"Just now a telegram was sent from the First Army Headquarters. Last night the First Army organized a response attack on the surrounded Locust Army, but it was ambushed by the Eighth Route Army and the response attack failed."
"Both the locust troops that responded to the attack and were surrounded suffered heavy losses."
"Commander of the First Army, Lieutenant General Iwamatsu, once again requests tactical guidance!"
Okamura Neiji had just finished breakfast and walked into the operations hall. Yusue Seizan quickly walked in and reported to Okamura Neiji.
"Yoshio Iwamatsu is a loser..."
Hearing this, Okamura Neji frowned:
"Who asked him to give the order to break out of the encirclement and send troops to meet the surrounded locust army?"
The Eighth Route Army just completed the encirclement yesterday. Are they prepared?
The Eighth Route Army spent so much effort to finally complete the encirclement, but would they watch the locust army break through?
Okamura Neji feels that Iwamatsu Yoshio's tactical command ability is really impressive.
However, Okamura Neji initially promoted Iwamatsu Yoshio to the position of commander of the First Army.
In fact, I don’t value Yoshio Iwamatsu’s tactical commanding ability.
Instead, he valued Iwamatsu Yoshio as a China expert and had some friendship with Yan Xishan in his early years, so Okamura promoted Iwamatsu Yoshio to the commander of the First Army, with his main task being to induce Yan Xishan to surrender.
However, as the situation changed, not only the task of luring Yan Xishan to surrender was not completed, but the First Army was also completely defeated at the hands of Yoshio Iwamatsu.
But Okamura Neji was helpless and had no choice at all.
Because after he withdrew Yoshio Iwamatsu, Yoshimoto Teiichi, who was sent to serve as the commander of the First Army, was shot dead by an Eighth Route Army plane.
It can be said.
Who serves as the commander of the First Army is not up to him, Okamura Neiji, nor is it up to the base camp Tojo Hideji and Tian Locust.
Li Yunlong in Shanxi only has his say.
Okamura Neji seriously suspected that it was because Iwamatsu Yoshio was too useless that Li Yunlong chose to kill Yoshimoto Sadichi instead of Iwamatsu Yoshio.
after all.
The time when Yoshimoto Seiichi took up the post of commander of the First Army was a multiple-choice question for Li Yunlong.
Li Yunlong can kill Yoshimoto Sadichi or Iwamatsu Yoshio.
Yoshio Iwamatsu is a waste!
Cursing heavily in his heart, Okamura Neiji was a Japanese general after all. He quickly regained his composure and asked: "How is the situation on other battlefields?"
Yoshio Iwamatsu was no longer useless, so Okamura didn't dwell too much on this matter.
"Last night, when attacking Yangquan, the Eighth Route Army in Shouyang stopped the attack. They should be waiting for the bombers to carry ground-penetrating bombs to support them during the day."
Youmo Jingsan replied:
"Last night, the locust army surrounded by Niangzi Pass organized a breakout attack, but it failed. The Eighth Route Army's firepower in the Central Hebei Military Region was greatly enhanced than before, and it occupied an advantageous position."
Hearing this, Okamura Neji frowned even deeper.
The situation on every battlefield is very bad!
Before yesterday, the Locust Army and the Eighth Route Army were still in a 50-50 split.
But since yesterday, the balance of victory has tilted towards the Eighth Route Army.
At this moment, communications staff officer Haruo Kitani walked in quickly with a telegram in his hand.
"General."
"The commander of the First Army, Lieutenant General Iwamatsu, sent a telegram requesting tactical guidance!"
Haruo Kitani gave a military salute and then bowed his head to Neji Okamura to report.
"This waste..."
Okamura Neji took the telegram and read it, his eyes slightly condensed.
The telegram was from Yoshio Iwamatsu requesting a breakout. Once Crouching Tiger Mountain and Tianlong Mountain were also captured by the Eighth Route Army, Taiyuan would become an isolated city, and it would be difficult to break out of the siege.
