Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 231 Who will take the thunder for whom?

In Taiyuan, Yoshio Shinozuka looked at the telegram in his hand and almost fainted on the spot.

"What an idiot!" Shinozuka Yoshio said angrily.

While the rest of the troops were retreating, he had already ordered the 3rd Mixed Brigade to retreat when the opportunity arose.

As a result, Yukio Nara chose to ignore his orders, which eventually led to the near annihilation of the 3rd Mixed Brigade.

It was thanks to the timely support of Taigu’s troops that more than 400 people were rescued.

"Sir, the matter of the 3rd Mixed Brigade has been known to the North China side. Commander Sugiyama Gen sent a telegram asking our unit to respond." Chief of Staff Michifumi Yamaoka said on the side.

The Japanese don’t know yet that Toyama Ryotaro has surrendered, otherwise they would have exploded on the spot.

"It's not easy to deal with it." Yoshio Shinozuka said with a headache.

If this new Second Regiment entrenched itself in a city like the Guo Army did, no matter how strong the city was, Yoshio Shinozuka would be confident that he could smash it.

But the Eighth Route Army was deep in the vast mountains.

When the Locust Army sent a large force and saw no chance of winning, the Eighth Route Army disappeared without a trace.

If it is a small force, they can use their numerical advantage to launch an ambush.

"Wait." Thinking of the small army, Yoshio Shinozuka suddenly became alert.

"Someone come here!" Yoshio Shinozuka shouted.

"Go and call Colonel Yamamoto."

"Ha!"
A few minutes later, Yamamoto Ikki hurried to the command center.

"report!"

"come in."

"Mr. Yamamoto, I heard that you made a combat capability assessment report on the Chinese army in North China?" asked Yoshio Shinozuka.

"Hai, I just finished the analysis and haven't had time to report it yet." Yamamoto Ikki said.

As a special forces unit, we must first understand the situation of our opponent.

How can you carry out a decapitation operation if you don’t even know who your opponent is?

"Tell me about your analysis first."

Yoshio Shinozuka was not concerned about the specific data of the Chinese army, he only wanted to know Yamamoto Ikki's specific analysis.

"The Chinese army in Shanxi currently consists of three main groups: the Central Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, and the Eighth Route Army."

"After analysis and comparison, I found that the technical and tactical level of the Eighth Route Army was higher than that of the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army."

"Based on the current enemy and our situation, the Eighth Route Army should be our main opponent."

Yamamoto Ikki had a very sharp eye. Although he didn't know how many people the Eighth Route Army had now, the names of the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army were basically not seen in the battle reports submitted from various places.

Although the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army had stronger data on paper, they were both in a safe place and had no intention of taking the initiative to attack.

Especially the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, whose combat effectiveness was completely mediocre.

"Eighth Route Army? Tell me your reasons." Yoshio Shinozuka sat up straight.

Yoshio Shinozuka is a person who is confused by his own situation and he urgently needs someone to give him advice from other perspectives.

"I have reviewed all the battle reports of the First Army since it entered Shanxi, and found that the changes in the combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army can be roughly divided into two stages."

"The first stage was from 1937 to 1939. During this stage, the Eighth Route Army had extremely strong combat effectiveness."

"The reason is very simple. Although the Eighth Route Army had a relatively small number of troops during this period, from generals to grassroots officers and even ordinary soldiers, they were all former Red Army soldiers who had gone through the Long March."

"These soldiers are battle-hardened and have gone through countless brutal battles. They are the cream of this army!"

Yamamoto Ikki carefully reviewed all the information about the Long March that could be found.

He knew clearly how cruel the Long March was.

Those who can survive are definitely the top of this nation in terms of spirit, body, and even genes.

"Mr. Yamamoto, please tell me in detail, in which aspect the Eighth Route Army's combat effectiveness was mainly reflected during this period?" asked Yoshio Shinozuka.

He knew what the Long March was about, so he was very interested in Yamamoto Ikki's evaluation.

