Anti-Japanese War: Developing on my own, I brought back a US-equipped division

This time the request for assistance mainly focuses on two aspects.

On the one hand, they hoped to dispatch the Army Aviation Corps as soon as possible, that is, to send fighter planes to bomb the positions of the independent battalion.

Previously, Yoshimoto Sadaichi wanted to provide fire support through air raids and bombings by the Army Aviation.

Taiyuan is also actively deploying army aviation units.

But this will definitely take some time.

After all, the Japanese didn't have many fighter planes.

However, no one expected that the independent battalion's attack speed was so fast that it destroyed the Second Division so quickly, which directly led to the Second Division being unable to use air strikes and bombings.

This is very embarrassing.

On the other hand, Takeshita Shun naturally hoped that Taiyuan would send reinforcements to support Ping'an County as soon as possible.

Otherwise, Takeshita Shun felt that Ping'an County could not be defended.

Then, Takeshita Shun looked at the Japanese soldier next to him and said, "Immediately notify Mr. Zuo Mu and Captain Fan Jinming to come to a meeting to discuss how to defend Ping'an County."

"Hurry up!" The Japanese soldier went down to pass on the order.

Originally, there was a garrison in Ping'an County.

This defending force was mainly composed of a battalion under a Type C division and a puppet army corps.

This battalion is numbered as the 199th Battalion, with a strength of approximately 1500 men. Its commander is Sakimu Yu, with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

Although the number of troops in the Saki Battalion is larger than that of ordinary Japanese battalions, this battalion belongs to the Japs' Class C combat unit.

The combat effectiveness of Type C combat forces is much inferior to that of Type A and Type B forces.

There are huge differences in terms of equipment, quality of troops, combat experience, etc.

In addition to the Saki Battalion, there is also the 124th Regiment of the Imperial Army.

The commander of the 124th Regiment was Fan Jinming. The entire regiment was expanded from a local armed force. It had a strength of about two thousand people and its combat effectiveness was very average, not as good as that of the Fourth Mixed Brigade of the Imperial Army.

Therefore, although the Saki Battalion and the 124th Regiment in Ping'an County had more than people and strong defensive fortifications, Takeshita Shun did not have the confidence and courage to defend Ping'an.

After all, the independent battalion wiped out the Second Division.

Soon, Zuo Muxi, Fan Jinming, Zhu Ziming and others arrived at the garrison headquarters in Ping'an County.

In the conference room.

The faces of Zuo Muxi, Fan Jinming, Zhu Ziming and others were all very ugly and solemn.

Because they also knew that the Independent Battalion had wiped out the Second Division and was already at the gates of the city.

Takeshita Shun looked at everyone present and said, "Everyone, I don't need to say more about the current situation in Ping'an County, right?"

"The Eighth Route Army's independent battalion is already at the gates of the city. I have already requested 810 support from Taiyuan and am now waiting for Taiyuan's response."

"How can we defend Ping'an County now? Please give us your opinions."

Zuo Muxi said with a serious expression: "Your Excellency Colonel, the current situation is very unfavorable for us."

"There are four city gates in Ping'an County, namely the East Gate, West Gate, North Gate and South Gate. The East Gate and West Gate are the larger gates, while the North Gate and South Gate are the smallest."

"We have limited military strength now, only about 3,000 people, and there is no way we can defend Ping'an County!"

Fan Jinming also said quickly: "Yes... Ping'an County is in danger now, especially the Eighth Route Army Independent Battalion is not a small battalion-level combat unit. After all, they are the Eighth Route Army troops with tanks, planes and artillery."

"If the independent battalion is capable of annihilating the Second Division outside the city, then it won't be difficult for them to capture our Ping'an County."

Zhu Ziming was also completely panicked. He said, "I really didn't expect the independent battalion to be so strong. Mr. Takeshita, where are our reinforcements? It's already the third day? Why haven't they arrived yet?"

Takeshita Shun: "Our reinforcements have been blocked by anti-Japanese forces along the way, and there is no way to reinforce Ping'an County now."

"Now we have to consider how to defend Ping'an County. Only by defending Ping'an County can we wait for the arrival of reinforcements."

