Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 438 Yamamoto-kun, what do you think?
Apart from the logistics unit responsible for the transportation, no one knew the specific details of the transportation of combat supplies.

Even the logistics troops were only assigned to the modified military train yesterday, and they didn't know the departure time of the train.

For this transportation, he sent five ordinary military trains and two Type 93 armored vehicles as escort trains.

It can be said that he was the only one who knew the details of the military train transported this time.

If the information about the 500-ton military train carrying combat supplies is leaked, the biggest suspect will be him, Mutaguchi Ren'ya!

Thinking of this, Mutaguchi Ren quickly discarded the idea.

He was the one who ordered the first shot of the holy war. He had a high understanding of the Bushido spirit and was always ready to be loyal to the Tianhuang Army and his brother country. How could he possibly sell the intelligence of the Locust Army to the Eighth Route Army?
But what is going on?

Sitting in the headquarters operations room, Mutaguchi Ren'ya had a gloomy expression on his face, his entire body motionless like a sculpture.

He thought about it for the whole night but still couldn't figure out how the information was leaked.

Until the next morning, when all the officers and soldiers in the headquarters got up, Mutaguchi Renya still hadn't figured out the problem.

In the morning, when Yoshio Shinozuka learned about this situation, his face suddenly turned gloomy.

Mutaguchi is a loser who can't even do such a small thing. He is not fit for any big task.

At this moment, the communications officer hurried in and handed over a telegram: "Commander, Chief of Staff, the Shuo County Military Police Captain sent a message saying that the three bridges in his defense zone were blown up by the Eighth Route Army. It is estimated that it will take more than half a month to repair them."

This was naturally done by Zhang Dabiao. Last night, they ambushed the Japanese army column, but not only did they not gain any benefits, but the first battalion also suffered dozens of casualties.

The more Zhang Dabiao thought about it, the angrier he became. After the Japanese reinforcements returned to the county town, he led his troops to launch a surprise attack and directly blew up the Japanese bridge.

The Japanese and puppet troops guarding the bridge were also killed.

At this moment, Yamamoto Ikki walked in with a colonel's sword slung over his shoulder and listened to the communications staff report on the matter.

"Yamamoto-kun, what do you think?"

Shinozuka Yoshio looked at Yamamoto Ikki and asked.

"General." Yamamoto Ikki glanced at Mutaguchi Ren'ya and said pointedly, "The military train was ambushed on Kita-Tong-Pu Road last night. Someone must have leaked the information."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya's eyelids twitched wildly. Yamamoto was hinting at something and was trying to flatter the commander, wanting to say that he had leaked information, but he didn't say it explicitly.

If Yamamoto Akira said that he could still refute the other party, he would be in trouble for suspecting an imperial major general without any substantial evidence.

Yoshio Shinozuka immediately looked at Mutaguchi Ren'ya with a gloomy expression. This person was indeed the most suspicious.

Mutaguchi Ren'ya said, "Commander, I will investigate this matter thoroughly and give you an explanation."

Shinozuka Yoshio said, "Within three days, I want to know who leaked the information."

Mutaguchi Renya: “Hi!”

Yamamoto Ikki continued, "General, the Eighth Route Army's ambush of the military column and the destruction of the bridge on the Beitongpu Road are somewhat unusual. Coupled with the recent appearance of a large number of Eighth Route Army scouts in Heyuan and Anhua counties, I believe the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi is very likely to attack the 14th Division in the near future. Should we order the 14th Division to move to Datong?"

"If the 14th Division moves to Datong, wouldn't that mean handing the Beitongpu Railway over to Li Yunlong?" Mutaguchi Ren'ya said, "What if Li Yunlong leads his troops south along the Beitongpu Railway and joins forces with the Eighth Route Army in the Jinzhong base to attack Taiyuan?"

Yamamoto Ikki said in a deep voice, "What if the New 14st Regiment leads its troops to attack the 14th Division? Judging from the strength currently displayed by the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi, the th Division is no match for them."

Shinozuka Yoshio was still hesitant. Giving up Anhua and Heyuan counties would be tantamount to giving up Beitongpu Road.

In the eastern Shanxi direction, the 20th Division was at a disadvantage in the battle with the 129th Division, and the Eighth Route Army was able to cut off traffic on the Zhengtai Road at any time.

As I said, war requires logistical supplies. Without the railway transportation of Zhengtai Road and Tongpu Road, it would be difficult for the Japanese army to transport combat supplies and machine guns and artillery from North China to Shanxi, let alone to northwest Shanxi.

