Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

at the same time.

Taiyuan.

Yamamoto Ikki is also studying this issue.

"Since the Eighth Route Army has heavy artillery and tanks."

Yamamoto's expression was filled with deep worry:
"The Eighth Route Army obtained weapons and ammunition through airdrops. Does that mean they will soon have airplanes?"

Thinking of this, Yamamoto immediately went to the commander's office and reported his ideas to Yoshio Shinozuka.

It just so happened that Mutaguchi Ren'ya was also in the office reporting to Shinozuka Yoshio on the new troops and combat supplies.

The Japanese sent reinforcements to Taiyuan not to mobilize elite troops, but to replenish the casualties of the First Army's divisions and brigades.

As for the last defeat in northwestern Shanxi, Tada Shun already knew about it and did not pursue Yamamoto and Takeda Isamu.

Because the Eighth Route Army shot the Japanese agent Pangolin in public, his body was also displayed by the New 1st Regiment.

The Japanese intelligence department learned the news.

As soon as Yamamoto finished speaking, Mutaguchi jumped out and retorted:
"Aircraft combat requires pilots, aerial bombs, and aviation fuel, none of which the Eighth Route Army currently possesses."

"Most importantly, there was no intelligence indicating that the Eighth Route Army was about to acquire aircraft."

Yamamoto Ikki looked at Mutaguchi Renya as if he was looking at an idiot.

Yoshio Shinozuka shook his head slightly, looking disappointed towards Mutaguchi.

Yamamoto's ability is much stronger than Mutaguchi's.

But Yamamoto had bad luck and could not achieve any military merit.

Mutaguchi Ren was promoted to the rank of major general and served as chief of staff of the First Army because he fired the first shot of the invasion of China in Peking. This was much more promising than some mixed brigade commanders.

"Mutaguchi-kun, if you think like that, you will die at the hands of the Eighth Route Army sooner or later."

Shinozuka Yoshio said with a serious expression.

"Hi."

Mutaguchi Renya lowered his head, but his tone was still filled with indignation:

"Commander, even if the Eighth Route Army possesses aircraft, they are no match for the Japanese Empire."

"But," Yamamoto Ikki said coldly, "Now that the Eighth Route Army has aircraft and over a thousand heavy artillery pieces, they are more than enough to wipe out our First Army."

Mutaguchi said, "Even so, with the fortifications the Locust Army has built inside and outside Taiyuan City, even if the Eighth Route Army can devour our First Army, they will certainly eat up all their good teeth."

Shinozuka Yoshio suddenly said, "There's something very strange."

"News from the Kwantung Army says that in the early stages of the battle between the Locust Army and the Chinese government forces, the Soviet Army did provide the Chinese government forces with a large amount of weapons and ammunition, and even sent aircraft to participate in the battle."

"However, the Soviet army denied providing tanks and heavy artillery to the Eighth Route Army."

After the Battle of Nomonhan, the Japanese and Soviet armies returned to the negotiating table and signed a non-aggression pact.

However, neither the Soviet nor the Japanese army lowered their guard against each other. The Soviet army still deployed heavy troops in the Far East, while the Japanese army paid more attention to the defense of the Kwantung Army.

"It's not the Soviet Army?" Yamamoto Kazuki frowned. "Then which country is supporting the Eighth Route Army?"

Such powerful weapons and ammunition, and even strategic materials such as food, fuel, and cement.

Ordinary forces cannot bring out such power, not even small countries can bring out such power. Only some countries like Europe and the United States can possess such power. Even some European and American countries have such power, but there are only two or three countries that can deliver it to their doorstep.

The closest country is the Soviet Union. The current Soviet regime is the same as that of the Eighth Route Army, so the Soviet Union is the biggest suspect of the Japanese army.

Mutaguchi Renya: "Could it be that the Soviet army lied?"

"It's not the Soviet Union." Yamamoto Ikki frowned deeply, "Could it be the United States?"

"If it's not the Soviet Union," Shinozuka Yoshio said solemnly, "then it means that the Eighth Route Army's assistance is still continuing. It's very likely that the Eighth Route Army has aircraft. Once the Eighth Route Army has aircraft, I'm afraid they will launch an attack on our First Army."

The Kwantung Army launched the Nomonhan Campaign in part to destroy the Soviet Army in the Far East and cut off the Eighth Route Army's aid channels.

