On the afternoon of September 4, 4621, the first group of troops under the 1st Army of the Imperial Army had arrived on the west bank of the Chikugo River, west of Kurume. Two infantry divisions, a heavy artillery brigade, a cavalry brigade and an armored brigade, totaling more than 60,000 troops, broke through all the way here. Along the way, there were no interceptions at all. The Japanese Army has retreated all its troops along the route to the Kurume or Chikuho areas. On the one hand, it is to avoid losses before the battle. On the other hand, they want to let the Chinese* army fall into their trap.

At the same time, the remaining units of the 1st Army, including 3 infantry divisions, reconnaissance brigades, engineer brigades, baggage brigades, guard brigades, army group headquarters, field hospitals, and other units belonging to the group army, also began to march from Fukuoka to Kurume. This part of the army is even stronger. However, in terms of attack power, it is not as strong as the first cluster. After all, the 1st group concentrated almost all the main forces of the 1st Army. Even units such as armored brigades are involved.

The commander of the group army, General Shi Qingshan, did not act with the headquarters of the group army, but took the guard company and several staff officers with him and acted with the first group. On September 4th, it had already advanced to the Chikugo River.

The arrival of the main forces of the 1st Army of the Chinese Army caused great tension for the Japanese army. Senior General Kojiro Uchiyama had already given the order, and the entire Japanese army in Kurume had entered the highest state of combat readiness. Two infantry divisions, an independent heavy artillery brigade, and the 18th Division, which was missing one brigade. Its total strength is as high as more than 70,000 people. At the same time, it is on the defensive. Therefore, Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama believes that their advantage is very great. The Chinese* army wanted to cross the Chikugo River. Laying down Kurume, that's not possible at all.

General Shi Qingshan, commander of the 1st Army of the Imperial Army, and Major General Li Zhenwu, commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army, were on a small hill, observing the situation in Japan.

"Commander, this river is called Chikugo River. The river is more than 100 meters wide. The Japanese have built a large number of fortifications on the east bank, and we will probably pay a heavy price if we want to venture across the river. Major General Li Zhenwu said.

"Well, little Japan used this place as a battlefield for battles, obviously taking advantage of these favorable terrain conditions. At present, the Chikugo River is in the midst of a high flood season, and the river is swelling, so it is very difficult to erect a pontoon bridge. Words to cross the river. We lack the corresponding ships, which is no less difficult. In addition, little Japan has carefully built fortifications, and they clearly want to break the blood of our heads here. Admiral Shi Qingshan said.

"This battle is not easy to fight!" Major General Li Zhenwu also sighed.

"Report to the commander, our reconnaissance unit, found several bridges on the Chikugo River, and little Japan did not blow up these bridges." A staff officer reported.

"Little Japan didn't blow up the bridge?" Major General Li Zhenwu was stunned.

"Don't think about it, this is intentional by little Japan. They clearly want our troops to fight for the bridge. And they were on the other side of the bridge. Solid fortifications have already been constructed. If we try to take the bridge, we will inevitably suffer a lot of casualties from their fierce firepower. Even. It is also possible that the little Japanese planted explosives on the bridge, and if they couldn't do anything, they could blow up the bridge. In this case, the troops that have already crossed the Chikugo River will become the turtle in the urn of the Japanese. Admiral Shi Qingshan said.

"****, these little Japan. It's really vicious! Major General Li Zhenwu scolded.

"The reason why little Japan dares to fight us here is because of these advantages. Otherwise, how dare they confront us? Admiral Shi Qingshan said coldly.

"Commander, then it seems that we will only have to force the crossing and build a pontoon bridge. If we force the crossing, we won't be able to collect so many landing craft for a while. I'm afraid I can only turn to the Marines for help. To build a pontoon bridge, a large number of sappers are also required. Our 1st Infantry Division and 16th Infantry Division both have engineer battalions, and the other three brigades have a certain number of engineers. However, it is still very difficult to build a pontoon bridge on the Chikugo River, especially one that can accommodate tanks, and it is best to wait until the engineer brigade arrives before building a pontoon bridge. Major General Li Zhenwu said.

Admiral Shi Qingshan nodded, he was also aware of the difficulties.

"Send a telegram to the headquarters and report to the marshal the predicament we are experiencing. In addition, the artillery of the heavy artillery brigades, divisions and brigades was ordered to be ready. Even if we don't cross the river for the time being, our shells will always fly over the Chikugo River. From tomorrow, give me the shelling of Kurume and those fortifications that the Japanese army has built. Before the arrival of the large army, I will reduce Kurume to ruins, and let little Japan pay heavy losses under our shelling. Admiral Shi Qingshan said.

