Chapter 466: At first, everyone thought this was an ordinary attack!
Taiyuan.
First Army Headquarters.
Because of the actions of the Central Army and the Eighth Route Army, the atmosphere in the First Army Headquarters suddenly became tense.
The situation in Shanxi is now very different from before.
In the past, the Japanese army was dominated by one family, fighting against the Eighth Route Army, Shanxi-Sui Army and the Central Army. Even if these three forces joined forces, they were no match for the Japanese army.
But in just the past few years, the Eighth Route Army's strength has grown by leaps and bounds, and it has become a serious threat to the Japanese First Army.
Although in terms of overall strength, the Japanese First Army was stronger than the Eighth Route Army in Shanxi.
However, the Japanese army's forces were too scattered. Without increasing its troops and mobilizing supplies, the Japanese First Army would have no way to defeat the Eighth Route Army, and it would not even be able to organize a decent raid.
Since the failure of the spring raids, the Japanese army definitely did not dare to raid the base areas in southeastern Shanxi again without having more than a division.
Based on the strength of the Japanese First Army alone, if more than one division were mobilized to sweep the base areas in southeastern Shanxi, other places, such as Taiyuan, would probably be attacked by the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi.
With the end of the Battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, it now belongs to the confrontation stage between the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese First Army.
Although the Japanese First Army was unable to attack the Eighth Route Army, the Eighth Route Army was not strong enough to defeat the entire First Army.
However, when the Eighth Route Army is added to the Central Army, the situation is completely different.
In the last battle of Zhongtiao Mountain, the main reason for the Central Army's disastrous defeat was insufficient preparation, lack of unified and effective command, and the Japanese army was caught off guard.
This time the Central Army seemed to be well prepared, and its commander was Wei Lihuang, commander of the First Theater Zone, who had always had a good relationship with the Eighth Route Army.
Yoshio Iwamatsu was worried that if Wei Lihuang joined forces with the Eighth Route Army, the First Army might be defeated.
"Report to Commander, the latest information is that the Central Army on the south bank of the Yellow River is secretly preparing ships to cross the river!"
Intelligence Staff Officer Takahashi Aihikanaka held the telegram in his left hand, walked quickly into the war room, and bowed his head to Yoshio Iwamatsu to report.
Yoshio Iwamatsu received the telegram and his eyes froze slightly after seeing the contents of the telegram:
"Wei Lihuang really wants to attack Zhongtiao Mountain."
After reading the telegram, Yoshio Iwamatsu felt a little heavy. With only one division at Nakatiao Mountain, could it stop the Central Army's attack?
If the Eighth Route Army moves south to cooperate with the attack on Zhongtiao Mountain, the 33rd Division will definitely not be able to stop the Eighth Route Army and the Central Army from attacking from both sides.
Today, the strength of the Eighth Route Army is not what it used to be.
Chief of Staff Hanatani Masaru spoke arrogantly: "Wei Lihuang is looking for death. In the Battle of the Central Plains in October, the Central Army of China has not been educated enough by the imperial army. It actually wants to recapture Mount Nakatiao. I suggest that he immediately give Lieutenant General Sakurai Province 3
Send a telegram and ask the 33rd Division to teach Wei Lihuang a severe lesson."
However, Deputy Chief of Staff Masao Miyazaki said: "Commander, I think the China Central Army is just a ragtag group of people and has nothing to fear. What we really need to be wary of is the Eighth Route Army."
"What about the Eighth Route Army?" Hua Guzheng said mockingly, "Did Miyazaki-kun get discouraged by the Eighth Route Army at Baozi Mountain?"
Miyazaki Masao hates Masao Hanatani in his heart, and he can't get over the matter of Baozi Mountain, right?
"Hanagani-kun, it will be you commanding the 3rd Brigade in that battle." Masao Miyazaki snorted coldly, "The outcome cannot be changed."
"That's not necessarily the case." Hanaya Masami said, "At least I won't let the artillery fire at the soldiers of the empire."
Miyazaki Masao was about to retort when Iwamatsu Yoshio suddenly scolded: "Baga, please stop saying a few words. Is now the time to quarrel?"
"Hi!"
Seeing that the commander was really angry, Miyazaki Masao and Hanatani Masao nodded in unison, their hearts shuddered, and they obediently shut up.
Then, Iwamatsu Yoshio looked at Yamamoto Kazuki and asked: "Yamamoto-kun, what do you think?"
