Yanagawa City, Ariake Seaside, is a Japanese city in the eastern part of the Chikugo River. After the Chikugo River became the front line of the confrontation between the Chinese and Japanese armies, almost all the civilians of the Tsukushi Plain were evacuated to the eastern part of Kyushu Island. Yanagawa City is no exception. While the main forces of the Japanese army were gathered in Kurume, a small number of troops were also deployed in Yanagawa City and Okawa City. However, the Japanese did not believe that the Chinese* army would be able to easily cross the Chikugo River and then capture these cities. Therefore, in places such as Yanagawa City and Okawa City, the Japanese army did not deploy many troops. In Okawa City, because it was located on the edge of the Chikugo River, the Japanese army deployed a wing. And in Yanagawa City, there is only one brigade.

On the morning of September 7, 4621, the main force of the 3rd Division of the Imperial Marine Corps, under the protection of a formation led by the Navy's three 'Three Emperor-class' battleships, entered the Ariake Sea.

At 9 a.m., the Imperial Navy shelled Japanese positions off the coast of the city of Yanagawa . The Japanese only deployed a brigade here. Can they be expected to build any strong fortifications? That's obviously impossible. Under the heavy shelling of the Imperial Navy for ten minutes, the Japanese fortifications were reduced to rubble. The Japanese brigade stationed here suffered even heavier losses.

Subsequently, the 3rd Division of the Imperial Marine Corps conducted a landing operation. Although, in the fierce battle of Sasebo yesterday, the soldiers were very tired. However, in order for the empire to win the war as soon as possible, they have been gritting their teeth and persevering. It's just that this landing operation in Yanagawa City was undoubtedly very easy. The 3rd Division of the Imperial Marine Corps, the landing of the first wave was successful. The Japanese had already suffered heavy losses in the previous naval bombardment. They simply could not defend themselves against the attacks of the Imperial Marines. Therefore, the attack of the Marines was as easy as an outing, and there were no decent obstacles at all.

As soon as a battalion of the Marine Corps came ashore, they launched an attack on the city of Yanagawa. Outcome. After a not too fierce battle, the city of Yanagawa was taken. The whole process is extremely simple!

Immediately afterward, the remaining units of the 3rd Marine Division disembarked. They needed to build fortifications to deal with a possible Japanese counterattack. And those transport ships will go to the west bank of the Chikugo River. Shipment of the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army to Yanagawa City. In this case, the Chikugogawa defense line, which the Japanese army painstakingly built, became a complete joke.

The city of Yanagawa was attacked by the Imperial Army, much to the consternation of the Japanese command in Kurume.

"Yaga! We have all been deceived by the Shina people. They have been engaged in artillery battles with us for several days just to confuse us. In fact, they had long been preparing to launch a landing operation in the city of Yanagawa for a long time. Admiral Uchiyama's face became extremely ugly.

"So, Uchiyama-kun, what do we do now? Do you want to send troops to Yanagawa City and drive out the Shina people? Admiral Kamio Mitsutomi asked.

"How is this possible? The city of Yanagawa was within the range of naval guns of the Shina Navy. If we attack rashly, we will only lose a lot. When the time comes, the naval guns of the China Navy alone will be enough to inflict heavy damage on us. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said. These generals of the Japanese Army have learned to be obedient one by one. They knew that in the absence of absolute superiority in artillery fire, attacking the land forces under the protection of the Chinese Navy would be no different from seeking death. This is also the reason why Uchiyama Kojiro chose to fight the Chinese army in Kurume. However, I didn't think of it. The battle he painstakingly planned was easily cracked by the Chinese Army! Landing operations of the Chinese Army. It was easy for Chikugo River, which they regarded as a curse, to have no effect.

"Besides, we don't have much army at all in Kurume, two full-strength divisions, plus an understaffed division and a heavy artillery brigade. A Marine Division who wanted to defeat the China. We have to commit at least one division. If a division is transferred south, there will be a hole in our defensive line. When the time comes, maybe the people of China will take the opportunity to launch a river crossing operation. The trick of striking the east and west, the people of China are very skillful. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said.

Admiral Kamio nodded. But they can't just do nothing now. Watching the Chinese army attack from the eastern part of the Chikugo River, right? In this case, their plan to use the Chikugogawa defense line to deplete the living forces of the Chinese* army would have failed.

General Uchiyama Kojiro was obviously blinded by this right hook from the Imperial Army, and he didn't know what to do next? After all, they only have so many troops in Kurume. If the troops were to be withdrawn, it would cause a lot of trouble for their defensive lines.

"Uchiyama-kun, why don't we send a telegram to the Third Army. There were also four divisions under General Hongo Botaro. Admiral Kamio Mitsutomi said.

