The news of the sudden launch of a counteroffensive by the Northeast Field Army in the four regions of Tongliao, Siping, Liaoyuan, and Jilin was also transmitted to the headquarters of the Eastern Army in Changchun by telegram at the first time.

Listening to the return of Lieutenant General Toshima Botaro, the chief of staff in front of him, the face of Senior General Mizu Umejiro was incredible, except for shock. He couldn't believe that the Northeast Field Army, which only had 200,000 troops, dared to launch a counterattack against the Kwantung Army, which had more than 300,000 elites and occupied a geographical advantage, and it was a counterattack regardless of losses............

However, shock is shock, and things that should be dealt with still need to be dealt with. Facing the combat sand table in front of us, we should compare the current troop deployment of the enemy and our armies on the sand table. After a brief moment of thought, General Umejiro Mitsu raised his head, frowned at himself, and continued to ask rhetorically.

"Chief of Staff, the Northeast Field Army suddenly launched a counteroffensive on the entire front of the defenders in our four places. What do you think is the ultimate purpose of their operation? ”

"Your Excellency, Commander, I beg you to be humble and stupid. So far, it is not clear to the lowly post the specific purpose of the Northeast Field Army's counteroffensive. Judging from the comparison of the strength of the enemy and us in various places, it is almost impossible for the Northeast Field Army to occupy several areas in a short period of time. And they must have hidden a huge conspiracy behind such a thankless task......" The chief of staff, Lieutenant General Toshima Botaro, shook his head helplessly, and then said what he thought in his heart.

"Well, since we don't know the huge conspiracy behind the Northeast Field Army, let's wait for a while, and after the Northeast Field Army reveals its operational purpose, it's not too late for us to make specific deployments......," General Umejiro Mitsu replied as expected. Immediately, facing the chief of staff in front of him, he ordered with a resolute face.

The "chief of staff" immediately issued an order to all combat units on the front line that in the face of the offensive of the Northeast Field Army, all units must hold their positions and "ensure the security and ...... of all localities"

"Ha Yi, Your Excellency Commander Xi is wise...... "The chief of staff replied decisively.

In the first round of artillery counterattack of the Northeast Field Army, although the various artillery units of the Japanese army suffered heavy losses, they almost lost the room to fight back. In the ensuing battle, in the face of the powerful artillery fire of the Northeast Field Army, the infantry units, which had no room to fight back, also suffered heavy losses. However, "in the face of the order of the Kwantung Army Headquarters, all combat units on the front line must not send countless soldiers to the forefront every hour, or even every minute," to act as cannon fodder, using the lives of the soldiers to block the fierce offensive of the Northeast Field Army.

In this way, in less than a day, all the Japanese troops participating in the battle, under the powerful offensive of the Northeast Field Army, paid a very heavy ......

The two days of bloody fighting "passed in a blink of an eye, and the various combat units in the eastern field that served as the offensive did not occupy many areas in the two days of fighting.

However, judging from the number of Japanese corpses on the battlefield, "we can clearly see that the proud results scored by the various combat units in the Dongye during the two-day battle...... and that Liu Hua, the commander-in-chief of the former enemy headquarters in the Dongye Former Enemy Headquarters at the mouth of the Meihekou, was sitting on a stool with a smile on his face, listening to the combat staff officer in front of him, and reporting on the proud results achieved by the various combat units in the two-day battle.

"Commander-in-Chief, Deputy Commander-in-Chief Yang called" After two days of fighting, our 7th and 12th armies successfully occupied the front-line positions of the Japanese army. At the same time, three artillery positions of the Japanese army were destroyed, and more than 100 large-caliber artillery pieces of various kinds were destroyed. In addition, according to preliminary statistics on the battlefield, in the two-day battle, our 7th and 11th armies achieved tremendous results in destroying at least 12,000 enemy troops. As for the number of enemies wounded, it is not yet known............"

