People are shining their swords, secretly helping the Iron Triangle in Northwest Shanxi

In Houma City, Chen Ziyun stood in front of the map with a thoughtful expression on his face.

At this time, under the command of Chen Ziyun, the First Brigade and other troops successively recovered Wenxi City, Houma City, and Fen City.

In successive battles, they also caused some casualties to the Japanese 36th Division and 69th Division.

Especially the 36th Division troops suffered more than 2000 casualties.

However, after the three counties were recaptured, the distance between the troops stationed in different counties was widened, which was very dangerous.

After all, their more than 1 troops cannot unite together and may be split into two by the Japanese army at any time.

What's more, the real target of this battle is not the important towns along the Tongpu Railway, but Jiangcheng, Jincheng, and Yangcheng.

"Commander Chen, the division headquarters has just sent an emergency message. A large number of Japanese troops have begun to mobilize in the Zi JS area north of Jiangcheng."

"According to the analysis of the division headquarters, this Japanese army is most likely the 37th Division. They are currently marching towards us quickly."

"Their purpose is obvious, they are preparing to launch a combat strike against us from the east."

"Moreover, the 36th Division in the Yunxian area has also begun to control its main force on the Yunxian and Xiacheng lines. They are trying to cut off our retreat."

"Commander Chen, even the little Japs in Pingyang City have begun to shrink their troops to defend the city."

"Based on all the information, the Japanese army obviously intends to surround us on three sides and gradually oppress us."

Around 09:30, Li Chongtao, the commander of the first brigade, came to Chen Ziyun and quickly saluted and reported.

After the combat order was issued here at the First Army Headquarters, the various units of the Little Devils immediately launched combat operations.

The main force of the 36th Division blocked Chen Ziyun's troops to the south, while the 37th Division quickly dispatched in an attempt to launch an attack from the east.

More than 69 troops from four independent infantry brigades of the 59th Brigade under the 5000th Division also began to assemble in Pingyang City to block the area north of Chen Ziyun.

The Japanese army planned to assemble the main force of two divisions and one brigade to completely encircle and annihilate Chen Ziyun's troops.

Of course, there are only a small number of Japanese troops defending in the west, but they are not worried at all about Chen Ziyun's breakout to the west.

The little devil was absolutely sure that he would suppress Chen Ziyun's troops from three sides, causing them to suffer heavy losses and eventually annihilate them.

Chen Ziyun listened to Li Chongtao's report and marked it on the map.

Seeing the little devils launching operations to the south from different areas, Chen Ziyun showed a thoughtful expression on his face.

Chen Ziyun currently has four regiments of troops at his disposal, and his overall strength is not weak.

With their strength, even if they were to go head-to-head with the security division, even if they couldn't win, they would still have the ability to protect themselves.

However, the Japs are currently dispatching more troops, and Chen Ziyun certainly cannot confront them head-on.

What's more, Chen Ziyun's target for this attack is not here in Pingyang City.

"Gather the main forces of each regiment in Fencheng, and we will be ready to go north to attack Pingyang City."

"First attract the Japanese troops to Pingyang City, and then make plans."

"Wenxicheng and Houma City are gradually giving up. Of course, they cannot give up too early to avoid premature pressure from the 36th Division from the south."

Chen Ziyun pointed at the map and decisively issued the combat order.

"Yes, Commander Chen." Li Chongtao immediately saluted and agreed.

As Chen Ziyun began to convey combat orders, the troops in Wenxicheng and Houma City began to secretly mobilize.

The First Brigade and other troops gradually moved towards Fencheng, while the New Second Regiment mainly stayed in Wenxi City and Houma City to maintain vigilance against the 36th Division.

After all, if there are no troops left in these two counties, the 36th Division can press over from the south at any time.

At ten o'clock in the morning, Li Chongtao commanded the 358th Regiment, 601st Regiment, and Mountain Artillery Regiment to advance rapidly towards Pingyang City.

Chen Ziyun commanded the artillery battalion directly under the First Brigade and was on standby at the junction of Fencheng and Pingyang City.

After the 69th Division headquarters responsible for the defense of Pingyang City received the news, the division commander Inoue Sadae did not dare to neglect and quickly carried out defense deployment.

At the same time, Inoue Sadao immediately contacted the military headquarters and reported in detail the situation in Pingyang City.

At this time, Pingyang City only had four independent infantry brigades, the 59th Brigade, with a strength of about 5000 people.

As for artillery, there are only a dozen or so rapid-fire artillery and infantry artillery directly under these brigades.

Inoue Sadao knew very well that with such a number of artillery, it would be difficult to block the attack of Chen Ziyun's troops.

Therefore, he hoped that the army headquarters could quickly adjust its deployment and arrange for the 37th Division to rush to Pingyang City quickly.

