Captain Yamahara Ichiro of the 220th Regiment said: "I have heard that Xu Dalong has a special forces team. When they go out to fight, in addition to carrying a large number of pack horses, each person also carries a large canvas bag on his back.
It can carry dozens of kilograms of supplies, which greatly enhances their ability to continue fighting. Do you think we can also follow their example?"
Hirota Hongyi nodded and said: "This is a good idea. Let's also process some backpacks so that each soldier can carry a batch of supplies with him."
Yamahara Ichiro was very happy to see Hirota Koki adopt his suggestion.
He said: "In this case, I will notify the logistics department to process this batch of backpacks."
Next, in order to get familiar with the troops as quickly as possible, Yamahara Ichiro arranged for the main officers of the regiment to entertain Hirota Koki, and accompanied Hirota Koki to inspect every squadron and above unit in the regiment.
The branches of Zhou Mingde's trading company are now almost all over Shanxi. There is a grain store and a cargo station in Kaiyuan County. While they are engaged in business operations, they are also responsible for collecting intelligence.
The Japanese army has been moving more frequently recently, mainly because the Japanese army is preparing for the Eighth Route Army to continue its offensive from Licheng County. Regarding this, the intelligence station has already reported to the superiors.
Li Yunlong, Xu Dalong and others had already grasped the movements of the Japanese army, but there was a new situation that attracted the attention of the scouts.
Wang Chunming was a clerk in a grain store and actually a scout of the intelligence brigade. On this day he came to the cloth store and wanted to purchase a batch of white cloth, which was used to make flour bags.
He happened to encounter the Japanese army purchasing a large amount of canvas from there. He didn't understand what the Japanese army wanted to do with the canvas, so he followed them quietly.
Wang Chunming saw the Japanese army sending these canvases to a tailor shop. After the Japanese army left, he used the excuse to go there to cut a new suit of clothes. He learned from the sidelines that the Japanese army wanted to process them into something similar to the ones worn on the backs of the special forces members of the Mawushan Guerrilla Brigade.
Kind of backpack.
This situation confused Wang Chunming because Japanese soldiers usually carried a military blanket behind their backs, and these backpacks were obviously used to carry other supplies. This meant that a Japanese army had to carry a large amount of supplies.
materials to perform a special task.
Wang Chunming bribed the clerk in the store and learned that the number of backpacks processed by the Japanese army had reached 5,000. This shows that approximately the same number of Japanese soldiers had to carry these backpacks and go out to perform missions.
This matter was probably not trivial. Wang Chunming returned to the contact point and reported the information to the station manager. The station manager in turn reported to Zhou Mingde, who in turn reported to Zheng Xirong.
Licheng County, Mawushan Military Division Provisional Headquarters.
Xu Dalong, Li Yunlong, Zhang Dabiao and others listened to Zheng Xirong's report, which aroused their great attention. Everyone believed that this Japanese unit was going to carry out a secret mission, and they all speculated on their destination.
Zhang Dabiao said: "I guess the Japanese army is going to the mountainous areas. If it is in the plains, the Japanese army has a large number of mules, horses and vehicles, so there is no need for people to transport supplies."
Li Yunlong nodded and said: "Zhang Dabiao, what you said makes sense. I think the Japs are probably targeting the mountainous areas around Licheng County. Now that the two sides are going to start a war here, they must be operating in this generation.
If this is the case, their main goal should be to cut off our transportation line, that is, to control the road from the base area to Licheng County. If our transportation line is cut off, weapons, ammunition, oil and grain will all be transported
But come here, the troops staying in Licheng County will be in danger, and the Japanese army will definitely send heavy troops to attack our army directly, and then we will be in trouble."
Xu Dalong admired Li Yunlong and Zhang Dabiao's sensitivity to the battlefield. He said: "Regiment Commander, Chief of Staff, you are right. The Japanese army must be targeting the road behind us. As for where the Japanese army will appear,
This is not easy to judge.
The highway passing through the mountainous area is dozens of kilometers long. At any place, as long as you occupy the hills on both sides of the highway, you can control the highway."
Zhang Dabiao said: "It is not difficult to discover the Japanese army's intentions. There are only a dozen hills along both sides of the road. We might as well put a group of surveillance posts on each hill. If the Japanese army is discovered, we will report it to the headquarters at any time.
By reporting, we can grasp the movements of the Japanese army."