"Commander Zhou of the frontal battlefield in the Liaoyuan area reported that in the process of firing at the Japanese army, our artillery unit destroyed four artillery positions of the Japanese army and destroyed more than 120 large and small artillery pieces. At the same time, the attacking troops successfully occupied the first and second two lines of defense of the Japanese army, destroying at least 18,000 Japanese troops and wounding countless Japanese troops, and the specific results cannot be counted............"

"Commander Zhong of the Second Army in the rear battlefield in the Liaoyuan area reported that in the past two days, under the suppression of our army's powerful artillery fire, the 139th Division of the Kwantung Army has no room to fight back at all. After two days of fighting, the entire concave division regiment was reduced by at least a third. At present, the remnants of the Japanese army and the concave division have been compressed to several hills less than 10 kilometers from Liaoyuan, and continue to resist ......", "The chief of staff of the Tongliao area sent a telegram to reinforce the two field divisions of the Kwantung Army in Tongliao, and under the siege of our first and fourth main armies, a total of five main divisions, suffered heavy losses. During the two-day battle, our five main divisions adopted the tactics of cutting off heads and tails and dividing and encircling them, and completely annihilated three infantry wings, one heavy wing, and two artillery wings of the Japanese army. According to preliminary statistics, in the two-day battle, the two main armies achieved great results in destroying at least 20,000 enemies. At present, the remnants of the reinforcements of the Kwantung Army have been compressed by our two field armies in a mountainous area with a radius of dozens of kilometers, and it is not ......far from being completely wiped out

Deputy Chief of Staff Li of the Siping Prefecture telegraphed that after two days of bloody battles, all the commanders and fighters of the Third Army had achieved tremendous results in annihilating two infantry wings of the enemy, totaling more than 7,000 people. At present, various combat units are further expanding their achievements...... "Facing the eager gaze of the commander-in-chief, the operational staff officer also reported with an excited face.

"Counselor Wang, this is too chaotic, I just want the final result. Quick, report to me directly, in the past two days, the total number of enemies destroyed by all combat units" Facing Staff Officer Wang's answer, Liu Hua ordered very decisively.

"Yes, Commander-in-Chief.

According to statistics, there are 12,000 people in Deputy Commander-in-Chief Yang, more than 18,000 in Commander Zhou, one-third of the field divisions and regiments in Commander Zhong, that is, about 8,000 people, 20,000 in Chief of Staff, and 7,000 in Deputy Chief of Staff Li. All combined, a total of 65,000 people," Counselor Wang replied with an excited face.

"Sixty-five thousand...... It's really unbelievable that in two days of fighting, we have achieved such huge results. Now that I think about it, with the huge results of 65,000 people, even if we give up the Meihekou that we are occupying now, it is very worthwhile......" In the face of such huge results, Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua couldn't help but sigh with emotion.

"Commander-in-chief, these sixty-five thousand little devils are just the results of the various units in the counteroffensive in the past two days. If we add in the number of enemies destroyed by various combat units in the early stage, "in this battle for dozens of days, at least 100,000 little devils died at the hands of our Northeast Field Army." If you add the Battle of Meihekou and the number of enemies destroyed in the recovery of southeastern Jilin. In this sortie, "the total number of enemies annihilated by our Northeast Field Army" will exceed 150,000," Staff Officer Wang added with a smile on his face.

"Okay...... 150,000 little devils are elite, enough for the Kwantung Army Command to have a good headache for a while. However, I believe that our opponents, after these two days of fighting, are also about to discover the specific purpose of our counteroffensive. In addition, after several days of bloody battles, "our soldiers must have paid a very heavy price, and the various combat units are very tired. Therefore, this unprecedented melee has been fought until now, "it should be time to end......" Liu Hua said again to the combat sand table in front of him.

After a short period of contemplation, Liu Hua quickly raised his head and ordered very decisively to Staff Officer Wang in front of him.

"Staff Officer Wang, immediately issue the latest operational orders to all combat units on the front line: In this counteroffensive, our Northeast Field Army has completed the scheduled operational objectives. The various combat units, starting from the receipt of the telegram, ceased to attack the current Japanese units. At the same time, commanders at all levels began to organize troops to retreat and withdraw from the four regions of Tongliao, Siping, Liaoyuan, and Jilin. It is required that all combat units, in the process of retreating, must be vigilant to prevent the little devils from counterattacking. At the same time, all combat units "must withdraw from the combat area within three days and return to the base area for rebuilding and recuperation............

