Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 253 It’s Far From Over
Headquarters.

"We have stunned the Japanese with this major raid."

"The deployment of the Japs' troops is clearly somewhat chaotic."

The Chief of General Staff stood in front of the sand table and removed the small plaster flags on it as he spoke.

Every time one is eliminated, it means that the Japanese forces retreat a step backward.

"We can't let our guard down either."

"Whether it's Sugiyama Gen or Shinozuka Yoshio, they're both tough guys."

Although the situation is very good now, the deputy commander-in-chief is very clear that it is impossible for the Eighth Route Army to have a head-on confrontation with the Japanese now.

Once the Japanese react, counterattack is inevitable.

We must take advantage of the fact that the Japanese are dizzy and expand our victory.

This will buy the Eighth Route Army more time.

"Chief! Battle situation report!" A staff officer came over.

"read."

"During the major raid, more than 500 kilometers of Japanese railways, more than 1,500 kilometers of roads, and 280 bridges, tunnels, and stations were destroyed."

"The original plan was to mobilize 22 regiments, but now we have reported that there are 105 participating regiments."

"The results of two of the regiments are still being verified!"

After listening to the report of the operations staff, the deputy commander-in-chief and the chief of general staff looked at each other in surprise.

They finally understood why the Japs were so confused.

They could never have imagined that so many Eighth Route Army regiments would participate in the war.

Moreover, these are organized groups, with at least more than a thousand people in the local groups.

The county brigades, district squads and militia are not included.

"No matter how many regiments there are, we will call this the Hundred Regiments War!"

"Chief of Staff, you can send a message to your superiors now."

"I'll go right away."

"Yeah!"

"The Hundred Regiments Campaign! It's really inspiring!"

"Use the radio immediately to broadcast this news!"

This battle can declare to the world that China is still fighting.

The Japanese army's rule in North China was not as stable as it seemed.

"yes!".
After hearing the broadcast from Yan'an, the people who had been suppressed for a long time immediately felt that the originally gloomy sky seemed to be torn open.

The long-lost sunlight once again shines on the earth.

The many allied countries that suffered repeated defeats immediately turned their attention to China.

At this critical moment, they need such a shot in the arm.

With the broadcasts of the Railway T Society and the M Association, the voice of the Hundred Regiments Campaign also spread to the world.

Inside the Presidential Palace.

Everyone listened to Merlin's real-time translation of the Lu T Agency broadcast, with different expressions on their faces.

Chiang Kai-shek stood there, looking at the national map hanging on the wall, in silence.

Just now in the broadcast of Lu T Society, the Eighth Route Army was highly praised.

But it is not so friendly to the Chongqing government.

Continue to fight alone and without help?
Who is this talking about?
Were the Eighth Route Army isolated and helpless? Did the Communist Party government not allocate supplies to them?

These people, when they are useful, will praise you to the sky, and when they are no longer useful, they will immediately ignore you, and when you are useful again, they will come back again.
Seeing Chiang Kai-shek standing there without saying a word, Merlin could not help but speak:

"Darling, you are the commander-in-chief of the three armies. You have to have an attitude after winning the battle on the front line."

No matter what, this is a victory for China.

As China's current highest commander, Chiang Kai-shek must express his opinion no matter how unwilling he is.

"Draft a commendation order and send it out." Chiang Kai-shek said after a moment of silence.

"yes!".
"One hundred regiments."

Chiang Kai-shek stood at the window, looking towards Shanxi, his eyes filled with an inexplicable feeling.
The Eighth Route Army expanded too quickly.

Chiang Kai-shek thought back to what happened 10 years ago.

"Boss, these are the people organized by the local government, preparing supplies for the second phase of the clearing operation."

In the village threshing ground, the people gathered together, all busy with their own work.

"Since the great raiding phase, the Eighth Route Army has been going all out."

“It can be said that without the sacrifices of the people, we wouldn’t be in the situation we have today,” the CEO nodded.

"What are your thoughts on the next phase of operations?" asked the Chief of General Staff.

"The call back from our superiors made it clear that we can continue to fight this battle," the boss affirmed.

"The Hundred Regiments Campaign, the raid was just the trigger, just like the fuse of the explosive pack just lit."

"Now that the fuse is lit, the explosive pack has to explode. If it doesn't explode, won't it just become a rotten egg?"

Although the Japanese have reacted now, it is not so easy to mobilize troops on a large scale.

Railways and roads were severely damaged, and the Japanese's transportation of supplies had been greatly affected.

Now is a good opportunity for the Eighth Route Army to eliminate the Japanese invaders.

"Knock him unconscious first, then hurt him!"

"If we don't make him anxious, he won't know how powerful our Eighth Route Army is." "As long as the Japanese get anxious and lose their composure, the anti-Japanese battlefield across the country will be rearranged!" the deputy commander-in-chief affirmed.