Li Yunlong smiled and said: "Do you think this little devil is stupid? According to the number of backpacks they ordered, the Japanese army has about four to five thousand people. It should be a reinforced infantry regiment. When these little devils enter the mountainous area, they are trapped in
We are surrounded by our army. You say, if we block the attack of the main force of the Japs, we can concentrate the main force to surround the Japs who have entered the mountainous area and eliminate them. Such a big piece of fat is not free of charge."
Xu Dalong, Zhang Dabiao and Zhao Gang also laughed together. The little Japanese went deep alone and wanted to cut off the Eighth Route Army's transportation line, which was a piece of fat on the lips of the Mawu District Military Division.
If a strengthened infantry regiment of the Japanese army could be destroyed, this would definitely be a great gain. Everyone immediately began to discuss the battle plan around this intention.
Zhao Gang said: "Since the little devil has the intention to cut off our transportation line, I will seize the time and organize the logistics department to transport more weapons, ammunition and fuel to ensure the use of the troops. Make sure there is enough time to eat
This group of Japanese troops entered the base area."
Zhang Dabiao suggested that a large number of trenches should be dug in the northwest of Licheng County to block the main attack of the Japanese army and ensure that the Mawushan Military Division could mobilize troops to annihilate the Japanese army that penetrated deep into the base area. To this end, he hoped to transfer two county brigades from the base area.
Come over and help the troops build fortifications.
Xu Dalong sent someone to call Wang Sanqiang over and gave him a temporary task, asking him to guide the people of Licheng County in digging tunnels. He also dispatched two county brigades to specialize in digging tunnels.
The Mawushan base area continued to expand. Whether it occupied towns or villages, it was difficult for the Japanese army to recapture it. One of the important reasons was that every time the Eighth Route Army occupied a place, they immediately began to dig tunnels. With the tunnels in place, the Japanese army could not enter the base area.
Very difficult.
Now that everyone has planned to stay in Licheng County for a long time, the work of digging tunnels here has been put on an important agenda. Wang Sanqiang is the best at digging tunnels, so Xu Dalong simply gave him the task.
Li Yunlong believed that the Japanese army sent a force deep into the base area to cut off transportation lines. They must cooperate with the main force to launch an attack on Licheng County. This was a big war. He suggested that several regiments of troops be transferred from the base area.
Join this battle.
Xu Dalong agreed. Since the 40,000 main troops of the Mawushan Military Division were transferred away last time, and now they have to defend a huge base area, the number of troops felt a bit tight for this battle. He suggested that Chu Yunfei simply let Chu Yunfei
Two regiments of troops were sent to participate in this battle.
Li Yunlong, Zhao Gang, and Zhang Dabiao had no objections, so Xu Dalong sent a telegram to Chu Yunfei, explaining the intention of this battle and asking him to send troops for reinforcements.
Chu Yunfei always responded to Xu Dalong's requests. He quickly agreed to lead two infantry regiments and a mountain artillery battalion to participate in the battle in the direction of Licheng County.
This time, the troops mobilized by the Mawushan Army Division and the 358th Brigade of the Shanxi-Sui Army included a total of 12 infantry regiments, an artillery regiment, a mountain artillery battalion, five county brigades, the Mawushan guerrilla tank brigade, the cavalry brigade, and the artillery brigade.
The total strength is more than 41,000.
While the Mawushan Military Division was seizing the time to prepare for war, the Japanese army was also actively preparing for war. In order to annihilate the main force of the Mawushan Military Division gathered in the Licheng area, Shinozuka Yoshio mobilized all the Japanese troops that could be mobilized in this area.
The main forces of the 113th Division and the 109th Division were independently mixed into the 11th Brigade, a cavalry brigade and a tank regiment of the Chahar Expeditionary Army. The total strength of the Japanese army reached more than 52,000 people. At the same time, there were also
The 2nd Division of the Huang Xie Army was mobilized, with approximately 9,000 puppet troops participating in the war. These puppet troops were mainly used to protect the safety of transportation lines and assist the Japanese army in transporting supplies.
Hirota, with the cooperation of Captain Yamahara Ichiro of the 220th Regiment, took the time to train the troops. In order to understand the terrain conditions in the mountainous areas, he personally disguised himself as an ordinary citizen and went to the mountainous areas for reconnaissance under the leadership of a guide. He quickly became familiar with the terrain.