"That's a good idea. It would be great if we could kill all those little Japan with shells. Major General Li Zhenwu said with a smile. Since little Japan has dug a hole for the Imperial Army, it wants the Imperial Army to pick it in. The Imperial Army, of course, would not do what they wanted. What's more, it is impossible for the Imperial Army to do so knowing that a strong attack will cause a large number of casualties. If you can use artillery shells to solve the opponent, the Imperial Army will never let the soldiers risk their lives.

At the same time, the arrival of the Chinese Army also made Uchiyama Kojiro and Kamio Mitsutomi feel like they were facing a great enemy. Although, they think they are ready for everything. However, it is the main force of the Chinese army that they want to face this time, which makes them also worried. What if something unexpected happens?

"Uchiyama-kun, this time, will we really be able to defeat the Shina Army?" Admiral Kamio Mitsutomi said with some concern.

"Kamio-kun, don't worry, we're all ready to prepare. If we can't defeat the Shina people in this way, then it's probably providence. Give the order to all the ministries to be ready for battle. Perhaps, the fiercest battles will soon begin. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said. Although, in his heart, he was the same as General Kamio Mitsutomi, and he was also a little worried. However, he will not express it. As the commander of the Japanese army on the island of Kyushu, he had to muster up the fighting spirit. Only in this way will the other Japanese troops have the courage to fight.

"Well, for the sake of the Great Japanese Empire, we can only fight to the death." Admiral Kamio nodded. For the sake of Japan, they have no choice but to fight to the death.

Field Marshal Ishitoyama, commander of the Imperial Operations Command against Japan in Fukuoka, received a telegram from Admiral Ishiyama.

"It seems that little Japan is hell-bent on defeating us. They concentrated their forces on the Kurume line in order to inflict heavy losses on us. But how can we let them do it? How could a small Chikugo River withstand the iron hooves of the imperial army? Marshal Shi Deshan looked contemptuous.

Although, the 3rd Army of the Japanese Army on the island of Kyushu was hidden in the Chikuho area. However, as many as four divisions and more than 100,000 people, if they want to be completely hidden, how can it be? Although, the Imperial Army did not know exactly how many troops the Japanese Army hid in the Chikuho area. However, they knew that this was definitely a heavy army, in order to kill from the rear when the Imperial Army was attacking Kurume with all its might, cutting off the rear of the Imperial Army.

But is the back of the Imperial Army so easy to break? Don't forget, Japan is an island nation, surrounded by the sea, and the Imperial Army can easily get naval support. Even in the middle of the battle, the back road was cut off. However, on the side of the Ariake Sea, the Imperial Army could well have received more support.

"Send a telegram to General Shi Qingshan, approve their battle plan, and first use artillery to teach little Japan a hard lesson. After the 3rd Marine Division had captured Sasebo, it hit the units of the 3rd and 2nd Marine Divisions and landed in the direction of the Ariake Sea. Then help them cross the Chikugo River. Marshal Shi Deshan said.

How is it possible that little Japan wants the Imperial Army to break the blood of the head of the Kurume Encounter, or to let the soldiers of the Imperial Army dye the Chikugo River red with blood? How could the Imperial Army really do what they wanted? In that case, even if the Imperial Army wins this war, its own losses will be very large. What's more, the situation is now very favorable to the Imperial Army, and even if it drags on, it will be more and more unfavorable to Japan. Especially when the Imperial Army's 4th Army is about to land in Ise Bay and the Imperial Army's 14th Army is about to land in the southern part of Honshu Island, the battle situation on Kyushu Island will no longer have much impact on the overall situation. Little Japan wanted to inflict a heavy blow on the 1st Army of the Imperial Army, which was simply delusional. Soon, they will know what it means to steal chickens and rice.

"Yes, Commander." A staff officer nodded.

"Send a telegram to the 3rd Marine Division and tell them to take Sasebo as soon as possible. In addition, let the 2nd Marine Division, prepare to take a ship to the Ariake Sea. Don't forget, contact the navy as well, we need to launch a landing operation in the Ariake Sea as well, and we need their support. Marshal Shi Deshan ordered.

"Yes, Commander."

The Japanese Army's attempt to fend off the Imperial Army with Chikugo River is obviously unlikely. The terrain of Japan determined that the empire could rely on the Marines to land in various parts of Japan at any time, which made the plan of the Japanese Army fall through. Once the Imperial Army landed in the eastern part of the Chikugo River estuary in the Ariake Sea, then it was possible to establish positions there at any time, and then have the sappers build pontoon bridges so that the main force of the Imperial Army could cross the Chikugo River and take small Japan by surprise. (To be continued.) )

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