Chapter 52: Surrounded on three sides and missing one!

"Let the engineering battalion garrison the airport and destroy the railway at the same time to prevent the Japanese army from using the railway to transport supplies." Dai Anlan, the commander of the 200th Division who had just arrived in Tonggu, immediately issued the order after exchanging guard with the British army.

"Only one battalion is stationed at the airport?" the chief of staff asked hesitantly, and it was an engineering battalion.

Although the engineering battalion has machine guns, its fighting spirit is not strong.

If the Japanese army attacks, it will be impossible to hold on.

"Commander, how about letting the 598rd Battalion of the th Regiment go to garrison? Their battalion's combat effectiveness is pretty good, and the losses on the road are not that great, making them very suitable for garrison." The chief of staff thought about it and made another suggestion.

"The British army just told me that some facilities at the airport have been damaged. If they can be repaired, they will send fighter jets to provide support. In addition, the railway also requires professional personnel to destroy it. The Third Battalion has been marching all the way and needs to rest. They will be needed in the next battle, so let the engineering battalion go." Dai Anlan shook his head and explained the reason why he wanted to send the engineering battalion.

"I know the capabilities of Li Shuzheng from the Engineer Battalion. Ask the Guard Battalion to transfer a few more machine guns to them to increase their firepower."

"As long as the railway is destroyed, with the help of the military facilities at the airport, it won't be a problem for one battalion to defend the airport."

"The Japanese army's direct target is still Tonggu City. We just need to defend this place."

Hearing this, the Chief of Staff was at a loss to persuade him any further. He just vaguely felt that having an engineering battalion stationed at the airport and destroying the railway was a bit of a difficult task.

All he could do was remind Li Shuzheng to be on guard against the Japanese army's sneak attack.

"Yes, I understand. We must be careful of the Japanese army's sneak attacks." Li Shuzheng assured loudly while holding the phone.

"Battalion Commander, what's the mission?" A captain asked with a smile when he saw Li Shuzheng hanging up the phone.

"Let our battalion garrison the airport, repair the airport, and destroy the railway."

"Repair the airport? Are the British going to send us fighter planes? I didn't expect that the British army is not that good, but they would send the air force. I really didn't expect it."

When I heard about renovating the airport, my first reaction was to send fighter jets.

With the support of fighter jets, we will be more confident in defending Tonggu.

After all, they suffered from the bombing of Japanese warplanes, which was not a pleasant experience.

"Well, our engineering battalion will have a heavy task ahead. It can also be considered an opportunity to gain face. If we work hard, we may even get a reward." Li Shuzheng was already imagining that he would be promoted and get rich.

Not long after, Li Shuzheng arrived at the airport with the engineering battalion. Looking at the runway in front of him that had been bombed into a mess, he couldn't help but feel a headache.

"The first company will repair the runway, the second company will follow me to destroy the railway, and the third company will be responsible for vigilance." There was nothing wrong with Li Shuzheng's arrangement.

Even if we encounter a surprise attack by the Japanese army, we can still buy some time to counterattack.

"Battalion Commander, we don't know when it will take one company to repair the runway, and there is no way there will be any Japanese troops at our location. It is impossible for the Japanese troops to bypass Tonggu. It would be better for the first and second companies to repair the runway, and the third company to destroy the railway. This will improve efficiency." The captain suggested.

Hearing this, Li Shuzheng thought it was true. If the airport was repaired sooner, the British fighter planes would arrive sooner, and maybe he could even get praise from his superiors.

In addition, this place is located in the north of Tonggu, so it is impossible for the Japanese army to appear here.

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

On the other side, at the headquarters of the 55th Division of the Japanese Army, Lieutenant General Hiroshi Takeuchi looked at the map in front of him with a frown.

"Report." At this time, Chief of Staff Colonel Kato Gennosuke walked in and said with a not very good look on his face.

"What's wrong, Kato-kun?" asked Lieutenant General Takeuchi Hiroshi.

"The search team of the 112th Regiment followed the British Army and encountered an ambush by the expeditionary force, losing more than people, including a second lieutenant." Colonel Kato Gennosuke took a deep breath and said slowly.

This is not good news, considering that we haven't encountered any decent enemies since Rangoon.

Therefore, all the Japanese soldiers developed the habit of being arrogant.

Unexpectedly, they were ambushed, which made Colonel Kato Gennosuke look unhappy. Obviously, Lieutenant General Takeuchi Hiroshi's expression changed slightly when he heard the news, but then returned to normal.

"Humph, cunning Chinese."

"Don't worry, I've already figured out how to break into Tonggu City."

Hearing this, Colonel Kato Gennosuke looked curious.

But they knew that the 200th Division stationed in Tonggu was the elite force directly under the mountain city.

Its predecessor was a tank battalion, and later it became the first mechanized division with strong combat effectiveness.

The fact that they were stationed in Tonggu was enough to show the Allied forces' determination to defend Tonggu to the death.

"The Chinese have an old saying, 'surround three and leave one.'" Lieutenant General Takeuchi Hiroshi said with a smile on his face, and then continued.

"As long as we surround them on three sides, the Chinese will to resist will not be that strong."

"At the same time, as long as we cut off their logistical supply lines, we can easily capture Tonggu City."

"Unless they are willing to have their most elite troops consumed in Tonggu City."

"This is their most elite force. If they are completely wiped out, it will deal a huge blow to the morale of the Allied forces."

Lieutenant General Hiroshi Takeuchi's analysis made Colonel Kato nod his head.

"I plan to have the 113th Regiment dispatch a task force of to people, equipped with tanks and a large number of mortars, to bypass Tonggu City and attack the airport." Lieutenant General Takeuchi Hiroshi said as he took out a pen and drew a line.

"As long as we take over the airport, our fighter planes will be able to land on the Tonggu battlefield, and then we will be able to take over Tonggu City in no time."

I have to say, this plan is definitely feasible.

First of all, the Japanese army responsible for the entire Burma operation was able to obtain very strong air support, with four flying regiments, including two light bomber squadrons and three heavy bomber squadrons.

This resulted in the British fighter planes not daring to take off at all, and the air supremacy was firmly held by the Japanese army.

Faced with the heavy bombing from fighter planes, the tanks had no ability to fight back and could only passively take the bombing.

The only limitation for fighter planes is their range once they take over an airport.

This means that Japanese fighter planes can stop in Tonggu, extending the bombing time.

As long as the transport planes can deliver enough artillery shells and fuel in a short period of time, the fighting can continue.

"Your plan is absolutely perfect, Commander." Colonel Kato said respectfully, flattering him.

Upon hearing this, Lieutenant General Takeuchi Hiroshi was obviously in a good mood. He looked at the other party and said with a smile.

"Have the 113th Regiment immediately dispatch an elite task force to bypass Tonggu and seize the airport."

"Hay."

Upon receiving the order, the commander of the 113th Regiment immediately dispatched an elite battalion, transferred a large number of mortars to the task force, and also equipped it with a number of tanks.

"After taking the airport, you must defend it and eliminate all attacking enemies."

"As long as you wait until the fighter planes arrive, you will have completed your mission."

"Hai, please rest assured. We will not let you down." The Japanese major leading the team said respectfully.

"Yo." The captain patted the other man on the shoulder and praised him.

(End of this chapter)