Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

At the Shaohukou front, officers and soldiers of the Japanese and puppet troops were having breakfast.

After breakfast, the Japanese and puppet troops planned to continue their attack on Shahukou, completely unaware that the Eighth Route Army in Shahukou had already reinforced its troops.

At this time, Lieutenant General Washizu Kohei, commander of the 21st Division, and Major General Abe Norihide, commander of the 2nd Brigade, were discussing the attack plan in the command center.

"Abe-kun, you are an expert in mountain warfare and are adept at employing new tactics."

"How do you think we should fight the battle of Shaohukou?"

Lieutenant General Washizu asked while eating breakfast and looking at Abe Nobuhide.

Previously, the troops attacking the Shaohukou front were from the 21st Division and puppet troops.

Washizu Kohei did not take Abe Nobuhide seriously.

He believed that Abe Nobuhide was just a show-off. Although he had served as the commander of the 1st Brigade of the 1st Division, he did not have any outstanding military achievements.

A talented person who excels in applying new tactics and an expert in mountain warfare, he is hailed as the flower of famous generals in Japan.

It's just something the government has hyped up, it's just a false reputation.

However, Major General Isamu Takeda, who was also a famous general, destroyed a heavy artillery brigade and a tank brigade of the Eighth Route Army. This is a real achievement.

However, in the battle of Shaohukou, Washizu Gonghe was taught a lesson by the Eighth Route Army.

With two or three attacks every day, they did reach the Eighth Route Army's frontline positions in the past few days, but that was all. In the past few days, they had not even touched the edge of the Eighth Route Army's frontline positions.

Therefore, Washizu Kohei ordered the 21st Division to withdraw and rest, and sent Abe Nobuhide's 2nd Brigade to temporarily hold the front.

However, the 2nd Brigade did not attack at all after reaching the front. Instead, it immediately began to dig trenches and tunnels, taking a defensive stance.

This made Washizu Kouhei very angry.

"Lieutenant General Washizu, we're just feinting, just to show our presence. Why are you working so hard?"

Abe Norihide said this lightly, but he couldn't help sneering in his heart.

Why did you go early?
Before the offensive began, Abe Nobuhide suggested using the mountainous terrain for concealment and attack, cutting off the Eighth Route Army by dividing troops into multiple routes and encircling them in a roundabout way, focusing on rapid advancement and fire suppression and interception, and controlling the battlefield rhythm through a dense firepower network.

However, Washizu Gonghe did not listen at all and still used the old tactics of artillery bombardment followed by infantry charge, and artillery bombardment followed by infantry charge.

Not only did they fail to capture the Eighth Route Army's positions, but their artillery firepower was suppressed. Both the artillery and infantry units suffered heavy losses, consumed a lot of ammunition, and the morale of the troops also had some problems.

Now that the losses are so great, he only remembers himself as an expert in mountain warfare and a talented person who is good at using new tactics.

late.

Washizu advised impartially, "Abe-kun, although this is a feint, you must be mindful of the main attack. Once our forces defeat the Eighth Route Army at Shahukou and advance into their base, we will be the main attacker. Afterwards, you will undoubtedly be promoted to Lieutenant General and become the commander of a division. A promotion to General in the future is not impossible."

Abe Nobuhide said, "Your Excellency, there's an old Chinese saying, 'A good cook cannot cook without rice.' The 21st Division has suffered heavy casualties and is running low on artillery shells. The Eighth Route Army on the other side far outmatches ours. As long as we can hold our ground and avoid being crushed by them, we'll be doing quite well."

"Abe-kun," Washizu snorted coldly. "You disappoint me greatly. Everyone says you're a rising star, yet you're so unmotivated. I'll record your attitude in the battle report I submit to the commander of the North China Front."

Abe Nobuhide said coldly, "Lieutenant General, please do as you please."

At this moment, sporadic artillery bombardment began in the direction of the Eighth Route Army's position. Some shells fell on the position of the 2nd Brigade, and some muffled thunder-like explosions were heard.

However, Washizu Kohei and Abe Nobuhide did not take it seriously, thinking that it was just an ordinary routine artillery bombardment by the Eighth Route Army.