"Brave and tenacious, with high technical and tactical skills and the ability to quickly switch between offense and defense. Most importantly, almost all soldiers firmly believe in their political beliefs!"

As Yamamoto Ikki analyzed the situation, he became more and more serious.

If the Chongqing government of China had equipped the Eighth Route Army with the equipment of the Central Army.

Their combat effectiveness is definitely not weaker than the Locust Army's Type A Division.

By then, even if the locust army had the advantage of heavy artillery and aircraft, it would be extremely difficult to enter Shanxi.

If they cannot take Shanxi, even if the locust army occupies North China, there will always be a sharp knife behind them and they will be under serious threat at any time.

After hearing Yamamoto Ikki's analysis, Shinozuka Yoshio became more serious.

During this period when the Eighth Route Army was at its strongest, he mainly fought against the Guo Army in southern China and did not experience it personally.

Now it seems that Seiji Katsuki's defeat was probably not caused by a misjudgment.

"Let's continue talking about the second stage." Yoshio Shinozuka pointed to the chair next to him and motioned for Yamamoto Kazuki to sit down.

Yamamoto Kazuki didn't hesitate and sat down directly.

"The second stage is from the second half of 39 to the present. The Eighth Route Army's strength has increased, but its overall combat effectiveness is actually in a state of decline."

"The reason is very simple. First, after several years of war, the number of veterans is decreasing. Second, the Eighth Route Army has expanded its forces. Although the number of troops has increased, the overall quality is declining."

As long as the Eighth Route Army troops took root, they developed very rapidly.

Even if Chen Chengxing deliberately suppressed the New Second Regiment, the direct troops had expanded seven or eight times, not to mention those troops that were growing recklessly.

There were even cases where a basic group grew from a thousand people to tens of thousands.

In this situation, not to mention combat effectiveness, even training and weapons cannot keep up.

In other words, it was Chen Chengxing who artificially divided the New Second Regiment into field troops and guerrillas.

If all the troops were mixed together, their combat effectiveness would certainly be affected. It is only when you clench your fist that you hit someone.

After listening to Yamamoto Ikki's analysis, Shinozuka Yoshio nodded. It seemed that he had to change his main goal.

"What is your conclusion regarding the situation in Shanxi and North China?" asked Yoshio Shinozuka.

"Compared with the Locust Army, the Chinese Army in North China is not even on the same level."

"However, we need to pay attention to the small number of elite elements in the Chinese army. They are very likely to pose a major threat to the locust army locally."

As soon as Yamamoto Ikki finished speaking, Shinozuka Yoshio immediately added: "You are right, a major local threat! For example, the new second regiment in Dayun Mountain!"

"The New Second Regiment?" Yamamoto Ikki didn't react. Why was this unit suddenly mentioned?
"Mr. Yamamoto, you don't know yet that the Independent 500rd Mixed Brigade was surrounded by the New nd Regiment at Dayun Mountain. Most of the brave warriors, including Major General Nara, died for their country. Only less than people were evacuated."

"Here is the report, you can take a look." Yoshio Shinozuka pushed the document on the table forward.

Yamamoto Ikki walked forward and picked up the battle report. After just a few glances, he understood what had happened.

"General, please forgive me for being blunt, but the 3rd Mixed Brigade was almost completely wiped out this time. The main responsibility lies with the stupidity of Brigade Commander Nara!"

"Yamamoto-kun! Please watch your words!" Shinozuka Yoshio said sternly.

In Italy, no matter what the reason for sacrificing one's life for the country, it cannot be insulted.

"Ha! Simimasa!" Although Yamamoto Ikki was not convinced, he still stood at attention and apologized.

He is also a member of this network, and even if he disdains it, he cannot take the initiative to destroy it.

People who break the rules are not accepted by everyone.

Yoshio Shinozuka knew who Yamamoto Ikki was, and naturally knew that he was not convinced in his heart, but Yoshio Shinozuka did not say much, just waved his hand to motion him to sit down.

