Throughout the day, the storming of the fortifications from the river beach to the shore was fiercely carried out. The mortars and explosives packs of the melee Northern Expeditionary Army were powerful. Against the heavy machine-gun positions of the Japanese army, it played a huge role. After attacking the fortified positions, the Japanese artillery fire that could not move lost its power, and the soldiers began to destroy the Japanese pillboxes with explosive packs. In the evening, the Japanese shore defense line was broken through at many points, and the Japanese army was still resisting stubbornly.

After dark, the two subsequent brigades of the 24th and 25th Divisions replaced the Vanguard Brigade and continued to launch onslaught. It was only a matter of time before the riverbank defense line was breached. The cunning Nagano thought that it was pointless to hold on to the first line of defense, so he decisively ordered to withdraw to the second line of defense to continue to resist, and the commander of the Itatsune Division also withdrew to the second line of defense. Zhenjiang Front General Headquarters, Deputy Commander Nie Fengwu's face finally turned from yin to sunny, in fact, the pressure in his heart was no less than that of the front-line commander.

Soon after dark, the sound of gunfire on the opposite shore suddenly became quieter. "What's going on, the gunfire weishenme stopped?" Nie Fengwu, who was in a better mood, immediately became serious. About an hour later, the front command informed that the Japanese had abandoned the riverbank fortifications and had withdrawn to the 2nd line of defense. The 2nd line of defense is about 10 km from the 1st line of defense. "It seems that little Japan is really difficult to deal with. Artillery divisions and heavy artillery brigades were ordered to quickly cross the river. Order Tie Ning and Wei Tianxiong to break through the 2nd defense line before noon tomorrow. "Nie Fengwu was a little unlucky.

At midnight, Tie Ning and Wei Tianxiong followed the artillery unit across the Yangtze River, and the two met at the wharf on the other side of the river. "Dude! It's been a few dozen hours! As soon as they met, Wei Tianxiong asked with a solemn expression. It's not just a bad time, it's just a hard time. Fortunately, we set foot on the opposite shore, but the vanguard brigade suffered heavy losses. Tie Ning's expression was a little sad. Dude, so is my Pioneer Brigade. Without further ado, Deputy Commander Nie ordered us to take the second line of defense of the Japanese army before noon tomorrow. See you in Taizhou! "See you in Taizhou!" The two hugged each other, and each pursued the troops.

Takemiya Kawasuke, the commander of the Japanese defense in Yangzhou, was shocked when he received Ono's report that the Northern Expeditionary Army had launched a large-scale river-crossing operation, and he immediately ordered a report to be sent to the capital. Yangzhou had a secret cable telegraph network to the capital. However, there was no reply from the telegram. Several telegrams were sent in succession, but there was no response from the capital. Where did Takemiya Kawasuke think that the capital had been occupied. "Your Excellency, General, the Northern Expeditionary Army has launched a major offensive and will definitely cut off our telegraph lines, and it is clear that we have lost contact with the headquarters." The adjutant analyzed it very well.

Wu Gong Chuansuke said: "What you said makes sense, the Northern Expeditionary Army suddenly launched a large-scale attack in the direction of Zhenjiang, which shows that the Northern Expeditionary Army is completely prepared. Then the direction of Henan and Anhui is not good. Immediately send someone to Xuzhou, and be sure to send the news to the headquarters of the coalition forces. In addition, the Nagano Division and the Itatsune Division were ordered to hold the riverbank defense line. Before the order from the headquarters arrived, it was necessary to block the attack of the Northern Expeditionary Army. "But it was already ten days before Takemiya Kawasuke received McMahon's order.

