Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 142 Happy New Year!

Taiyuan.

Japanese Army Headquarters.

War Room.

Itagaki Seishirō narrowed his eyes slightly, his face gloomy.

He had received news that the Japanese military camp in Taigu was raided last night, the field gas battalion was completely wiped out, and 1 tanks of the 28st Independent Mixed Brigade were destroyed.

At present, he only knows that it was done by the Eighth Route Army, but he does not know which Eighth Route Army attacked the locust army.

Itagaki speculated that it might have been done by the main force of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army operating in southwestern Shanxi.

A few months ago, the main force of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army ambushed the transport team of the 5th Division at Pingxingguan.

These damn Eighth Route Army thugs!

"Your Excellency, Division Commander."

Major General Miura Toshiji, commander of the 21st Brigade, said in a deep voice:
"If the Chinese Eighth Route Army troops in northern and southeastern Shanxi are not eliminated, the locust army's rear will continue to be harassed. The Pingxingguan, Wangdongbao, Guangyang and Taigu incidents show that the Eighth Route Army is a regular field army that is very good at harassment and ambush operations. Their combat capabilities are in no way inferior to the main forces of China's Second War Zone."

Itagaki Seishirō nodded, his eyes thoughtful.

In the Battle of Taiyuan, the Japanese army caused more than 10 casualties to the Chinese army and captured Taiyuan.

However, the Japanese army also suffered more than 2 casualties, and a lieutenant general division commander was killed, and the main force of the Second War Zone was not destroyed.

The war continues.

There are now two options open to the Japanese troops in Shanxi Province.

The first was to continue along the Nanpu Road and attack the main force of the Chinese Army's Second War Zone; the other was to first eliminate the Eighth Route Army in northern and southeastern Shanxi.

"I agree with Miura-kun."

The speaker was Tsuneoka Kanji, commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade. His face was gloomy.
"The Eighth Route Army's fighting capacity is tenacious, and their tactics are flexible, far surpassing the main forces of China's Second War Zone. If the Eighth Route Army is not eliminated as soon as possible, it will become a major threat in the future."

Chang Gang Kuanzhi, who was severely beaten in Wangdongbao, has the most say.

Although the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade had superior manpower, firepower, and soldier quality, it still suffered a defeat at the hands of the Eighth Route Army.

This made Kanji Changgang very upset and he vowed to take revenge.

Because of this battle, the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, which was originally expected to gain military merit, not only lost its military merit, but was also criticized by the North China Front Army Command.

Without military achievements, it would be a distant dream for him to be promoted to lieutenant general and become a division commander.

"What's there to be afraid of with only thirty or fifty thousand Tulue?"

The commander of the 109th Division, Yamaoka Shigehisa, snorted coldly:
"Could it be that Sanpu-kun and Changgang-kun were frightened by the Eighth Route Army?"

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I suggest that we attack southward along the Tongpu Road to wipe out the main forces of the Second Chinese War Zone in one fell swoop. Then, we can turn back and concentrate our main forces to destroy the Eighth Route Army."

"Captain Yamaoka," Miura Toshiji reminded him, "your division's 136th Regiment was defeated by the Eighth Route Army, and even the commander's head was chopped off."

Although Kanji Tsuneoka did not dare to contradict Yamaoka, the commander of the 21st Brigade, Toshiji Miura, did, because he was protected by his immediate superior, Lieutenant General Itagaki.

The 136th Regiment mentioned by Miura Toshiji was the Sakata Regiment that was defeated by the Eighth Route Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army on the Xinkou battlefield.

"Victory and defeat are commonplace in the military," Yamaoka Houzhong snorted. "Sakata Nobutsu was outmatched and was annihilated by the Chinese army. There's nothing to say. The over 10 troops in China's Second War Zone haven't been annihilated yet, and the vast fertile land of southern Shanxi hasn't been captured yet. It's foolish to attack the Eighth Route Army. Once the locust army reaches southeastern and northern Shanxi, the Eighth Route Army will retreat into the Taihang Mountains, and we'll have no chance of finding them. It's a waste of both time and supplies."

Chang Gang Guangzhi asked in a deep voice, "Then let the Eighth Route Army sneak attack the locust army's transportation lines and rear camps? Today the Eighth Route Army attacked Taigu, and next time they might attack Taiyuan. If the locust army attacks southern Shanxi, as the battle line stretches, once the transportation lines are ambushed, the attack will inevitably be difficult, just like the Battle of Xinkou."

Shangang said coldly, "How dare you attack Taiyuan with only 10 or Tubalu? Then Taiyuan will surely become their burial place! Taiyuan has already been occupied by the Locust Army, and the Second War Zone has suffered over casualties. The people must be in panic, the army is demoralized, and morale is low. The Locust Army will surely defeat and annihilate the main force of the Second War Zone in one fell swoop, and even have a chance to cross the Yellow River to the west and capture Shaanxi Province..."

Soon the War Hall became a place where two rows of people argued. One faction advocated attacking the Eighth Route Army, while the other advocated attacking the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army, and attacking Shaanxi Province.

Itagaki Seishirō did not stop the crowd. He was also weighing the pros and cons, wondering whether to attack the Eighth Route Army or the main force of the Second War Zone next.

With the capture of Taiyuan, Taigu, and Qixian, the Japanese army temporarily halted its offensive, gradually replenished its supplies and manpower, and repaired the Xincheng Airport north of Taiyuan. Zhengtai Road and Beitongpu Road will be reopened to traffic as soon as possible.

The Japanese army will soon launch a new large-scale offensive.

"General."