Originally, Kazuki Yamamoto was going to carry out Yoshio Iwamatsu's fishing plan and steal the bazooka rocket launcher from the Eighth Route Army.
However, due to the actions of the Central Army and the Eighth Route Army, the fishing plan was temporarily postponed.
Yamamoto Kazuki looked paralyzed and said in a deep voice: "General, I agree with Major General Miyazaki. We must always be wary of the Eighth Route Army, especially the Li Yunlong Division of the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi."
Yamamoto fought against the Soviet Army, the Eighth Route Army and the Central Army.
Among them, the most difficult one to deal with was the Soviet army. There is no doubt about this. After the Battle of Nomonkan, the Soviet Union and Japan signed a non-aggression pact.
The second most difficult thing to deal with was the Eighth Route Army, especially the Eighth Route Army Li Yunlong, who had repeatedly dealt heavy blows to the Japanese army.
However, Yoshio Iwamatsu waved his hand and said: "Leave Li Yunlong's troops alone for the time being. The 36th Division is watching. Recently, many thickened bunkers and gun towers have been built around Li Yunlong's base. No matter how much Li Yunlong jumps around, he can't escape.
The main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi is what needs to be guarded most now!"
As he spoke, Yoshio Iwamatsu glanced at everyone's faces and asked: "You guys think, if the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi wants to cooperate with the Central Army of China in fighting, should the Eighth Route Army go south to attack the 33rd Division with the Central Army, or go north?
Which is more likely to attack Taiyuan and threaten Zhengtai Road?"
"If the Chinese Army really wants to retake Zhongtiao Mountain," Huagu Zheng said, "I think it is more likely that the main force of the Southeast Shanxi Eighth Route Army will go south to attack the 33rd Division."
"My opinion is opposite to Hanatani-kun." Masao Miyazaki said, "The main force of the Eighth Route Army will probably go north to attack the Taiyuan and Shota Railways."
"Oh?" Masao Hanatani did not mock Masao Miyazaki this time, but asked calmly, "Why does Miyazaki-kun think so?"
"The reason for this is simple."
Miyazaki Masao pointed to the map and said: "The Eighth Route Army base in southeast Shanxi is 300 kilometers away from Zhongtiao Mountain. If the Eighth Route from southeast Shanxi goes to southern Shanxi, the distance is at least 30 kilometers. For the Eighth Route, it is a long distance. So
After covering such a long distance and marching continuously for several days, how much fighting power does the Eighth Route Army still have? Moreover, the supply line is too long. This is one of the reasons."
"Secondly, if the Eighth Route Army chooses to go south, if the Central China Army's attack fails and the Imperial Army's reinforcements from Taiyuan arrive, the expeditionary Eighth Route Army will run the risk of being outflanked by the Imperial Army."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "Without logistical supplies, the Eighth Route Army was surrounded by at least three divisions of the Imperial Army and could only break out in a scattered manner, ending up with heavy losses."
"Thirdly, the base area in southeastern Shanxi is only more than 100 kilometers away from Taiyuan and Zhengtai Road. As long as the Eighth Route Army makes a gesture of heading north to attack Taiyuan and Zhengtai Railway, it can contain the strength of the imperial army and prevent the imperial army from sending troops to reinforce southern Shanxi.
"
"If I were the deputy commander-in-chief of the Eighth Route Army, I would definitely send the main force to attack Taiyuan and Zhengtai Railway."
"At the same time, I will also order the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi to launch an offensive to contain the 36th Division."
Iwamatsu Yoshio nodded, feeling that Miyazaki Masao's words were indeed reasonable.
Moreover, Masaru Hanatani, who had always looked down on Masao Miyazaki, did not refute. He carefully thought about the flaws in Masao Miyazaki's words, but after thinking for a long time, he could not think of anything to refute.
Yamamoto Kazuki also nodded, agreeing with Miyazaki Masao's words.
"Miyazaki-kun's analysis makes sense."
Yoshio Iwamatsu looked at Masao Miyazaki and asked: "The Central China Army and the Eighth Route Army have joined forces, so how should we break the situation?"
As for the Jinsui Army, Yoshio Iwamatsu didn't even consider it.
Based on Yan Xishan's sophisticated calculations, even if he sent troops to cooperate with the Eighth Route Army to fight the Central Army, it would only be a show of force and would not really fight the Japanese army.
Moreover, his letter had been delivered to Yan Xishan. Yan Xishan did not agree to surrender, but he did not refuse either. His attitude was unclear.