Mountain roads and terrain on both sides of the road.
At noon that day, Hirota Koki, the captain of the wing, the wing auxiliary and others were having a meal. Hirota Koki was thoughtful while eating.
The captain asked: "Hirota-kun, what are you thinking about?"
Hirota Hongyi said: "I have seen the terrain of the mountainous area in this area, and the road into the mountain has been selected. I am very confident that we will complete the task of controlling the mountain road. The only thing I am worried about now is that we will control the mountain road."
After reaching the mountains on both sides of the road, the enemy will send out aircraft to bomb. The vegetation on the mountains is sparse and the troops have nowhere to hide, so they may suffer heavy casualties."
Yamahara Ichiro said: "I am also worried about this problem. My idea is that our troops should not concentrate on one or two mountains, but should control more mountains. The troops will be relatively dispersed and the losses suffered when encountering enemy air attacks will be small.
Just smaller.”
Hirota Koki said: "Your idea makes sense. Although our troops are relatively dispersed, we are defending on the top of the mountain, and the terrain is very favorable. If the enemy wants to capture our position, they will definitely pay a heavy price.
Not only that, our forces are dispersed, and the enemy has many more targets to bomb. Aerial bombs are very expensive, and I guess they don't have that many aerial bombs for them to consume."
When the commanders were talking, Hiro Hirata, the wingman at the same table, had been listening carefully. When he heard that the commanders were pinning their hopes of dealing with the enemy's air force on the insufficient number of enemy aerial bombs, he felt
It's frightening, but also a little sad. This is purely exchanging the lives of the Yellow Army soldiers for the enemy's aerial bombs.
Although he also believed that the enemy would not have so many aerial bombs, this was just a guess. If the enemy made a desperate move and concentrated resources to build a large number of aerial bombs, the consequences would be unimaginable.
He believed that instead of waiting for the enemy's air force to bomb, it would be better to take the initiative to destroy the enemy's air force.
Hirata Hiroshi was not sure whether his idea was appropriate or not. He thought about it repeatedly. When the two officers ended their conversation, he mustered up the courage to say: "Your Excellency, the commander, I have a suggestion. Is it feasible?"
Hirota Koki said: "Everyone is discussing about this battle now. If you have any suggestions, just say them without any scruples."
Hirata Hiroshi said: "Since we can cut off the enemy's transportation lines, which means that the entire regiment can secretly attack the enemy through the mountainous areas, why can't we send a small force deep into the enemy's occupied area?
Destroy their airport? If you destroy the enemy's air force, won't it save the Yellow Army's warriors from being bombed by enemy planes?"
Hirata Hiroshi's suggestion made Hirota Koki and the co-captain feel enlightened.
Hirota Koki said: "This idea is very good and creative. I think we can study it carefully."
The co-captain agreed with this idea at first, but later he felt that it might not be feasible.
He said: "I heard that the First Army Headquarters once organized an advance team to destroy the enemy's airport. As a result, they were besieged by the enemy before they reached the airport, and the entire army was destroyed. The Eighth Route Army's base area was heavily guarded.
Even if we send a small force in, I'm afraid it will be very difficult."
Hirata Hiroshi felt a little uneasy when he heard what the captain said.
He said: "Your Excellency, your Excellency, the Commander, I am just giving you a piece of advice. Please make your decision, Your Excellency, the Commander."
Hirota Koki supported Hirata Hiroshi. He said: "I think this opinion is very pertinent. Let's study it carefully after dinner. If we send an advance team to complete this task, what will happen to us?
What are the difficulties? And how to overcome them? If it is truly feasible, we will report this plan to the First Army Headquarters and ask them to provide us with special equipment."
The wing commander actually hoped to destroy the enemy's air force. He said: "In this case, I also agree to study this matter."
After eating, Hirota Koki and others came to the war room and had a full discussion on sending troops deep behind enemy lines to destroy the enemy's airport.
They came to the conclusion that a Japanese army with a strength of about one squadron should be organized to carry out this task. Even if it is unsuccessful, it can cause panic to the enemy's rear and help coordinate the entire regiment's action of blocking the road. From a large perspective
On the one hand, it is conducive to the smooth progress of this battle.
The wing leader also wanted to make a great contribution. He knew that if he could defeat the enemy's air force, the credit would be too great, so he did not want this credit to be shared by others.
