freenovelworld Chapter 842 Encounter on a narrow road
Chapter 842 Encounter on a narrow road
842 Meeting on a Narrow Road
On May 11, after receiving a batch of ammunition and supplies from the British, Lu Dahai's new 1st Division left the area around Long City overnight.
The entire division, more than 13,000 men, marched quickly northward.
The main force of the entire Japanese 18th Division was gathered around Kuala Lumpur. There were also scattered Japanese and indigenous vassal troops in other parts of the Malay Peninsula.
It was not enough to pose any threat to Lu Dahai's New 1st Division moving north.
Afterwards, the New 1st Division advanced rapidly northward into Siam at a speed of 30 kilometers per day.
Looking at the map, the entire Malay Peninsula is a long and narrow peninsula from top to bottom, so when the New 1st Division moved north.
There are not many paths to choose from.
There are only one or two in total.
At this time, there were four or five thousand devils from the half of the 56th Division sent by Yamashita Tomoyuki a few days ago, as well as tens of thousands of indigenous vassal troops.
They were also heading south from Siam along the Malay Peninsula towards Kuala Lumpur.
"Commander-in-Chief, an urgent message from Commander Wang."
On the third day of the New 1st Division's march north, they arrived at a place called Songkhla, where they rested for half a day.
Lu Dahai suddenly received a report from his chief of staff.
"whats the matter?"
Lu Dahai was also surprised when he heard that the telegram was sent to him by Wang Chuying.
"Commander Wang said they sent out a reconnaissance plane, which is forty-five miles north of us.
A large group of Japanese troops were discovered.
They are rapidly advancing southwards, and if nothing unexpected happens, they will encounter our army within two days."
The Chief of Staff said quickly.
"what?"
After hearing this, Lu Dahai was also greatly surprised and shocked.
"Where did this group of devils come from?
Even the old devil Yamashita Tomoyuki knew the news that our New 1st Division was heading north.
It's also impossible for them to send troops to block our way in just two days."
Lu Dahai thought that this Japanese army heading south was here to stop them.
The Chief of Staff shook his head: “The situation is not very clear at the moment.
But Commander Wang was sure that their pilot was not mistaken.
There is indeed a Japanese army to our north, heading south.
We estimate that the reconnaissance team we sent out should soon be able to discover this enemy unit and report back."
Sure enough, only half a day passed.
Lu Dahai received the report from their dispatched vanguard troops.
A large number of Japanese troops were discovered dozens of miles to the north.
"Confirm with the headquarters and see if the commander knows what's going on."
Lu Dahai was not sure what was going on.
I can only ask Ye Qingshan’s command center to see if Ye Qingshan has more intelligence information.
Ye Qingshan received the report from Lu Dahai.
Contact General Stilwell immediately and ask someone to find out as soon as possible what is going on with this group of Japanese soldiers heading south.
A few hours later, Ye Qingshan brought the intelligence sent by Stilwell's staff.
Finally, we know what is going on with this Japanese army heading south.
"It wasn't that old devil Yamashita Tomoyuki who got the news about the New 1st Division heading north.
Dispatched blocking troops.
This Japanese army heading south had set out from Siam five days ago.
It's just that they marched in secret, hiding during the day and moving at night, so we haven't discovered them.
This Japanese army heading south was the remnants of the 56th Division of the Japanese Army, which was defeated by Zhou Pingkou and his men in the mountainous area of western Siam last time.
He also brought with him a number of local vassal troops.
They should be heading south to support the Japanese 18th Division.
As luck would have it, we temporarily changed our plan and sent Lu Dahai's New 1st Division north.
This is what happened in Songkhla."
"Commander, according to the intelligence sent by the US military.
The number of devil troops heading south is not very large."
Luo Zhuoying said.
"Well, there should still be a few thousand devils.
Any more is impossible.
After all, three months ago, the Japanese 56th Division was severely damaged by us.
The old Japanese devils led by Yamashita Tomoyuki have lost the ability to recruit new soldiers from their own country.
The Japanese 56th Division would not be able to recruit new Japanese soldiers after the war.
The old Japanese general Yamashita Tomoyuki sent the remaining Japanese division to support the Japanese 18th Division.
It's clear that he really has no other choice."
"Then Commander, how should we respond to Commander Lu and the others?
Even if there are only a few thousand devils, they bring with them a lot of vassal troops. It may not be easy for the New 1st Division to defeat them.
Do you want to let Commander Lu and his men avoid this Japanese army?
If the New 1st Division is delayed here, it will affect their plan of a surprise attack to the north."
Luo Zhuoying was a little worried.
Ye Qingshan sneered, "Chief of Staff, don't overestimate these devils.
How much combat effectiveness can a crippled Japanese division still have?
It is absolutely impossible to let the New 1st Division avoid them.
Not to mention, this will affect the morale of the New 1st Division.
Even with the British army, it’s hard for us to explain.
After all, this group of Japanese soldiers heading south were going to support the Japanese 18th Division.
If they were let go, the British army might be defeated in Long City by them and the Japanese 18th Division.
Then we won’t even have a place to cry.”
At this time, Ye Qingshan really didn't dare to cheat the British anymore.
The main reason is that the British are weak themselves, and if we trick them again this time.
What if Long City is defeated again in the battle against the 100,000 British troops of the Japanese 18th Division?
Then their second attack was doomed to fail.
At that time, the New 1st Division heading north would have no way to retreat and would be in a desperate situation.
“Send a telegram to Lu Dahai directly and tell him.
Give him two days to wipe out this Japanese reinforcement force heading south.
Then continue north.”
In the end, Ye Qingshan decided to let the New 1st Division commanded by Lu Dahai before entering Siam.
Fighting this battle first and destroying this Japanese force heading south will clear the obstacles for the New 1st Division moving north.
It can also be regarded as eliminating an enemy force for the British army in the south, so as to prevent the battle situation between the British army and the Japanese 18th Division from changing significantly after the New 1st Division leaves.