kingnovel Chapter 501: Capture of Lashio
Chapter 501: Capture of Lashio
501 Capture of Lashio
"It's over. Lashio can no longer be defended."
Watanabe Masao staggered and almost fell, but was quickly supported by the Japanese colonel next to him.
At this moment, Watanabe Masao was in despair.
It is said that Zhao Dongsheng's mobile regiment of more than 3,000 people arrived in Lashio and surrounded them.
Watanabe Masao remained calm.
He knew that with just the 3,000 men in the mobile regiment, they would not be able to capture Lashio without the support of heavy firepower.
However, with the arrival of Ye Qingshan's artillery brigade, the situation was completely reversed.
With the firepower support provided by so many rocket launchers and howitzers of the heavy artillery brigade, the mobile regiment is enough to take Lashio.
With only two thousand baggage soldiers in his hands, he would definitely not be able to defend Lashio.
At this moment, even the usually arrogant Watanabe Masao could no longer be arrogant.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, please go in first.
You can’t stay in Lashio anymore.
Let me take the others to stay and hold the fort. Nothing can happen to you."
The Japanese colonel chief of staff next to him also gave the same suggestion to Watanabe Masao at this moment.
Knowing that Lashio would be lost,
As the commander of the 56th Division, Watanabe Masao must go.
"Akikawa-kun, I'm counting on you."
Watanabe Masao also understood this, so he did not reject the proposal of the Japanese chief of staff.
He looked at the other person and said seriously.
"As long as you can hold out until the second half of the night, you will have a chance to wait for reinforcements from the 55th Division.
Lashio can still be defended."
Masao Watanabe still refused to give up and did not want to lose Lashio.
"Hey, don't worry, Commander.
We must defend Lashio at all costs.
It would not be that easy for the Chinese to attack.”
The Japanese chief of staff assured in a firm tone.
Immediately, Watanabe Masao led a squad of elite Japanese soldiers in armored vehicles and took advantage of Zhao Dongsheng's mobile regiment before the encirclement was completely formed.
Find the weak point of the encirclement and break out quickly.
"Commander, the Third Battalion reported that an elite group of Japanese soldiers suddenly emerged from Lashio.
Under the cover of several Japanese armored vehicles, they broke through and escaped to the south.
The third battalion commander guessed that there might be a big fish in this Japanese squad.
So we sent a company to chase them."
Soon, Zhao Dongsheng received a report from his officers at his regiment headquarters.
"Well, chase after me.
However, our group’s current focus is to capture Lashio.
The artillery brigade's positions should be ready soon.
Once the bombardment was over, the battalions began to attack.”
Zhao Dongsheng also knew that those who escaped from Lashio at this time might be some high-ranking Japanese generals.
But we can't allocate too many troops to pursue.
In comparison, killing or capturing a Japanese general alive and taking Lashio as soon as possible is the top priority.
Whoosh whoosh!
After more than ten minutes, it was already dark.
Flames appeared in the sky and whistling sounds were heard. The rocket artillery regiment was the first to start covering the Japanese positions around Lashio with firepower.
Boom boom boom!
After the rocket artillery battalion's fire coverage was completed, the 105 howitzers followed, with a bombardment that lasted for more than half an hour.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, soldiers from the various battalions of the mobile regiment quietly moved around the enemy positions.
"The shelling has stopped, charge!"
As soon as the shelling stopped, the soldiers of the mobile regiment launched an attack.
Suddenly, there were loud gunshots from several Japanese defensive positions around Lashio, and the Lashio battle began.
"The Second Regiment has begun its attack."
On the Burma Road north of Lashio, after dark, the main force of the 208th Division led by Lu Dahai and Zhang Fa also arrived here.
Even from a distance, Lu Dahai could see it clearly.
Around Lashio, the Japanese positions were blazing with flames, and they knew that it was Zhao Dongsheng's Second Regiment that was attacking.
“I don’t know when the Japanese reinforcements will arrive.
The sooner Lashio is taken, the better, so as to avoid any more trouble.
Notify Wang Dachuan and have their entire brigade join the battle.
Lashio must be captured before dawn.
In addition, the 602nd Brigade under Brigade Commander Long was allowed to advance along the road towards Mandalay.
I guess if the Japanese have reinforcements coming, they must be coming from the direction of Mandalay."
Zhang Fa looked at the map and said to Lu Dahai beside him.
"Okay, I'll listen to you, sir."
Lu Dahai agreed with the safety of the rules.
Immediately, the main force of the 208th Division was divided here, and the 602nd Brigade led by Long Wendong continued to move southward towards Mandalay.
This direction is exactly the direction where the Japanese division commander Watanabe Masao escaped just now.
Wang Dachuan's 601st Brigade devoted all its efforts to the attack on Lashio.
"Damn it, a small place like Lashio can't stop our brigade.
I promise to capture him before dawn."
Wang Dachuan rushed with a group and joined the battle.
In the entire Lashio, there were only two thousand Japanese baggage soldiers, and they were facing the fierce attack of such an elite brigade under Ye Qingshan's command.
Just two hours after the war began, the positions around Lashio were lost.
A company under Zhao Dongsheng's command broke into the Japanese camp in Lashio.
“We found the Japs’ camp.
Quick, call in the artillery, and provide covering fire."
The company commander in chief looked ahead at the large amount of military supplies piled up in the Japanese camp and also laughed.
Call in artillery fire strikes directly.
Whoosh whoosh!
After a while, a burst of urgent rocket launchers covered the area, and there were continuous explosions and flames shooting into the sky.
A large amount of military supplies stored in the Japanese camp were all destroyed.
By around 601 o'clock in the evening, all units of the st Brigade had entered Lashio, and almost all of the surrounding Japanese positions had been lost.
Only a few scattered Japanese soldiers were left, still resisting stubbornly.
"Zhao Dongsheng."
"brigadier."
Wang Dachuan hurriedly found Zhao Dongsheng's regiment headquarters and said to him, "Quick, gather the soldiers of your regiment.
We won't need you for the final battle.
Just give it to a group.
Your group, continue with the original plan.
I have applied to the division headquarters for a tank platoon and an armored company, and have them assigned to your regiment.
We will also give you 50 cars, and bring enough weapons and ammunition.
Next, can we cut off the retreat of these tens of thousands of Japanese troops and surround them in Mandalay?
It depends on your performance.
If the division commander had not disapproved, I would have personally commanded your regiment and acted with you."
"Thank you, Brigade Commander.
Our group is committed to completing the mission.”
Zhao Dongsheng was also excited.
He knew how difficult the roundabout mission he was about to carry out was.
To this end, his old boss specially sought support from some armored forces for them.
This is of great help to them.
Originally, their division did not have many armored units, and one third could be allocated to them.
He was already satisfied.
"lets go!"
"Yes!"
Soon, Zhao Dongsheng's mobile regiment disappeared into the night.
Wang Dachuan saw that the adjutant who used to follow him has now become the head of the regiment and can take charge of things on his own.
I am also very pleased.