"Mingyu has arrived too?" Wei Lihuang glanced at Liao Mingyu at the door and stood up with a smile: "Let me introduce you to you, this is Gao Jiren, the commander of the 200th Division."

Liao Mingyu quickly stepped forward and politely stretched out his right hand: "Teacher Gao, for the first time we met, please take care of him."

"Oh, hello, I heard from the commander-in-chief. Your honorary third division is not simple. You are from Huangpu and you are not a single coward."

Gao Jiren, who was burly and with big faces in all directions, also reached out to shake him, and spoke politely in Shaanxi dialect.

"Haha, senior praised it."

Liao Mingyu felt a little relieved. It seemed that this Commander Gao had a good attitude towards him. He had to cooperate with others in the future. It was necessary to lay a solid foundation for the relationship first.

Gao Jiren is a student of the fourth phase of the Whampoa Military Academy and graduated from the third phase of the Central Military Academy. His qualifications are relatively old.

Moreover, most of the early 200th Division were graduates from the first level of the regiment to the company platoon were graduates from the second phase of Huangpu, which was also the reason why Gao Jiren had a certain favorable impression of Liao Mingyu.

Although Wei Lihuang handed over the command of the 200th Division to Liao Mingyu, the latter dared not expect that this army would listen to him. As long as the other party did not stumbling, he could cooperate with the cooperation in combat operations, it would be thankful.

"Okay, don't say polite words first. Commander Gao, please introduce the basic situation of the 200th Division first." Wei Lihuang, the pragmatic first, waved his hand and interrupted their greetings.

"yes!"

Gao Jiren immediately replied seriously: "At present, after a year of supplementary training, the 200th Division has reorganized the tank regiment, the chariot regiment and the mechanized infantry regiment, plus a light infantry regiment, totaling more than 12,000.

"It has 12 T26 tanks, 6 American Sherman tanks, 33 Soviet-made Ba-6 armored cars, and 50 trucks. Due to the tight time, the heavy firepower has not been supplemented. Now the entire division has only one anti-aircraft artillery battalion and 24 37-caliber anti-aircraft artillery."

Speaking of this, Gao Jiren felt a little ashamed. At its peak, the entire division had nearly 300 tanks and armored vehicles of various types, and heavy weapons such as 150mm and 122mm howitzers. Now the weapons and equipment of the entire division are really shabby.

Instead of being considered an armored division, the 200th Division is more like a mechanized infantry division equipped with tanks and combat vehicles. The armor ratio of the entire unit is too low.

Liao Mingyu also sighed secretly, the situation was basically consistent with history. After the defeat of the First Myanmar Campaign in 1942, the 200th Division, which was severely damaged, was hidden until 44 years. For various reasons, there was no supplement to it, and it was just retaining the armored force.

Later, the 5th Army was reorganized, and most of the armored units of the 200th Division became directly affiliated to the army. The division was reorganized into the 200th Brigade and became a light infantry brigade with American weapons. It was eventually wiped out in eastern Henan in 49 years...

Fortunately, the 200th Division is still in a certain way and has a certain degree of mechanization. The most important thing is that the more than 2,600 experienced battlefield veterans who returned from Myanmar are still in the team.

Even though most of the divisions are new soldiers now and there is not much armor strength, the combat experience and individual soldiers of the more than 2,000 veterans should not be underestimated. This is what Liao Mingyu values ​​the most.

"Well, you Chief Qiu originally did not agree to the dispatch, but now the situation is special. For the smooth progress of the Baoteng Chong counterattack, this is also a helpless move."

Wei Lihuang glanced at the two people in front of him, and raised his voice and solemnly reminded him: "The task of blocking the 18th Division is arduous. You two must cooperate sincerely. Don't be in harmony with each other, so that the enemy can take advantage of the loopholes!"

"yes!"

"clear!"

Wei Lihuang nodded, but his eyebrows still did not stretch. He was a little worried that the young and energetic Liao Mingyu could not suppress the mature Gao Jiren.

"Teacher Gao may not know anything. Just two days ago, the armored battalion of the Honorary Third Division successfully captured Mangshi with the cooperation of an infantry regiment, and wiped out more than 900 Japanese troops, but it lost less than one company."

"Oh? Brother Liao is so outstanding in command of the armored forces?"

Gao Jiren was shocked. He knew that Wei Lihuang had always been a word of nothing but adulteration, and the news he heard from the latter was very credible.

In addition, Liao Mingyu, who was "popular" during this period, was in the limelight, and almost all military operations in western Yunnan were related to him, and his record was so fierce.

