Anti-Japanese War: The whole world is a base vehicle

Chapter 68 must have been created by China itself! (Please subscribe!)

Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake, the newly appointed commander of the 18th Division, received an order from Lieutenant General Seiichi Kuna before he had time to understand the specific battle situation.

"Rush to the rescue of Sitang? Attack the Chinese army at Wutang?" Looking at the order in his hand, Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake frowned slightly.

He had just arrived at the post and hadn't even met a few officers of the 18th Division, but he received the order to attack, which really made him unhappy.

At least give him a few days to get to know the commanders of each wing before issuing the order to attack.

As a result, no time was given at all.

Naturally, this made him a little angry.

It’s just that a higher-ranking official can crush people to death.

He could only endure it.

"Mr. Division Commander, could you please transfer the 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion to my regiment?" Colonel Daishikigi, commander of the 55th Infantry Regiment, said to Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake.

"What?" Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake looked at the other party with confusion.

If he remembered correctly, the 55th Infantry Regiment should have its own artillery battalion. Why should it transfer the 21st Field Heavy Artillery Battalion under the division headquarters to the other side?
"Your Excellency the division commander, you just arrived and don't know. The 714th Garrison Regiment is stationed in Wutang. They have heavy artillery. Without the heavy artillery, I'm afraid our attack will be ineffective." Colonel Kida looked helpless.

Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake had indeed just arrived and did not know the specific situation. He was surprised when he heard his subordinates' words.

"Heavy artillery? Is the rumor true? Was the 1st Guards Brigade really defeated by the heavy artillery of the Chinese army?"

"Yes." Colonel Kiba nodded in acknowledgement.

Although a gag order was issued, rumors were still flying around behind the scenes.

That is to say, Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake had just arrived and was not familiar with the various tasks, otherwise he would not have asked such a naive question.

"If that's the case, I suggest canceling the operation. Before the heavy artillery arrives, all our attacks will be futile." Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake shook his head. If this is really the case, any attack without heavy artillery would be a waste of sacrifice.

"But this is an order from the military." Colonel Kiba looked helpless.

He also knew that the prospects of this mission were bleak, but the order had been given, and if he did not carry it out, the consequences would be very serious.

"Stop the attack for now, I'll call the commander." Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake picked up the phone and asked for the military's phone number.

"Commander, may I ask if we have any heavy artillery to support this attack? According to my understanding, the Chinese army on the opposite side has heavy artillery. If we don't have heavy artillery, the casualties will be great." When the voice of Kuna Seiichi came from the other end of the phone, Lieutenant General Momotake Haruyoshi spoke out his thoughts all at once.

"Mr. Baiwu, the heavy artillery has not arrived yet, but the Shitang position is in danger. The Chinese army has been bombing for a full hour. The 21st Brigade stationed in Shidao reports that they can no longer hold on." Lieutenant General Kuna Seiichi also knew that if he could not counter the enemy's heavy artillery, any attack would be a waste of his subordinates' lives.

"What? The Chinese army bombed for a whole hour? Why did they have so many artillery shells?" Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake asked in confusion.

"This is also what I don't understand. Why would a local garrison regiment have so many artillery shells? Moreover, the other side is fully equipped with German weapons and has very high combat effectiveness, which is very similar to the teaching corps back then." Lieutenant General Kuna Seiichi explained.

This was the intelligence that the Special High Police had just collected, and he had just learned about it.

"Teaching Corps? Didn't they disappear long ago? Why are they still here?" Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake asked again.

"I don't know either." Lieutenant General Kuna Seiichi spread his hands. He was unable to give an answer to this question.

Now we can only ask the Germans, but the headquarters has not yet given a reply.

So we can only wait.

"Commander, if this is the case, I suggest that you hold your position and wait for the heavy artillery to arrive, otherwise all attacks will be in vain." Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake took a deep breath and proposed again.

"I will consider your proposal, but the 18th Division must also be prepared to provide support. The Chinese army's offensive is very fierce." Lieutenant General Kuna Seiichi pondered for a while and reminded.