Senior General Uchiyama Kojiro shook his head: "Although General Hongo Botaro still has four divisions, the main force of the Shina Army has already arrived on the west bank of the Chikugo River. If the Third Army had attacked, it would have been defeated rather than won. If the Third Army is also defeated, it will be very difficult for us to defeat the Chinese in this battle. Therefore, it is not yet time to use the Third Army, and we need to be patient. ”

General Kamio Mitsutomi nodded, he also realized that using the Third Army now would not achieve much effect.

As a result, the Japanese Army simply sent troops to strengthen the defenses of southern Kurume. There was no attack on the city of Yanagawa and no attempt to prevent the landing of the Imperial Army in the city of Yanagawa was not prevented.

On the afternoon of September 7, the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army landed in the city of Yanagawa City.

On the morning of September 8, the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army set out from Yanagawa City and launched a fierce attack on Okawa City on the edge of Chikugo River. The Japanese Army deployed only one infantry wing in Okawa. Encountering the attack of an integrated infantry division of the Imperial Army, its fate can be imagined.

At noon, the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army occupied the city of Okawa. The city of Okawa is only fifteen kilometers away from Kurume.

As soon as the 1st Infantry Division of the Imperial Army captured the city of Okawa, the division's engineer battalion began to build pontoon bridges. The 1st Engineer Brigade under the 1st Army began to build pontoon bridges from the west bank of the Chikugo River. Two engineering units, marching hand in hand.

According to the plan, they were to build a pontoon bridge over the Chikugo River for infantry to pass through, and then a pontoon bridge for artillery and trucks. Finally, a pontoon bridge was built for the passage of tanks and armored vehicles of the armored brigade. Of course, in order to ensure the safety of the troops west of Chikugo River, the 1st Armored Brigade will be split, and the 1st Medium Tank Battalion and the 4th Mechanized Infantry Battalion will remain in the western part of Chikugo River. The 2nd and 3rd Light Tank Battalions, the 5th Mechanized Infantry Battalion, and other units will cross the Chikugo River and fight in the eastern part of the Chikugo River.

On the afternoon of September 8, Senior General Kojiro Uchiyama received news that Chinese engineers were building a pontoon bridge over the Chikugo River. Suddenly, his whole body was messy. He suddenly realized that he seemed to have made a fatal mistake, and he didn't expect the Chinese* army to come to this trick at all!

"Despicable Shina people, they actually built a pontoon bridge over the Chikugo River in that section of Okawa City. If we let them succeed, then our plan will be a complete failure. "General Uchiyama Kojiro's face is very ugly.

"Yes, Uchiyama-kun. We shouldn't give them that chance. Once the pontoon bridge is erected, the Shina troops will be able to reach the eastern part of the Chikugo River through the pontoon bridge in a steady stream. At that time, the defense line we have built on Chikugogawa will be completely useless. Even, the Third Army will be useless. "General Kamio Mitsutomi also looked unwilling.

In order to be able to defeat the Chinese* army in the Battle of Kurume, they spent a lot of energy, and even let the 6th Division defend in Fukuoka, and finally the Chinese* army was completely annihilated. They paid such a big price just to completely annihilate the Chinese* army. But now it seems that everything is going in the opposite direction of their expectations!

"Kamio-kun, now we have no other way, we have to stop the Shina to do it. Let one division take over the defense of Chikugogawa, and the other division will attack Okawa City together with the 18th Division. In any case, it was not possible to make the pontoon bridge of the Shina people successful. Otherwise, it will be very difficult for us to win this battle. Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama said.

General Mitsutomi Kamio frowned, and attacked Okawa City with a full division and an eighteenth division that lacked a brigade, and it would be difficult to succeed. According to the information they received, the Chinese* army that appeared in Dachuan City was the 1st Infantry Division of the Chinese Army. To be named the 1st Infantry Division, how can it not have two brushes?

However, Kamio Mitsutomi also knew that because they ignored the threat from the sea, their plan made a fatal mistake. If they don't find a way to redeem it, it will be very difficult for them to win.

"Okay, Uchiyama-kun, let the 12th and 18th Divisions go." Mitsumi Kamio nodded.

"Kamio-kun, I personally led them to attack Okawa City. Kurume's defense will be left to you. "Admiral Kojiro Uchiyama has clearly made up his mind.

"Okay, Uchiyama-kun. However, if the main force of the Shina crossed the Chikugo River via a pontoon bridge, it would be better to be able to get the 3rd Army to attack as well. In this case, we will have a better chance of winning if we are caught between two sides. Admiral Mitsutomi Kamio suggested.

General Uchiyama Kojiro nodded: "Send a telegram to the third gentleman." Victory or defeat is in this battle! (To be continued.) )

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