Gao Jiren, who has a straightforward and tough personality, has always admired those who can fight, and he immediately felt respectful when he heard this.

"Haha, wherever you are, my brothers are capable of it. Speaking of this, Yuan Li, the battalion commander of my chariot battalion, was the battalion commander of the 1152nd Regiment of the 200th Division. I wonder if Brother Gao remembers this person." Liao Mingyu replied with a smile.

"Yuan Li...that young boy from the 1152nd Regiment?" Gao Jiren exclaimed, stared at Liao Mingyu in disbelief, and asked hurriedly: "He is still alive?"

"Well, he is indeed still alive..." Liao Mingyu slowly told the experience of Yuan Li and the others.

When the 200th Division retreated from Yeren Mountain, the division commander General Dai was seriously injured and died. Deputy division commander Gao Jito succeeded the division commander and led the remaining team to continue to retreat, but was caught up by the Japanese army when passing through the border Wanding.

The remaining soldiers of the 200th Division, with low morale, had no guns, no guns, and most of the weapons and equipment were thrown away completely, so they could only continue to flee eastward.

But the Japanese who were chasing him tightly bit the tail of the troops like a dog skin plaster, rushed over from time to time and took a bite. Yuan Li and his group were ordered to take the few remaining guns and launch a stern attack on the Japanese army to cover the safe evacuation of the large army.

Gao Jiren had a profound influence on the stubborn and brave young battalion commander. If they had not sacrificed their lives, more officers and soldiers of the 200th Division would have been bitten to death by the Japanese.

"Bao Shun, Master 200 owe you a favor! I'll thank you for those kids under my command!"

Gao Jiren said passionately, and he had to bow to Liao Mingyu when he was in a posture, and the latter quickly stepped forward to support him.

"Oh, Commander Gao can't do it! This is not a part of our team."

"Hmm? Brother Liao is right! Our army has the rules of the army." After saying that, Gao Jiren took two steps back and stood up straight, and saluted Liao Mingyu solemnly.

"this…"

Liao Mingyu was amused and laughed, but he had a great impression of this Northwest man who was quick-talking and straightforward.

"Haha, you, the man Gao, are still so reckless." Wei Lihuang was also amused by his behavior and couldn't help but smile.

"Commander, one code is one code, he saved the people of the 200th Division, and he was my benefactor of the 200th Division. He didn't say anything. This time, he was allowed to be dispatched on the battlefield, so Gao would never say a word."

Hearing his statement, Wei Lihuang nodded with satisfaction and immediately gave a serious order:

"Okay, you are familiar with each other and you are almost familiar with each other. You have to summarize the combat policies in the future."

"This blocking war is of great importance. I decided to form the Longling Defense Corps. In addition to your two troops, there is a supplementary brigade of 5,000 people, which will be included in it, with a total of more than 30,000 people. Liao Mingyu is temporarily in charge. You must block all the Japanese support troops west of Longling and not give in. Do you hear it clearly??"

"I understand!" the two of them replied in unison.

Liao Mingyu was shocked. Wei Lihuang's trust made him very grateful. It was impossible to be unexcited if he was not excited in his heart, but no matter what, this time he could finally get rid of his arms and make a big fight.

...

Two days later, Liao Mingyu returned to Longling to take charge of the overall situation, and the final adjustment of the troops came to an end.

In addition to the original organization, the three main regiments have added an artillery battalion and a baggage battalion, which has brought the firepower and logistics support of each unit to a higher level.

At the same time, the division's artillery regiment was also strengthened, and Li Jie's anti-aircraft artillery battalion was also incorporated into it.

The caliber is justice. The firepower ratio of 24 105 howitzers and 12 155 howitzers are very terrifying. In addition, the 16 16 fire speeds are amazing, and the Bofos 40mm anti-aircraft guns can be shot directly or horizontally. In terms of division-level heavy firepower, the Japanese are beyond the reach of the Japanese.

Even if the artillery corps of the 18th Division came here, they would only be beaten. Liao Mingyu really wanted to know what expression and mentality they would look like after being baptized by the justice of the artillery corps? Haha, it's really exciting.

Time flies, September 4th, and there is still one day before the Expeditionary Force's full counterattack. All the troops have basically moved to the corresponding position, just waiting for Wei Lihuang to give orders.

According to the pre-plan, Liao Mingyu arranged the main battlefield in Mangshi, and the flat terrain allowed the huge troops of the Honorary Third Division to be fully launched.

Including the later Gao Ji people praised the terrain here after seeing the terrain here. This is an ideal battlefield tailor-made for the armored troops.

