Chapter 1355 Blocking

The 100th and 102nd Divisions under the 35th Army of the Japanese Army suffered heavy losses in a night of fierce fighting. More than half of the sixteen independent infantry brigades were lost. The remaining independent infantry brigades also suffered heavy losses. It can be said that these two divisions have almost been disabled. The loss is not insignificant!

However, after paying such a large loss, the island army did not get the results they wanted. They still failed to break through the German defenses. It's just that the minefields and barbed wire in front of the line of defense are almost destroyed. Such a result naturally made Lieutenant General Sosaku Suzuki, commander of the 35th Army of the Japanese Army, very angry.

However, three successive divisions and an independent mixed brigade suffered heavy losses. This made the combat effectiveness of the 35th Army not much left, and only the 16th Division remained with a strong combat effectiveness.

After a day and night of fighting by the German army, although the losses of the troops were not large. But the officers and soldiers on the front line were very tired. High-intensity combat is a very big test for the physical strength and energy of the soldiers. During the continuous offensive of the Japanese army, the physical exertion of the officers and soldiers was also very serious.

Therefore, after repelling the attack of the island country army, Major General Leizer, commander of the 227th Infantry Division of the German Army, and Major General Manteuffel, commander of the 229th Infantry Division, decided to let the German troops stationed on the second line of defense go to the first line of defense to replace that Two infantry regiments, let them take a good rest. In this case, it is undoubtedly possible to ensure that the combat effectiveness of the troops is in a high state as much as possible, and it will not leave opportunities for the island army.

Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma, the commander of the 14th Front Army of the Japanese Army, also had an uneasy face when he learned that the 35th Army still failed to break through the German defense line despite heavy losses. He had previously boasted in front of Lieutenant General Tanaka Shizuo, commander of the 7th Front Army, claiming that they could break through the German defenses without the help of the 7th Front Army. With the result now, isn't that a slap in the face? However, the 35th Army has lost too much now, and it is no longer suitable for continuing to attack. Otherwise, once the 35th Army is completely lost, I am afraid it will have to withdraw to the country to rest like the Lanyin Front Army.

After careful consideration, Lieutenant General Masahiro Honma ordered the 35th Army to suspend the attack, and let the 41st Army who rushed to the front line take over and launch the attack. This made Lieutenant General Sosaku Suzuki and Lieutenant General Keisuke Fujie, head of the 16th Division, heave a sigh of relief. Especially Lieutenant General Fujie Keisuke, he knew that if he continued to attack, the 16th Division would soon follow in the footsteps of several other divisions.

Being able to withdraw temporarily now undoubtedly gave them a chance to breathe.

The 41st Army of the Japanese Army took over the tasks of the 35th Army and began to attack the German defense line. The 41st Army has relatively fewer troops than the 35th Army. In addition to the 8th Division, which is the main force, there are only a few corps and detachments, including the Fuji heavy corps, the Kobayashi corps, the Matsuoka detachment and so on.

It's just that in front of the strong German defense line, the 41st Army's role is not much stronger than that of the 35th Army, and it is still bloody in front of the German defense line.

While the 14th Front Army of the Island Army was fighting fiercely with the Germans, another Army of the Island Country was advancing westward along the coastal road. The German 226th Infantry Division, on the other hand, built a position on the front line of Beaufort, ready to stop the Japanese army.

Although the 26th Infantry Division has only more than 18,000 people, its strength has also greatly increased after receiving the support of the artillery regiments and field artillery battalions of the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division. Even the 18th Front Army of the Japanese Army has several times their strength. However, the 226th Infantry Division still has the confidence to resist the attack of the Japanese Army.

Of course, this refers to normal circumstances. If there is an element of surprise, then the situation is different. However, those unexpected factors should not be considered by the 226th Infantry Division. The 23rd Army Command has already taken everything into consideration.

It's almost five kilometers from the coastline to Crocker Hill. The 226th Infantry Division of the German Army spent half a month building a solid line of defense. Deep trenches, fixed firepower points, and artillery positions behind the line of defense make this line of defense extremely powerful. Once the island army launches an attack, the German army will be able to use the fortifications to make the island army smash their heads and suffer heavy losses on their defense line. It's like the 227th Infantry Division and the 229th Infantry Division did it.

"Chief of Staff, is there any news about the islanders?" Major General Friedley asked.

"General, according to the latest information we have received, the forward troops of the islanders have arrived in Bapa, only more than 20 kilometers away from our defense line. It is expected that they will launch an attack on our defense line tomorrow afternoon at the latest ’” replied Chief of Staff Brigadier General Georg.

"Tomorrow afternoon? Looks like the battle will start soon. Are our troops ready?" Major General Friedley asked.

When he thought of the imminent arrival of the war, he felt a sense of excitement in his blood. Especially when he learned that the 227th Infantry Division and the 229th Infantry Division fought very well and caused heavy losses to the island army, he couldn't wait to watch the islanders smash their heads in front of their defense line. up.

"General, all units are ready. The 2261st Infantry Regiment is stationed on the first line of defense. The other two infantry regiments, stand ready to replace them. Our Artillery Regiment and from the 221st Mechanized Infantry Division and the 222nd Mechanized Infantry Division The artillery reinforced by the infantry division is also ready. Once the islanders launch an attack, our powerful artillery will make the islanders pay a heavy price!" Brigadier General Georg said.

"Very good! Where's the navy? Are there any island warships nearby?" Rear Admiral Friedley asked.

Their defense lines are all on the coast. Once they are bombarded by the enemy's naval guns, the consequences will undoubtedly be very serious. Whether it is the main guns of battleships or cruisers, they can cause great damage to their troops.

"General, our planes have already searched the nearby waters, and we have not found any ships of the island nation's navy. However, it is still unclear whether the island nation's navy will send warships after nightfall. Our fleet is already arriving. We are on our way. Even if the navy of the island country really dares to come, our fleet can resist them, and even make the navy of the island country pay a heavy price!" Brigadier General Georg replied.

"In this case, we have nothing to fear, we just need to stop the islanders in the next battle!" Major General Friedley said with a smile.