Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 230: False and real!

The air on the Zhengtai Railway and the Jinzhong Military Region was filled with the smell of blood.

In order to confuse the Eighth Route Army and the National Army, the Japanese moved other troops back and forth to create the illusion of attacking southern and southeastern Shanxi.

In fact, the main forces of the 20th Division and two puppet army divisions had already assembled in the area of ​​the Zhengtai Railway and Beitongpu Railway, ready to launch an attack at any time.

The actions of the Eighth Route Army of the Jinzhong Military Region were also discovered by the Japanese.

The Japanese have already noticed that the information about this attack may have been leaked, so they are attacking with caution.

The telegram from the First Army Headquarters was quickly sent to the 20th Division Headquarters in Yangquan.

After listening to the communications officer read the telegram, everyone couldn't help but look at each other in surprise.

"Are Lieutenant General Katsuki Seiji and Major General Tanaka Takayoshi serious?"

Let the Locust Army and the Locust Alliance Army exchange uniforms and equipment...

Which fool came up with this tactic?

As for the reason, it was difficult for Ushijima Tsunemi, Uchida Ginnosuke and Hirata Kenkichi to say it.

Although the current Chinese soldiers are generally not as strong as the Japanese soldiers, they are much taller than the Japanese soldiers.

When Japanese soldiers and puppet soldiers exchanged uniforms, they did not fit at all.

Even the equipment had to be replaced, and Uchida Ginnosuke was too tired to complain.

In addition to the individual quality of the soldiers, the Japanese army is also stronger than the Chinese army because of its equipment advantage. Moreover, Japanese soldiers have always used Japanese equipment and rarely use the puppet army's miscellaneous weapons. If Japanese soldiers are not familiar with the equipment and use weapons of poor quality, their combat effectiveness will be greatly weakened.

Hirata Kenkichi coughed lightly and said, "Your Excellency, there's an old Chinese saying: 'When a general is on the battlefield, he may not obey military orders.'"

"This command from the headquarters is really a bit..."

He thought about it, but for a moment he couldn't find any words to describe this incredible order.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander."

Seeing that Hirata Kenkichi rarely agreed with him, Uchida Ginnosuke also said:
"I suggest sending a small number of locust troops and locust support troops to attack Mengxian County first to draw the firepower of the Eighth Route Army. After the vanguard troops engage the Eighth Route Army, we can send the locust troops to advance directly and complete the first phase of the combined attack plan."

Ushijima Tsunemi shook his head and said.

"The Eighth Route Army is not stupid, and Li Yunlong is certainly not stupid either."

"He can definitely send a small number of troops to contain the Locust Alliance Army."

"Then send the main force to ambush the main force of the Locust Army."

The Japanese were frightened by the Eighth Route Army's ambush tactics.

From Pingxingguan, Wangdongbao, to the two ambushes at Qigen Village, the Guangyang ambush, and the Hexi Village ambush...

The Eighth Route Army's ambush tactics were so varied that it was almost impossible to defend against them. The Japanese army suffered too much from the Eighth Route Army's ambush tactics, and the psychological trauma on the Japanese was huge.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, I have a plan."

Suddenly, the expression of Chief of Staff Colonel Ginnosuke Uchida changed.

Ushijima Tsunemi and Hirata Kenkichi both looked at him.

Uchida Ginnosuke said, "Military orders are as heavy as a mountain. Since it is an order from the headquarters, we can only carry it out."

Kenkichi Hirata frowned.

That's it?

Ushijima Tsunemi was still lost in thought.

Uchida Ginnosuke continued, "We can select shorter but more robust-looking soldiers from the Locust Alliance Army and exchange their uniforms and equipment with the taller soldiers of the Locust Army. Then, we can combine these two, half real and half fake, to form a vanguard force to clear the way for the main force of the Locust Army." "That way, we won't violate the headquarters' orders and can also ensure that the main force of the Locust Army won't be ambushed by the main force of the Eighth Route Army."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ushijima Tsunemi and Hirata Kenkichi's eyes lit up.

