Bright Sword: The Flowers of War

Chapter 140 Objective Existence
Wutai County was an important stronghold for the Japanese army in Shanxi. Therefore, the Japanese army deployed a company of troops and a regiment of puppet troops in Wutai County. In addition, the Japanese army also built strongholds in Longquanguan, Shizui Village, Shahe Town and other places under the jurisdiction of Wutai County.

In response, Major Nagano Shinzo, the highest-ranking commander of Wutai County and the garrison commander, arrogantly declared that with the defenses of Wutai County, even a brigade of Chinese soldiers would not be able to take it down.

Logically speaking, there wasn't anything wrong with what he said. After all, the Jin-Sui Army and the Central Army couldn't defeat them. As for those local Eighth Route Army guerrillas, they were even less capable. How could a bunch of country bumpkins who couldn't even afford rifles possibly take down their carefully constructed stronghold?

However, Shinzo Nagano's inexplicable confidence was shattered today because he received a phone call from Captain Tetsuyuki Nishiyama at the Shizui Village base. They were under attack by Chinese troops, and the enemy had a large number of tanks.

When he first received the call, Shinzo Nagano was almost laughing with anger. Just as he was about to start cursing, he heard the sounds of gunfire and soldiers screaming through the receiver.

The communication was immediately cut off, and by then, even the slow-witted Shinzo Nagano realized what was happening.

"idiot!"

Upon hearing the dial tone, Shinzo Nagano almost jumped up, dropping the phone to the ground. But he quickly picked it up again, shook it a few times, and practically roared, "Send a telegram to the brigade commander immediately!"

The Japanese command structure in Shanxi was as follows: strategic locations (such as Taiyuan and Datong) were garrisoned by divisional units or independent mixed brigade headquarters.

Unlike divisions or brigades responsible for field operations, independent mixed brigades are specifically established for maintaining order. Each brigade has approximately 5000 personnel and consists of five independent infantry battalions, as well as artillery and engineer units.
Take the security of the county town and transportation lines as an example. It was the responsibility of the battalions or companies under the Independent Mixed Brigade, supplemented by puppet troops.

As for village and town strongholds, they were usually managed by small squads of Japanese soldiers (30-50 men) plus puppet troops, and were under the command of their respective battalions.

Major Shinzo Nagano is the fifth battalion commander under the Independent Mixed Brigade No. 2.

As a mid-level officer, upon hearing that tank units had appeared in his jurisdiction, accompanied by a large number of Nationalist troops, Shinzo Nagano immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

Instead of immediately ordering reinforcements, he sent a telegram to his superior, Major General Kitayama Yuu-no-kami, commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade.

"To His Excellency the Brigade Commander:"

The stronghold in Shizui Village, under the jurisdiction of Wutai County, was attacked by the Chinese army at 8:36 a.m. today.

According to the report from the garrison commander of Shizui Village, the enemy was equipped with several tanks, had fierce firepower, and destroyed all the fortifications.

Although I am in the county town, I can still hear the faint sounds of artillery explosions and see smoke rising. There are still fires burning among the ruins. More than half of the garrison has been killed or wounded, and weapons are scattered everywhere.

Dark clouds loom over the city, and rumbling thunder sounds in the distance, foretelling a heavy rain. If the enemy advances, our troops may find it difficult to hold out.

Wutai is strategically located; if it falls, the flank of Xinkou will be wide open. Although I led my troops in a desperate battle, the enemy's war chariots were rampant, and flesh and blood could not ultimately withstand them.

We earnestly request the brigade to dispatch an artillery company and an anti-tank squad to provide immediate assistance.

Shinzo Nagano kowtows

June 7, Showa 13

When Major General Kitayama Yuu, commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, received the telegram, a sudden gale had risen outside the window, whipping sand and gravel against the windowpanes as if enemy troops were approaching.

“Baka... How is this possible?” Kitayama Yuu looked at the telegram in his hand, his eyes filled with disbelief.

As the brigade commander of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, although his status and ability were not as good as those of the field brigades, he at least had vision.

Since the Japanese army captured Taiyuan and Datong last year, the Japanese government has proudly announced that the Imperial Army has occupied the entire territory of Shanxi.

Of course, this is only Japan's side of the story.

In fact, the Chinese troops in Shanxi never gave up resistance.

Although major cities and core areas such as Taiyuan, Datong, and the Zhengtai and Tongpu Railways had been occupied by the Japanese army, Wei Lihuang's Central Army was still active in the Zhongtiao Mountains region of southern Shanxi, establishing a defensive line based on the mountains. Under the leadership of Yan Xishan, the Jin-Sui Army controlled the western side of the Lüliang Mountains, centered on Jixian, Xixian, and Daning.

The Eighth Route Army and other armed forces also established three large base areas: the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region, the Jin-Ji-Yu Border Region, and the Northwest Jin Region, and launched fierce resistance based on the rugged terrain and vast rural areas.

Faced with resistance from these three forces, the Japanese army had to expend a large number of troops in a so-called counterinsurgency campaign to maintain its rule over Shanxi.

Upon seeing the sudden appearance of an unknown group in Wutai County, Beishan Youwang immediately realized the seriousness of the situation.

Out of a soldier's sensitivity, he immediately sent a telegram to Yoshijiro Umezu, commander of the First Army stationed in Shanxi.

He then quickly mobilized two battalions from various strongholds and rushed to Wutai County... Wutai County must not be lost.

10:30 AM

Smoke swirled above Shizui Village, like gray snakes coiling around the dilapidated bunkers.

Nine Chaffee tanks lay scattered on the scorched earth, their tracks standing out starkly against the mud.

Beside one of the tanks, John leaned against the still-warm engine, a wisp of smoke rising from the cigarette between his fingers as he watched curiously.

His gaze followed the group of dejected prisoners. The puppet soldiers' raised hands looked like a row of frost-bitten reeds in the sunlight.

One of the puppet soldiers' leg wrappings came loose, and with each step he took, he left a messy trail in the dust.

Qiao Erdan, who was in charge of the driver, sneered and spat on the ground with disdain, the spittle splashing onto the track mudguards.

John, with a Camel cigarette dangling from his mouth, exhaled a long plume of smoke and said to Joe, "Joe... I've discovered a problem."

“Hmm…” Qiao Erdan looked over.

"That's right, I didn't mean to offend you."

John first explained before saying, "What I'm curious about is that you are a contradictory people."

Why is it that, faced with the Japanese invasion, your nation has both heroes like you who bravely stepped forward and risked their lives to fight the Japanese to the end, and cowards like them who surrendered to the invaders? This is so contradictory. Can you explain it?

"Well..."

Qiao Erdan was speechless for a moment.

"Let me answer this question."

A voice rang out behind him. John turned around and was so startled that he immediately stood up straight, shouting, "Attention, everyone! Stand at attention!"

"Take a break!"

The newcomer was Su Yaoyang, followed by Chief of Staff Pi Ruoyu and several officers including Li Gaoyuan and Huang Guantao.

Su Yaoyang walked to John's side and nodded at him: "John... your question just now was indeed very representative."

Although it's very uncomfortable, it does objectively exist...

(End of this chapter)