"It's the ...... of the Director-General."

Outside Liaoyuan City, the cannon that had been roaring for two days "finally stopped." Just when the commander-in-chief of the Japanese army, Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto, was puzzled by the sudden halt of the artillery, a combat staff officer, panting in front of him, reported loudly.

"Your Excellency Commander, the forward troops report that the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side suddenly stopped the offensive. The forward combat units asked the headquarters whether they would immediately launch a counteroffensive to recapture the defensive line lost by the troops during the two days of fighting............"

"Nani? The Northeast Field Army stopped advancing, alas............ Chief of Staff, what do you think......" Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto's face immediately showed a look of doubt. Then, facing the chief of staff in front of him, he asked rhetorically with a puzzled face.

"Division commander, as far as I know, the total strength of the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side is less than 50,000 people. After two days of continuous attacking, they will also have times of exhaustion. If nothing else, I would like to think that the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side must be in a short period of rest and ......, and after the rest and recuperation, it will concentrate its forces and launch a new round of offensive against our position......" replied the chief of staff. , "Rest...... So, Chief of Staff, do you think we should take advantage of this favorable opportunity to organize our troops, launch a sudden counteroffensive, and recapture the positions we lost in the two days of fighting......" After nodding suddenly, Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto asked.

"No, Your Excellency the Division Commander......" The Chief of Staff shook his head affirmatively, and then explained.

"The commander of the division, the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side, although very tired. However, they had an absolute superiority in artillery fire. If we rush to attack, in the face of the fierce artillery fire of the Northeast Field Army, our infantry will not have any room to fight back at all. Therefore, the lowly office is not in favor of counterattacking now......"

Regarding the chief of staff's explanation, Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto nodded very approvingly. After thinking for a short time, he faced the chief of staff in front of him and ordered with a resolute face: "Since it is not suitable to attack, then we will stand by in place." Now I have ordered all the combat units in the front line to take turns to carry out the well-organized. At the same time, all combat units must strengthen their fortifications and replenish ammunition in the shortest possible time, so as to be ready to meet a new round of offensive by the Northeast Field Army at any time......

"Ha Yi, Your Excellency the Division Commander is wise......"

In the former enemy headquarters of Dongye, which corresponded to the defending troops of the Kwantung Army in the Liaoyuan region, all the commanders who attended the meeting looked at Commander Zhou Baozhong in front of them with puzzled expressions. Because everyone did not understand why, when the troops were progressing very well, they did not take advantage of the victory to pursue and break through the next line of defense of the Japanese army in one fell swoop, but gave the order for the troops to stop the attack...... Seeing the puzzled eyes of the commanders, the commander-in-chief Zhou Baozhong quickly stood up from his seat. Then, he took out a telegram that he had just received and spoke.

"Comrades, this is the latest combat order I have just received from the commander-in-chief of the former commander of Higashino. The battle of the next day, in our thirteenth army, the guard division. With the joint cooperation of all combat units of the Heavy Artillery Division, it successfully occupied the two lines of defense of the Japanese army and achieved great results in destroying more than 18,000 enemy troops. And behind this huge success, we "also paid a very heavy price." If you can't retreat in time, let the Kwantung Army on the opposite side react. Then, what will greet us will be a bloody counterattack by the Japanese army. Therefore, when the strategic purpose of this operation has been achieved, the commander-in-chief ordered all combat units to "withdraw from the battlefield and return to the base areas for reconditioning and ............ within three days."

As soon as Zhou Baozhong's words fell, the faces of more than a dozen commanders immediately showed expressions of relief. And then "a heated discussion began......

Because of the urgency of time, Zhou Baozhong did not give everyone too much buffer time and waved his hand. After the entire command headquarters was quiet again, he decisively ordered, "Now I will distribute the order of retreat of the various troops...... The heavy artillery division, the howitzer regiment directly under the corps, and the field artillery regiment directly under the corps "immediately assembled, and under the protection of the guard regiment directly under the corps, they withdrew from the battlefield and assembled in the Meihekou area." I ask you to withdraw from the battlefield within twelve hours ...... "......"

