Bright Sword: From Northwest Shanxi to Changjin Lake, a Hundred Battles, a Hundred Victories

Chapter 282 On the Eve of the Great Battle, Okamura's Furious
The Kwantung Army had already been mobilized, swaggering into Beiping by train, and then transferred to Wucheng.

This group of Kwantung Army soldiers was incredibly arrogant, making quite a commotion, as if they wanted everyone to know they were coming.

Most of the Kwantung Army soldiers were equipped with Showa 5th generation military boots, but the Japanese soldiers were more accustomed to calling them woven boots.

Made with top-quality cowhide, the shoes also feature anti-slip studs on the soles.

Horseshoes were also fitted to the heels, making a very noticeable sound when the troops were assembled and marching, giving people a strong sense of oppression.

A single pair of boots is a valuable military supply, demonstrating the equipment level of the Japanese Kwantung Army.

Because the Japanese troops' gathering was not concealed, it was noticed by intelligence agents from various factions.

The Japanese Kwantung Army knew this, but they didn't care at all.

From top to bottom, they are inherently arrogant, believing themselves to be invincible.

This time, the opponent is not the Soviet army, but just the Eighth Route Army from the battlefield inside the Great Wall. What is there to be afraid of?

Even the Soviet army, after the Battle of Khalkhin Gol, many Japanese soldiers were still unconvinced and clamored to launch a counterattack to teach the enemy a lesson.

Therefore, the two Kwantung Army divisions that were transferred here were full of confidence for this battle.

He believed that once he entered the Independent Detachment's defense zone, he would be able to break through the enemy's defenses without hindrance and achieve final victory.

The performance of the Japanese Kwantung Army completely baffled Chen Ming and the officers of the General Staff.

"I knew the Japanese Kwantung Army was arrogant, but I never imagined they could be this arrogant?"

"They're mobilizing troops so openly, without any attempt at concealment, clearly telling us that they're going to attack."

Are there really idiots like this in the world? Or do they just not consider us human?

Chen Ming chuckled and addressed the group of cadres.

The chief of staff was somewhat amused and exasperated when he learned of the intelligence reports sent back by the intelligence personnel.

"The Japanese soldiers' behavior is so illogical, could it be a trap?"

The chief of staff then shared his thoughts.

He couldn't understand why the Japanese would do something so stupid if it wasn't a scheme.

Strategically, such actions would expose one's intentions and result in the loss of the initiative.

On a tactical level, being in a passive and defensive position makes logistical support prone to collapse.

This is something a competent commander would never do.

"I think the chief of staff makes a lot of sense. The Japanese might be using a tactic of switching the sky with the sun."

"Just like the tactic we used when the leader got married, we used the militia to replace the main force, and then secretly moved the main force to launch a surprise attack."

"They captured Jining, Guihua and other cities in one fell swoop, and also surrounded the Japanese 3rd Tank Division in Baotou."

“I’m worried that the Japanese might do the same thing we did, and that the two divisions they mobilized in such a grand manner might just be empty shells.”

Wang Dafei, from the fourth division, spoke up.

His words were not without reason. Chen Ming had used this method to quickly capture the cities of Guihua and Jining.

Who knows, the Japanese might want to follow suit.

After all, a normal person would not expect their opponent to use the same tactics they just used against them.

"Yes, sir, I also think this might be a Japanese conspiracy."

He Jianxin of the First Division also agreed with the Chief of Staff's idea.

Kong Jie from the Third Division didn't say anything, but judging from his appearance, he was definitely thinking about the Japanese's intentions.

Only Ding Wei from Division Two expressed a different opinion.

“I have a different opinion. I think this Japanese Kwantung Army doesn’t really have any conspiracy. They’re just used to being arrogant and don’t consider us as opponents.”

“My previous area of ​​operation was partly within Rehe Province, where I clashed with the Japanese Kwantung Army several times.”

"I could tell back then that the Japanese Kwantung Army was different from the Japanese soldiers inside China. They were very arrogant, even more so than the Japanese soldiers in the early stages of the war."

"Moreover, these Japanese devils are not normal people; they are extremely evil."

“Back then, a small squad of Japanese Kwantung Army soldiers entered the ambush area I had set up, where a large number of landmines were laid.”

"As a result, more than a dozen Japanese soldiers ran out of this squad, took off their clothes, tied white cloth strips on their heads, and ran towards the minefield with a howl."

"In the end, they forged a path with their own bodies."

"If my ambush area hadn't been set up so deep, this Japanese squad might have really gotten away."

