Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 302 Suspicious troops!

"Commander, Chief of Staff."

"Reconnaissance aircraft discovered that the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Southeast Shanxi was moving toward Beizhengtai Road!"

Taiyuan.

Lieutenant Colonel Saito Kazumi, operations staff officer of the Japanese First Army Headquarters, reported to Yoshio Shinozuka and Ren'ya Mutaguchi.

“How many people are there and where are they starting from?”

Yoshio Shinozuka frowned, his expression uncertain.

"The main force of the Eighth Route Army set out from Liaoxian, Yushe, and Wuxiang, with tens of thousands of troops. We also discovered heavy weapons such as mortars and heavy machine guns!"

Saito Issui answered immediately, his tone without any fluctuation.

Although the Japanese army mainly targeted the Eighth Route Army in Jinzhong.

But the Japanese knew very well that southeastern Shanxi was the headquarters and main force of the Eighth Route Army.

The main reason was that Li Yunlong was too impulsive. He not only liked to rob, but also liked to send telegrams to mock Japanese commanders.

The Eighth Route Army in Jinzhong posed a serious threat to the Zhengtai Railway and Tongpu Railway.

That is why the First Army chose the Eighth Route Army in Jinzhong as its main target.

"What do the Eighth Route Army want to do by gathering so many troops?"

Yoshio Shinozuka stared at the precise map on the wall with a serious expression.

Just then, the communications staff came in hurriedly.

"General."

"Just received news from the reconnaissance plane that the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Jinzhong is gathering towards the Wangjiawan and Guanjiayu defense lines!"

Yoshio Shinozuka and Renya Mutaguchi immediately looked towards Jinzhong on the map.

Mutaguchi Renya: "Commander, judging from the map, the Eighth Route Army intends to attack the 20th Division?"

Shinozuka Yoshio took a deep breath and nodded: "It's a possibility that can't be ruled out."

Hearing this, Mutaguchi Renya actually felt relieved.

The Eighth Route Army actually dared to take the initiative to attack the Locust Army's Type A Division?
Is the Eighth Route Army getting too proud, or is the Locust Army no longer able to lift its sword?
Mutaguchi Ren'ya said arrogantly: "If the Eighth Route Army dares to attack the 20th Division, then the Eighth Route Army will never return!"

"Commander, please take a look."

"On the surface, the Eighth Route Army's main forces in Jinzhong and southeastern Shanxi are forming a pincer attack on the 20th Division from the north and south."

"But in reality, if the main force of the Eighth Route Army dares to gather on the Zhengtai Road, they will be attacked from both the east and west by the main force of our First Army and the locust army stationed in Hebei Province."

The Japanese Second Army was originally stationed in Hebei Province. The Second Army had extremely strong manpower and combat effectiveness.

It has elite units under its command, including the 3rd Division, the 10th Division, the 13th Division, and the 16th Division.

But right now the Second Army is fighting against Chinese troops in the Wuhan area.

However, there are still division-level troops of the North China Front Army stationed in Hebei Province.

Yoshio Shinozuka nodded, feeling that the Eighth Route Army was a little too arrogant for daring to take the initiative to attack the 20th Division.

But I felt something was wrong. This was not the way the Eighth Route Army fought.

Shinozuka Yoshio's expression grew serious. "Order the 6th Flying Squadron to closely monitor the movements of the Eighth Route Army's main forces. Report their actions to the 20th Division Headquarters and order them to prepare for battle! Also, order the logistics department to prepare 20 tons of combat supplies and transport them to Yangquan and Shouyang in three batches by military train!"

Fighting requires supplies and mechanized equipment.

The supplies and food of the 39th Brigade were robbed by the Eighth Route Army.

The 20th Division went to Shouyang and Yangquan, carrying little supplies.

If the 20th Division was really attacked by the main force of the Eighth Route Army, it would probably not be able to hold out for a few days without combat supplies.

However, Yoshio Shinozuka still had a lot of combat supplies stored in Taiyuan, but he was afraid that thousands of tons of combat supplies would be robbed, so he ordered them to be transported in three batches.

Yoshio Shinozuka, who was often robbed, learned his lesson and realized that he should not put all his eggs in one basket.

"Hi!"

Mutaguchi Renya quickly went to convey the order.

Then Yoshio Shinozuka and Ren'ya Mutaguchi summoned a group of staff to discuss the battle plan.

At this time, Yamamoto Ikki and Mizuno Kiyoshi hurried in. Yamamoto bowed to Shinozuka Yoshio and reported, "General, the intelligence department has received information that the deputy commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army has sent a telegram to Wei Lihuang and Yan Xishan respectively, inviting the China Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army to attack southern Shanxi and Taiyuan."

"In addition, intelligence personnel have reported that the main forces of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi, northwestern Shanxi, Jin-Cha-Ji, and southwestern Shanxi have all been making unusual movements. The main forces are preparing dry food and distributing ammunition, and there seems to be a major movement..."

Recently, Yamamoto has been in charge of the First Army Intelligence Network and has been working very hard.

The special forces team also needs a lot of intelligence support to conduct special operations.

Some high-ranking officials of the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army have already defected to the Japanese.