From the map, there are three roads to enter the Mangshi Plain from the west, but if you want to go east through Mangshi, there is only one road to Longling, that is, follow the Yunnan-Burma Highway, otherwise you can only climb over the mountains and jungles like a monkey and take a detour.

It is obvious that the Japanese cannot be monkeys. They have a lot of heavy equipment and cannot marching flexibly unless they abandon a large amount of supplies and materials to raid lightly.

But doing this is not realistic. They are not familiar with the place and dare not underestimate the enemy and advance rashly. After all, several Japanese troops in western Yunnan have been wiped out by the Chinese, and all this has to be taken seriously by the commanders of the 18th Division.

Liao Mingyu gave up the plan to establish a defense line at the three intersections entering Mangshi. He arranged his main position on a high ground near the east, where Xing Fuquan's second main force was stationed.

All the heavy artillery of the artillery regiment were placed 2 kilometers behind the high ground, and the wide view allowed them to cover their firepower at any time and anywhere.

The main position spreads westward along the highlands in a semi-ring shape. On one side are steep peaks and on the other side are lush forests.

If the Japanese army wanted to attack, they either came forward head-on, or circled through the woods on the left, or did not care about the high ground defenders walking around from the bottom of the mountain on the right.

However, on the edge of Linzi, Chen Jize's third regiment and the chariot battalion defended here, while Long Wen's first regiment was arranged behind the second regiment to act as a reserve team, and could also support the right wing at any time.

There is no position built at the open ground at the foot of the mountain on the right, because the terrain here is very flat and unobstructed, completely exposed to the enemy's firepower attack. The pressure of defense here is too great, and there may be very heavy losses.

However, it is not easy for the Japanese to use this place to break through the defense line. The width here is less than 800 meters, and it is only about one kilometer away from the high ground defended by the Second Regiment. It is completely exposed to the firepower of the high ground defenders. Moreover, the first Regiment can also be surrounded from behind at any time.

Perhaps this place will become the target of crazy competition between the two sides, but how could Liao Mingyu cause trouble for himself for no reason?

This open area seems to be a loophole in the entire defense line, but it is very likely to become the key to victory in this battle. It only depends on whether the Japanese will get into this hole...

At present, the 55th, 56th and 165th Regiments of the 18th Division of the Japanese Army have arrived outside Mangshi.

In addition to these three infantry corpses, there are the 18th Mountain Artillery Regiment, the 13th Independent Rapid-Fire Cannon, the 21st Heavy Cannon, and the huge logistics force. The entire division has more than 23,000 people.

"ばかづら! Did the Chinese Pig actually set up the defense line so quickly? He is really hardworking."

In front of the Japanese position where the crowd was surging, Shinichi Tanaka, with a fleshy face, was cursing and holding up a telescope, observing the enemy position a few kilometers away.

At this time, Major General Niujima, the chief of staff of the division, hurried over and reported to him: "Secretary Commander, all the troops have reached their designated positions, and there are some minor casualties in the 165th Regiment..."

"Nani? Have you encountered an ambush from the Chinese?" Tanaka Shinichi said in confusion.

"No, it was a soldier from a grenade squad who accidentally pulled out the grenade's fuse and fell to the ground and knocked it out of the insurance... causing the accidental explosion..."

"Baga! What else can these stupid pigs do? I really should send them all to Malaysia to grow sugarcane!"

Tanaka Shinichi roared angrily, apparently the stupidity of this army has been no longer once or twice.

The 114th Regiment, which was originally affiliated to the 18th Division, was completely wiped out by Liao Mingyu when counterattacking Nantianmen. Shinichi Tanaka had to accept the 165th Regiment that was replenished from the local area.

Although the division was improved, the situation of this new army was astonishing. Most of the entire army was composed of students under the age of 20 and middle-aged people who were over 20. After only two months of simple training, they were pulled on the battlefield. The combat effectiveness can be imagined, and they often do some ridiculous things.

For this reason, Shinichi Tanaka cursed the senior management on the spot for being unkind and righteous, and even gave him such a garbage team to do whatever he wanted.

"The base camp really should have reflected on it. It actually sent such a thing to the battlefield. I think those red deer should go to the military court!" Tanaka, who was extremely jealous, was still cursing angrily.

"Teacher Commander, be careful..."

Niujima quickly reminded Tanaka to pay attention to his words. After all, the reason why this guy came to Myanmar to suffer was because of his broken mouth.

Shinichi Tanaka was originally the head of the Operations Section of the Army Province and also served as the Operations Minister of the General Staff Headquarters. He was the most active leftist who supported the empire's expansion of war.
Chapter completed!