Ding Wei began to recount their unit's experiences fighting against the Japanese Kwantung Army.

Chen Ming had no doubts about what Ding Wei said.

The Japanese Kwantung Army was one of the most thoroughly brainwashed Japanese soldiers.

During the Nomonhan Incident, these crazed Japanese soldiers were madmen who dared to charge at Soviet tanks with bayonets in hand, attempting to fight the steel torrent with their own flesh and blood.

Even Soviet generals praised the Japanese soldiers, saying that their quality was among the best in the world.

The commander's incompetence and rigid tactics ultimately led to the defeat.

After that battle, the Soviet army was astonished by the Japanese army's madness. Even during the Battle of Stalingrad, when there was a severe shortage of manpower, the Far Eastern Army's strength was always maintained at over a million.

Chen Ming believed that it was not surprising for such a group of Japanese soldiers to do anything incomprehensible.

"Personally, I agree with Comrade Ding Wei's statement."

"Among our troops, Ding Wei's unit had the most contact with the Japanese Kwantung Army and knew the Japanese Kwantung Army the best."

"However, necessary precautions should still be taken."

"Pass on my order to send more scouts and cavalry to Shangdu and the Chahar Grassland to keep a close watch."

"At the same time, I ordered the advance team under Liu Tengjie to launch a probing attack on the Japanese troops in the Chifeng area to probe their strength and weaknesses."

"Let's see if this group of Japanese soldiers we've brought over is the real deal or a fake."

Chen Ming gave the order.

This order was to prevent the Japanese from launching a feint attack from the east and a diagonal line through Duolun and Shangdu.

If the Japanese really did pull the trick of using a fake Li Kui, Chen Ming could take precautions in advance.

If not, it would just be sending out some scouts and rangers; it wouldn't cost much manpower.

At the same time, sending Liu Tengjie from the Chifeng area to launch a probing attack was a proactive way to probe the strength and weaknesses of the Japanese.

If the Japanese really do move over, then the Chifeng area will be sparsely defended, with the defense mainly consisting of puppet troops.

The advance team could then take the opportunity to strike the Japanese rear, disrupt their supply lines, and weaken their ability to sustain operations.

If the attack fails, it means that the defenses in the Chifeng area are strong and that the Japanese are plotting something.

Chen Ming preferred the former, arguing that the Japanese had no real schemes, and that the advance team could weaken the Japanese logistics capabilities.

Chen Ming did not want this major battle with the Japanese to last too long.

Because early March to April is the spring plowing season in North China.

If the battle drags on for too long, it will delay spring planting.

Therefore, in Chen Ming's mind, it would be best if this battle could be controlled within twenty days.

If battles like the Battle of Changsha and the Battle of Taiyuan last for two or three months at a time, spring planting will be completely delayed. We can't have the people in the rear risking danger to continue farming while the front lines are engulfed in conflict.

The Japanese wouldn't let us have such a comfortable spring planting season.

After the order was issued, the chief of staff immediately relayed and carried out Chen Ming's orders.

Meanwhile, inside the North China Expeditionary Army headquarters, Okamura was already cursing.

"Are these idiots' heads filled with shit?"

"This is utterly idiotic command. Two divisions of troops were mobilized so openly and brazenly without any attempt to conceal it."

"Do they think Chinese intelligence agents are just sitting around doing nothing?"

"I made careful preparations and secretly mobilized two divisions of troops for two months, just to prevent the Eighth Route Army from knowing our attack time and location in advance."

"As a result of those idiots in the Kwantung Army doing this, my two months of hard work were instantly wasted."

"The Chinese have definitely discovered us now and are ready to attack us."

"They played a perfectly good hand like that into a complete mess."

Inside the headquarters, Okamura unabashedly insulted two division commanders of the Kwantung Army.

He hurled all sorts of nasty insults, and because Okamura was an expert on Chinese culture, he even went so far as to insult the other person's family.

He was truly furious this time. He wasn't afraid of god-like opponents, but he was afraid of pig-like teammates.

A major battle involving more than four divisions resulted in all of their pre-battle strategic intentions being exposed.

Not to mention Okamura, even MacArthur would be amused by his anger.

The matter is now settled, and there's no way to salvage it.

Okamura knew that now, not only the Eighth Route Army, but also other units in China must know what they were up to.

Now, as the party that initiated the attack, it has lost the strategic advantage it should have had.

We can only play our cards openly and rely on sheer strength to prevail.

After venting his anger, Okamura began to make arrangements.

However, it did not take into account the two divisions of the Kwantung Army, but only gave the other side a time and direction for the attack.