As soon as they held a meeting to discuss the matter, Yamamoto received the news.

On the Eighth Route Army's side, the Japanese spies were just minions.

The spies placed by the Japanese in the Eighth Route Army had no access to any core secrets.

Yamamoto was able to receive this information because the Eighth Route Army deliberately released some news and rumors.

"Yamamoto-kun," Shinozuka Yoshio asked, "Have you determined the Eighth Route Army's offensive objectives?"

"No," Yamamoto replied, "Our intelligence officers hold too low a position within the Eighth Route Army to obtain its core secrets."

Mutaguchi Renya, who was standing by, had a look of realization on his face: "Commander, I think I understand a little bit."

"Mutaguchi-kun," Shinozuka Yoshio asked casually, "What do you understand?"

Mutaguchi Ren'ya looked as if he had seen through the Eighth Route Army and said, "It is now almost certain that the Eighth Route Army's target is the 20th Division."

Yamamoto looked slightly surprised: "The Eighth Route Army is going to attack the 20th Division?"

Mutaguchi Ren also ignored Yamamoto Ikki.

The combat staff officer Saito Issui nearby told Yamamoto Issui about the reconnaissance plane's discovery.

Yamamoto narrowed his eyes slightly when he heard this.

Mutaguchi Ren'ya: "If the China Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army send their main forces to attack southern Shanxi and Taiyuan, then the main force of our Locust Army's First Army will inevitably be tied down in the southern Shanxi and Taiyuan areas, indirectly supporting the Eighth Route Army's attack on the 20th Division on the Zhengtai Road."

Yamamoto Ikki felt something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.

Shinozuka Yoshio sneered: "The deputy commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army is too wishful thinking. There is no way the Chinese Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army will attack the Locust Army. I'm afraid the Chinese chairman in the mountain city will not agree to it either."

"Your Excellency, the Commander is correct." Mutaguchi Ren'ya smiled slightly. "I suspect that the China Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army will likely agree to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army's offensive on the surface, but when the locust army and the Eighth Route Army actually fight, they won't move a single soldier. They'll wait until both the locust army and the Eighth Route Army are mutually devastated, and then they'll come out and reap the benefits."

"However..." Mizuno Kiyoshi said, "The commander of China's First War Zone, Wei Lihuang, has a good relationship with the Eighth Route Army. He sent a batch of weapons and ammunition to the Eighth Route Army."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya said, "That depends on your intelligence department."

"Please rest assured, Commander and Chief of Staff," said Mizuno Kiyoshi, bowing his head. "Our intelligence department will provide the plans and movements of the First China War Zone as soon as possible."

Shinozuka Yoshio nodded with satisfaction: "Yoshi!"

The First Army Headquarters received intelligence about the Eighth Route Army's actions at the first opportunity, and the intelligence department did make an effort.

"Well done, Yamamoto-kun!"

Yoshio Shinozuka looked at Ikki Yamamoto with a very satisfied expression.

"General, I think something is wrong!"

Yamamoto Ikki narrowed his eyes, a hint of vigilance appearing on his expressionless face. Shinozuka Yoshio's expression shifted, and he asked, "What's wrong?"

Yamamoto's expression became increasingly alert, and he said in a deep voice, "Commander, I think the Eighth Route Army's actions this time are somewhat unusual."

Shinozuka Yoshio sat back in the armchair, his fingers folded, as if he was sitting on a fishing platform. "Yamamoto-kun, let's talk about this."

During the last battle in Jinzhong, Yamamoto saw in advance that Li Yunlong was going to launch a surprise attack on Yangquan and that the Locust Army was mutinying.

Although it was only half guessed, it was enough to show that Yamamoto Ikki had some tactical skills.

He graduated from the Imperial Army Academy at the same time as Itagaki Seishirō, and went on to further his studies at the Munich Military Academy in Germany.

There are not many people with such resumes in the entire Imperial Army.

If Yamamoto had not been obsessed with special operations and instead specialized in large-scale troop operations, he would have been valued long ago and might have been a lieutenant general division commander, or at worst a major general brigade commander.

Yamamoto's expression quickly regained its expressionless and cold expression. He organized his words and thoughts before reporting, "As everyone knows, the Eighth Route Army primarily relies on guerrilla warfare. This time, they're deploying their main force to attack the 20th Division. Furthermore, they're marching openly in broad daylight, not in a concealed march at night. This is truly out of the ordinary."

Shinozuka Yoshio said, "There's an old Chinese saying, 'When you're weak, you're strong; when you're strong, you're weak.' Although the Eighth Route Army's actions are somewhat unusual, that doesn't mean their target won't be the 20th Division."

Yamamoto Ikki added, "If the Eighth Route Army's target was the 20th Division, they could have marched quickly at night, blocked the news, and then had the Jinzhong and Southeast Jin Eighth Route Army launch a surprise attack on the 20th Division."

Mutaguchi Renya interjected: "This is easy to understand, because the Eighth Route Army, from top to bottom, has become arrogant."

"The Eighth Route Army has won many consecutive victories in its battles against the Locust Army. This time, the Eighth Route Army in Jinzhong even wiped out the Locust Army's 3rd Independent Mixed Brigade and repelled the 39th Brigade."