"I suggest," Masao Miyazaki said, "While the Eighth Route Army has not destroyed the Nantongpu Railway, we should quietly transfer three regiments to take the train to southern Shanxi and give the Central Army of China a head-on blow."
"As for the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi heading north, the imperial army has the 37th Division, the 14th Brigade, the 18th Brigade, and the 1st Cavalry Brigade, which can ensure the safety of the Taiyuan and Zhengtai Railways!"
"And during this period, the imperial army built a lot of permanent fortifications around Taiyuan."
"With the Eighth Route Army's attack methods, it would be difficult to dismantle these permanent fortifications, let alone attack Taiyuan."
"If your Excellency, Commander, is still not at ease, you can transfer the main forces of the 14th Brigade and the 18th Brigade back to Taiyuan. The two brigades plus the 1st Cavalry Brigade can completely defend Taiyuan."
Yoshio Iwamatsu was indeed a little scared, after all, the previous commander, Yoshio Shinozuka, had only been broken for less than two months.
However, after listening to Miyazaki Masao's analysis, I suddenly felt a lot more at ease. If I find something wrong, I can just take a plane to Peking immediately.
It's not like he can't continue to command the First Army in Peiping. He won't do the same stupid thing as Shinozuka Yoshio, who lives and dies with Taiyuan.
"Order the main force of the 14th Brigade and the 18th Brigade to move into Taiyuan."
"Order the 37th, 38th, and 39th Regiments of the 41st Division stationed in Taiyuan to immediately take a train to southern Shanxi."
"Order the 37th Division stationed in Yangquan to prepare for battle and be prepared for attacks by the Eighth Route Army at any time."
Iwamatsu Yoshio issued the order in a deep voice.
With an infantry brigade and a cavalry brigade, as well as a division of puppet troops, plus the surrounding permanent fortifications, Yoshio Iwamatsu is really not afraid of the main force of the Eighth Route Army coming to attack Taiyuan.
"Hi!"
Chief of Staff Hanatani was quickly writing down Yoshio Iwamatsu's orders in his notebook, polishing the message, and was about to turn around and walk to the communications room.
At this time, communications staff officer Takeo Nakamura walked in with a telegram in his hand and said to Iwamatsu Yoshio: "Report to General, the 36th Division is in urgent need of a telegram!"
Iwamatsu Yoshio waved his hand and said: "Read it!"
"Hi!" Takeo Nakamura paused, holding the telegram and read in a deep voice: "Most of the bunkers and gun towers in the 36th Division's defense area have lost contact with the county seat. It is suspected that the Eighth Route New Regiment is attacking the imperial army's blockade.
Line, Lieutenant General Iseki Ren requested to send out reconnaissance aircraft to investigate the situation. Long live His Majesty the Emperor, and long live the Imperial Japanese Army."
The Japanese thickened bunkers and gun towers are basically 10 kilometers away from the county seat.
Even the position where the new regiment started to attack was more than a kilometer away from the county seat. In addition, there were mountains blocking it, so it was impossible to hear the sound of artillery in the county seat.
That's why Jingguan Ren applied for the dispatch of reconnaissance planes.
After listening to the contents of the telegram, Yoshio Iwamatsu smiled slightly and looked at Masao Miyazaki: "Miyazaki-kun, as you expected, the Eighth Route Army has begun to take action."
"This Li Yunlong really can't keep his temper."
Masao Miyazaki said coldly: "He took action before the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi and the Central China Army took action. But that's fine. The thickened bunkers and gun towers recently built by the imperial army will definitely make Li Yunlong
A bruise on the nose and a swollen face.”
At Baozi Mountain, the main force of the 3rd Brigade led by Masao Miyazaki was defeated by a battalion of Li Yunlong.
As a result, the hat of the commander of his 3rd brigade was pulled off, and Miyazaki Masao naturally hated Li Yunlong deeply.
Iwamatsu Yoshio turned to Nakamura Takeo and ordered: "Nakamura-kun, immediately apply to the North China Front Army Headquarters to dispatch a reconnaissance aircraft. One reconnaissance aircraft will be dispatched to reconnoiter the 36th Division's blockade. Two reconnaissance aircraft will be dispatched to reconnoiter Southeast Shanxi. Watch the Eighth Route.
Is there any change in the main force?"
"In addition." Hanaya was handing the folder in his hand to Nakamura Takeo, "Nakamura-kun, please pass on these three orders immediately."
"Hi!"
Takeo Nakamura took the folder, stood upright with his feet, paused, turned around and walked out.