Although the Guo Party has always been at odds with the Eighth Route Army and has continued to create friction.

However, the Eighth Route Army could not allow the Japs to kill the Kuomintang, especially not to let them surrender.

Once the Chongqing government surrenders, the master will still be the master, but the people will probably suffer.

"Chief of Staff, send a message to the 120th Division, the 129th Division, and the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Division."

"Expand the Hundred Regiments Campaign to areas that have not yet been hit."

"Reduce the enemy-occupied area, expand the base area, and break through the blockade."

"Continue to disrupt the enemy's transportation lines and destroy the enemy's main strongholds deep in the base area."

As long as the core stronghold of the ghost is destroyed, the remaining artillery towers will no longer be a concern.

"Okay, I'll send the message right away."

The new second regiment headquarters.

Luo Ping walked in with a detailed list.

"Old Chen, the statistics are almost complete."

"The rails have basically been shipped back, more than 2,000 tons."

"The arsenal should be enough."

"In addition, there are also supplies such as telephones, searchlights, wires, barbed wire, etc. that are not in the gun towers of various strongholds."

This time, the New Second Regiment attacked the Tongpu Railway, and the county brigade, militia, and the masses mobilized a total of 30,000 to 40,000 people.

Not only did they strip the rails clean, they also took away everything else that could be used, even a lot of sleepers.

"This battle is not over yet. The main goal of the county brigade and militia is to continue to carry out raids."

"The regiment will allocate the arsenal's supplies based on how much they bring back."

"Grenades, mines, guns, ammunition, even mortars and rocket launchers are also included in the distribution."

Chen Chengxing glanced at the statistical table and put it aside.

For the Eighth Route Army, winter is coming soon.

If you want to survive this winter, it is necessary to stock up on supplies in advance.

The more reserves there are, the easier it will be for the New Second Regiment.

"We also want to distribute the newly-made portable cannons?" Luo Ping sat up straight.

He had witnessed the power of this bazooka with his own eyes.

The armored train could not be destroyed even by infantry guns, but the rocket launcher could hit it with every shot.

If it is used to attack a gun tower, it will be even easier.

However, the production of this thing is not high. Instead of fully staffing the main force, you will directly distribute it to the lower levels?

"The Japanese have been implementing the cage policy all along. After suffering such a big loss this time, I think they will definitely increase their efforts in the future."

"By then, the entire Zhongyun Mountain may be divided into small pieces. In order to break the Japanese blockade, the guerrillas must have a certain ability to attack."

The 82mm mortars of the Eighth Route Army's regular troops have now basically been modified and can be used for both mortaring and flattening.

Although it is not easy to attack the artillery tower, it is not a problem to attack it at night.

But guerrillas are different from regular troops. They cannot carry heavy weapons such as 82mm mortars and heavy machine guns to fight guerrilla warfare.

The 60mm mortar and rocket launcher are their perfect match.

Mortars can suppress the Japanese infantry and light machine guns, while rocket launchers can be used to attack bunkers and artillery towers.

As long as the Japs cannot complete the blockade, the troops' losses will be much less.

Chen Chengxing also sent one specifically to the headquarters, as guerrillas in other places also needed it.

"Okay, I'll tell the local comrades." Luo Ping nodded.

The main leaders of the county brigade are usually concurrently leaders of the local government.

Just then, a combat staff officer came over to report.

"Commander, Political Commissar, the military district sent a telegram."

Chen Chengxing took it, took a look at it, and handed it to Luo Ping.

"I'm telling you, this battle isn't over yet."

"The New 1st and 2nd Regiments are attacking Zhengshan Town? There is a fully-strength battalion of Japanese invaders and a regiment of puppet troops here." Luo Ping frowned.

This Zhengshan Town is not an ordinary small town.
It is an important transportation hub connecting Luyang, Anqiu and Ping'an.

When the Japanese invaders raided Liangshan or Dayunshan, this place was also the center for transporting food, fodder and ammunition.

Therefore, during the major raid phase, the Japanese sent reinforcements here.

And because of the constant harassment by militia guerrillas, the defense here is very strict.

Many bunkers and turrets were built on the high ground around the town.

Even the puppet army was not an ordinary gangster, but the Shanxi Anti-Communist Army which was reorganized from the surrendered Shanxi-Suiyuan Army.

The total number of a regiment exceeds 1500 people, including heavy weapons.

"Lao Luo, don't underestimate the New 1st Regiment. Li Yunlong had a very solid foundation back then.

"And I know this guy Ding Wei. He has always been secretive. He is definitely not weak in the battle of the New 1st Regiment."

"With the strength of two regiments, there should be no problem in taking Zhengshan Town." Chen Chengxing said while looking at the map.

Whether this will be successful actually depends on whether the Japanese in Taiyuan will provide support and how they will provide support.

If the Japanese support is not strong enough, we might lose both the lady and the soldiers.

(End of this chapter)