While Crouching Tiger Mountain and Tianlong Mountain are not captured by the Eighth Route Army, there is still time.
Early in the morning, there was a quarrel at the First Army headquarters, and the headquarters was divided into three factions.
The main escape faction headed by Yamamoto Kazuki believed that Taiyuan could no longer be defended, so they could leave Qingshan without worrying about running out of firewood and fight back later.
The other faction is the main war faction headed by Chief of Staff Hanatani Masaru. He believes that tunnel tactics and street fighting are excellent battlefields for fighting the Eighth Route Army.
Even if all the Locust Army soldiers are killed, the Eighth Route Army will still have to shed a layer of skin.
Moreover, once the Japanese army left Taiyuan and the tunnel positions, they would definitely not be a match for the Eighth Route Army in a field battle and would be wiped out faster.
The last faction, the silent faction headed by Masao Miyazaki, kept silent, fighting or running away.
Yoshio Iwamatsu really wanted to run away, but he didn't dare to run away without permission.
then.
Lieutenant General Yoshio Iwamatsu sent a telegram to Neji Okamura, requesting tactical guidance.
He handed over the decision-making power to his immediate superior, General Okamura Neiji, commander of the North China Front.
After reading the telegram, Okamura Neiji handed it to Arisu Seizo and fell into deep thought.
After Arisu Seizan read the telegram, Okamura Neji asked: "Arimatsu-kun, what do you think of Lieutenant General Iwamatsu's telegram requesting tactical guidance?"
"Your Excellency, General!"
Youmo Jingsan first showed his eyes and thought, organized his words, and then said:
"My thoughts are the same as Lieutenant General Yansong's. The current war situation has developed to this point. Under the fierce offensive of the Eighth Route Army, Taiyuan will definitely not be able to defend it!"
Okamura Neji nodded. In fact, from the beginning, Okamura knew that Taiyuan could not be defended.
However, Okamura did not directly order a retreat, but was prepared to frustrate the Eighth Route Army before ordering a retreat.
After all, if the 100,000 locust army gave up a territory as big as Shanxi without a fight, Okamura would not be able to explain to the base camp.
After the Japanese army used tunnels and reverse slope tactics to block the Eighth Route Army's attack, Okamura Neji even saw a glimmer of the possibility of a comeback.
Unexpectedly, however, the Eighth Route Army used ground-penetrating bombs, causing the situation to take a turn for the worse.
and.
The Japanese troops who attacked Niangziguan were also heavily surrounded by the Eighth Route Army and were in danger.
"What do you mean?" Okamura Neiji said solemnly, "Do you also agree with the retreat of the locust army in Taiyuan?"
"Yes, Your Excellency, General!" You Mojing said three times, "It will take some time for the main force of the Eighth Route Army to eat up the surrounded Locust Army. This period of time is enough for the Locust Army in Taiyuan to travel 100 kilometers away."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "In addition, we can also order an army of locusts to defend Taiyuan and fight street battles with the Eighth Route Army."
"In this way, we can not only preserve the elite strength of the Locust Army, but also be able to explain to His Majesty the Locust and the Prime Minister."
"Our North China Front did not retreat without a fight, but after fighting, we found that we could not defeat it and then moved in."
"What you say makes sense!" Okamura Neiji nodded. He really didn't want to see Shanxi's 100,000 elite locust troops wiped out by the Eighth Route Army.
Once all the 100,000 elite locust troops were wiped out by the Eighth Route Army.
Then the strength of the North China Front has been reduced by at least half.
Moreover, the Fifth Division is the meat and potatoes of the base camp. If the Fifth Division is completely wiped out in Taiyuan, Okamura Neji will not be able to explain to the Locusts and the Prime Minister.
Being recalled to the country to serve as a reserve officer is a minor offense.
After a pause, Okamura Neji asked: "With Sue-kun, how many troops do you think is appropriate to keep in Taiyuan?"
"I think one mixed brigade is enough." Youmo Jingsan said, "I think the third mixed brigade is very suitable."