Nozomi Sasaki said slowly: "Compared to the Eighth Route Army outside the city, our only advantage is the solid city defense fortifications!"

"But if the independent battalion has heavy artillery or tank units, then our advantage will be very unclear."

Now everyone present is pessimistic and negative.

No way, the independent camp is too strong

The Second Division, a strong unit, was destroyed by the Independent Battalion, which shows how terrifying the real combat power of the Independent Battalion is...

Chapter 440: Ping'an Ge'er Battle Grand Offensive! Strong Confrontation! (Third update, please subscribe)

Faced with such a powerful independent battalion, everyone present expressed a negative and pessimistic mood.

This is also normal.

After all, as a Type C force, the fighting will of the Saki Battalion is not strong enough.

As for the 124th Regiment of the Imperial Army, it is a second-rate puppet army. It is okay to bully ordinary people and maintain public order, but if it really encounters regular anti-Japanese forces, it will have no ability to fight at all.

It was precisely because of this that Zuo Muxi and Fan Jinming actually wanted to abandon the city and flee.

Shun Takeshita is also a smart man.

He naturally understood what Zuo Muxi and Fan Jinming meant.

But can he just abandon the city and flee?

Obviously it is impossible.

On the one hand, Ping'an County is one of the most important large counties and cannot be given up just like that.

On the other hand, Takeshita Shun was a soldier who was brainwashed by the Bushido spirit and militarism, and he would certainly not retreat easily under such circumstances.

The most important thing is that Ping'an County has now been surrounded by the independent battalion, and there is no way to retreat.

Unless we concentrate our forces to break through.

Of course, the north gate is a good direction to retreat.

After all, if you walk east from the north gate for about five kilometers, you will enter the mountains and can use the natural environment for good cover.

However, the terrain of the North Gate is not suitable for a large-scale retreat.

To put it simply, the current situation and Takeshita Shun's personal character mean that he will not easily withdraw from Ping'an County.

Takeshita Shun supported himself on the table with both hands, looked at everyone present, and slowly said: "Actually, I know what you are thinking. You want to withdraw from Ping'an County to preserve your strength for the battle in the future!"

"But I tell you... I won't give up Ping'an County easily unless it's absolutely necessary!"

"This is the mission and duty of our soldiers."

Zuo Muxi and Fan Jinming were caught in what Takeshita Shun said. They lowered their heads slightly and did not dare to look directly at Takeshita Shun.

After a pause, Takeshita Shun continued: "Next, we will arrange the combat mission."

"Although our Ping'an County has four city gates, we mainly just need to defend the East and West Gates of Ping'an County!"

"Mr. Zuomu, your 199th Battalion's main force is responsible for the defense of the East City Gate. Stabilize the fortifications and make combat deployments to resist the crazy attack of the independent battalion."

"Captain Fan, your 124th Regiment's main force is responsible for the defense of the West Gate!"

"Also, seal the North Gate for me. You, the 124th Regiment, will arrange a battalion of troops to be responsible for the defense of the North Gate. Zhu Ziming, you will be responsible for the battle at the North Gate."

"As for the final west gate... Mr. Saki, you arrange for a squadron of troops to take charge!"

Since Takeshita Shunto has issued such an order, Saki Muyu and Fan Jinming have no choice but to carry it out.

Zuo Muxi, Fan Jinming, Zhu Ziming and others all responded, "Yes!"

The north gate is a good escape route.

Now Takeshita Shun has sealed the north gate, and the meaning is very clear, which is to let everyone fight with their backs against the wall and survive.

Takeshita Shun looked at everyone present, and said solemnly: "I hope you can understand... Now the Eighth Route Army is everywhere outside Ping'an County. Even if we want to retreat now, it is estimated that we will not be able to escape their encirclement!"

"Therefore, we can only defend ourselves strictly, hold on and wait for help, and defend Ping'an County, so that we can have a chance to fight back!"

"do you understand?"

Zuo Muxi, Fan Jinming and Zhu Ziming all responded loudly: "Understood!"