In just a dozen hours, Wugongchuan once again received a report from Nagano and Banheng, and the Northern Expeditionary Army fiercely broke through the Yangtze River defense line. Hearing this, Takemiya Kawasuke was furious and ordered Nagano and Itasa to defend the second line of defense. At this time, the chief of staff of the Japanese army said: "Your Excellency, we are not clear about the situation on the entire battlefield now, how many troops we put into the Northern Expeditionary Army in the front, and what the situation on other battlefields is. So we can't be brute. I propose to resist step by step and gradually weaken the spirit of the Northern Expeditionary Army. ”

Takemiya Kawasuke pondered for a while and said, "Nagano and Itahiro reported that the Northern Expeditionary Army used a kind of melee artillery fire, which is very lethal. In addition, the Northern Expeditionary Army created special explosives for the fortifications, and it seems that the Northern Expeditionary Army was carefully prepared. But we must not retreat and hold our ground until we receive an order from headquarters. The chief of staff said: "Your Excellency, we must learn to protect ourselves. ”

Takemiya Kawasuke understood what the chief of staff meant: "I am in the interests of the empire, and it is inevitable that we will pay the price. Tell Nagano and Itahiro that they can choose to transfer according to the battlefield situation. But we must inflict heavy losses on the Northern Expeditionary Army, and let the Westerners see the strength of our great Japanese soldiers! ”

Although it has something to do with their expansion, the real reason for this period is domestic factors. First, little Japan has regarded Western society as a model and vigorously implemented the national policy of breaking away from Asia and joining Europe. Second, it will make use of the large-scale assistance of Western countries to rapidly develop the process of industrialization in its own country. It can be said that if historical opportunities are hard to come by for the Japanese, this is at least the most direct shortcut. Therefore, it is not surprising that the Japanese resolutely embraced the thick legs of foreigners.

It is said that in order to revitalize Japan, Emperor Zhizhi vigorously advocated frugality, reducing the use of the imperial palace by two-thirds in peacetime, and leaving every penny to develop Japanese industry. Now the huge neighbor who is terminally ill has suddenly come out of nowhere with a strong government and an incomparably brave army, and in the future, this strong government will replace the incompetent Manchu Qing Dynasty, and for Japan, not to mention the emperor, even the political elites of all walks of life in Japan know in their hearts that they must have no choice but to take refuge in foreigners, otherwise Japan will have no way out.

In the early morning, behind the second line of defense of the Japanese army, a sneak attack detachment of the Northern Expeditionary Army appeared, and their target was the artillery position of the Japanese army. Since the Japanese artillery positions had defensive troops, it was impossible to destroy the Japanese artillery positions, but it was possible to interfere with them in carrying out artillery support. The assault force numbered about 200 people and carried 20 mortars.

After daybreak, the 24th and 25th Divisions began to launch a fierce attack on the second line of defense of the Japanese army, and the front command ordered that the second line of defense of the Japanese army must be broken through by noon, so the offensive of the Northern Expeditionary Army was in full swing. Just when the Japanese artillery was fiercely supporting, the flank and rear suddenly launched an attack, and the mortar shells fell into the Japanese artillery position, although it could not pose a fatal threat to the fortress artillery position, but greatly interfered with the effective fire of the Japanese artillery fire.

Although they withdrew to the second line of defense, in the face of the tidal offensive of the Northern Expeditionary Army, the defensive pressure of the Japanese defense line was extremely great. At this time, the division headquarters, division commander Nagano's face was covered with dust and his eyes were red. When the two sides were fighting inextricably, the Japanese army's support artillery fire suddenly decreased sharply, and there was a crisis in the forward positions. "What's going on, there is a pause in supporting artillery fire?" Nagano Daikyu. "Report, position No. 32 is occupied by the Northern Expeditionary Army!" An operations staff officer rushed in to report. At this time, another officer came in to report: "Report, the rear of the artillery position is under melee fire from the Northern Expeditionary Army. ”

When Nagano heard this, his head suddenly became angry, and he said angrily: "Order the guard troops to eliminate the attackers immediately!" "Wait!" The chief of staff called out to the officer who was about to leave and said: "Your Excellency, the Northern Expeditionary Army interfered with our artillery positions to carry out artillery support, the purpose is to cover the frontal attack, and the purpose of the Northern Expeditionary Army has been achieved, and the front line is in danger. Perhaps before the attacking Northern Expeditionary Army is eliminated, the entire defense line will be broken through, and we may be completely annihilated. ”

