Anti-Japanese War: Li Yunlong dared to attack Taiyuan

Datong was conquered by the enemy, and was occupied without their knowledge. As long as this news is passed back to the base camp, if they cannot find a reasonable excuse, both of them will be punished. In their position, they know very well that once they are punished and regarded as the shame of the empire, an end more horrible than death will be waiting for them.

For the Japanese, being convicted not only means that they themselves will be dealt with, but also that their families back home will be in trouble.

Once they are labeled as the family members of criminals, it will be difficult for their families to survive in their homeland. Even if they once held high positions and were lieutenant generals of the empire, the fanatical people in the country will not care so much, and the people in the base camp will also put the blame for the failure on them, and they and their families are likely to be directly killed by some fanatical radicals.

This kind of thing has happened more than once or twice.

Now the only recourse left for them is suicide. In the Japanese army, suicide can absolve them of all guilt and is considered a sign of responsibility.

However, these two people were not from ordinary families, and they knew very well what the purpose of the so-called suicide was. It was nothing more than something created to strengthen the brainwashing of Bushido.

In fact, the first Japanese soldier to commit suicide was Fujiwara no Yasusuke. He was caught stealing and was afraid of facing blame, so he committed suicide. Then the Japanese found a reason and thought that this was a manifestation of courage, and passed it down as a way of brainwashing.

"How could Datong be captured overnight? We still don't have any news!"

Takahashi Shigekiyoshi racked his brains, but he couldn't figure it out. Datong City was densely populated, and it was impossible to capture Datong without heavy weaponry. What about the Eighth Route Army guerrillas who harassed Datong yesterday? He had fought against the Datong Miners' Guerrillas and the Daqingshan Cavalry Detachment before, and they had no chance of conquering Datong.

"What on earth happened in Datong last night?"

Takahashi Shigeki had just returned from an inspection, so he didn't know what had happened to the Mengjiang garrison recently, and was now completely confused.

Amakasu Shigetaro suddenly stood up. He had already thought of an excuse in his mind, an excuse that could get rid of the charges, but to do so, he needed to unify his statement with Takahashi Shigekiyoshi: "Last night, the First Army transported nearly 40,000 prisoners of war to Datong!"

"What? Forty thousand prisoners of war? Has the First Army gone crazy? They've transferred most of the 26th Division, leaving only the Chida Regiment. With over forty thousand prisoners, the Chida Regiment is completely unable to guard them. These bastards are responsible for this. Who agreed to send forty thousand prisoners of war to Datong?"

Takahashi Shigeki immediately understood what Amakasu Shigetaro meant, and immediately stood up and asked angrily that the truth was no longer important to the two of them. What was crucial was how to quickly get rid of the crime and get rid of the blame for the loss of Datong.

After listening to Takahashi Shigeki's words, Shigetaro Amakasu knew that his old partner understood what he meant. He suddenly stood up and walked to the phone to answer the call from the airport.

"Immediately have all pilots and observers heading to Datong for reconnaissance come to headquarters. This applies to all pilots and observers from across the country. All those who have flown over Datong recently must come to headquarters!"

"Hayi!"

Soon, a total of sixteen reconnaissance aircraft pilots and observers responsible for the Datong reconnaissance rushed to the headquarters of the Mengjiang garrison.

The sixteen people looked at each other nervously at this time, but their eyes revealed determination. They had a brief discussion on the way here and knew that there was nothing unusual about Datong yesterday. Now they also realized the seriousness of the problem. If Datong had been occupied by the enemy yesterday and they had not found anything unusual, they would all need to commit seppuku to apologize.

"You must immediately report to me in detail what you have discovered about Datong. Starting from yesterday, you must give me a detailed report without any concealment or omission." Amakasu Shigetaro looked at the sixteen people expressionlessly, with a fierce gleam in his eyes. He couldn't kill them all, and he needed to keep a few people to deal with the investigation.

"Hayi!"

One of the highest-ranking observers, Iwanaga Kota, immediately stepped forward and said, "Commander, we were on patrol to Datong at 8:00 this morning. When our plane arrived over Datong, we discovered that the Imperial flag flying over the city had disappeared."