However, the Soviet army's powerful firepower was beyond the expectations of the Japanese headquarters.

Mutaguchi Renya shouted: "The Eighth Route Army will surely suffer heavy losses and suffer heavy losses."

"Yamamoto-kun." Ignoring Mutaguchi's taunting, Shinozuka Yoshio looked at Yamamoto Ikki. "If you were Li Yunlong, how would you plan to attack the Locust Army's First Army?"

Yamamoto said, "General, why don't we do a war game simulation?"

"Yes," Shinozuka Yoshio agreed happily. "Now, I am Shinozuka Yoshio, commander of the First Army, and you are Li Yunlong, commander of the Eighth Route Army. You are leading approximately 8 main Eighth Route Army troops, preparing to attack the First Army."

Mutaguchi Ren'ya asked, "Commander-in-Chief, why 8 main forces?"

"Mutaguchi-kun, shut up first." Shinozuka Yoshio said, clasping his hands at the sand table. "Yamamoto-kun, let's begin."

"Hi." Yamamoto Ikki nodded. "My first step in the attack is to deploy tanks and heavy artillery to capture Xin County, destroy the 9th Brigade, and open up a passage south to Taiyuan."

"Yes." Shinozuka Yoshio nodded expressionlessly. "The 9th Brigade and the Locust Army engaged in street fighting with the Eighth Route Army in Xin County, resulting in 4 casualties in your unit."

The combat staff officer on the side immediately removed the mini military flag representing the Japanese army from the position of Xin County on the sand table and replaced it with a mini military flag representing the Eighth Route Army.

Yamamoto nodded, agreeing with the casualty figures. "Next, I will order the main forces of the Jinzhong Military Region to attack Shouyang and Yangquan, capture the Zhengtai Railway, and cut off the First Army's retreat to the east."

Shinozuka Yoshio said, "After a week to two weeks of fierce fighting, the entire 109th Division of the Locust Army defending Yangquan and Shouyang was completely destroyed. Your main force in the Jinzhong Military Region also suffered heavy losses and needs to rest and recuperate."

Faced with the Eighth Route Army's firepower advantage, the First Army's defense mainly relied on night battles, concrete fortifications and street fighting.

The purpose was to consume the Eighth Route Army's manpower and ammunition. The Japanese army lacked strategic materials, but under the brainwashing of the Bushido spirit, what they lacked the least was soldiers who dared to die with the Chinese army.

Under the fierce attack of the Eighth Route Army, Shouyang and Yangquan could not be defended by the First Army with only one division deployed.

Yamamoto Ikki pointed at the sand table with a thin pole and said, "Next, I will lead the main forces of the New 1st Regiment, the Independent Regiment, and the New 3rd Regiment, and send another force from southeastern Shanxi to attack Taiyuan from the four directions of east, west, south, and north."

"Then, the Locust Army's second-line troops, the Locust Alliance troops, and your troops will engage in fierce fighting outside the city," Shinozuka Yoshio said, pointing to the area surrounding Taiyuan. "The concrete fortifications and tunnel fortifications outside the city, the crossfire of the Locust Army and the Locust Alliance machine guns, the barbed wire and trenches, and the artillery within the city walls will cause great casualties to your troops."

"Then, the main force of the North China Front Army will reinforce Taiyuan from the direction of Datong and Niangziguan."

"A portion of the main force of the North China Front Army is heading to attack Ping'an County in northwestern Shanxi, the stronghold of your New 1st Regiment."

"Another part of the main force of the locust army will move south along the Beitongpu Road, cut off the Eighth Route Army's logistics supply line, and appear behind the main force of the Eighth Route Army."

"Then."

Mutaguchi eagerly took over the conversation, "Then, we'll form a large encirclement around Taiyuan and devour Yamamoto-kun's main force in one fell swoop. This is the central blooming tactic."

"The question is," Yamamoto Ikki said, "I have deployed heavy troops in Datong, Yangquan, and Shouyang. Can the troops of the North China Front Army attack us?"

"Also, if I ask the Eighth Route Army Headquarters to dispatch the main force of the 129th Division to capture Niangzi Pass, how will you respond?"

Shinozuka Yoshio frowned upon hearing this. The position of Lady Guan suddenly became extremely critical. (End of this chapter)