Anti-Japanese War: I have unlimited assistance

The next morning, Yoshio Shinozuka arranged a transport plane to fly to Peiping.

Tada Shun did not go to greet him in person, but arranged a motorcade and sent Major General Masaaki Hirata, Deputy Chief of Staff, to the airport to greet him.

Soon, Yoshio Shinozuka was taken to Tieshishi Hutong, the headquarters of the North China Front Army.

As soon as they met, Shinozuka Yoshio stated his purpose and bowed his head, saying, "Commander, I have come to the headquarters to ask for your instructions on the battle plan."

"Shinozuka-kun, no need to be so polite. Please take a seat." Tada Shunichi raised his hand and said, "What battle plan are you talking about?"

Tada Shun thought that Shinozuka Yoshio was going to attack the Eighth Route Army.

Since the last battle in Northwest Shanxi, the First Army has been recuperating. Tada Shun has mobilized a lot of troops and supplies for the First Army.

Even though some supplies were looted and destroyed by the Eighth Route Army, the First Army now has the strength to attack.

Yoshio Shinozuka: "The Taiyuan Defense Plan."

Tada Shun's expression immediately changed: "Did your First Army receive the intelligence? The Eighth Route Army is about to attack Taiyuan?"

"Not yet," Shinozuka Yoshio said, "but it's only a matter of time. I estimate that the Eighth Route Army will attack Taiyuan this spring."

Tada Shun nodded, his expression suddenly becoming somewhat serious.

With the current strength of the Eighth Route Army, the First Army cannot defeat them.

Shinozuka Yoshio worriedly said, "Once the Eighth Route Army launches an attack on Taiyuan, it means that the Eighth Route Army believes that its strength exceeds that of the First Army and that all pre-war preparations are complete."

Chief of Staff Yukio Kasahara looked at Yoshio Shinozuka and said, "Even if the North China Front Army concentrates its main forces now, victory is not necessarily guaranteed."

"Chief of Staff," Hirata Masaru said, "you are boosting the morale of others and destroying your own prestige. The Locust Army is invincible."

Kasahara Yukio narrowed his eyes and asked, "Then why did the Locust Army fail in the last battle in Northwest Shanxi?"

"Victory and defeat are common in war," Hirata Masaharu said. "A small defeat is nothing. Ultimately, victory will belong to the Great Japanese Nation."

Tada Shun's face turned cold: "Stop arguing and listen to Shinozuka-kun's description of the First Army's battle plan."

Kasahara Yukio and Hirata Shogun quickly shut up.

Although one is the chief of staff and the other is the deputy chief of staff, both of them have the rank of major general and they don't get along with each other on a daily basis.

Shinozuka Yoshio said, "Facing the Eighth Route Army's attack, the First Army doesn't have much space or time to defend. They can only use fortifications, night battles, and street fighting to delay the main force of the Eighth Route Army, consume its manpower, and then rely on the main force of the North China Front Army to break the siege."

As for Mutaguchi Ren'ya's center-blooming tactics, Shinozuka Yoshio did not have too many expectations.

By then, the main force of the First Army was surrounded in Taiyuan, and the entire Shanxi Province, except Taiyuan, was the territory of the Eighth Route Army.

Every time the main force of the North China Front Army advanced, the Eighth Route Army received intelligence.

Li Yunlong is as cunning as a fox and as ferocious as a wolf. Can he be defeated by the main force of the North China Front Army?
Shinozuka Yoshio continued, "By then, the outlying counties like Xinxian, Yangquan, and Shouyang will have been captured by the Eighth Route Army. The main force of the front army can then break the siege of the First Army from Datong and Niangzi Pass."

Since the center-blooming tactic failed, the only option was to break the siege of the First Army.

Although this is only a temporary solution and not a fundamental solution, even if the siege of the First Army is lifted, the Eighth Route Army can still continue the attack next time.

However, as long as the siege of the First Army can be lifted, the First Army will have a chance to catch its breath. After the future situation becomes clear, the First Army may be able to counterattack.

Tada Shun asked coldly, "How long can your First Army hold Taiyuan?"

