Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Shangganling

Chapter 93: Our friendly forces are facing disaster, but our forces remain unmoved (Additional update)

Just as Chen Chengxing was looking at the map and thinking, Luo Ping's words reminded Chen Chengxing.

"Old Chen, do you think the Japanese are waiting for reinforcements?" Luo Ping said.

"Bang!" Chen Chengxing slapped the table and said, "That's right! The Japs are waiting for reinforcements! But not reinforcements from the county town, but reinforcements from here."

Chen Chengxing pointed to the location of Anqiu City on the map and said.

"I estimate that the Japanese mopping-up troops have already penetrated deep into the base. Once the 9th Japanese troops complete their set goals, they will be able to free up their hands to encircle and suppress the Dayunshan base."

"These devils must be waiting for the results from other routes," said Chen Chengxing.

"Then should we make some preparations?" Luo Ping said.

"What are you preparing for? No need to prepare. 3 devils want to defeat the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi. I'm afraid you're overthinking it. Once the other devils withdraw, these devils will leave on their own."

"Just let the guerrillas continue to monitor." Chen Chengxing affirmed.

Compared with the vast territory of China, the Japanese military force is still stretched to the limit. If they want to take the county town, it is impossible for them to withdraw a large number of troops to sweep it.

Chen Chengxing estimated that these 3 troops were the maximum force that the Japanese in Shanxi could mobilize. After all, there was not only the Eighth Route Army that was hostile to the Japanese in Shanxi. The Shanxi Suiyuan Army and the Central Army should not be underestimated either.

"We just need to act according to the plan, rest for a night, and head south to Junyu Town tomorrow!" said Chen Chengxing.

"Okay." Luo Ping nodded and agreed with Chen Chengxing's idea.

After all, although Junyu Town is in the guerrilla zone, it has not yet left the scope of Dayun Mountain. Once there is any change, the New Second Regiment can withdraw at any time.

Early the next morning, when Chen Chengxing led the team out, he also sent out the communications squad to find the brigade or division headquarters.

Although the New Second Regiment was ready, Chen Chengxing didn't know when to move out without intelligence support.

Just as Chen Chengxing started to set off with the New 129nd Regiment, the headquarters had already discovered the fighter plane. The main force of the 36th Division and the st Death Column were pursuing the isolated Sai Regiment of the th Division along the Hunhe branch line.

Two hours later, the main force of the pursuit sealed off the pocket in Chang'an Village and captured more than 2 members of the Sai Regiment. A fierce battle then broke out between the two sides.

The 37th Division's Otsuka Regiment, which was conducting a sweep in two directions, received a telegram from the Sai Regiment.

"Captain! We received an urgent telegram from Sai's regiment. They were besieged by the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Chang'an Village. The number of Eighth Route Army soldiers is about 1." The telegraph soldier reported urgently.

"1 people? Oh my god! The main force of the Eighth Route Army has appeared!" Otsuka said excitedly.

"Send a telegram to the Chief of Staff immediately and ask him to lead the left-wing army to Sanma Town to support the Sai Regiment. I will lead the right-wing army to Dayao Township to provide support!" Otsuka ordered.

"Hai!"

Following Otsuka's order, the various troops that were on the sweep immediately assembled and began to rush towards Chang'an Village.

The movements of the Japanese were immediately reported to the boss.

"Order the 769th Regiment to send two battalions of troops to establish a blocking position on the hilltop southwest of Dayao Township to stop the Japanese from passing through Dayao Township."

"Also send a telegram to the 19th Army, asking them to block and annihilate this group of Japanese reinforcements."

In this anti-encirclement and suppression campaign, Yan Xishan has agreed to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army. The Shanxi Suiyuan Army and the Central Army in northwestern Shanxi must cooperate with the orders of the Eighth Route Army.

At this time, the 19th Army of the Shanxi Suiyuan Army was deployed in the Sanma Town area. Although the 19th Army was not fully staffed and had less than 8000 people, with their strength, it was no problem for them to block and annihilate the Japanese reinforcements of only 1500 people.

This way, our side can increase the results of this battle by a lot. "Yes!"

"Commander, this is a telegram from the Eighth Route Army Headquarters, asking us to set up defenses in Sanma Town and eliminate a group of Japanese troops that passed through our jurisdiction." Xu Ziqing, Chief of Staff of the 19th Army, reported.

"How many Japanese soldiers are there in this group? What equipment do they have?" Wu Guozhong, commander of the 19th Army, sat in front of his desk without raising his head.

"According to intelligence, this is part of the Otsuka Regiment of the 37th Division of the Japanese Army. It has about 1500 people. In addition to light and heavy machine guns, it is also equipped with three infantry guns and two mountain guns." Xu Ziqing said.

"Are there mountain cannons?" Wu Guozhong frowned.

Although the 19th Army also has a Shanxi-made Type 13 75mm mountain artillery battalion, the required artillery shells have not been delivered since the last war. Now the entire battalion has 12 artillery pieces, but less than 300 rounds of artillery shells.

Moreover, the level of the mountain artillery battalion's soldiers is still no match for the Japanese army. If they really fight with the Japanese army, they may not be able to gain much advantage.

After all, it is the number of shells rather than the number of artillery that affects the power of artillery.

"Send a telegram to the Provisional 37th Division and ask them to pay close attention to the movements of the Japanese troops." Wu Guozhong ordered.

"Do we need to temporarily organize the 38th Division to move over there and wait for an opportunity to join the battlefield?" Xu Ziqing asked.

"Join what? You must tell the Provisional 37th Division to keep close watch, but never engage in a firefight with the Japanese army easily. If the Japanese army is just passing by, let them pass." Wu Guozhong emphasized.

Although the 19th Army nominally has three divisions, it is actually reorganized from three brigades and has a serious shortage of troops.

If we really fight with this group of Japanese troops, at least one division will be crippled. How will we survive then?

"But what about the Eighth Route Army?" Xu Ziqing asked hesitantly.

It was Commander Yan's order to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army in the battle. I'm afraid it would be difficult to report to the commander if we blatantly ignore the Eighth Route Army's request.

"Don't worry about it. I know Commander Yan's temper. Just do as I say." Wu Guozhong ordered.

Wu Guozhong has followed Yan Xishan for many years and knows Yan Xishan's little thoughts very well.

He wants the benefits but doesn't want to put in any effort. It would be best if the Eighth Route Army could drive away the Japanese on their own, and then he could regain control of Shanxi.

If I were to lose an entire division's worth of troops, I would definitely be punished severely.

The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army now has plenty of organization, but not many personnel.

"Yes!" Seeing that Wu Guozhong had made up his mind, Xu Ziqing had no choice but to convey the order.

"Division Commander! Japanese reinforcements have arrived!" The outer scout immediately reported after seeing the Japanese.

"Where did it come from?" Master Liu frowned.

There are only two Japanese regiments in this area. How come reinforcements suddenly appear?

"Sanma Town is coming from the direction of the 19th Army of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army." the scout reported.

"Sanma Town? Why didn't the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army stop them?!" Master Liu said angrily.

He didn't expect that even though the Eighth Route Army had fought to this point, the Guo army would still carry forward the glorious tradition of "when the friendly army is in great danger, our army remains as still as a mountain" at the critical moment, and just watch the Japanese pass right under their noses without taking any action.

This is just one and a half Japanese infantry battalions. Can it scare your entire army so much that it dares not move?

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(End of this chapter)