"Yamamoto-kun, I don't really care about the 3rd Mixed Brigade being surrounded and annihilated."

"Even without counting the Kwantung Army, we still have millions of elite troops in China."

"Thousands of casualties at a time may sound serious, but it is not enough to have any impact on us."

"What I care about is the dignity and shame of our First Army!"

The loss of a mixed brigade was not uncommon in the wars with China.

However, Yoshio Shinozuka could not accept being annihilated by thousands of the Eighth Route Army who were like beggars.

After making this matter public, Yoshio Shinozuka felt as if he couldn't even hold his head up.

"I understand, General!" Yamamoto Ikki stood at attention.

"No, you don't understand." Yoshio Shinozuka straightened up and looked at Yamamoto Ikki.

"What I want is for you to lead the special operations brigade into Dayun Mountain, find the headquarters of the New Second Regiment, and chop off Chen Chengxing's head!"

After hearing what Shinozuka Yoshio said, Yamamoto Ikki immediately said seriously:

"General, my special forces have only two targets in Shanxi. One is the Second War Zone Headquarters in Yan Xishan, and the other is the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army in North China."

"I am ready for battle and waiting for the opportunity to appear at any time!"

"Then let's add another target, the New Second Regiment of the Eighth Route Army." Yoshio Shinozuka said casually.

Can we add combat objectives as we wish?
After hearing what Yoshio Shinozuka said, Yamamoto Ikki was silent for a while, but finally couldn't hold back.

"General, I have something to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not."

"please say."

"Excuse me, but I'm afraid you are acting on impulse."

Yamamoto Ikki said "please forgive me", but in fact he never stopped talking.

"The mission of the special forces should be strategic. It is foolish to use a sledgehammer to kill a chicken!"

"How dare you!" Yoshio Shinozuka was almost angry to death.

Seeing that Yoshio Shinozuka was angry, Yamamoto Ikki immediately stood at attention.

Now, in the entire North China Expeditionary Army, except for Yoshio Shinozuka who supports his special operations, the rest of the people believe that the military police system should be strengthened.

After all, the special operations brigade does cost money.

If I offend Yoshio Shinozuka badly, I'm afraid I will have no choice but to return to my homeland.

At that time, he can only teach in school like his father's apprentice.

This was something Yamamoto Ikki could not tolerate.

Seeing that Yamamoto Ikki had surrendered, Shinozuka Yoshio didn't say anything more. After all, the other party was someone with a background.

"Mr. Yamamoto, you haven't found a fighter yet, so you can practice with the new second regiment first." said Yoshio Shinozuka.

"General, the special operations brigade's first attack is the most deadly. It's a bit of a waste to use it on the New Second Regiment."

Special forces are like poisonous snakes hiding in the dark, ready to launch sudden and deadly attacks when the enemy is unaware.

It is indeed very easy to fight the new second group now. If you set off right away, you might be back tomorrow.

But that would alert the Eighth Route Army headquarters, and it would be difficult to attack the Eighth Route Army headquarters again.

"If the general insists on revenge, he might as well target the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army," Yamamoto Ikki suggested.

"Oh? Have you found the Eighth Route Army headquarters?" asked Yoshio Shinozuka.

If we can destroy the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army, who would care about a small Karami like the headquarters of the New Second Regiment?

"Through tracking by high-power radio stations, it has now been basically locked on Daxia Bay." said Yamamoto Kazuki.

The Eighth Route Army headquarters was recently confirmed to be in Daxia Bay, and a detailed investigation of its surroundings has not yet been conducted.

But now Shinozuka Yoshio is already anxious and angry, so Yamamoto Kazunari simply tells it out first, and the investigation can be done slowly later.

"Yoshi." Yoshio Shinozuka's face was full of smiles.

"Yamamoto-kun, it's up to you from now on. If you need anything, just let me know. I'll do my best to cooperate with you."

"Hai!"

(End of this chapter)