"Currently, the fortifications inside and outside Taiyuan are nearing completion," Shinozuka Yoshio said confidently. "With these fortifications, as well as night and street fighting, the First Army can hold out for a month."

He used the second-line troops of the First Army and the puppet army to defend the outer county town and the fortifications outside the city. Elite troops such as the 20th Division were used to defend the city and engage in street fighting with the Eighth Route Army.

Today, the First Army’s training mainly focuses on defensive battles, night battles and street fighting, and they are fully prepared.

"Commander!" Shinozuka Yoshio requested, "I need the main force of the front army to reach the outskirts of Taiyuan within a month and form a large encirclement of the Eighth Route Army. This way, our army will have a chance to destroy the main force of the Eighth Route Army attacking Taiyuan."

Tada Shun nodded: "Of course I won't completely abandon the First Army and let you fend for yourself. Otherwise, I wouldn't be pouring supplies and troops into Taiyuan."

In order to build fortifications around Taiyuan, Tada Shun directly gave Yoshio Shinozuka about 8 tons of strategic materials such as cement and steel.

Although the concrete contained a serious shortage of steel, just like the concrete provided by the Kwantung Army, it was sufficient to deal with the Eighth Route Army.

After losing a large number of iron mines in Wuyuan and Baotou, the steel production of the North China Front Army and the First Army became even more insufficient.

Kasahara Yukio said suddenly.

"but…"

"The enemy we face now is no longer the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army during the July 7 Incident. Wherever the locust army goes, the enemy collapses and flees at the sight of it."

"I can't guarantee that the main force of the front army will be able to reach the outskirts of Taiyuan within a month."

Hirata Masaharu did not take it seriously. The North China Front Army transferred another Type A division from the Kwantung Army, and other troops that suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Northwest Shanxi were also given rest and replenishment.

At present, the North China Front Army has four Type A divisions, namely the Guards Division, the 10th Division, the 12th Division, and the 20th Division, and its strength is very strong.

Tada Shun nodded, as he was well aware of the current strength of the Eighth Route Army.

If the Eighth Route Army was a powerful military region, it would be easier to deal with it.

The Eighth Route Army of the Southeast Shanxi Military Region and the Northwest Shanxi Military Region were both very powerful, and they formed a pincer attack on Taiyuan.

The situation was very bad for the First Army.

Shinozuka Yoshio said, "Commander, there is only one way to quickly get the main force of the North China Front Army to the outskirts of Taiyuan."

Tada Shun's expression changed: "What method?"

"Niangzi Pass." Shinozuka Yoshio immediately pointed at the map and said, "Commander, the front army can strengthen the defense of Niangzi Pass. For example, we can build Niangzi Pass into a fortress and station a division there."

"It can echo with Jingxing Fortress and Yangquan County."

"If the main force of the Eighth Route Army from Shanxi wants to attack the North China Plain in the future, they will have to pass through the Niangziguan Fortress."

Niangzi Pass was the only way for the main force of the North China Front Army to reinforce the First Army.

Once Niangzi Pass was captured by the main force of the Eighth Route Army, although the North China Front Army could take a detour into Shanxi through a small road, heavy weapons such as tanks and heavy artillery could not enter, and only infantry could go in, and logistical supplies could not keep up.

Moreover, there is the risk of being surrounded and eaten by the main force of the Eighth Route Army.

Tada Shun nodded and said, "Niangzi Pass is very important. Kasahara-kun, which unit is currently guarding Niangzi Pass?"

"Reporting to the Commander," Kasahara Yukio immediately reported, "The troops stationed at Niangzi Pass are from the 110th Regiment of the 108th Brigade of the 139th Division, along with a battalion of the Locust Alliance Army, for a total strength of approximately 4500 men."

"Not enough." Tada Shun shook his head. "Order the entire 108th Brigade to station at Niangzi Pass. Of the 10 tons of cement and steel shipped by the Kwantung Army, allocate 2 tons to build the Niangzi Pass Fortress. I will also try to request from the headquarters to see if they can transfer a few coastal defense guns to strengthen the defense of Niangzi Pass."

Yukio Kasahara: “Hi.”

Shinozuka Yoshio's expression brightened with joy, and he quickly bowed his head and said, "Thank you, Commander." (End of this chapter)