During this week's fighting, the Japanese army and the Eighth Route Army engaged in artillery battles many times. The 21 2 mountain guns of the 48st Division and the 75nd Brigade were suppressed, and more than a dozen mountain guns were lost.

But soon, Abe Norihide and Washizu Kohei looked at each other and realized that things were not simple.

At the beginning, the Eighth Route Army's artillery fire was only sporadic, but as time went on, continuous explosions like muffled thunder could be heard.

"This artillery firepower is at least at the level of an artillery division, right?!"

A Japanese staff officer sounded shocked. An artillery division had at least two artillery brigades, or four artillery regiments. Each regiment had at least 36 mountain guns, or at least 144 75mm mountain guns or 75mm field guns.

At present, the 21st Division and the 2nd Brigade have a total of only 34 mountain artillery pieces, which is less than an artillery regiment.

"At least an artillery division and an artillery brigade."

Putting down the telescope, Abe Nobuhide looked solemn and gave a close figure.

He saw dense and huge explosions rising at the front line of the 2nd Brigade.

"There are 240 cannons, of which about 80 are heavy artillery with a caliber of 105 mm or more, with an error of no more than 10."

Colonel Toshimi Motooka, commander of the 21st Mountain Artillery Regiment under the 51st Division, came up with a more accurate figure.

"Nani!?"

Upon hearing this data, Washizu Gongping was suddenly shocked.

The surrounding Japanese staff were filled with envy and despair.

This firepower is too brutal.

They only had more than thirty 75mm mountain guns and not even a single 1mm heavy gun, while the Eighth Route Army had 105 heavy guns and more than a hundred 80mm mountain guns. The difference in firepower was really too big.

With the firepower of the Eighth Route Army, they saw no hope of winning the Battle of Shaohukou.

"Your Excellency, Lieutenant General, please immediately request tactical guidance from the North China Front Command and request the dispatch of the 21st Aviation Regiment to reinforce and destroy the Eighth Route Army's artillery positions."

Abe Nobuhide, who was arrogant, violent and extremely conceited, suddenly became anxious.

The troops being bombarded on the position were from his 2nd Brigade. It was impossible for them to suppress the Eighth Route Army's artillery fire with their mountain artillery. If the air force had arrived one minute later, he would have lost more soldiers.

"Immediately send a telegram to the North China Front Command requesting tactical guidance and requesting the 21st Aviation Regiment to deploy air support to destroy the Eighth Route Army artillery positions!"

Washizu Gongping immediately looked at the Chief of Staff, Colonel Chiba Kumaji.

"Hi."

Colonel Chiba Kumaji immediately went to write a telegram.

"Baga, direct radio code call."

Abe Norihide looked at Chiba Kumaharu and cursed angrily.

Washizu Kohei was a lieutenant general and he didn't dare to scold the other party, as he might be accused of insubordination. However, Chiba Kumaharu was only a colonel, so Abe Nobuhide had no scruples at all.

Chiba Kumaji glanced at Washizu Kohei and saw him nod, then he quickly arranged a radio call for support.

"waste."

Abe Nobuhide cursed again.

Washizu Kohei looked at Abe Nobuhide with an increasingly displeased expression. When beating a dog, one must look at the owner. Abe Nobuhide did not give Washizu Kohei any face at all when he scolded his chief of staff in front of him.

Then, Abe Nobuhide looked at his watch and said, "Your Excellency, the 21st Aircraft Regiment will take at least half an hour to arrive. I suggest that the 2nd Brigade immediately withdraw to outside the range of the Eighth Route Army Artillery to minimize losses."

Washizu Gongping remained unmoved. "If the troops of your 2nd Flying Regiment retreat beyond the range of the Eighth Route Army's artillery, wouldn't it be a wasted trip for the 21st Flying Regiment?"

"Only if your 2nd Brigade holds its position will the 21st Aircraft Regiment have a chance to destroy the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery."

"idiot."

Abe Nobuhide cursed and angrily left the 21st Division headquarters, saber slung across his shoulder. (End of this chapter)