The reason is simple: he can't influence the other party.

At this time, Okamura had not yet been promoted to Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Army; he was still the Commander of the North China Expeditionary Army.

The North China Expeditionary Army was of a lower rank than the Kwantung Army, which had been promoted to the General Army.

Although Okamura held a high rank, he was legally and institutionally able to command these two Kwantung Army divisions.

But the two Kwantung Army divisions completely ignored him.

The Kwantung Army has long been regarded as the most elite and important strategic group in the Japanese Army, bearing the heavy responsibility of confronting the Soviet Union.

This status fostered a strong sense of elitism and superiority among the officers and soldiers of the Kwantung Army.

In their eyes, the troops inside the Great Wall, especially the North China Front Army which was mired in the "counterinsurgency war," were second-rate troops.

The Kwantung Army has a long history of "subordinates overthrowing superiors" and often acts without authorization, such as the Huanggutun Incident and the September 18 Incident.

It could even influence Tokyo's national policies.

Although its elite forces had been withdrawn by this time, the mentality of an "independent kingdom" and the systemic arrogance still existed.

Furthermore, the appointment of officers and logistical support for the Kwantung Army divisions may still have maintained closer ties with the Kwantung Army headquarters, which gave them the leverage to "follow orders but not propaganda."

Originally, Okamura's personal prestige and political skills were enough to enable him to command the Kwantung Army.

However, since Chen Ming's rise to power, Gangcun's abilities and prestige have suffered a blow.

This time, they had no choice but to rely on the Kwantung Army for rescue and to clean up the mess.

The Kwantung Army no longer trusted Okamura, a man of "mediocre ability".

Therefore, the Kwantung Army was like a "distinguished guest" invited to help. Although the host (Okamura) had the right to assign them tasks, he had to be polite to them, otherwise the guest might turn his back and leave at any time.

The Kwantung Army's ostentatious mobilization, besides its own arrogance, was also intended to give Okamura a taste of his power.

This transfer made Gangcun realize that we are not his subordinates, and he should stop treating us with that bossy attitude.

Okamura was aware of the Kwantung Army's intentions, so he did not forcefully mobilize or command them.

He just cursed inwardly, "These bastards are treating matters of national importance like child's play."

However, all he could do was curse.

Even if they complained to General Headquarters, it would have little effect on the two divisions of the Kwantung Army.

On the contrary, it will only highlight his incompetence.

Can headquarters trust someone who can't even command his troops?
Unlike the Japanese side, whose troops could not be moved smoothly.

On the Independent Detachment's side, once Chen Ming gave the order, the entire unit transformed into a war machine. Every link meshed and operated like precise gears, crushing towards the target with unwavering resolve and the impact of cold metallic gleam.

In an independent detachment, orders are issued as long as the command headquarters reaches a consensus.

No one dared to utter any dissenting voices; they had no choice but to execute orders without question.

The efficient operation of a military unit is the core foundation for ensuring combat effectiveness.

As an elite unit, the Independent Detachment is undoubtedly superior in this respect.

Even Li Yunlong, who was temporarily under command, had to obediently carry out orders after receiving them.

Because he knew that if he disobeyed orders, both Chen Ming and the chief of staff would make it known.

What does it mean to say that military orders are as firm as mountains and military law is merciless?

In large-scale military operations, strict military discipline is essential!

This sentence may only have nine characters, but every word carries immense weight!

Anyone who dares to disobey orders at this time would be relieved of their duties and sent to a field military court for trial.

On a more serious note, if someone disobeys orders and causes significant losses, they can be executed on the spot to uphold military discipline, and no one will say a word against it.

After the order is issued.

Reconnaissance units at all levels immediately dispatched a large number of scouts to conduct thorough reconnaissance along the possible routes of Japanese attack.

Xu Desheng's cavalry detachment dispatched a battalion to conduct mobile reconnaissance on the Chahar grassland.

The remaining main force of cavalry was also stationed in the Jining area, ready to provide support at any time.

Ding Wei's troops in the Datong area dispatched several small units to infiltrate the Wucheng area to gather intelligence on the Japanese.

The advance team in the Chifeng area arrived after Liu Tengjie received orders from headquarters.

They immediately abandoned their original plan and, following the orders of the command, began to concentrate their forces to launch probing attacks on the Japanese army's transportation lines, supply depots, and other important logistical units.

It can be said that once Chen Ming issued the order, there was no room for negotiation.

Upon receiving the order, the troops had only one word to do: execute.

P.S.: I'm about to write about the real iconic scene, and this time it's the real deal.

(End of this chapter)