"Yes." Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake responded quickly.

After hanging up the phone, Lieutenant General Haruyoshi Momotake spoke to Kiba Dai who was standing beside him.

"Pause the attack and go back to rest."

"Hello." Colonel Muto looked grateful.

.........

On the other side, German Ambassador to Japan Eugen Ott looked at the note sent by the Japanese Army General Staff with a confused look on his face.

German weapons appear on the Chinese battlefield?

Is it strange?

Not surprising at all.

After all, before the war, China purchased a large number of German weapons, and the Guangxi Army and the Guangdong Army also bought their industrial equipment, etc.

So is it weird to have German weapons?

This is also the reason why the German Embassy did not respond immediately when it received the note.

They felt that the Japanese were probably looking for trouble and were using this as an excuse to not want to form an alliance with them.

After all, in order to form an alliance, Germany has banned the sale of weapons to China. What is the result?

These guys were still hesitating and didn't agree to form an alliance. They just made excuses, which made Ambassador Eugen Ott a little annoyed.

In the spirit of showing off Japan for a while, who knew that not long after, the Japanese Army General Staff sent another note.

This time it's much more serious than the last time.

They strongly demanded that the sale of weapons to China be banned and expressed their protest.

This made Eugen Ott even more confused. When did they sell weapons to China?
The ambassador had obviously withdrawn, and except for a small number of the original German officers who stayed behind and eventually died in battle with the German-equipped divisions, all the others had withdrawn.

What happened?

Before he could investigate thoroughly, the third note arrived.

This time they directly threatened the alliance, saying that if China continued to sell weapons, they would withdraw from the so-called alliance.

This confused him, but he also understood that something must have happened.

So we immediately asked someone to investigate what had happened.

The result was that a large number of German weapons appeared on the battlefield in southern Guangxi, causing heavy losses to the Japanese army.

There are also original German military uniforms, large-caliber heavy artillery, and so on.

This series of news made Ambassador Eugenot dumbfounded.

Could it be that these weapons were really resold locally?
It shouldn’t be!

If this is the case, I will definitely inform him.

But I didn't receive the message.

After realizing the seriousness of the problem, Ambassador Eugenot immediately sent a telegram to his homeland, asking whether there would be any weapons sales to China in the near future.

Ribbentrop was also confused when he received the telegram. Germany was still seeking an alliance with the Japanese army. How could it possibly sell weapons to China?
There must be a mistake.

Who knew that the second telegram came again, which detailed the weapons and equipment that appeared on the Chinese battlefield.

Large-caliber heavy artillery, original German military uniforms, and more.

Looking at the news, Ribbentrop was completely dumbfounded.

Could it really be the weapons they were selling?
But I haven't received any similar notification.

Can't you just get around yourself?
It shouldn’t be!

Although his position is not very high, it is not bad either.

After he asked the headquarters, he got the answer that no weapons were being sold.

In particular, General Keitel, Chief of the Army General Staff, directly stated that the army is expanding and there is a large gap in weapons. How could there be spare capacity for export?
And it was China that had issued the embargo a long time ago.

But Ribbentrop, who knew Eugenot, knew that he would not lie, and he also consulted the Japanese ambassador to Germany, Hiroshi Oshima, and learned that the Japanese army suffered a disastrous defeat in the Battle of Southern Guangxi.

The enemy was indeed using German equipment, especially the large-caliber heavy artillery, which caused them to suffer severe damage.

“大口径重炮的话，只出售过先前的24门32倍150mm榴弹炮以及后来的24门30倍150mm榴弹炮，这是记录。”凯特尔上将看着眼前的里宾特洛甫，将查到的记录递了过去。

But Ribbentrop did not take the record, but asked in confusion.

"Could it be the work of an arms dealer?" "Impossible, this is heavy artillery, not ordinary light weapons. If it were a light weapon, I don't deny that someone might be selling it secretly. After all, I can't stop those people from making money." Admiral Keitel shook his head.