"Commander Li" all the commanders and fighters of the 13th Army, after the withdrawal of the artillery unit. Take all the light and serious wounded, capture the battlefield, and immediately after, begin to retreat......"

"Division Commander Li, your guard division has made us the most equipped with automatic firepower among all the troops in the entire Dongye, and it is also the most powerful unit in combat effectiveness. So, the task of covering is to be handed over to your guard division. My request was very simple, before the two units had completed their retreat, the guard division continued to attack the current Japanese positions, which was used to confuse the little devils and leave enough time for the retreat of the main forces. After the Thirteenth Army completely withdrew from the battlefield, the guard divisions were personally commanded by you, and they were withdrawn from the battlefield alternately............"

"Yes, the commander-in-chief ......" has the order of the commander-in-chief Liu Hua to retreat. Next, for Zhou Baozhong's specific deployment, commanders and fighters at all levels, of course, had nothing to say, and replied with great certainty.

"Very well, after the meeting was dismissed, the various troops began to prepare for retreat. Two hours later, the artillery unit began to retreat. Now I declare, scatter ......"

Two hours after the "boom, ......boom, boom," when the defending troops of the Liaoyuan Kwantung Army were still nesting in their fortifications and resting, a dense burst of shell explosions began to sound on the battlefield. ,

The guard division, which took over the first-line defensive position, immediately assembled all the artillery of the division and began to launch a new round of counterattack against the Japanese position............

"Your Excellency Commander, report from the forward position that the Northeast Field Army launched a new round of ......attack on our positions an hour ago," the chief of staff of the Japanese headquarters at the mouth of the Meihe River reported breathlessly.

"It seems that after more than four hours of rest, the Northeast Field Army on the opposite side has regained its combat effectiveness and ordered the forward combat troops to resolutely block the offensive of the Northeast Field Army and hold their positions" Lieutenant General Taro Yamamoto showed a sneer at the corner of his mouth, and then resolutely ordered.

"Hayi, Your Excellency Commander............"

Until this moment, in the face of a powerful attack by the guard division. In the entire Liaoyuan area, all the Japanese troops did not realize that the Northeast Field Army opposite them, except for the strength of less than 10,000 troops, was continuously attacking them to attract their attention. The remaining Northeast Field Army, already under the cover of darkness, began to retreat quietly......

In the Tongliao area, after receiving the telegram from Commander-in-Chief Liu Hua, and looking at the battle exploits in front of him, Chief of Staff Zuo Quan did not immediately order the troops to stop the offensive, but prepared to use the last bit of time to continue to expand the results of the troops.

"Chief of Staff, do you follow the boss's order to immediately stop the offensive and retreat" After reading the telegram, Sun Xingbang, commander of the First Corps, asked.

"Stop attacking?" Zuo Quan shook his head, and then spoke.

"Old farewell, old Gao, judging from the current battle situation, the situation on the entire battlefield is very favorable to us. If we stop the offensive now, I don't know when we will be able to meet such a good fighter. Didn't the boss say that after three days, he would return to the base area. So, in terms of time, we have at least one more day left to organize a new offensive. ”

"Lao Jiao, immediately sent my order, all artillery units, half an hour later, launch a saturated artillery bombardment of the Japanese positions. My request is very simple, all artillery units, except for half a base of shells left as a backup. All the remaining shells will be sent to the little devil's position, and before leaving, prepare a sumptuous steel feast for the little devil. ”

"After the artillery bombardment was completed, all combat units, leaving no reserves, immediately launched an offensive to destroy all Japanese units on the outer defensive line. At the same time, the troops with the conditions, while ensuring the casualties of the troops, continue to expand the ...... of the results of the battle, however, all combat units, before dawn, must stop the offensive, alternate cover, and withdraw from the battle......" Zuo Quan ordered with a resolute face.

"Yes, Chief of Staff......"! ~！

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