"A group of Chinese soldiers appeared on the Datong city wall, celebrating!"

After hearing this, Amakasu Shigetaro immediately asked anxiously, "Which unit are they from? The Eighth Route Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, or the Nationalist Army?"

"They are the national army wearing yellow-green uniforms."

"They still fly their blue sky, white sun flag."

After hearing these words, Shigetaro Amakasu and Shigeki Takahashi looked at each other, and both of them saw the word "hope" in their eyes.

Originally they wanted to do something about these captives to shirk responsibility, but now it seems that they don't need to lie, and in fact it is just as they thought.

"sure?"

"Ha Yi, we all saw it. After they saw us, they immediately hid, but their flags were still hanging on the city wall."

"Very good, tell us what you saw yesterday!"

"Ha Yi, when we arrived over Datong yesterday, the Datong defenders were still fighting fiercely with the attacking forces. The Qiantian Regiment occupied Datong. I saw our soldiers fighting on the city walls with my own eyes. The attacking forces didn't carry heavy weapons, so it was impossible for them to capture Datong. This afternoon, I went to Datong again for reconnaissance. The attacking forces had retreated, leaving behind many corpses. Datong is still in the hands of the imperial army..."

A group of people reported the intelligence they had seen one by one, but they concealed all the things that seemed amiss and did not dare to speak out.

Amakasu Shigetaro's breathing became a bit rapid. His plan was already taking shape, and now only some crucial evidence remained. He immediately said, "You guys go down first!"

After he finished speaking, he immediately said to his confidential secretary, "Send a telegram to the 25th and 26th Cavalry Regiments immediately. Order them not to destroy the flags flying in Datong City after arriving there. Take a picture of the flags on the city walls. Then, find witnesses immediately. I want to know what happened in Datong. Tell them I..."

"Hayi!"

After giving the order, Shigetaro Amakasu looked at Shigeki Takahashi with a look of relief. After the two looked at each other, they showed expressions of having survived a disaster.

Since the city was lost last night and was occupied by prisoners sent by the First Army, it is not their headquarters' business, but the First Army's and the 26th Division's business.

As long as the responsibility for losing Datong cannot be blamed on them, it is more important than anything else.

"Commander, which troops were involved in the capture of Datong?"

"The most important thing now is to recapture Datong, defend Datong, and thoroughly investigate the truth behind Datong. Once the 26th Division returns, immediately send a telegram to Kuroda Shigenori and tell them what happened in Datong!"

After hearing what Amakasu Shigetaro said, Takahashi Shigeki immediately understood what he was going to do. Anyone with a discerning eye knew that it was impossible to take Datong without anyone noticing when there were a group of prisoners under guard, without even sending a telegram for help or making a phone call.

Moreover, there was no news of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Infantry Battalions of the 2nd Mixed Brigade that were heading to Datong for support.

Was all this done by a group of unarmed prisoners of war?

Shigetaro Amakasu didn't believe it, and neither did Shigeki Takahashi. There must be something fishy going on, but the truth was not important. Shigetaro Amakasu couldn't bear the blame for losing Daido, and neither could Takahashi. But Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko could bear it, and perhaps Kuroda Shigenori, who also clung to His Highness the Prince, could bear it.

Now, Shigetaro Amakasu hopes that the Chinese troops attacking Datong will run far away, not be discovered by them, and even not make a sound, so that he can make a fortune in silence.

Yesterday, the Eighth Route Army guerrillas did attack Datong, but they were repelled by the Datong defenders. The heroic Mengjiang garrison troops repelled the enemy's attack.

However, at night, 40,000 prisoners of war were sent to Datong, and the prisoners rioted, causing Datong to be occupied by Chinese troops. This is the truth behind the fall of Datong.

Datong was not recaptured by any active attack by any army. The face of the Mengjiang garrison was saved, the face of the army was saved, and an explanation was given to Tianhuang. As for the blame, the First Army was already a disgrace to the empire, so it would not be a big deal to bear more blame.

