Reluctant retreat

Just after five minutes of silence in the entire former enemy headquarters, a long sigh came out of the mouth of Commander Chen Geng. Immediately afterwards, Commander Chen Geng's face was shrouded in helplessness, and without the slightest hesitation, he said straightforwardly.

"Old Han, in order to protect our 51st Division and prevent the 51st Division from being dumplings made by the Japanese army. At the same time, to reduce the casualties of the troops as much as possible, we only have one way to go, and that is to retreat, take the initiative to retreat, and give up all the battlefield occupied last night to the little devils..."

"What, retreat...."As soon as Commander Chen Geng's words fell, the entire former enemy headquarters, not only Chief of Staff Han Liancheng, but even the faces of all the combat staff officers showed shocked and puzzled looks.

Retreat is not an uncommon thing for these cadres who grew up from the old Red Army and the old Eighth Road. Because, in the previous guerrilla warfare and movement warfare, retreat was a very common tactic. However, over time, as the size of the troops grew, the scale of the battles grew. These commanders and fighters, who are slowly adapting to large-scale operations, the word retreat is slowly fading out of their minds.

Of course, this is not the most important thing. After all, everyone fought all the way from the old Eighth Road, and they were not really disgusted with the tactic of retreating. The most important thing is to retreat at this moment, and take the initiative to cede to the Japanese army the positions that have been taken from the Japanese army after a night's hard work and a huge price. That meant that after a day and a night of fighting, thousands of fighters were killed. It's all in vain...

At the same time, the commander-in-chief did not explicitly state before the war that the troops could not retreat. However, it is also not clear that the troops can retreat at a critical juncture....if the order to retreat is given at this time, it will undoubtedly take a huge political risk...

Thinking of the pros and cons, Han Liancheng's face immediately showed a look of hesitation. Facing Commander Chen Geng in front of him, he asked tentatively.

"Commander. It was determined that it was a retreat....if the 51st Division took the initiative to retreat. If we give up our position, then our overnight gains will be completely in vain. When the time comes, not only will the commanders and fighters who died last night be unconvinced, I believe it. Even the headquarters of the field army will not understand....you see, is it thinking about the following, send troops to reinforce the 51st Division. Incidentally. Send all the air defense forces in our hands to the battlefield ... These air defense forces, although it is impossible to completely suppress the enemy's air power. However, at the very least, it can strike at the arrogance of the following Japanese air forces and reduce the pressure on the air defense of the front-line troops ...."

"Old Han, don't even think about the air defense battalion in our hands. Just with those dozens of anti-aircraft machine guns. I can guarantee that as soon as the fire is fired, it will become the first target of the Japanese carrier-based aircraft. When the time comes. These air defense units will not only not be able to protect the infantry on the position, but will become a burden to the infantry ..."

"As for sending reinforcements, reinforce the 51st Division, which is currently on the line of life and death. Judging from the current situation, it is tantamount to adding oil and vinegar. And the tactic of adding oil and vinegar, no matter what time it is, is a taboo for soldiers. I, Chen Geng, have fought for such a long time. No matter how stupid he is, he will not make such a low-level mistake and joke with the lives of the soldiers..."Chen Geng replied categorically.

"But, Commander..."

Just when Chief of Staff Han Liancheng wanted to continue to say something. Chen Geng, who seemed to have made a decision, directly interrupted the chief of staff. Then. He said with a resolute face.

"Old Han, don't say it again. I know it. For now. Retreat is the best way to keep the 51st Division and reduce the casualties of our troops as much as possible....Besides, today's retreat does not represent our defeat, but for the sake of tonight, we will launch a more fierce counteroffensive. I am sure that even if the commander-in-chief knew about my decision, he would not oppose my approach. In this way, it was decided to immediately send a telegram to the 51st Division, ordering the 51st Division to take cover alternately, quickly withdraw from the battlefield, and get out of contact with the Japanese army... At the same time, the 52nd and 53rd Divisions were ordered to send small units to carry out tentative sorties on the enemy's flank, attracting the attention of the Japanese attacking forces and covering the withdrawal of the 51st Division from its positions..."

"Yes, Commander, I'll give the order right away...."Chief of Staff Han Liancheng replied helplessly. ..., the remnants of the 51st Division, with less than 5,000 troops, under the cover of the 52nd and 53rd divisions, quickly withdrew from the battlefield. A telegram of self-examination personally written by Commander Chen Geng was also sent to the Supreme Headquarters of the East China Field Army in a very timely manner.

For a moment, as the contents of the telegram came, the entire command headquarters immediately became in an uproar. Commanders at all levels gathered in the command room also had two different voices.

