Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

Chapter 486 Let’s first weigh the strength of the Eighth Route Army!
Datong.

North China Front Command.

War Room.

Chief of Staff Yamashita Tomoyuki reported to the commander of the North China Front Army the current situation of the Japanese Army in North China:

"General, the current offensive force deployment of our Locust Army's North China Front is as follows."

"More than 3 aircraft of the 100rd Air Regiment were deployed at Zhangjiakou Airport, Wusu Airport, Datong Airport and Shimen Airport."

The Japanese were scared by the bombing last time, so the three flying squadrons and three flying squadrons of the 3rd Flying Regiment were scattered in four airports.

Although this greatly reduced the bombing efficiency of the 3rd Air Regiment, it could ensure a certain degree of safety.

This battle was commanded by Sugiyama Gen himself, and the front-line command center was set up in Datong.

Because there was no combat plan in advance, it took more than half a month just to transfer more than 10 troops and tens of thousands of tons of combat supplies to the outskirts of northwestern Shanxi.

Fortunately, the mobilization of more than 10 troops and tens of thousands of tons of combat supplies was relatively smooth, and they were not ambushed by the Eighth Route Army.

at this time.

A communications staff officer walked in quickly and handed over a telegram while bowing.

"Reporting to the Commander, Chief of Staff, the First Army Commander, Yoshio Shinozuka, just sent a telegram requesting tactical guidance and aviation reinforcements!"

Yamashita Tomoyuki and Sugiyama Gen's expressions both changed slightly.

Asking for tactical guidance usually means that the other party has been beaten or is about to be beaten, so they ask for support.

The two old Japanese soldiers realized in an instant that something had happened in the First Army!

Yamashita Tomoyuki took the telegram and read it, his face darkening. "Commander-in-Chief, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi has split into two groups and is heading north. One group is attacking Yangquan, Shouyang and other important military towns along the Zhengtai Route, while the other group is heading straight for Taiyuan along the Baijin Line."

"Each main force of the Eighth Route Army consists of no less than 50,000 men, carrying a large number of artillery and even heavy tanks!"

“It’s both expected and unexpected!”

Sugiyama nodded expressionlessly.

Like the Japanese Army, once one of the Eighth Route Army's units was besieged, other units would fight to the death to rescue it. They would never watch each other die in order to preserve their strength like the National Army did.

The North China Front Army gathered its main forces to attack the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi. The Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi would inevitably attack Taiyuan or Zhengtai Road, putting pressure on the First Army.

but.

What Sugiyama Gen did not expect was that the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi was actually divided into two attack routes, each of which had no less than 50,000 main forces and was equipped with first-class weapons and equipment.

Yamashita Tomoyuki: "At present, the First Army has ordered the 20th Division to move to Taiyuan immediately."

Sugiyama nodded: "A wise decision."

Yamashita Tomoyuki said: "Commander, Taiyuan cannot be lost. Otherwise, the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi will be able to move north along the Beitongpu Road and join forces with the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi to deal with the main force of the locust army."

Sugiyama Gen's face suddenly became more solemn. If the two main forces of the Eighth Route Army were allowed to successfully join forces, it would be difficult for the main force of the North China Front Army to defeat them.

Sugiyama Gen's original plan was to gather the main forces to first eliminate the main forces of the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi, then gather the main forces to eliminate the Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain, and finally concentrate the main forces to eliminate the main forces of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi.

Then he retired after achieving success, returned to his homeland to serve as Minister of War, and reached the peak of his life.

After a moment's thought, Sugiyama Gen issued an order. "Assign the 17th Independent Flight Squadron, the 44th Flight Squadron, the 59th Flight Squadron, and the 75th Flight Squadron to the 21st Flight Regiment, commanded by Major General Takeda Isamu. They will specifically target the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi, specifically targeting their heavy artillery and tank bombardments."

"Major General Sugawara Michihiro led the 16th Squadron and the 66th Squadron, stationed at Daguocun Airport and Wusu Airport, to deal with the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi."

"Commander-in-Chief," Yamashita Tomoyuki said, "I'm afraid Major General Sugawara will have objections to this."

These three flying squadrons and flying teams are all from the 3rd Flying Regiment, led by Michidai Sugawara.

This directly put the main force of the 3rd Air Group under the command of Takeda Isamu, and Sugawara Michida certainly would not accept it.

Sugiyama Gen snorted coldly: "If Major General Sugawara has any objections, feel free to ask him to come to me."

Yamashita Tomoyuki: “…Hi.”

Sugiyama Gen said: "Continue to report the current positions of each unit."

Yamashita Tomoyuki pointed to the map and reported to Sugiyama Gen: "Currently, the Imperial Guards Division, the Provisional Field Artillery Division, the 26th Division, and the 28th Brigade are approaching the Heyuan area!"

"The 21st Division and the 2nd Brigade have departed from Datong and are heading towards Shaohukou!"

"The 41st Division and the 28th Brigade are approaching Anhua County!"

"In Datong are the 25th Division, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, and the 7th Tank Regiment, protecting the frontline headquarters."

Sugiyama Gen nodded with satisfaction. The troops assembled in northwest Shanxi this time exceeded 10.

Except for some security forces and half of the First Army, all the combat-capable troops of the North China Front Army can be said to have been assembled in northwest Shanxi.

It is obvious that the Japanese army's offensive strategy has changed this time. It is not the same as last time where all three directions are the main attack.

Instead, the attack was carried out in the directions of Shahukou and Majiapo to assist and tie down the main force of the Eighth Route Army, while the main attack was carried out at Jiangjunling.

"How is the main force of the Eighth Route Army deployed in Northwest Shanxi?" Sugiyama Gen asked.

Yamashita Fengwen then said, "According to the reconnaissance aircraft reports, the main force of the Eighth Route Army has now abandoned the two county towns of Anhua and Heyuan, relocated the surrounding civilians to the vicinity of Ping'an County, and assembled a large number of troops at the three defensive fortifications of Shahukou, Jiangjunling, and Majiapo."

"It seems that the Eighth Route Army is going to fight a positional war with the Locust Army." Sugiyama Gen sneered. How many troops does the Eighth Route Army have? Do they have the strength to fight a positional war with the Locust Army?
Yamashita Tomoyuki said, "To counter the Eighth Route Army's chili pepper bombs, the Locust Army has prepared new gas masks that can filter out capsaicin. Furthermore, the Locust Army's demolition team is equipped with the new Type 4 magnetic anti-tank grenade, which has four powerful magnets that can stick to tanks. Besides being thrown by hand, these anti-tank grenades can also be buried together to act as anti-tank mines."

"Also, some troops have made Molotov cocktails by filling wine bottles with gasoline, which should be quite effective against tanks."

"Yoshi."

Sugiyama Gen nodded with satisfaction. The North China Front Army was very well prepared for this battle.

"Your Excellency, General."

Yamashita Tomoyuki asked, "Should we order the infiltrating troops to attack immediately?"

In addition to the infiltrated troops, Sugiyama Gen also prepared several killer moves that even Yamashita Tomoyuki did not know about.

Sugiyama narrowed his eyes and said, "No rush. First, order all the troops to advance to the Eighth Route Army's defensive fortifications and assess their strength. If we don't need to penetrate them, what if we can capture their positions and break through their defenses?"

Yamashita Tomoyuki: “…Hi.”

Sugiyama Gen was full of confidence and high spirits. "In the army, many people do not respect me, Sugiyama Gen. They think I was promoted to general based on my seniority. In this battle in northwest Shanxi, I will let everyone see my great talent and strategy."

(End of this chapter)