novelden Chapter 120: Battle of Kursk in East India (6)
Chapter 120: Battle of Kursk in East India (6)
哈夫隆外围，驻印军机械化纵队以损失70余辆坦克的代价，击毁日军28辆豹式、17辆95/97、12辆黄鼠狼、4辆自行火炮以及大批装甲车、山炮/榴弹炮，缴获2辆自行火炮、3辆豹式和其他一些坦克装甲车，击毙和俘虏日军1400多人，自己也伤亡近4000人。
In terms of casualty ratio, the losses of the Indian Army were far greater than those of the Japanese Army, but in terms of the battle, it was a meaningful victory, forcing the Japanese Army to abandon its intention to break through the Haflon line in the north, cut off the East Indian Railway, and attack the Indian plains.
When the news reached Silchar, Mountbatten and Wedemeyer were suddenly enlightened. They quickly called together Sun Liren and other major generals to formulate new countermeasures. They decided to adopt the tactics of Haflon's Indian Army and engage in a tank battle with the Japanese army.
According to Wedemeyer's calculations, the Allies on the Silger front had 3 tanks capable of engaging the Panther, including M278s, Matilda IIs, Valentines, and Cromwells. They also had numerous anti-tank guns and sniper rifles. While the Japanese still had 200 Panthers and their accompanying tank destroyers, the Allies held a significant advantage in manpower, thanks to their advantageous terrain and the support of numerous artillery groups. Support was constantly arriving. If the Allies could attrite the Japanese's powerful tank clusters through tank engagements, they could ultimately be completely defeated, potentially even annihilating their largest troop group in Southeast Asia.
Stran was appointed as the commander of the tank group immediately. Tank troops, mainly the 7th Tank Division, began to gather from various areas of Silchar to the southwest of Silchar city. This was the only way for the Japanese army to attack the railway station and railway line, and it was also the main attack direction to open up the Indian plain line.
At the Japanese front-line headquarters, the commander of the 4th Tank Division, Moshang Keiichiro was furious with Kimura Heiichiro, not caring about his identity as the commander of the 15th Army. Moshang Keiichiro even wanted to slap Lieutenant General Kumedoe who was attacking the Haflon front line!
"Baga, good-for-nothing! Coward! It's the fault of your imperial soldiers! Those who don't understand tank cluster combat should not command tank combat!" Mo Shangjing kept cursing. Just kidding, in a few days, no important areas have been captured and 40 precious Leopard tanks have been lost. If they fight like this, let alone reaching the Middle East, even entering the Indian plains would be a luxury!
Mo Shangjing's complaints had some truth to them. These Japanese high-ranking officials, who had always profited from the flesh and blood of imperial soldiers, clearly had no concept of modern warfare. They had no idea how powerful and invincible a concentrated tank formation could be! It was ridiculous to have tank units acting as mobile bunkers to cover infantry attacks against enemy positions.
After Mo Shangjing finished venting his anger, Kimura said calmly, "Mr. Mo Shangjing, one defeat doesn't mean anything. Your caution is not without reason. Due to the lack of imperial resources, we cannot possess the powerful mechanized clusters of our Axis allies. The loss of the Panther is indeed heartbreaking!"
"But the headquarters' resolve is unshakable, and we cannot waste time here and allow the enemy to prepare."
"For tomorrow's attack, follow the advice of Shang Jingjun. Concentrate all tank forces and make a full effort to break through the southwest, capture the train station, and then detour into the Indian plains!"
"General Mo Shangjing, all the troops of the 15th Army are under your command. This time, we must go all out. If we don't succeed, we will die. The Imperial Japanese Army is invincible!"
Following Kimura Heiichiro's words, the Japanese army moved at full speed, with the 1st and 2nd Tank Regiments as the main force, the 1st Division Tank Regiment as the flank, and other tank armored units forming a rapid penetration column, going all out, vowing to break through the Allied defense line of Silger!
In the early morning, before the sun fully illuminated the earth, dense artillery fire had already sounded, and explosions and smoke enveloped the Allied positions. Not far away, a huge cluster of Japanese tanks roared, revealing their ferocious fangs.
"Attack!" With the order from the Japanese front-line commander, Major General Hideichiro Abe, commander of the 1st Tank Regiment, more than 100 Japanese Leopard tanks rushed forward in a mighty manner, and at the same time, the prelude to the large-scale tank battle of Kursk, India.
"The 2st Battalion's flanking move on the left, the 2nd Battalion's flanking move on the right, and the nd Tank Regiment's frontal assault!"
"The Engineer Regiment must hurry up, those who build the bridge must hurry up!"
"Those of the destroyer squadron, seize the high ground on the right as soon as possible. The enemy tanks will definitely appear, so you must seize the opportunity!"
"Order the 1st, 31st Divisions, and 15th Heavy Artillery Brigade to extend their artillery fire and begin covering several key areas with bombardments!"
Abe continued to issue orders and instructed the following armored infantry not to fall behind, as coordinated operations were very important for large-scale tank offensives.
While the Japanese army was bombarding the battlefield, Wedemeyer, who had taken over the command of the frontal combat, had already informed Sun Liren and Yang Hong on the east side that if the Japanese army focused on attacking the southwest, the 1st Army must withdraw its main force to counterattack and contain the enemy; Lieutenant General Slim of the 14th Army must press the main forces to the front line, form alternating firepower, and gradually slow down the speed of the Japanese attack; General Strand had divided the tank cluster into three echelons, ambushing on the right side of the southwest position, near the train station. This is an area of low shrubs and the terrain is relatively open, which is conducive to the rapid assault of Allied tanks.
Along the railway station, three heavy artillery brigades had formed multiple artillery groups. If necessary, they would provide full coverage of the tank battle area, both to combat the Japanese attacking clusters and to serve as a last-ditch blocking force. Simultaneously, large quantities of explosives had been placed in railway stations, warehouses, and freight operations areas. If necessary, Wedemeyer prepared to initiate large-scale demolition to prevent the Japanese mechanized forces from breaking through this line.
“BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—BOOM—”
"Boom!" With a loud explosion, a bunker was blown open and a squad of soldiers inside were blown into the sky!
"Boom——", a shell collapsed a section of the trench, and several soldiers hiding in the trench were buried in thick mud!
"Boom-boom--", a company-level observation post was hit, and several officers including the company commander were killed.
Artillery shells rained down on the 14th Army's defense line. The huge explosions uncovered the Allied hidden positions and bunkers one by one. A large amount of rubble, debris and soil were blown into the sky. The positions were in ruins and a high cloud of dust was raised.
"Hey, hey, hey—we need reinforcements! The enemy's artillery fire is too dense and too powerful. Most of our positions have been destroyed. We have suffered heavy losses!" The companies and battalions continued to request reinforcements from their superiors to stop the Japanese artillery fire.