"But this is heavy artillery, and each one is strictly recorded. There will definitely be no situation where someone sells it privately."

"Perhaps it was the heavy artillery that China purchased earlier. These cowardly Japanese soldiers are just making excuses for their own incompetence."

It's no wonder that Admiral Keitel looked down on the Japanese army. He actually felt that the other side was not a good ally.

The German-equipped divisions trained by German advisers were able to fight back and forth with the Japanese army, and even suppressed the Japanese army in the early stages.

These are the conclusions made by the German military advisers who returned from China.

They believed that if China was an industrial power or had 30 German-equipped divisions, the Japanese strategy would not be realized at all.

"The heavy artillery they purchased earlier has almost used up all its shells, so it's impossible for them to be used," Ribbentrop denied.

"I don't know. What I know is that the army has not sold any weapons and equipment since the embargo was issued. As for the German equipment that has appeared now, they may have produced it themselves. Don't forget that they have also purchased our industrial equipment and participated in the production of our 150mm howitzer factory."

"Besides, making artillery shells is not a difficult thing. After a few years, perhaps we have already made them." This was the answer given by Admiral Keitel, which at least Ribbentrop could not refute.

"But is China's industrial level capable of producing heavy artillery shells?"

"This is not a question I can answer, but I still suggest that you carefully consider an alliance with the Japanese army. They can't even defeat the weak China. I don't think they can bring us any benefits." Admiral Keitel reminded again.

In response, Ribbentrop did not answer, but nodded and left.

He knew that the army still had a good impression of China, otherwise those German advisers would not have stayed until last year to return.

Even many German military advisers died in foreign lands.

However, China's national strength is still too weak, and they need an ally with good strength.

Although Japan's army is not very strong, it has a combined fleet that ranks third in the world.

"Baga, is this your reply?" Soon, Ribbentrop's telegram came into Eugenot's hands again, and without thinking about it, he handed the telegram to the Japanese army.

As a result, the Japanese officer on the opposite side was seen furious.

This made Eugenot a little annoyed.

"Watch your words. According to our investigation, we have not sold any weapons, and we fully abide by the arms embargo. As for the German weapons that appeared on the battlefield, they may be produced by China itself. After all, they once purchased our industrial equipment. After three years, they may have made them themselves." Eugenot's tone was a little cold.

The Japanese officer on the opposite side also realized that he had said something wrong and quickly bent down to apologize.

"I'm sorry, I was impulsive, Your Excellency Ambassador, please forgive me."

I have to say that the Japanese army's bending action was indeed very skillful. At least Eugen Ott felt that it was smooth and fluent. It was so smooth and slick. It was obvious that they often bent down to apologize, otherwise they would not have been able to practice such a skillful action.

"Hmph, let me reiterate again, these weapons are not sold by us. You should look more at your own problems. Is it that your troops are not fighting hard enough? As far as I know, it has been three years and this battlefield has not yet ended?" Eugenot looked at the other party sarcastically.

"At the beginning, you boasted that the war would end in three months. How long has it been now?"

The Japanese officers on the opposite side were gnashing their teeth in hatred. If it weren't for you Germans, would the Battle of Shanghai have lasted for three months?

And your military advisors.

Don't you know what's going on?
"Hi." The Japanese officer could only keep his head down.

The situation between the two sides was a bit tense, so Eugenot was too lazy to talk about the alliance.

The Japanese officers who returned to the Army General Staff exaggerated the results of the meeting, and Prince Kan'in Yasuhito's face looked a little gloomy.

He was not angry at the German's attitude, but at the response he received.

The Germans have always been arrogant and stubborn, and they are used to it.

Moreover, their military strength is indeed strong. The Japanese army has the habit of worshipping the strong in their bones, so they are so humble.

What made him angry was, who would believe this answer?
"Mr. Iimura, what do you think?" Prince Kan'in Yasuhito asked after taking a deep breath.

"I don't think the German response is credible." Lieutenant General Iimura Mamoru shook his head.

