in2ebook Chapter 832: The Fall of Liuzhou
Chapter 832: The Fall of Liuzhou
What Chang Guangzhou is most worried about now is the attitude of the American people. If they are made unhappy in Hunan and Guangxi this time, and with Stilwell's obstruction, I am afraid that the American country will immediately change the target of investment to Li Zongren.
Is it worth the risk? That is the question!
He originally wanted to fight against the Guanggui clique, but also didn't want Guangxi to fall into the hands of the Independent Column. He wanted everything, which resulted in him not being able to accomplish anything.
现在桂系的主力还在，仅仅在桂林损失了两个师，第7军、第31军、第46军、第48军、第84军主力尚存。
Chang Guangzhou thought for a moment and decided to continue this gamble!
"Prepare a plane for me. I will fly to Nanning to supervise the battle myself!"
Chen Bulei's face showed horror. Nanning was now within the bombing radius of the Japanese aircraft. If the Japanese got crazy, they might really attack Nanning.
"Sir, I think this is inappropriate. You should stay in Chongqing to command and never leave easily. The situation in Nanning is very complicated. Not only is there a risk of being bombed, but there are also many enemy agents causing trouble, so I implore you not to go there rashly."
"Xun'en, the current situation does not allow me to stay in Chongqing! If it goes as I expected, Stilwell and those so-called progressives are already preparing to put pressure on me.
Besides, if I go to the front line, I can at least urge them to reach the designated location as soon as possible, and it can also boost morale, which is very necessary."
Chen Bulei moved his mouth, ready to continue persuading Chang Guangzhou not to take risks, but was stopped by him.
"Okay Xun En, stop talking, and arrange a flight today!"
Three hours later, the "Meiling", a Boeing 307 passenger plane of the Adjutant's Office fleet, had started its engine, and Chang Guangzhou, Chen Bulei, and other senior advisors of the Adjutant's Office boarded the plane.
In less than two hours, the "Meiling" avoided the Japanese aircraft group and landed safely at Nanning Airport under the escort of three I-15s.
As soon as he arrived at the airport, Chang Guangzhou, with a gloomy face, saw the trembling Zhang Fakui (also known by his pen name Xianghua).
"Xiang Hua, I am very concerned about the situation in Guangxi. I always feel like I have no control over the situation in Chongqing, so today I came to see what went wrong."
Zhang Fakui asked Chang Guangzhou's immediate family members in his heart, thinking: Why can't you command them? Don't you know what's going on? All the troops are rubbing their feet on the ground because they are afraid that once they reach their destination, you will move them back to their original place as soon as you open your mouth. Isn't this just kidding?
However, Zhang Fakui didn't dare to speak out his true feelings.
"Sir, the enemy is coming in force, and we lack the necessary vehicles, so our actions are slow. In addition, the terrain in Guangxi is complex, and the actions of our troops are greatly restricted."
Chang Guangzhou frowned, and his eyebrows looked like two streaks of black sesame paste on a white steamed bun.
"Xiang Hua, you were a corps commander during the Northern Expedition. Did we have enough cars and airplanes at that time? Why could we travel hundreds of miles a day?
I don’t think it’s an external problem, but an internal problem, and it’s a big problem!”
After Chang Guangzhou finished speaking, he immediately went to the air-raid shelter in the northern suburbs of Nanning and convened a meeting of the Fourth War Zone Command.
"Everyone, I just got off the plane and rushed to attend a meeting with you. I have no time to take a look at the mountains and rivers of Guangxi. Guangxi has beautiful mountains, rivers and scenery. Have you all forgotten the dire situation on the front line?
I tell you, if Liuzhou and Nanning are lost this time, these mountains and rivers will have nothing to do with you in the future."
Chang Guangzhou's statement of “no connection” made all the senior officials present tremble with fear, although he did not explicitly say whether this “no connection” meant that they should leave Guangxi forever or leave this world forever.
"Alright, now send a telegram to all the troops participating in the Guangxi defense war. If they fail to arrive at the designated location on time, they will be subject to military law. No one's pleas will be of any use!"
"Yes!"
After Chang Guangzhou finished speaking, he went straight to rest in the villa outside the air-raid shelter, while Zhang Fakui arranged the combat tasks with sweat all over his forehead.
The various groups of people seemed to sense the solemn atmosphere between the lines of the telegram. They changed their previous hesitation and marched towards the designated location at full speed.
1944年6月2日，小鬼子第34师团、第40师团对柳州发动了猛烈的进攻。
The 62nd Army of the Central Army stationed in Liuzhou, and the 131st and 170th Divisions retreating southwards were able to barely draw a tie by virtue of their well-rested state and the addition of some American equipment.
本来奉命支援柳州的第29军与98军被小鬼子的3师团和第17旅团阻击在荔波和宜北。河池的第37和46军也被小鬼子的第13师团和第39师团堵在河池以西。
The two reinforcements could not move forward.
Zhang Da, commander of the 62nd Army, sent telegrams to Zhang Fakui of the Fourth War Zone for help many times. However, except for the 26th Army stationed in Nanning, the rest of the troops were all blocked outside the Hunan-Guangxi Railway and could not provide support.
Chang Guangzhou, who had already returned to Chongqing, sent twelve telegrams in one day urging the 29th Army, the 98th Army, the 37th Army and the 46th Army to break through the blockade and move eastward quickly, but the effect was minimal.
Having tasted success in the Battle of Changsha, Isamu Yokoyama continued to use the strategy of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements, using Liuzhou as bait and constantly blocking the various hasty reinforcements.
1944年6月5日，小鬼子第23军104师团支援柳州，柳州陷落。
The 62nd Army and other troops stationed in Liuzhou retreated to Qianjiang to participate in the defense of Nanning.
Since then, only Nanning on the Hunan-Guangxi Railway Line remained in the hands of the Central Army, and all other cities along the route fell.
Chang Guangzhou was furious at his official residence in Chongqing. He didn't expect that even after flying all the way, he still couldn't save the situation.
He was disheartened. Perhaps the only way out for him now was to send the independent column south to fight the war. Otherwise, he might lose everything in this gamble.
If we take the initiative to hand over Guangxi to the independent column now, we may be able to gain forgiveness from the people, or even the allies of Country M. If we continue to resist stubbornly, we will be in a difficult situation.
"Xun'en, send a telegram to the whole country. In view of the fact that the situation in Hubei and Hunan has stabilized, order the independent column to immediately move south to fight the war. Under the unified leadership of the Military Commission, quickly annihilate the stubborn bandits!"
Chen Bulei felt relieved. From a personal point of view, he still hoped that the independent column could go south, at least to save the people from the dire situation.
"Okay sir, generate power immediately!"
At this time, Li Zongren in the villa seemed to feel that he had been "jumped". Shouldn't the independent column's march southward to fight the war be the result of his own efforts? How did it become the "overall consideration" of the Military Commission?