"The commander-in-chief and soldiers of the Eighth Route Army believed that the Locust Army was vulnerable, so they brazenly prepared to attack the 20th Division."

"It even makes sense that the Eighth Route Army invited the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Central Army to jointly attack the main force of the Locust Army's First Army and counterattack Taiyuan."

"Fortunately, the Eighth Route Army, the Central Army, and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army appeared to be cooperating, but in reality they were on guard against each other. Otherwise, these peasants might have succeeded."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya's words made Shinozuka Yoshio nod repeatedly.

No matter what kind of troops they are, after repeated victories, they will become arrogant and look down on the enemy.

The Eighth Route Army was no exception.

Yamamoto Ikki said, "The deputy commander of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi is a veteran of many battles and would never make such a low-level mistake. He must know that the Central Army and the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army will not help the Eighth Route Army attack the Locust Army."

"When the locust army is fighting, they will frequently mobilize their troops to conceal their true combat intentions."

"General, I believe the 20th Division is absolutely not the Eighth Route Army's true combat target."

Yoshio Shinozuka narrowed his eyes and then nodded, feeling that what Yamamoto said seemed to make some sense.

The Eighth Route Army commander was not so stupid as to reveal his true combat intentions before the battle even began.

"Yamamoto-kun," Shinozuka Yoshio asked in a deep voice, "What do you think the Eighth Route Army's true combat intentions are?"

Yamamoto said calmly, "Theoretically, the Eighth Route Army could attack any point of the First Army, including Taiyuan, Jinnan, Tongpu Road, Datong, and other important military towns and key points, but it is absolutely impossible for them to attack the 20th Division."

Yamamoto had limited information and could not see the Eighth Route Army's true combat intentions.

Mutaguchi Renya sneered, "Yamamoto-kun's words seem to say something, but it also seems like he said nothing."

Yamamoto kept silent, he had already fulfilled his responsibility.

Every commander above the army group level has numerous staff officers and assistants under his command, who are only responsible for providing advice and suggestions.

But the final decision still lies with the military commander.

"Order the 109th Division..."

Having said this, Yoshio Shinozuka paused.

If the 109th Division is transferred back to Taiyuan.

Only the 14th Division and two independent mixed brigades remained in southern Shanxi.

What if the Central Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army and the Eighth Route Army jointly attack southern Shanxi?

Then.

The vast tracts of land and cities in southern Shanxi that the locust army had conquered with great difficulty were to be taken back by the Chinese.

It is unlikely that Yan Xishan would send troops, but Wei Lihuang... is a pro-communist.

"Stand where you are!"

"Order all divisions and brigades of the First Army to enter a Level 1 combat readiness state."

"Report any situation to headquarters immediately!"

"Hi."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya and a group of Japanese officers bowed their heads.

……

Dark as ink.

Northwest of Jinzhong.

The new third regiment’s headquarters.

"Captain, the last batch of troops has just arrived."

Yang Ziyun, the newly sent combat staff officer from the superiors, reported to Li Yunlong.

The defense zones of the New 1st Regiment, the Independent Regiment and the New 3rd Regiment were in the shape of a triangle, and were more than 40 kilometers apart.

day.

The main forces of the Independent Regiment and the New Third Regiment marched quickly towards the New First Regiment, assembled at the two defense lines of Wangjiawan and Guanjiazhai, and prepared to encircle the 20th Division of the Japanese Army together with the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi.

But at night, Li Yunlong sent a motor battalion to pull all the troops of the Independent Regiment and the New Third Regiment back to the defense zone of the New Third Regiment.

At the same time, the main force of Li Yunlong's New 1st Regiment had also arrived at the defense zone of the New 3rd Regiment.

The main force of Jinzhong has more than 16,000 troops, and the total force dispatched this time is more than 12,000. The other 4,000 troops are commanded by Xing Zhiguo to defend the home.

"it is good!"

Li Yunlong nodded:
"Immediately order all troops to move towards the designated location!"

"Yes!"

Staff Officer Yang turned around and went to pass on the order.

Li Yunlong calculated the cost again in his mind.

According to intelligence, the Japanese 108th Division consisted of four infantry regiments, a cavalry battalion, a field artillery battalion, an engineering regiment and a logistics regiment, with a total strength of about .

The Japanese's four infantry regiments were located in four cities along Beitongpu Road.

The number of troops dispatched was about 108, half of the Japanese th Division.

But in terms of firepower, the Jinzhong Eighth Route Army was much stronger than the Japanese.

And this time, Li Yunlong also dispatched his tank battalion.

The tank soldiers sent by the headquarters have all arrived. These people are all tank soldiers who have passed the training of the tank class of the camp school. As soon as the tank soldiers arrived, Li Yunlong immediately formed a tank battalion.

In addition, the headquarters also sent some artillerymen, grassroots officers and other technical soldiers and elite backbones.

The Japanese's advantage lies in manpower and air support.

But the 108th Division's forces were dispersed.

As long as we can kill the Japanese air support, we will have the advantage no matter how you look at it.

(End of this chapter)