As long as it is established that the loss of Datong was caused by the group of prisoners sent to Datong, then all this has nothing to do with the Mengjiang garrison, and the headquarters will not be implicated. Everything was caused by the 26th Division's unauthorized transfer of troops to Taiyuan, and the First Army's escort of 40,000 prisoners of war to Datong, which led to the loss of Datong.

The fate of Kuroda Shigenori, commander of the 26th Division, was of little concern to Amakasu Shigetaro and Takahashi Shigeki. If a subordinate doesn't flatter his immediate superior and instead seeks to curry favor with another powerful figure, who else will? As for Kuroda Shigenori's fate, it all depends on whether his newfound supporters are willing to protect him.

If a prince came forward to protect him, Kuroda Shigenori might have been saved, but the First Army had just washed away its shame, and whether it was willing to bear the stigma of poor command was not something that Amakasu Shigetaro and Takahashi Shigeki should consider. After all, they belonged to the Kwantung Army, and the First Army was the North China Expeditionary Army. If the North China Expeditionary Army was in trouble, the Kwantung Army would be willing to take advantage of it.

"Report, Taiyuan called, Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko sent a telegram asking about the situation in Datong!"

Upon hearing this, Amakasu Shigetaro and Takahashi Shigeki exchanged a glance, and as if making a firm decision, they said, "Call His Royal Highness back. Today, our reconnaissance planes patrolled Datong and discovered that it had been captured by the Zhina Army. Upon investigation, we found that the Zhina Army that captured Datong were the 40,000 Zhina Army prisoners transported to Datong last night. Our defending troops fought a bloody battle all night, and all were annihilated!"

"Hayi!"

Chapter 219 Li Yunlong Returns to the Base

In Taiyuan City.

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko, his face livid, held up the telegram from the Mongolian Garrison Command. "Baka! Can these bastards come up with a more outrageous excuse to shirk responsibility?"

"With a regiment stationed there and a large battalion of troops escorting them separately, a group of prisoners who had been hungry for nearly two days were actually able to capture Datong. This is simply an insult to me and His Majesty Tianhuang!"

"Baga, these bastards, even at this time they only know how to shirk responsibility, Baga!"

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko had a very loud voice. Even though we were in a small private room next to the banquet hall, we could occasionally hear the angry curses of the devil prince inside.

At this time, Kuroda Shigenori was being interviewed by Japanese reporters. He was wearing a major general's uniform, holding a bottle of champagne in his hand, a general's sword on his waist, and a chrysanthemum ribbon awarded by the prince. He looked very energetic.

"The Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain is the greatest victory the Empire has ever achieved since the start of the war with China. This battle is enough to prove that the partial victory won by the Chinese army on the battlefield was just a fluke. As long as the Empire mobilizes a large army, it can easily defeat the Chinese army!"

"The impact and results of this battle are so significant that I believe no other battle can compare to it, except for the Battle of Nanjing commanded by His Royal Highness. I believe most of the credit for this battle should be attributed to His Royal Highness's command. Without His Royal Highness's strategic planning, there wouldn't be such a great result."

Facing the reporters, Kuroda Shigenori was neither humble nor arrogant, and praised Prince Asaka Naruhiko with a serious expression. This was definitely not flattery, but the truth. At the same time, Kuroda Shigenori was thinking in his heart that after this award ceremony, the one star on his collar should be upgraded to two.

It's time for Shigetaro Amakasu to move up. After all, he has been the commander of the Mengjiang Garrison Army for two years. He should move up a bit and make way for his younger junior so that he can be promoted.

"General Kuroda, Your Highness has transferred your troops from Datong to Taiyuan. Aren't you worried about Datong's safety? Before I came here, I heard rumors that Li Yunlong's independent column appeared in Datong."

Upon hearing this, Kuroda Shigenori immediately said in a serious tone, "Please rest assured, Datong is as solid as a rock under my management. Not to mention the Eighth Route Army, even if the regular army of China wanted to take Datong, it would cost them 100,000 casualties, or even more. As for Li Yunlong's independent column, hmph."