"Well, just as I expected, this should be done intentionally by the Germans. Don't they know? China's industrial strength can produce heavy artillery shells? They can't even increase the production of rifles, let alone heavy artillery? What a joke." Prince Kan'in Palace Zairen sneered.

This really can't be blamed on the Germans.

It's because they know nothing about the Far East and have never sent any intelligence personnel.

All intelligence was provided by returning military advisers.

The main focus is on military strength, and industrial strength is basically unclear.

According to the Germans' inherent logic, after so many years, they should have been able to make their own guns, artillery and ammunition.

After all, China purchased a batch of industrial equipment at that time.

A few years have passed, so what's the problem with being able to make artillery myself?

Can’t China produce artillery?

And it's just the boast made by you Japanese army.

It hasn’t been done yet, so why can’t I say a few words?

"So this is an answer that fools us." Prince Kan'in Yasuhito asked after taking a deep breath.

"Yes, I still tend to agree with my previous view that this is a deliberate means by the Germans to force us to form an alliance. In this discussion, they did not propose an alliance, which means they want to wait for us to surrender first." Iimura Mamoru continued.

"Mr. General, I suggest that we end the Sino-Japanese War first before considering an alliance. Otherwise, fighting on two fronts will be very stressful for the empire."

Hearing this, Prince Kan'in Palace Zairen looked helpless and said tiredly.

"Mr. Iimura, I'm afraid this is not something I can decide. Many generals have requested to go south. They all think that the rich parts of China have been occupied by us, and the rest are just some poor areas. There is no need to waste elite troops in these places. It is better to concentrate elite troops in the south, where there are steel, oil, rubber, etc."

"However, there is still a huge gap in strength between us and Britain and the United States." Iimura Jang said anxiously.

"I know what you said, but no one wants to repeat the situation of the weak defeating the strong." Prince Kan'in Yasuhito shook his head.

"Reply to the 22nd Army and ask them to hold their positions temporarily and wait for reinforcements."

"Hay."

…………

"Have the Japanese become cowards?" At the Wutang position, Lu Yuhua originally thought that the Japanese army would withdraw reinforcements from Pumiao Town, but they did not arrive.

This was a false alarm for him, because on the way to Pumiao Town, he specially sent out a reconnaissance company and turned the muzzle of the 150mm howitzer.

They just waited for the Japanese reinforcements to arrive, and then launched heavy artillery bombardment. The troops ambushed on both sides could take advantage of the situation to charge out and see if they could kill more Japanese soldiers. But the Japanese soldiers didn't wait for them.

Naturally, this made Lu Yuhua a little dissatisfied.

"It seems that the Japanese army is determined to play turtle. This is troublesome." Liu Yi said at the right time.

"What do you have in mind?" Lu Yuhua glanced at him and asked casually.

"Night attack." Liu Yi said seriously.

"Night attack? Attack where? Pumiao Town? Is there a division there? More than 20,000 people. We only have so many people. Even if we fight one against two, we will still suffer." Lu Yuhua said unhappily.

After reinforcements over the past two days, the 714th Garrison Regiment has exceeded the -man mark.

But facing a Japanese division of more than 20,000 people, he was still a little timid.

"No, I mean the Japanese troops on Shitang." Liu Yi smiled and pointed to the Shitang position not far away.

"Be more detailed." Lu Yuhua suddenly became interested.

There was no other way. He had been wanting to wipe out the 21st Brigade on the opposite side for a long time.

Now that he sees his subordinates making suggestions, he must be particularly curious.

"It's very simple. The bombing during the day has made the Japanese army nervous. They will not be able to bear it for a long time and will sleep very soundly by then. As long as we can find the Japanese positions and our heavy artillery block the Japanese army's retreat route, the chances of annihilating the 21st Brigade are very high. I have absolute confidence in night combat." Liu Yi took a deep breath and began to explain his tactics.

Hearing this, Lu Yuhua frowned slightly. The tactics were not difficult, but the main problem was that he had no confidence in night combat.

(End of this chapter)