Takeshita Shun nodded slightly and said, "Very good, then let's discuss the city defense work!"

Afterwards, everyone began to study how to consolidate the city’s defenses, defend the city with all their might... and protect Ping’an County.

Now that the Second Division has been destroyed, they must defend Ping'an County to perhaps have a chance of survival.

Takeshita Shun's arrogance and military character determined that he would have a confrontation with the Independent Battalion.

…………

The independent battalion attacked the position.

Except for Zhao Donghai and Li Deming, other military commanders of the independent battalion gathered in front of Su Zheng.

Takeshita Shun and others discussed how to defend Ping'an County, while Su Zheng and others discussed the deployment of a general offensive against Ping'an County.

In this attack on the 2nd Division's second line of defense, almost all the company commanders were injured, but it was not a serious matter and they were able to continue fighting.

However, the losses of each company, unit, and platoon were quite heavy.

Su Zheng looked around at Zhou Weiguo, Lei Zifeng, Liu Dazhuang, Sun Desheng and others present, and said, "Everyone... I also understand the current situation of our independent battalion. The losses of each company and unit are not small, and the active combat force that can be mobilized is only more than 2,000 people."

"So we have to rely on the strength of local forces, that is, to mobilize more than a thousand militias, district squads, county brigades, etc."

"Anyway, this time we must take over Ping'an County as quickly as possible!"

Su Zheng knew very well that the entire northwest Shanxi and even the Second War Zone were in chaos.

There are wars everywhere.

The Eighth Route Army, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army, the Central Army, etc. were all blocking the Japanese reinforcements.

But their combat effectiveness, equipment, ammunition, etc. are limited.

In other words, they didn't know how long they could hold off these Japanese reinforcements.

If the attack on Ping'an County is delayed for one more day, it will be one more day of danger for the independent battalion, and the casualties of the various troops participating in the battle will also be greater.

Therefore, the next step must be a quick victory.

Zhou Weiguo looked at Su Zhengdao and said, "Captain, just tell me how to fight?"

Lei Zifeng said proudly: "That's right, although we only have two or three hundred people left in our company, we can lead the charge!"

Su Zheng looked around at everyone present and said, "My battle plan is very simple."

"First of all, the East Gate of Ping'an County is the main gate. This gate is also the most difficult to attack, so we placed more than 2,000 main forces of the independent battalion at the East Gate!"

"All personnel from the first, second and third companies will head to the East Gate of Ping'an County and be responsible for attacking the East Gate!"

"Yang Zhihua, Xu Yang, your artillery and tanks are responsible for providing fire cover."

Zhou Weiguo, Liu Dazhuang, Lei Zifeng, Xu Yang, Yang Zhihua and others all responded, "Yes!"

"Secondly, the West Gate is also a gate of Ping'an County. This gate is mainly composed of Sun Desheng's cavalry company and militia!"

"Sun Desheng, can you handle this?"

Sun Desheng said in a clear voice: "Captain, don't worry, I will complete the mission."

Su Zheng continued, "The remaining South Gate and North Gate are two small city gates with narrow terrain, which are not suitable for large-scale military operations, so the reconnaissance company and the special forces company are responsible for cleaning the city gates."

"Liang Fei, Duan Peng, your two companies now have less than 200 people combined. Do you feel any pressure in being in charge of a city gate?"

Duan Peng and Liang Fei both responded loudly: "No."

Su Zheng nodded and said, "The last city gate is the north gate."

"The terrain of the North Gate is also very narrow, and it won't take long for us to enter the mountains after exiting the North Gate. This is a very good cover!"

"So the North Gate is mainly under the charge of our battalion's direct subordinate units, the Dragon Soul Special Forces, and the Ghost Team."

"Monk, Zhengguo, Yihang, do you have any questions?"

Wei Dayong, Chen Zhengguo and Xu Yihang all responded: "No problem, we will complete the task."

The troops directly under the battalion headquarters are mainly the guard platoon and the battalion combat platoon, which are combat-effective.

Plus the Dragon Soul Special Forces and the Ghost Team.

The entire north gate's offensive and siege force consisted of less than a hundred people, only more than seventy people.