Kuroda Shigenori took a sip of champagne and said, "He only won a few times by luck. If he were to meet my 26th Division on the battlefield, I would annihilate this Zhizhina unit and avenge the fallen Imperial warriors."

This statement immediately won the whole room's applause. A group of people applauded wildly. Kuroda Shigenori leaned forward slightly, bowed, raised his glass with a smile and said, "Everyone, cheers to victory!"

"cheers!"

"Wan Sheng!"

Just when Kuroda Shigenori was feeling proud, an attendant of Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko approached him and said, "His Highness is looking for you. Follow me."

Kuroda Shigenori nodded and followed the attendant to the small side hall next door.

Originally, Kuroda Shigenori thought that some reward was waiting for him, but when he walked into the side hall, Kuroda Shigenori felt that the atmosphere in the side hall was a bit depressing. Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko was sitting on the sofa with a dark face, and next to him were Lieutenant General Kanda Masatane of the 6th Division and Lieutenant General Yamashita Tomotake of the 4th Division.

The expressions of these two people were not good.

After seeing this scene, Kuroda Shigenori immediately walked in with a serious expression: "Your Highness."

Prince Asaka Naruhiko glanced at Kuroda Shigenori and handed him the two telegrams in his hand: "Take a look for yourself."

"Hayi!"

When Kuroda Shigenori took the telegram, he instinctively felt something was wrong.

After reading the first telegram, Kuroda Shigenori frowned. "This is impossible. Who in China is imagining things? I was in touch with the troops in Datong last night. Datong is still in our hands."

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko did not say anything and motioned him to continue reading. Kuroda Shigenori looked at the second telegram. After reading the second telegram, Kuroda Shigenori felt his body a little unstable and his feet a little weak, and then he collapsed to the ground.

"Impossible, this is absolutely impossible!"

As he spoke, Kuroda Shigenori quickly picked up the telegram and repeatedly confirmed that the content of the telegram was from the Mengjiang Garrison Army Headquarters. His last bit of strength was drained away.

The whole person collapsed to the ground, completely powerless.

Datong was lost and captured by prisoners of war from the Chinese army.

"How could this happen? This, this is impossible..."

Datong was the base of the 26th Division and also the location of his headquarters. At this time, Kuroda Shigenori was very clear that no matter how he argued, he could not change the fact that Datong was occupied by Chinese troops during his term of office.

This was the first important city captured by the Chinese troops since the war began. Datong was different from other places. It had a large number of factories and coal mines. Once the factories and mines were destroyed, the losses would even exceed the results of the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain.

If Datong was really captured, the impact on the Japanese would be far greater than the victory in the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain. After all, the Japanese often won battles, but they had never lost an important city, and it was an important industrial city, and there was a regiment stationed in the important industrial city under the noses of a group of Japanese.

You have to know how many troops the Japanese have. If a regiment can't defend a city, then how many cities in the areas they occupy can still be defended?

"Your Highness, save me!"

Kuroda Shigenori also reacted at this time. The only one who could save him now was His Royal Highness the Prince in front of him. He had just read the telegram from the Mengjiang Garrison Command, and the content was very clear.

The loss of Datong had nothing to do with the Mengjiang Garrison Command. Before the prisoners of war arrived yesterday, Datong was still in the hands of the Chida Regiment. It was occupied after the prisoners arrived. When they received the news, Datong had already fallen and it was too late to rescue it. The responsibility for the loss of Datong has been firmly pinned on Kuroda Shigenori, who asked the First Army for prisoners of war and transferred troops to Taiyuan.

Prince Higashikuni Naruhiko looked at Kuroda Shigenori with a gloomy face and took a deep breath. Kuroda Shigenori needed to be saved, otherwise no one would dare to help him in the future. However, he had not yet figured out how to save him. After thinking for a while, he immediately said: "Immediately lead the troops north to eliminate these prisoners of war!"

"Hayi!"

"The telegram said they had retreated from Datong and hadn't caused any extensive damage. Datong shouldn't have suffered much damage, and it should be salvageable."

"Hayi!"

"Remember, try to minimize Datong's losses while ensuring Datong's coal production. Only in this way can you avoid punishment."