However, after the First Army Headquarters received the report, Tanabe Moritake and others discussed it repeatedly.

They believed that even if Chen Ziyun's troops attacked Pingyang City, with the current strength of the 69th Division, there would be no problem in temporarily holding Pingyang City.

If the 37th Division directly rushes to aid Pingyang City at this time, there may be loopholes that Chen Ziyun can take advantage of.

"Order the 37th Division to continue to accelerate towards the east side of Houma City and Fen City."

"Order the troops of the 69th Division to defend Pingyang City with all their strength. If Pingyang City is lost, the 69th Division shall bear all responsibilities."

"Contact the Kojima Shinxing Special Operations Wing and ask them to quickly advance towards Wenxi City and recover Wenxi City in the shortest possible time."

"And Yamamoto Kazuki's special agent team, what's the current situation? Have they entered Nakajo Mountain to start operations?"

In the First Army Headquarters, North China Front Army Chief of Staff Tanabe Moritake had a serious expression on his face and asked directly.

Masanori Hanatani, Chief of Staff of the First Army, took the document and made a report quickly.

At the same time, the communications staff immediately began sending messages to various ministries to directly convey Tanabe Moritake's combat orders.

At this time, various Japanese military units had been mobilized one after another, and the 37th Division advanced rapidly under the command of Lieutenant General Division Commander Anda 23.

Kojima Shinhsei's troops moved westwards through Tongjiang City and other areas, and also accelerated their advance towards Wenxi City.

The 4000-man unit of the Yamamoto Kazuki Special Agent Regiment has gradually begun to infiltrate Nakatō Mountain.

After receiving the detailed report, Tanabe Moritake showed a satisfied expression on his face.

He believed that this battle would definitely yield results.

Even if Chen Ziyun's more than 1 troops cannot be completely surrounded and annihilated, they will definitely be able to cause a large number of casualties to them.

Now for them, fighting here in Pingyang City is the key, as long as the 69th Division blocks the attack of Chen Ziyun's troops.

At around [-]:[-], the First Brigade and other troops had advanced to the area south of Pingyang City.

Pingyang City is an important town in the southern part of Jin Province. There have been large-scale battles here before.

After the Japs captured Pingyang City, they focused on reinforcing this place, so the fortifications here are relatively strong.

After all, in the past few years, the defensive pressure here in Pingyang City was still very high.

To their south is Wei Junru's 10,000+ troops, and to the west is Yan Laoxi's large number of Shanxi-Sui army troops.

That is to say, Yan Laoxi had the idea of ​​conserving his strength in the later period, otherwise if these troops attacked with all their strength, it would be enough to make the Japanese army in the southern Shanxi area drink a pot.

After the Japanese 59th Brigade currently gathered its troops here, they immediately made adjustments and deployments.

The 82nd and 83rd Independent Infantry Brigades are mainly responsible for the defense of outer positions, while the 84th and 85th Independent Infantry Brigades are responsible for the defense of the city.The engineering corps, baggage corps and other units directly under the division were also armed and prepared for coordinated defense.

After repeated thinking, Inoue Sadao finally left the division headquarters here in Pingyang City for command.

At this time, the 37th Infantry Division and other troops were accelerating towards the battlefield, and with such a large force, their whereabouts were completely controlled.

Chen Ziyun can keep abreast of the dynamics of these little Japanese troops through the radio.

At 10:30, Chen Ziyun commanded the artillery battalion to arrive at Pingyang City.

After meeting with Li Chongtao, Chen Ziyun listened to Li Chongtao's detailed report.

Before Chen Ziyun arrived here, Li Chongtao had already organized his troops to launch a tentative attack.

However, the effect is not very good. The position fortifications here in Pingyang City are all built on a semi-permanent basis.

The shells of the 75MM mountain artillery hit it, just like scratching an itch, and had no effect at all.

The independent infantry brigade under the 59th Brigade is different from the independent infantry brigade under the Little Devils Independent Mixed Brigade.

Four independent infantry brigades were stationed in Pingyang City, each with more than 400 troops.

In addition to four infantry squadrons, they also have a fully equipped machine gun squadron and an artillery squadron.

The machine gun squadron has twelve heavy machine guns, and the artillery squadron has infantry cannons and rapid-fire cannons.

Of course, among the Little Japanese heavy machine guns were captured Maxim heavy machine guns.

After all, everything the Japanese army had at this time was to be reserved and used to organize the Southern Army.

"The Japs' machine gun firepower is difficult to destroy, and their overall combat effectiveness is not weak."

"There are a large number of individual bunkers and firepower points on the periphery. It may be difficult for us to attack them."

"If we launch a strong attack, there may be a large number of casualties."

