Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

However, the 21st Mountain Artillery Regiment of the 51st Division did not open fire, and the Japanese artillery firepower was relatively average.

Not long after, the 152mm heavy howitzers of the New 2st Regiment set up in the tunnel launched a counter-suppression artillery fire. However, the Japanese were determined to repel the attack of the Eighth Route Army this time. Even though the artillery battalion of the nd Brigade was hit by artillery shells, it did not move its artillery positions, but continued to use artillery fire to fire at the Eighth Route Army's attacking forces.

Datong.

Japanese Army's North China Front, front-line headquarters.

"Nani?"

"The 2nd Brigade was defeated?"

After listening to the report, Sugiyama Gen suddenly stood up and looked at the communications staff in disbelief.

"……Hi!"

The communications officer suddenly lowered his head and said, "Currently, the 2nd Brigade has suffered over 21% casualties and has lost its combat effectiveness. The Eighth Route Army's offensive is still fierce, and the st Division is engaging them."

The last battle of the 2nd Brigade was an attack by the Eighth Route Army using more than 20 heavy tanks and thousands of infantrymen.

Although the 2nd Brigade used more than a dozen mountain cannons and field cannons to fire at the tanks and infantry of the Eighth Route Army, it caused considerable casualties to the Eighth Route Army.

However, Ding Wei directly ordered the 152nd Heavy Artillery Battalion to suppress the fire, and all other artillery firepower fired at the forward positions of the 2nd Brigade.

The 2st Infantry Battalion and the 1th Infantry Battalion of the 5nd Brigade were directly bombarded by artillery fire like hail, and suffered heavy casualties.

Then the Eighth Route Army tank units and infantry continued to coordinate the attack, and with a thunderous charge, they completely wiped out the main force of the 2nd Brigade and captured the position of the 2nd Brigade.

At this time, the 21st Division realized the situation and wanted to retake the position, but it was too late.

When Yamashita Tomoyuki and Muto Akira heard the news, their faces suddenly fell.

"How can this be?"

Yamashita Tomoyuki said in disbelief, "The 2nd Brigade is also an elite unit among the mixed brigades, with first-class equipment. The brigade commander, Lieutenant General Abe Nobuhide, is an expert in mountain warfare. How could they be wiped out after only one day on the battlefield, when they were highly regarded by Tianhuang and the Imperial Headquarters?"

Just yesterday, the 2nd Brigade replaced the 21st Division and entered the position.

The 2nd Brigade just fought with the Eighth Route Army this morning.

As a result, the 2nd Brigade was wiped out in just one day. Is the Eighth Route Army's combat effectiveness so strong?
Muto Akira was also shocked. "Although it was expected that the 2nd Brigade did not have strong firepower, the Eighth Route Army dispatched 7 artillery regiments, 3 of which were heavy artillery regiments. However, the speed at which the 2nd Brigade was defeated was too fast."

"General." Yamashita Tomoyuki seemed to have thought of something and looked at Sugiyama Gen: "Something is wrong!"

"Major General Takeda Isamu, commander of the 21st Flight Regiment, reports that the 44th Flight Squadron destroyed three artillery regiments and one tank regiment of the Eighth Route Army at Shahukou."

"But the Eighth Route Army's offensive hasn't slowed down. Could it be that the Eighth Route Army's artillery and tank units destroyed by the 44th Squadron were all fake?"

Sugiyama Gen frowned, "Yamashita-kun, are you trying to say that Major General Takeda Isamu lied about his military achievements?"

"General, that's not my intention," Yamashita Tomoyuki said hurriedly. "I just feel something is amiss."

"Major General Takeda Isamu did not lie about his military achievements. The aviation unit he led fought and took photos and videos every time. It is impossible to fake it." Sugiyama Gen said in a deep voice.

Regardless of whether the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery and tank units were really destroyed, he would assume it was true and even send his confidants to verify it, but the result must be true.

Not only Sugiyama Gen needed these military exploits, but the officers of the North China Front Army also needed these military exploits, and the soldiers of the North China Front Army also needed these military exploits to boost morale.

"Immediately announce to the entire North China Front Army and the Locust Army that the 21st Aircraft Regiment destroyed six artillery regiments and three tank regiments of the Eighth Route Army at Shahukou."

Sugiyama Gen looked at Yamashita Tomoyuki and said in an unquestionable tone.

Major General Abe Nobuhide, commander of the 2nd Brigade, was once hailed as a deity, widely covered in domestic media and even honored by the Heavenly Locust. But this renowned general was defeated, and in a disastrous fashion.

If the news that the main force of the 2nd Brigade was destroyed spreads, it will inevitably affect the morale of the entire North China Front Army's combat troops. Now that a major battle is still underway, if the morale of the troops is low, it will be very fatal.