He said: "Mr. Hirota, I don't think it is necessary to report this matter to the First Army Headquarters. We can allocate capable personnel from my regiment to organize an advance team to complete the task of attacking the enemy's airport.
"
Hirota Koki mainly relied on the 220th Regiment for this battle. He could not pour cold water on the commander, so he said: "In that case, I agree with you. So who will lead this army?"
Hirata Hirota, the commander of the regiment, has a handsome face and looks a little shy, but in his heart he is a very determined militarist, more fanatical than those big and rough warriors.
He felt very honored to see the two co-captains adopting his suggestion.
Hearing Hirota Koki ask about the candidate for the advancing captain, he immediately stood up and said: "Your Excellency, the captain, I humbly request to carry out the mission of attacking the enemy's airport."
Hirota Koki had no objection. He said: "Since you proposed this plan, it is naturally best for you to complete it. But in the end, your captain will make the final decision."
The captain still has great trust in Hirata Hiroshi. After all, they have been getting along day and night and know him very well. He also believes that Hirata Hiroshi is a qualified candidate to carry out this mission.
He said: "Since Mr. Guangtian also agrees with you to perform the task, then I solemnly entrust you with this glorious and arduous task to complete."
Hirata Hiroshi's face flushed with excitement, and he said firmly: "Thank you to the two captains for your trust. I promise to complete the mission."
The decision was made. Neither Hirota Koki nor the commander Hirata Hiroshi reported to the First Army the idea of sending an advance team. They hoped to bring a huge surprise to the commander Yoshio Shinozuka. Therefore, they decided to wait until
When Hirata's attack is successful, he will report to Shinozuka Yoshio.
Just when Li Yunlong, Xu Dalong and others made the combat deployment and prepared for a big fight with the Japanese army, they suddenly received a telegram from the commander, requesting the Mawushan Military Division to dispatch three more regiments of troops to the Luliang Military Region to strengthen the area.
of troops.
After hearing the news, Xu Dalong was very depressed, Li Yunlong was so angry that there were stars in his eyes, and Zhang Dabiao wanted to cry. Even Zhao Gang, who always resolutely obeyed the orders of his superiors, was unhappy.
Li Yunlong said: "What has happened to us here in Mawu Mountain? We have to hand over the weapons and ammunition we have obtained, and the money we have obtained has to be sent upwards in large sums. Everything must be sent upwards. The troops we have worked so hard to bring out,
They will also be taken away by others. Not only must most of the eggs they lay be given away, but now even the old hens will be taken away. How will we fight this battle in the future? If this continues, I will give up."
Xu Dalong, Zhao Gang and Zhang Dabiao were not happy either. They all had gloomy faces and didn't know what to say.
Li Yunlong said: "This is not possible. I will go to the Taiyue Military Region to find the commander now. This is unreasonable."
Zhao Gang knew that Li Yunlong had a bad temper and was worried that he would mess up things if he didn't hit the point.
He said to Xu Dalong: "Captain, the superiors have a very good impression of you. I think you should go to the military region headquarters, talk to the leaders about our difficulties and the specific development needs here, and ask the superiors to cancel
This order."
Xu Dalong nodded and said: "Without further delay, I will set off now."
At this moment, the commander sent another telegram, saying that he had now gone to the Mawushan Military Division Headquarters and asked Xu Dalong and Zhao Gang to go back and meet him.
Li Yunlong is very shrewd. It seems that his superiors know that Li Yunlong has a bad temper and is not easy to talk to, so he plans to work with Xu Dalong and Zhao Gang, two people who are easy to talk to. If this is the case, it seems that this matter will be difficult to recover.
Li Yunlong said: "Brother Dalong, Lao Zhao, I will go with you. If the superiors always do this, I will not work as a commander. Whoever wants to do it will do it."
Xu Dalong also got a little angry this time. He said: "Captain, you'd better not go. I know what to do and what to say. Zhao Zhengwei and I are about to set off now. The Japanese army may attack Licheng at any time.
If we launch an attack in the county direction, you and the chief of staff will stay here and do whatever you want according to the original battle plan."
Li Yunlong and Zhang Dabiao still had great trust in Xu Dalong. They also knew that Xu Dalong's reputation with their superiors was greater than that of the two of them. It would be better to leave this matter to Xu Dalong, so they said nothing more and concentrated.
energy to deal with possible attacks by the Japanese army.