Nagano pondered for a moment and said: "Tell the Banheng Division that our artillery positions have been attacked by the Northern Expeditionary Army, and the defense of the front line is in jeopardy, so it is recommended to cover the retreat alternately." "The Japanese carried out a local fierce counterattack and then began to retreat. Before noon, division commander Tie Ning stood in front of the command headquarters of the Japanese army, and fierce fighting was still raging in front of him. A group of fast horses galloped over, "Report to the division commander, the pursuing troops have been resisted by the Japanese army, and the pursuit has been blocked. ”

Tie Ning frowned and was just about to attack, when another fast horse arrived, "Report, Deputy Commander Nie ordered to stop the pursuit." And said that the Banheng division has retreated, and your two divisions have completed their tasks. "That night, Nie Fengwu led the front command of the right wing column to Gaoqiao, Tie Ning, and Wei Tianxiong personally greeted him." Deputy commander, weishenme ordered to stop the pursuit? "Tie Ning doesn't understand." That's it, Chen Sheng should kill him and lose his armor," Wei Tianxiong also agreed.

"At present, the Japanese troops in Yangzhou and Taizhou have sent troops to respond, and there is no point in pursuing. Besides, your two divisions have suffered heavy losses and need to rest. Now that we have broken through the defense line of the Yangtze River, it is imperative that a large force cross the river and deploy troops. At present, the 21st Division and the 16th Division of the Temporary Border have crossed the river and advanced to Nanjing along the west side of the Yangtze River, and their task is to take the north bank of Nanjing and ensure that the left wing column led by Commander Bai can cross the river smoothly. ”

Nie Fengwu looked at the military map and continued: "After the 23rd Division and the 17th Division of the Temporary Border crossed the river, they launched an attack along the east side of the Yangtze River to Nantong. After the 26th Division and the 19th Division cross the river, they will join your two divisions to encircle Taizhou and strive to eat the Japanese army in Taizhou. "Yangzhou is not fighting?" Tie Ning said in surprise. "Yangzhou was handed over to the left column, and our task was to take Taizhou and then advance to the north. Your two divisions report the battle damage as soon as possible, and I will replenish your troops as soon as possible! ”

After the two divisions of the Northern Expeditionary Army crossed the river, they advanced all the way along the west side of the Yangtze River, and the Qing troops defending along the line fled when they heard the news. The next day, the headquarters of the East Route Corps of the Nanjing Northern Expeditionary Army was jubilant and successfully broke through the Zhenjiang defense line, and everyone in the headquarters was extremely excited. "Report to the commander, the news of the breakthrough of the Zhenjiang defense line has been reported to the headquarters!" An operations staff officer excitedly.

Bai Sheng said with a smile on his face: "The 24th and 25th divisions are good, and they will be rewarded." A combat staff officer of this kung fu hurriedly came in and said: "The riverside observation post reports that the Qing army on the opposite side may have fled!" Bai Sheng did not hesitate and said: "Order the 22nd Division to dispatch a regiment and reconnoiter it with firepower, could it be that the Qing army of 4 divisions escaped like this!" "Sure enough, a regiment of troops managed to reach the north shore without encountering any resistance.

That night, Bai Sheng led the corps headquarters to the north bank of the Yangtze River, and then ordered the troops to advance to Yangzhou. The left flank column consisted of 7 divisions, and Bai Sheng decided to eat the Japanese army in Yangzhou. The forces of the East Route Corps were deployed, and the 21st Division and the 16th Division of the Provisional Column of the Northern Expeditionary Army advanced along the west side of the Yangtze River. Since the Qing army in Nanjing had fled, they received an order to encircle the Japanese army in Taizhou on the way, and the two divisions turned north and inserted themselves into the junction of Yangzhou and Taizhou, with the aim of cutting off the connection between the two Japanese forces.

The escape of the Qing army on the Nanjing defense line created an extremely favorable situation for the rapid division of troops of the Northern Expeditionary Army. If the connection between the Japanese forces in Yangzhou and Taizhou was severed, the operational orders of the Japanese army headquarters in Yangzhou would not be able to effectively inform the Japanese troops in Taizhou, which laid the groundwork for the annihilation of the Japanese army in Taizhou.

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