Time flies by, and March 6th is the day of the Waking of Insects in 1922. According to China¡¯s 24 solar terms, from this day onwards it is the time when the weather gets warmer, there are spring thunders, and everything revives.
The spring breeze is gradually coming from south to north in China, and most areas have entered the spring plowing season. Even the white snow and ice in the north have begun to melt, and dots of green gradually appear on the land.
From March 3 to March 9, the wartime headquarters composed of China's highest military institutions, the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff, held military meetings for several days. According to previous plans, the day to launch the attack on the Soviet Union was set for March 12 On Sunday, this time was decided by Fang Zida himself after the General Staff's combat plan was established. In the past few days, the three major military regions have also made all preparations. All units have been put in place under extremely confidential circumstances. In particular, the equipment of the 1st Armored Division and the 3rd Armored Division were fully equipped on March 2. , recharging its energy like a tiger pouncing on prey, waiting to deliver a fatal blow to its prey.
In this battle, the Chinese army deployed 350,000 troops in the country for attack, including 150,000 troops in the Mongolian Military Region and 200,000 troops in the Northwest Military Region. This does not include a group army already in Siberia, which is 30,000 troops. The Ninth Division and the Forty-fifth Division.
The total number of these troops exceeds 400,000. If we include logistics, air force, and other armies in the Northeast ready for emergencies, the total strength is as high as 730,000. It can be said that the Chinese government committed nearly half of the National Defense Force to this war. This was the first time in modern times that China used more troops than the European War Expeditionary Force to fight such a foreign war. Both the State Council and the military , the pressure can be imagined.
"The three armies of the Northwest Military Region are ready to launch an attack from the Soviet Kazakh region at 4 a.m. on the 12th. According to the combat plan, the Fourth and Fifth Aviation Divisions will first attack enemy ground forces. The three armies are composed of The combat units, with the 3rd Armored Division as the vanguard, will attack at the same time. They should capture the important towns of Astana, Cherkal, and Kokshetau by the 19th at the latest, and then go straight to the northwest and capture Samara. Point at the enemy¡¯s capital¡ªMoscow!¡±
At the military meeting, Colonel Gunter Hans von Kluge, the senior staff officer of the Strategic Staff Office of the General Staff Headquarters, opened the curtain on the wall in front of the senior generals. Holding a baton in his hand, he spoke in proficient Chinese on the densely marked and huge map of Russia. As he pointed the baton in his hand, everyone could clearly see the advance route and final goal of the combat units of the Northwest Military Region.
"We won Astana, Cherkal, Kokshetau and other areas on the 19th. It only took one week. Isn't it too short?"
Several generals couldn¡¯t help but frowned when looking at the map. They knew that to launch an attack from northern Xinjiang to the Kazakh region, they had to go through the Alashan Pass, or go around Mongolia and march from east to west. Colonel Kluge's plan chose the former, so that the 200,000-strong army passing through the Alashan Pass would never be able to conceal its whereabouts. If it was discovered by the enemy, it would use the terrain as a position to intercept them layer by layer. Not to mention taking over Astana, Cherkal, Kokshetau and other areas in one week, otherwise it will cause huge casualties to the troops. You must know that there are mountains on both sides of Alashankou. Firstly, it is not suitable for armored troops to fight. Secondly, it also brings great problems to infantry attacks.
However, neither Fang Zida, Wu Peifu, nor Defense Minister Duan Zhigui asked questions. These generals could only hide the question for the time being and listen patiently to Colonel Kluge's continued words.
"The two armies plus the cavalry division of the Mongolian Military Region will be attacked by Darkhan. Like the Northwest Military Region, the entire military operation will start at 4 a.m. on the 12th. The main target of the combat units of the Mongolian Military Region is Irkutsk-Tomsk -Omsk-Tyumen-Serov line. The main task is to cut off the Soviet-Siberian railway line and completely cut off the retreat of Frunze troops. According to the combat plan, the occupation of Serov must be completed by the end of March. As long as Frunze troops are annihilated, This war is half won.¡±
"When will the troops of the Far East government launch a coordinated attack?" Duan Zhigui, who had been silent for a long time, asked and turned his attention to Wu Peifu, who was sitting opposite him.
Wu Peifu smiled and nodded to Colonel Kluge. Colonel Kluge explained: "To maintain confidentiality, we will not inform the Far East government before the war begins. However, after the 12th, I believe that the Far East government will make a correct judgment and cooperate with us to launch an appropriate attack."
¡°What if they cower?¡±
"No, the relevant departments have made arrangements, not to mention we still have a group army in Siberia. The frontline commander of the Russian Imperial Government Army is not a fool. He should know how to give up such a good opportunity." Wu Peifu replied for the colonel. , Duan Zhigui subconsciously glanced at Fang Zida, who was sitting in the seat. Seeing that Fang Zida's face was as calm as water, he stopped digging into the details.
"Everyone! The most important feature of this war is?It¡¯s fast! According to the plan, we would occupy Moscow in the summer of 1922 and completely eliminate the Soviet government by the end of that year. If this is not possible, the war will become extremely difficult, so this is a quick and decisive war. In order to reflect the characteristics of this war, the General Staff gave this military plan a code name¡ª¡ª 'lightning'! "
After Colonel Kluge finished speaking, he put down the baton in his hand, stood at attention and saluted everyone, and then walked to sit down where Wu Peifu was.