A Japanese communications staff officer walked in quickly with a telegram in his hand and reported to Itagaki Seishirō:
"Just now, Li Yunlong of the Eighth Route Army sent a clear telegram, admitting that he was the commander of the attack on the Locust Army camp last night, and warned the Locust Army not to use poison gas bombs on the battlefield in the future, otherwise..."

Having said this, the communications staff paused slightly.

"Otherwise what?"

Itagaki Seishirō narrowed his eyes, his gaze filled with murderous intent.

A group of Japanese division commanders, brigade commanders and staff officers all looked at the communications staff.

The communications officer reported the incident with gritted teeth and handed the telegram to Itagaki Seishirō with both hands: "Otherwise, Li Yunlong will chop off your head just like he chopped off the head of the 20th Division Commander with his own hands." "Baga."

After reading the telegram, Itagaki Seishirō tore it into pieces: "Sakai Koji is a piece of trash."

If Sakai Koji hadn't been such a loser, how would Li Yunlong have had the opportunity to threaten and mock him?

Miura Toshiji said angrily, "This Li Yunlong is simply too arrogant."

Chang Gang Kanzhi was furious: "How dare you threaten the Locust Army and Lieutenant General Itagaki? This Li Yunlong deserves death. Lieutenant General Itagaki, please allow me to lead my troops to pacify southeastern Shanxi and capture Li Yunlong alive."

"It's just a show of force," Yamaoka Houzhong advised. "Lieutenant General Itagaki, don't be fooled by Li Yunlong and the Eighth Route Army."

In Shangang Houzhong's opinion, attacking the Eighth Route Army was simply a futile effort. The Eighth Route Army would hide in the mountains and it would be impossible for them to gain any military merit.

It is better to attack the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army. They will gain great military merits and you can get a lot of military merits with just one attack.

Itagaki Seishirō glanced at everyone and said coldly:
"The locust army's subsequent attack will be divided into two routes. One will attack the main force of the Chinese Army in southern Shanxi along the Tongpu Road, and the other will attack the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi."

"Whether it's southern Shanxi or southeastern Shanxi, the locust army wants them all!"

"Hi." A group of Japanese officers suddenly stood up and bowed their heads in unison.

Shangang Houzhong thought, Li Yunlong, ah Li Yunlong, why would you, a small Eighth Route Army regiment leader, provoke Itagaki?
Do you think your life is too long?

……

Southeastern Shanxi.

Liao County.

Headquarters.

Compared to the furious Japanese headquarters, the air in the headquarters was filled with joy.

"The Japanese field gas battalion was completely wiped out, 28 Japanese tanks were destroyed, the New 57st Regiment suffered zero casualties, and the New nd Regiment and the Independent Regiment suffered a total of casualties."

Commander Liu looked at the telegram in his hand, his eyes filled with joy behind his round-framed glasses:
"Li Yunlong fought brilliantly in this battle!"

In the Guangyang ambush, the Eighth Route Army suffered from the Japanese poison gas and tanks. At least half of the casualties were caused by the Japanese tanks and poison gas bombs.

If the two sides' military strength, weapons and equipment, logistical supplies and air support were brought to the same level, the Eighth Route Army would be able to beat the Japanese to a pulp.

"It seems my worries are unnecessary. Li Yunlong is quite a shrewd fellow."

Commander Liu added with a smile on his face.

He knew Li Yunlong's battle plan and was worried, so he immediately rushed back to headquarters after inspecting the troops in the morning.

"Commander, there is also this telegram."

The commander handed the clear-coded telegram sent by Li Yunlong to Division Commander Liu, with deep admiration in his eyes:
"Li Yunlong has invented another coded telegraph. He warned the Japanese not to use poison gas bombs on the battlefield. Otherwise, Itagaki Seishirō's head will be chopped off just like the commander of the 20th Division was beheaded."

The leader has a strong character, and Li Yunlong's brave and bold character is very much liked by the leader.

Soldiers must have backbone!

Not to mention Itagaki Seishirō, even if the Jade Emperor came, he would be hit by Li Yunlong's sword if he passed by him.

"This kid..." Commander Liu smiled slightly, "When did his writing become so good?"

"This is not Li Yunlong's style at all," the Deputy Chief of General Staff said with a laugh. "This telegram was clearly drafted by Comrade Zhao Gang."

Commander Liu suddenly realized and remembered that there was a top student from Yenching University next to Li Yunlong.

Commander Liu smiled and said, "This time, Li Yunlong completely wiped out the Japanese field gas battalion with zero casualties. He should have captured some 90mm mortars. Add to that the business cooperation between Li Yunlong and Boss Lin. It seems that I have to congratulate you two commanders on your fortune."

"Congratulations, everyone."

The chief smiled slightly.

Commander Liu was all smiles. This time, the 129th Division would definitely get a lot of mortars.

With Li Yunlong's spoils and the business cooperation with Boss Lin, after the New 1st Regiment kept a part and handed over the other part, it should be no problem for the headquarters to expand a mortar regiment, and the division headquarters can probably expand a mortar battalion.

The commander changed the subject and asked, "By the way, how is the recruitment going?"

Speaking of this, the smile on Commander Liu's face became even happier:
"Our division has formed several detachments and carried out work in various areas of southeastern Shanxi."

"The news of our great victories at Pingxingguan, Wangdongbao, and Guangyang, where we killed the Japanese division commander, has spread throughout southeastern Shanxi. People all know that our Eighth Route Army is a force fighting the war of resistance, so they are very enthusiastic about joining the army, and each detachment has recruited a large number of new soldiers."

"Currently, our division's total strength, including veterans and new recruits, is almost 2."

"If there were enough weapons, ammunition, and food, my division could expand to 10 men within a month."

(End of this chapter)