The original mixed 3rd brigade was wiped out by the new group.
The current mixed 3rd Brigade is the Yamada Regiment directly under the First Army, the defeated remnants of the 14th Brigade and the 18th Brigade, pieced together and reorganized.
"but…"
Okamura Neji suddenly hesitated:
"I heard that the commander of the 3rd Mixed Brigade, Major General Kazuki Yamamoto, is quite capable. He graduated from the Imperial Army University and the Munich Military Academy in Germany. He is an expert in special operations."
All Japanese troops remaining in Taiyuan will definitely be killed.
Yamamoto had some abilities, and Okamura began to love talents. He felt that it was a pity that Yamamoto died in Taiyuan like this.
Youmo Jingsan smiled slightly: "Your Excellency, this is simple!"
"We only need to change the positions of Major General Masao Miyazaki and Major General Kazuki Yamamoto, the deputy chief of staff of the First Army."
"Major General Masao Miyazaki was originally the brigade commander of the mixed 3rd Brigade."
"This person was dismissed from his post due to the defeat in the Taiyuan Battle last year, and Masao Miyazaki was transferred to the First Army Headquarters as deputy chief of staff."
"Yoshi!"
Okamura Neiji nodded: "Then let's do it this way. Let Yamamoto Kazuki serve as the deputy chief of staff of the First Army, let Miyazaki Masao serve as the commander of the mixed 3rd brigade, and stick to Taiyuan. The remaining troops will move along the Shota Railway.
Ji Province!”
"Hi!"
You Mo Jing San suddenly lowered his head.
Just when Yumo Seizan was drafting a telegram to the First Army Headquarters.
Communications staff officer Haruo Kitani walked in quickly with a telegram in his hand.
"Report to the General, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Tanabe requests tactical guidance!"
"Read it!" Okamura Neji frowned slightly, his eyes dark.
In addition to tactical guidance, or tactical guidance, isn't there any good news from the front line?
"Hi!"
Kitani Haruo picked up the telegram and read:
"This morning, the Eighth Route Army at Niangziguan received a large amount of airdropped supplies. The Eighth Route Army used more than 700 artillery pieces to bombard the locust army!"
"Requesting tactical guidance, Lieutenant General Tanabe Moritake, Chief of Staff of the North China Front, His Majesty the Locust is on board, the Japanese Locust Army is on board!"
Last night, Li Yunlong ordered the telegraph soldiers to send a telegram to Boss Chen, requesting an airdrop of supplies.
Boss Chen prepared overnight, and early in the morning, the Eighth Route Army surrounding the Japanese at Niangziguan received an airdrop of supplies.
Most of the airdropped supplies this time were artillery shells of various calibers.
According to Kong Jie's request, the Independent Regiment and the fraternal troops in the Central Hebei Military Region must fire at least 150,000 artillery shells at the Japanese in the encirclement every day.
The general offensive was launched three days later.
Moreover, the airdrop supplies were dropped and received in front of the Japs. The Japs could only watch helplessly as the Eighth Route Army received the airdrops and had no choice but to do anything.
The Japanese artillery fired at the airdrop area, but was quickly suppressed by the Eighth Route Army's artillery fire, and had to move the artillery position as quickly as possible.
After at least 500,000 artillery shells were dropped on the enemy's heads, the soldiers of the Independence Regiment and the fraternal units of the Central Hebei Military Region could rush forward to collect corn.
Okamura Neiji's expression suddenly changed. The Eighth Route Army could always receive airdropped supplies, but the Locust Army's ammunition and food were constantly being consumed.
What's even worse is that the Eighth Route Army's artillery firepower can cover the entire area surrounded by the Locust Army.
Coupled with the Eighth Route Army's unlimited ammunition, the 21st and 27th Divisions are still far away from Niangzi Pass.
It seems that the surrounded locust army is in danger!
Okamura Neji looked at Haruo Kiya with a solemn expression: "Contact the Kwantung Army headquarters immediately and ask about the preparations of the paratrooper brigade!"