Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Withdrawing from the West Bank 1

On June 25, at the East Bank of Hengyang City. At dusk, the afterglow of the setting sun penetrated the clouds, dyeing the clouds scarlet and scarlet. Thick smoke billowed in the sky over Hengyang Airport, and there were countless flickering fires.That was the result of the destruction of the airfield when the 190th Division of the National Army retreated. While the 190th Division was still fighting bloody battles with the enemy, there was no movement in the position of the 1st Regiment of the 54th Division, whose flank was serving as the garrison mission at the southern end of the airport.Division Commander Rong Youlue sent scouts to search the past, and reported that there was no one there, and his whereabouts were unknown.Rong Youwei couldn't help but broke out in a cold sweat, and hurriedly ordered to shrink the position, and at the same time reported to the military headquarters, and asked to evacuate Jiangdong.But Commander Fang strictly ordered to stick to Jiangdong.Teacher Rong had a hard time to say, but he responded with no promises, and his heart was full of anxiety.

The 190th Division is a rear-adjustment division, and most of its troops have been allocated to the 3rd Division and the Reserve 10th Division.Now there are only about 1,200 officers and soldiers in the division, one-third of whom are non-combatants and special professional technical soldiers.There are only about 800 people who can participate in the war, and the equipment is poor.How to do how to do?Rong You walked around in a hurry. Seeing this, Major General Pan Zhi, the deputy commander of the division, obviously did not dare to confront the army commander directly.However, for the survival of the 190th Division, and for the purpose of defending Hengyang City, this situation had to be changed.

So I had to turn to my good brother, General Ge Xiancai, for help: "Brother Xiancai, you know it. With the current strength, it is difficult to complete the mission! If the enemy later blocks the river with firepower, the east bank of the river will become an isolated city." It's an isolated city outside! I'm afraid it will be difficult to save at that time. Please help me, brother!" General Ge Xiancai naturally understood, and replied: "Yes, your brother is fighting alone, and if you are surrounded by the enemy, the fighting spirit and psychology of the officers and soldiers will be affected."

"Since Brother Ge knows our current situation and difficulties, please speak a few words in front of the military seat to help turn things around. You also know the character of our Master Rong." Deputy Master Pan seemed to grasp the straw, and a He desperately begged for help.He knew Ge Xiancai's relationship with the army commander, and understood the weight of Ge's help. "The urban area on the east bank of the river is indeed difficult to defend with the current equipment and strength of your division. Withdrawing your division to the west bank will strengthen the strength of the main urban area and stabilize the morale of the army. There are more advantages than disadvantages. Well, let me give it a try. Advise the commander."

"Then I would like to thank you in advance! Please, please!" Pan Zhi said sincerely. "Don't thank me in a hurry. Don't forget, the whole army is a game of chess! We are grasshoppers on the line. We can't get away from me or you. Since the military academy, when have we not kept the school motto in mind for so many years? : Unite with sincerity, live and die together!" Ge Xiancai was also moved, and then said: "Well, don't be too hasty, so as not to concentrate and cause chaos. Let me offer a few ideas for reference: 1. Since the bridge has been destroyed, try to get two ferries under the control of the military for your division to use.But treat the crew politely and reward them heavily.It is believed that the entire division can be withdrawn to the West Bank as soon as possible;

2. It must be well organized to board the ship in an orderly manner, get on and off quickly, and have effective staff at cross-strait ferries to control the order to avoid accidents; 3. Withdraw the troops directly under the division first, and then withdraw the troops in the areas where the enemy's offensive is moderate. Finally, choose a brave battalion commander to lead two companies and desperately cover the whole division to cross the river. 4. Ask the army to cover directly under the artillery battalion.I will send capable troops nearby to support you.what do you think? " "Okay, just do as you say!"

"Soldiers are precious and fast. I will report to the commander. You should also prepare first, but you must control the team well, and you can only act when the commander agrees to the order!" Prepare the 10th division headquarters.The security is heavily guarded, busy and orderly everywhere. "Pick up the army. I want to talk to the army commander!" Ge Xiancai ordered. "Military seat, I have a request for a report, please grant it!" "Xiancai, when did you read it? Are you kidding me? Tell me, what's the problem?" "The mission at the airport has been accomplished. Now the enemy is continuing to attack the 190th Division in the urban area on the east bank of the river with a superior force." Ge Xiancai made a detailed statement of the current battle situation and Pan Zhi's analysis to Fang Xianjue.

"What's your opinion on this situation?" Fang said. "In view of the lessons learned by the 54th Division at the airport, in order to prevent our 190th Division from suffering heavy losses, I suggest that the commander withdraw the division to the main urban area on the west bank of the river. The focus of today's battle is on the main urban area on the west bank, and our army has felt insufficient troops. It is difficult to fight. If the 190th Division is withdrawn to the west bank, concentrates its forces, and fights to the death with the enemy, it may be possible to achieve the arduous combat task of defending Hengyang." Ge Xiancai boldly said.

Perhaps it was due to overwork these days, or perhaps it was because Ge Xiancai spoke too hastily, Fang Xianjue was furious: "Any officer and soldier of our 10th Army should fight to the death when encountering an enemy. Those who can tolerate being picky and evasive are not soldiers! I didn't Don't expect his 190th Division to be able to defend the east bank of the river, as long as he kills two enemies each, the mission will be considered complete. Otherwise, such an ineffective unit will be lost!" As soon as Ge Xiancai heard that the army commander was angry, he hurriedly begged: "Sir, I'm sorry, I said too much, please don't be angry, and don't be as knowledgeable as me. But please forgive me for speaking bluntly. As the saying goes: it is better to cut off his fingers than to hurt his ten fingers." One finger. Considering the current situation of the enemy and ourselves and the terrain of Hengyang, I think our army should really concentrate our forces. First, we must defend the east and the west. Fortification everywhere may be difficult to defend; second, the 190th Division will kill the enemy on the east bank. , you can also kill the enemy on the West Bank. And with the strength of the whole army doubled, the effect of killing the enemy may be better. Moreover, Commander, the 190th Division now has more officers and fewer soldiers, and most of them are the backbone of the military academy. These are all These good seeds and seedlings! They supplemented the strength of the division to my reserve 10th Division and 3rd Division. They made self-sacrifice. After all, the loss of the 190th Division is also the loss of the 10th Army! Please forgive me, Commander!"

Fang Xianjue saw his old partner beseeching him passionately, and the reason why he insisted on pros and cons was actually for the overall benefit of the entire army, that is, for our own good.When I talked about it again, it was much more gentle: "Xiancai! Can you guarantee that the 190th Division can withdraw smoothly? After withdrawing, can you guarantee that it can complete the task of killing the enemy as ordered?" Ge Xiancai saw that there was a door, and quickly expressed his opinion: "I can assure you. If there is a mistake, it will be offset from the number of enemies killed by my division. How about it?"

"There is no joke in the army!" "I would like to issue a military order!" "Okay! The 3rd Division's position will be moved and defended. I will study it with Mr. Zhou; I will leave it to you to coordinate the withdrawal of the 190th Division!" "Decree! Thank you Lord Long En!" Ge Xiancai was not without pride. "Look at your mouth, you are the only one who can speak!" Fang Xianjue was not without praise. In the end, the two laughed heartily again.This laughter dispelled fatigue, eliminated misunderstandings, and boosted morale.