Devil's Army

Chapter 1962 Battle of the Three Towns of Wuhan 1

After a week of strategic material preparation, the Southern Independent Division and the Second Front Army of the First Army sounded the clarion call to recapture Wuhan in the winter of 1943.

The Southern Independent Division, assembled along the Xiushui and Wuning line in northwestern Jiangxi, attacked the three towns of Wuhan along the mountain passes on the border of Jiangxi and Hubei.

The Southern Independent Division was tasked with containing the Japanese forces surrounding Hankou from the southeast and coordinating with the main force in their assault. Their marching route happened to pass through the northern section of the Mufu Mountains on the border of Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. This area, with its high mountains, dense forests, deep valleys, and treacherous roads, served as a natural barrier for concealed marches and also became a crucial battleground for the Japanese army's resistance.

The Southern Independent Division's marching route was divided into two main lines: the eastern route followed the territory of Tongshan County in Hubei Province, then went north along the Fushui River, heading straight for Zhifang Town in the southern suburbs of Wuchang.

The western route started from Chongyang County in Hubei and then advanced northwest, with the goal of cutting off the Japanese army's supply line between Hanyang and Xianning.

Both routes consisted mainly of mountain trails and river valley dirt roads. The roads were narrow and muddy, making it difficult for supply vehicles to pass. The troops had to abandon their vehicles and proceed on foot, carrying light and heavy weapons in a concealed and rapid manner.

The Japanese army had long been aware of the movements of the Southern Independent Division and set up blocking positions in several strategic locations at the border of Jiangxi and Hubei. The Battle of Jiugong Mountain Pass was one of the most brutal battles of these.

The pass of the Jiugong Mountain range is less than 100 meters wide, with steep cliffs on both sides. The Japanese army built three layers of pillboxes and bunkers at the top of the pass, blocked the passage with machine gun fire, and laid minefields in the valley in front of the pass.

When the vanguard of the Southern Independent Division arrived, it was early morning and a thick fog covered the area. Taking advantage of the fog, the soldiers launched a surprise attack in three groups.

One side launched a feint attack from the front to draw Japanese fire, while the other side climbed up the vine-covered cliff on the left and circled around to the rear of the bunker.

The other team infiltrated the valley and cleared the mines by hand with entrenching tools.

As the thick fog gradually dissipated, the left-wing assault team launched the first attack, with the sound of grenades exploding atop the Japanese bunkers. The main force seized the opportunity to charge forward, soldiers stepping over the edge of the still-purged minefield and braving the hail of bullets as they rushed towards the pass.

The Japanese machine guns roared, and smoke billowed through the valley. Many soldiers fell on the way of the charge, but the follow-up troops continued to advance, following in the footsteps of their comrades.

After three hours of hand-to-hand combat, the Japanese positions at the pass were finally breached.

The Southern Independent Division paid the price of several hundred casualties to open the first gateway into the three towns of Wuhan, Hubei.

After the troops entered the Jiugongshan Pass, the Japanese army set up an ambush at the Cikou Ferry on the banks of the Fushui River.

The Fushui River widened and the current became rapid at this point. The Japanese army destroyed the only wooden bridge at the ferry crossing and set up mortars on the hills on the opposite bank, attempting to block the devilish troops on the south bank.

The Southern Independent Division searched for local fishermen overnight, collected dozens of wooden boats, and divided into two groups to cross the river.

The first group feigned a forced crossing to draw Japanese artillery fire; the second group took advantage of the night to go upstream for three miles and quietly landed on a shallow beach overgrown with reeds.

The soldiers who landed sneaked around to the rear of the Japanese mortar positions and launched a surprise attack. The Japanese were attacked from both sides and fled in panic. The main force successfully crossed the river and continued to advance towards Wuchang.

Meanwhile, another unit encountered a small cavalry unit of the Japanese army in Shaping Town, Chongyang County.

Shaping Town is located at the confluence of the Lixi River and the Jun River. It is a small commercial town on the border of Jiangxi and Hubei provinces. Japanese cavalry relied on the brick and wood houses in the town to launch attacks on the flanks of the Southern Independent Division using a mobile tactic.

Commander Zhang immediately adjusted the formation and launched street fighting in infantry squads.

Using the rooftops and corners of civilian houses as cover, the soldiers engaged the Japanese cavalry at close range, suppressing their charge with grenades and submachine guns.

After half a day of fierce fighting, the Japanese cavalry suffered more than half their casualties and retreated westward.

The Southern Independent Division successfully cut off the Japanese army's highway supply line between Hanyang and Xianning.

When the two armies arrived at the outskirts of Wuhan, the battle to capture Wuchang and Hankou had entered a fierce stage.

One army was advancing south, while another part of the Southern Independent Division was already attacking the city.

A part of the Southern Independent Division immediately launched a fierce attack on the Japanese flank defenses from the southeast, forming an encirclement with the main attacking force inside Wuhan, delivering a crucial blow to the final recapture of the three towns of Wuhan.