"Lightning?!"
Everyone looked at each other, and some generals felt that this military plan was a bit exaggerated. You must know that Russia is a big country, and its territory is no less than that of China. Moreover, since the door of China was opened in 1840, the Russians have repeatedly invaded Chinese territory, and there has been almost no war between the two sides. Won once.
Although China's national power has developed rapidly in recent years and experienced the European war, the Chinese side has regained some self-confidence. However, to say that it can completely defeat a Western power in just over half a year is simply a fantasy for some generals. talk. What's more, some people were not optimistic about the previous attack by the combat units of the Northwest Military Region, thinking that it was completely a risk. Once Alashan Pass is blocked, not to mention occupying the expected target within a certain period of time, even the entire campaign will have problems. Are these people in the General Staff Headquarters crazy and confused? Is the Soviet government¡¯s Red Army so easy to fight?
"Do you have any views or opinions? Please feel free to speak out." Seeing some people below talking to each other, Fang Zida cleared his throat and asked. The conference room suddenly fell silent. Everyone looked at each other. After hesitating for a long time, they finally stood up alone.
This person is Lu Xiangting, a major general of the National Defense Forces and director of the Munitions Department of the Ministry of the Army. This man is young and energetic, and is a highly talented student who graduated from Japan's Army Corps. He previously served as regimental commander and brigade commander in the National Defense Forces, and he can be called a brave and good general. He was transferred to the Ministry of National Defense last year and was re-employed by Duan Zhigui as the director of the Munitions Department of the Army Ministry, mainly responsible for the army's munitions work. The war was of great importance, so Lu Xiangting, director of the Munitions Department, also attended the meeting.
In front of Fang Zida, Lu Xiangting pointed out several issues unceremoniously, which were the problems revealed previously about the attack route of the combat units of the Northwest Military Region and the entire military plan. In his opinion, this plan was just talk on paper and not practical at all. In fact, once the northwest direction is blocked, even if the troops of the Mongolian Military Region can complete their tasks on time, they will not be able to cut off the connection between Frunze and Moscow. Instead, they will be attacked from the east and west, leading to the annihilation of the entire army. Not to mention occupying Moscow in the summer of 1922 and solving the Soviet Union at the end of the year, it would be a complete defeat.
"Who has any questions?" After listening to Lu Xiangting's words, Fang Zida did not answer him first, but looked at the others. When everyone shook their heads, it seemed that Lu Xiangting had finished speaking for them, and then Fang Zida smiled slightly.
"Your name is Lu Xiangting?"
"Back to the Prime Minister, yes!" Lu Xiangting responded loudly without fear.
"Haha, it is good for young people to be energetic, and judging from your analysis just now, there is indeed a way to deal with infantry combat. Are you a graduate of the Central Military Academy?"
"Back to the Prime Minister, I studied at the Military Academy before I took up my humble position, and then went to Japan to study abroad." Lu Xiangting replied with some embarrassment. He was not actually a graduate of the Central Military Academy, because he was just a student at the Military Academy at the time, and later became a graduate of the Military Academy. I have the opportunity to study in Japan.
"Oh" Fang Zida nodded, not caring about Lu Xiangting's experience as a military commander. Instead, he said with a smile: "Actually, the best army in the world is in Germany. The Japanese army is not first-class at all. At most, it is just a copycat. That¡¯s it. What¡¯s more, you¡¯re still a military officer. Japan¡¯s military officers mainly train junior officers, not senior officers, so they are still a bit lacking in strategy and tactics.¡±
"Prime Minister!" Lu Xiangting's face turned red all of a sudden. He had always been proud of his status as a Japanese military graduate, but today he was demoted to be worthless by Fang Zida, and he looked embarrassed and a little angry.
As if knowing the other party's mood, Fang Zida said in a friendly manner: "I am not saying this to look down on the Japanese military graduates. You must know that Mr. Jiang, the principal of the Central Military Academy, also graduated from the Japanese military academy. Even Minister Duan only graduated from the Tianjin Military Academy. .¡±
As soon as Fang Zida said this, Duan Zhigui immediately laughed. Lu Xiangting was stunned for a moment and scratched his head in embarrassment. The atmosphere became much more harmonious for a while.
"But having said that, Japan's military concepts are still lagging behind a lot. Today, the world's military is changing with each passing day, and its tactics are also very different from before. On the surface, there seems to be some problems with the military plan of the General Staff, but you must know that we still have enemies. The new services that do not exist are the air force and armored forces. These two new services will change the previous way of war, from ground warfare to three-dimensional warfare, making war?? Fundamental changes have occurred. This is also the main reason why the General Staff made such a plan on this basis. If General Zixin wants to understand the use of the air force and armored forces and their role in war, I suggest that he discuss it with Chief of General Staff Ziyu, or go to the front line to see it in person. "
After saying this, Fang Zida did not explain any more, and then asked about the logistical arrangements, and the meeting continued as usual. After Lu Xiangting sat back down, his expression became a little complicated. He frowned slightly and looked at Wu Peifu and others, seeming to have made a decision in his heart. (To be continued)