Mutaguchi Ren'ya said coldly, "Mr. Yamamoto, you are really underestimating the combat effectiveness of the Locust Army's Type A Division, aren't you?"

Yamamoto Ikki said coldly: "The 20th Division is also a Type A division. Wasn't it also defeated by the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army?"

"Yamamoto-kun also said that the 20th Division was defeated by the main force of the Eighth Route Army, and the New 14st Regiment is just one regiment." Mutaguchi Renya retorted: "The th Division is well-organized and has many elite veterans. Its strength has not been damaged after entering the Chinese battlefield."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya then looked at Shinozuka Yoshio and said confidently, "Commander, let the Eighth Route Army in Northwest Shanxi attack the 14th Division and let the 14th Division wear down the Eighth Route Army's strength. By the time the next mopping-up operation is over, the New st Regiment will be exhausted and depleted of manpower and ammunition. How will the Eighth Route Army resist the locust army's attack?"

Yamamoto Ikki retorted, "Due to the Chief of Staff's mistake, the combat supplies shipped to the 14th Division were destroyed. Now the 14th Division has very little ammunition and food left. How can it resist the Northwest Shanxi Eighth Route Army, which has eight artillery regiments?"

Mutaguchi Ren'ya said, "That's easy. We Japanese have always been a herbivorous people. Northwest Shanxi doesn't have many trees, but it has plenty of grass. We won't have a problem with food shortages. As for ammunition, the 14th Division still has two base stocks of ammunition, which means four million rounds of bullets and 10 artillery shells. The soldiers of the Type A Division are accurate shooters. On average, bullets can kill one Eighth Route Army soldier, which means at least Eighth Route Army soldiers can be killed."

Yamamoto Ikki was stunned. Letting the locusts of the 14th Division eat grass, is this something a major general can say?

"We can arrange airdrops for food and ammunition," Shinozuka Yoshio said. "Send a telegram to the 14th Division Headquarters immediately. The combat supplies arranged by the headquarters are no longer able to reach northwest Shanxi. The main force of the New 14st Regiment of the Eighth Route Army may soon attack the counties of Anhua and Heyuan. Have the th Division prepare for battle. The headquarters will arrange airdrops for combat supplies."

Yoshio Shinozuka also did not believe that the 14th Division would be easily defeated.

Moreover, the 14th Division has already built various defensive fortifications, especially the tunnel fortifications like those of the Eighth Route Army.

If the New 14st Regiment dared to attack the th Division, it would inevitably be badly beaten and suffer heavy casualties.

By then, when the main force of the locust army attacks northwest Shanxi, it will be easy.

"Hi." Mutaguchi Ren'ya lowered his head. "Your Excellency the Commander is wise. I admire you!"

Yamamoto Ikki opened his mouth and wanted to say something, but after thinking it over, he chose to keep silent.

The Commander has already made up his mind, and it is useless for him to persuade him any further.

What's more, transferring the 14th Division to Datong now is not a good thing for the First Army.

"General."

Yamamoto Ikki gathered his spirits and bowed to Shinozuka Yoshio:
"I came to you this time to report on the First Army's tactical reform plan."

"Mr. Yamamoto, the various units of the First Army need to rest now, and I'm afraid there is no time for tactical innovation." Yoshio Shinozuka's mouth twitched. This guy is here to promote special operations again.

Yamamoto Ikki could see Shinozuka Yoshio's dissatisfaction, but he still said, "Commander, you can pilot the reform in a mixed brigade or division, and then promote it to the entire First Army!"

Reforming the tactics of his country's army was Yamamoto Ikki's lifelong career, and he would never give up.

Shinozuka Yoshio sat on the armchair and said coldly, "Mr. Yamamoto, I've said it before, to promote special operations, we need the special forces to show dazzling results. You've led the special forces team to the First Army for almost a year, and yet there hasn't been a successful special operation yet."

"Hi." Yamamoto Ikki lowered his head and said, "I plan to personally lead the special forces team to Luliang Mountain to decapitate the headquarters of the Second War Zone. Last time, the 358th Regiment of the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army attacked Datong and blew up 3000 tons of combat supplies of the First Army of the Great Japanese Locust Army. The Shanxi-Suiyuan Army must pay the price for their actions."

Shinozuka Yoshio narrowed his eyes and asked, "Are you planning to behead Yan Xishan?"

(End of this chapter)