Although, at this moment, the ** is still very strong in terms of cohesion. However, as long as it is a force, there will be factional battles. Although, the entire East China Field Army, under the leadership of Liu Hua, more than four-fifths of the cadres are local factions. However, some commanders and fighters, especially some political cadres, still had a hint of luck and followed Wang Ming and others with all their hearts, hoping that with the support of the Soviet Union, they would one day be able to rise again.

Commander Chen Geng's unauthorized order for the troops to withdraw from their positions and abandon the tremendous results achieved by the troops in one night without an order from the headquarters has undoubtedly become the best lever for these political cadres to attack them.

For a time, these people, without exception, clamored to the headquarters of the field army to make a promise, no matter what, they could not give up the positions they had already taken. Even shouted the slogan that it was better to sacrifice the whole army than to give up the positions in hand. Of course, while shouting slogans, these people also asked the Political Department of the Field Army to deal with Commander Chen Geng's behavior....

Looking at the 'lively' field army headquarters in front of him, Liu Hua, who came from later generations, could only shake his head very helplessly. Because he came from later generations, he deeply realized the great harm that partisan disputes have brought to the development of the whole country.

"Political commissar, chief of staff, Lao Wang, what do you think of Chen Geng's decision? Now that there is a lot of noise outside, a few of us must come up with a decision as soon as possible, otherwise, our Commander Chen Geng will not be able to withstand it..."After a quick glance at the partners in front of him, Liu Hua said bluntly.

"From a military point of view, I completely agree with Chen Geng's decision to take the initiative to withdraw troops and give up the positions in hand. Only in this way will we be able to inflict maximum casualties on the Japanese army with the minimum casualties...."The chief of staff of Zuo Quan spoke first.

"Commander-in-chief, political commissar, I don't know anything else. However, judging from the battle damage report reported by Chen Geng, if the troops did not retreat, the entire 51st Division would definitely be dumplings by the Japanese army. When the time comes, count the losses of the 6th Corps last night. In one day and one night, the Sixth Corps paid more than 10,000 casualties. And look at the Japanese army. An infantry brigade, an infantry wing, plus an infantry wing today, that's seven or eight thousand people ... With such terrible battle damage, I believe that with the existing strength of our army, it is almost an impossible battle to defeat the whole of Wuhan...."Wang Zhenyang raised the telegram in his hand and said....

"Deputy Commander Wang is right, if the battle loss ratio really reaches 1 to 2, there is really no need for us to fight the entire Wuhan Campaign....Chief of Staff, what is the situation on the side of the Seventh and Eighth Corps and the New Fourth Army?" Political Commissar Deng Xiaoping nodded thoughtfully and continued to ask.

"The bombardment of the Japanese army was so great that the situation of several units was no better than that of the Sixth Corps. Because there is no order from the headquarters, they are still holding on...."Zuo Quan said.

"Commander-in-chief, since the situation is already like this, if you continue to hold on, you will not be able to achieve any results other than increasing the casualties of the troops. Commander-in-chief, give the order..."A look of anxiety quickly flashed on the political commissar's face. Facing Liu Hua in front of him, he spoke.

"Okay, since that's the case, then I'll give the order..."

"Chief of Staff, immediately issue the latest combat orders to the former enemy commands. All combat units on the front line were required to immediately retreat and withdraw from the bombing range of the Japanese carrier-based aircraft. This order requires all combat units on the front line to be carried out immediately. In addition, the commanders of the corps and the commander of the New Fourth Army Ye were notified. Before dark, be sure to rush to the headquarters for a military meeting...."

"Tonight, no matter what, we have to discuss a specific way to play through this military meeting...."With the affirmation and support of the three partners, Liu Hua no longer had any hesitation and ordered straightforwardly.

"Yes, commander-in-chief, I will immediately go and give an order, all combat units, immediately withdraw from the battlefield..."

With the order of the field army headquarters, the defending troops holding on to the various positions did not have any longer any stay and quickly withdrew from their positions. Of course, at the same time as withdrawing from their positions, all kinds of achievements made by various combat units in one night also came to naught....

"Report to the commander-in-chief, the various combat units that are sticking to the front line have successfully retreated, and this is the report on the battle damage of the troops just reported by several commanders and Commander Ye..." An hour later, as the gunfire around Wuhan slowly stopped, a sealed battle report was also transmitted to the field army headquarters through the airwaves.

Looking at the telegram in his hand that condensed the blood of countless martyrs, Liu Hua's face can be said to have turned blue because of anger....

"Chief of Staff, this battle can't be fought like this. Such battle losses, even if our East China Field Army has sufficient troops, will not be able to withstand it. I have decided that before I can think of a specific method of battle tonight, all the troops will stop moving...."Liu Hua said with a decisive face.

"I agree....Commander-in-Chief, this is the best thing to do at the moment......"Zuo Quan agreed.

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