

"Yes, Master, I know what's going on." Qian Zhengqing could only roll his eyes helplessly. Although he was proud, he was not a fool.

…………

"Fanla, congratulations, you've been promoted." The first place Meng Fanla came to was Krupp's heavy artillery regiment, whereupon he was ridiculed by Krupp.

"Come on, I'm just a temporary position. What promotion? It's because of you and Zhao He. You're so focused on your tanks and artillery and don't want to take command. Otherwise, how could it be my turn?" Meng rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"You think I want to come? It's much easier to stay by the side of the commander than to go to the battlefield in person, eh..."

"Okay, you're still ungrateful after getting the advantage." Krupp looked as if he couldn't stand the other person's success.

But Zhao He on the side asked.

"Sorry, have you figured out how to attack Yangcheng?"

Hearing this, Meng Fanle did not immediately express his opinion, but said.

"Before coming here, the commander asked me to listen to your opinions. After all, I am staying in the rear and I don't know much about Yangcheng. If you have any ideas, you can tell me directly."

Zhao He didn't waste any time and just said it directly.

"We currently have an absolute advantage in the west. If we are willing to invest a large number of infantry, we still have hope of taking Yangcheng."

"It means to pay with human lives, right?" Meng Fanle knew what he meant.

"Yes, if we don't care about casualties, we can definitely win." Zhao He did not refute.

"No, if the casualties are too great, it will be difficult to explain to the commander-in-chief." Meng shook his head in annoyance.

"Then we will follow the previous plan, move to the rear of Yangcheng, capture Zengcheng, and use the armored regiment's advancing speed. I am confident that we can capture Zengcheng within three days." Zhao He looked confident.

"It's too slow." Meng Fanle felt that it was completely unnecessary.

(End of this chapter)