"Your Excellency, Division Commander, Uchida-kun's tactics are excellent."

Hirata Kenkichi agreed, saying, "Even if the Eighth Route Army ambushed them halfway, the Locust Army wouldn't lose many soldiers. Instead, it would attract the firepower of the Eighth Route Army's main force."

"Once the main force of the locust army rushes forward, we can defeat the main force of the Eighth Route Army and enter the second phase of the mopping-up offensive in advance, and explode the belly."

Ushijima Tsunemi also nodded in satisfaction.

"Uchida-kun, your tactics are excellent. I will take credit for your victory."

"Thank you very much, Commander." Uchida Ginnosuke looked happy.

Although he is the chief of staff of a Type A division, he only has the rank of colonel and is only responsible for giving advice and finding solutions. He does not have much real power, and the combat plan ultimately needs to be finalized by the commander himself.

But it’s a different story if you have made meritorious service. If you can be promoted to major general and serve as the commander of an infantry brigade, not only will you have real power, but it will also be much easier to make meritorious service!

"Order!"

Ushijima Tsunemi's expression turned serious, and he gave the order to attack:
"The 40th Brigade must also use this tactic to prevent the main force from being ambushed by the Eighth Route Army!"

"Uchida-kun, this order is for you to arrange. Make sure it is arranged properly!"

"All the Locust Army and Locust Alliance troops attacking the Eighth Route Army Jinzhong Military Region must march in three batches!"

"Each batch of troops consists of a squadron of the Locust Army and a regiment of the Locust Association Army!"

"If any locust army is attacked, the locust armies of other routes will immediately reinforce, outflanking, encircling, defeating, or even consuming the main force of the Eighth Route Army!"

Although there is no definite evidence, even if it is just speculation, Ushijima Tsunemi has to deal with it with all his strength.

After all, even the 5th Division was ambushed by the Eighth Route Army, and the 20th Division was ambushed by the Eighth Route Army more than once.

In the Guangyang ambush, the 20th Division Headquarters was wiped out by the Eighth Route Army, and even the division commander, Lieutenant General Kawagishi, died in battle.

In the Hexi Village ambush, the main force of the 39th Infantry Regiment of the 78th Brigade was wiped out, and even the regiment commander, Colonel Kobayashi Tsuneichi, committed suicide by disembowelment...

This forced Ushijima Tsunemi to be cautious so as not to follow in the footsteps of Lieutenant General Kawagishi.

"Hayi!"

Uchida Ginnosuke, Hirata Kenkichi and a group of Japanese staff officers suddenly lowered their heads.

"The division commander is wise. I admire him!"

Uchida Ginnosuke found the right opportunity and flattered the boss.

As the order of the 20th Division was issued, the 20th Division and two puppet army divisions made final preparations for the attack.

Select soldiers to exchange uniforms and equipment, distribute ammunition and dry food, stockpile combat supplies and be ready to deliver logistical supplies at any time...

In order to achieve a realistic effect, every puppet soldier pretending to be a Japanese soldier would smear a small amount of soot under his nose to pretend to be the mustache that the Japanese soldiers liked to grow.

In this way, even professional scouts can hardly see anything unusual by observing carefully with a telescope from a distance.

Early the next morning, the Japanese reconnaissance plane conducted a reconnaissance of the marching routes of various troops.

After receiving a report that no abnormalities were found, Ushijima Tsunemi ordered each regiment to set off immediately according to the combat plan.

Two infantry brigades, two puppet army divisions, a cavalry regiment, some engineering and logistics troops, divided into more than a dozen routes, marched towards the Jinzhong Military Region at the same time.

The Japanese and puppet troops on each road were divided into three waves, with each wave separated by several kilometers, and they looked after each other.

(End of this chapter)