"I have sent troops to other areas to check, but the overall defense of Pingyang City is very strong and there are almost no loopholes."

"Commander Chen, if Pingyang City is attacked by force, we will definitely suffer."

Li Chongtao looked at Chen Ziyun in front of him, saluted directly and reported.

Chen Ziyun raised his telescope and looked at Pingyang City, and nodded.

Pingyang City is an important town in southern Shanxi. The defensive positions and fortifications here are not comparable to other towns.

Wenxicheng and other regional positions can be dealt with by 75MM caliber artillery.

However, if the 75MM mountain artillery shells hit the position fortifications here, they would not have any effect at all.

If we attack by force, we will definitely have to pay heavy casualties.

Moreover, the 59th Brigade of the Little Devils stationed in Pingyang City are basically independent and mixed into the 16th Brigade.

These four brigades have been fighting for a long time and have certain combat effectiveness.

After being strengthened and supplemented by heavy weapons, they can also display a certain strength.

Chen Ziyun observed for a while, then put down the telescope directly. He came to the map with a solemn expression on his face.

"Carry out soil work to shorten the attack distance as much as possible."

"In addition, get in touch with Ding Wei and ask his new second regiment to gradually gather the main force towards Fencheng."

"The mountain artillery regiment is temporarily hidden to prevent bombing by the little devils."

After thinking for a while, Chen Ziyun directly issued the combat order.

Li Chongtao agreed, and the first brigade troops began soil work.

Time was passing, and around [-] o'clock in the morning, the Kojima Shinko Special Operations Regiment took the lead in arriving at the area east of Wenxi City.

The 4000 troops of the special operations wing began to build a starting position, and at the same time, groups of little devils launched probing attacks on Wenxicheng.

At this time, Wenxicheng was only defended by one infantry battalion of the New Second Regiment. Facing the special operations wing, they could still hold the advantage at first.

But as the special operations wing launched an attack more than ten minutes later, they gradually became unable to withstand the attack.

At 11:30, Wenxicheng fell into the hands of the Special Operations Regiment, and the fifth battalion stationed here quickly withdrew to Houma City.

After the special operations wing captured Wenxi City, they took a short rest and contacted the military headquarters to report.

Tanabe Moritake, who was in command of the First Army Headquarters, was very happy after receiving the news.

He arranged for the 36th Division to take over the defense of Wenxi City, while the Special Operations Wing continued to go north to launch a combat attack on Houma City.

At twelve o'clock, the special operations wing began to attack Houma City on the north side.

It was at this time that the main force of the 37th Division arrived in Houma City and the area east of Fencheng.

Division Commander Anda 23 also began to receive combat orders. He unified command of the 37th Division and the special operations wing to conduct operations.

After receiving this authorization, Anda 23 is full of confidence.

He immediately made adjustments and deployments. The special operations wing stormed Houma City, and the entire 37th Division was dispatched to attack Fencheng.

By [-]:[-], the Japanese troops launched a massive combat operation.

At this time, the main force of the New Second Regiment was deployed here in Fencheng, and one part was stationed in Houma City.

At full cost, they only had four infantry battalions and one artillery battalion, with a strength of less than 4000 men.

But the special operations regiment that attacked Houma City had a total of 4000 troops.

This time the entire 37th Division was dispatched, including the 225th Regiment, the 226th Regiment, the Search Regiment, and the Field Artillery Regiment, with tens of thousands of troops attacking Fencheng.

The pressure on the New Second Regiment when faced with such a large number of Japanese troops can be imagined.

"Commander Chen, sorry, the 37th Infantry Division has arrived. More than 1 troops from its division have arrived in the area east of Fencheng and Houma City."

"In addition, the New Second Regiment reported that the elite Japanese troops who captured Wenxi City also began to gradually advance towards Houma City, preparing to attack Houma City."

"Currently, Houma City and Fencheng may face attacks by more than 4000 Japanese troops. The New Second Regiment has less than [-] troops, which will be difficult to deal with."

"If this place is completely lost, our retreat will be completely cut off. By that time, we will have almost no retreat."

"Commander Chen, the situation is urgent now. Do we need to disperse to break out?"

At this time, here in Pingyang City, the First Brigade and other troops had already carried out earthwork operations and gradually shortened the attack distance.

Chen Ziyun also arranged for artillery and other troops to be ready, and they could launch an attack at any time.

But Li Chongtao quickly came to Chen Ziyun and reported with a serious expression on his face.

In Li Chongtao's view, such a large number of Japs were already suppressing them. At this time, they had no other option but to disperse and break out.

The Japanese troops have completely seized the initiative. The troops commanded by Chen Ziyun are very passive and may be hit hard at any time. (End of chapter)