Therefore, Sugiyama Gen directly expanded the 21st Air Group's record by more than two times, since there were photos and videos anyway.

Heroes need to be created during wartime to inspire the Bushido spirit and fighting spirit of Japanese soldiers. Since Abe Nobuhide has fallen from the altar, it is time to support another hero. Major General Takeda Isamu is a very suitable person.

"……Hi!"

Yamashita Fengwen's expression froze. He bowed his head and turned around to convey the order.

"Muto-kun!"

Sugiyama Moto looked at Muto Akira and asked, "Based on the battle situation over the past two days, have you figured out anything?"

"General," Muto Akira thought for a moment and then said, "The Eighth Route Army is counterattacking across the board at Shahukou, Majiapo, Jiangjunling, and Taiyuan. In my opinion, the Eighth Route Army intends to launch a full-scale counterattack and completely defeat our North China Front Army."

At this time, Yamashita Tomoyuki finished giving the order and returned to the operations hall.

"No, the Eighth Route Army wants to attack Datong." Yamashita Fengwen said in a deep voice.

"Yamashita-kun is right. The Eighth Route Army currently lacks the strength to comprehensively defeat our North China Front Army." Sugiyama Gen nodded expressionlessly. "Although the Eighth Route Army launched fierce attacks at Majiapo and Jiangjunling, they only deployed a limited number of troops and firepower. The Eighth Route Army's main attack direction is Shaohukou, targeting the combat supplies stockpiled by the Datong Locust Army."

At present, nearly 10,000 tons of combat supplies are stockpiled in Datong. Once this batch of combat supplies is destroyed or seized by the Eighth Route Army, the North China Front Army will be completely defeated in this battle.

"What?" Muto Akira's expression changed. "Your Excellency, General, Chief of Staff, for your safety, I suggest that the headquarters move to Peking immediately."

"That's all right." Sugiyama sneered. "Thinking of attacking Datong with the Eighth Route Army from Shaohukou is simply wishful thinking. Yamashita-kun, you must immediately formulate a battle plan. With the full support of the 21st Aircraft Regiment, have the 21st Division hold out for two days. Order the 25th Division, the Imperial Guards Division, the 1st Cavalry Brigade, and the 7th Tank Regiment to ambush and eliminate the Eighth Route Army attacking Datong."

At present, the main force of the Guards Division is in Heyuan County and has not yet come into direct contact with the Eighth Route Army.

However, the Imperial Guards Division was not at full strength, as the 1st Imperial Guards Brigade led by Major General Takeshi Sakurada was completely wiped out by the Shin-st Regiment in the last battle.

The headquarters of the 2rd Guards Regiment of the 3nd Guards Brigade was also beheaded by a small unit of the Eighth Route Army in this battle, and the headquarters has now been reorganized.

Therefore, the total strength of the 2nd Guards Brigade, including the Quartermaster Regiment, Engineer Regiment, Cavalry Regiment and other units, is currently less than people.

加上第25师团的1万5千人，以及骑兵第1旅团、战车第7联队，总兵力大约3万5千人。

Yamashita Fengwen was suddenly shocked: "Your Excellency, this is too risky. If all the troops in Datong are sent to ambush, there will be no locust army guarding Datong. Once the local Eighth Route Army from the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region attacks Datong..."

"Then let the Imperial Guards Cavalry Regiment remain in Datong," Sugiyama thought for a moment and nodded. "Also, leave an infantry battalion to protect the airport, and order the regiment directly under the Mongolian Army Headquarters to travel to Datong by train."

"Mr. Yamashita, I will leave this ambush operation to you to command personally."

"Hey!" Yamashita Fengwen lowered his head. "After the Eighth Route Army at Shaohukou defeated the 2nd Brigade and the 21st Division in succession, their morale will surely soar. They will march straight into Datong. By then..."

There was a murderous intent in his words. Since entering Shanxi, the troops led by Yamashita Tomoyuki were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army in Guangyang. In that battle, the 20th Division Headquarters was completely wiped out, and the commander of the 20th Division, Lieutenant General Kawagishi Fumisaburo, died in battle.

Later, when Yamashita Tomoyuki was in Taiyuan, his troops were ambushed by the Eighth Route Army many times.

Things change, and this time it is the locust army's turn to ambush the Eighth Route Army.

Yamashita Tomoyuki had conducted in-depth research on the Eighth Route Army's ambush tactics, and he was confident that he could lead a successful ambush against the Eighth Route Army.

"Yoshi." Sugiyama nodded happily, "Success or failure depends on this one move." (End of this chapter)