During the last Battle of Shotai, the main force of the Japanese army stationed in Jingxing County was sent to reinforce Niangziguan and was almost completely wiped out.
After the Battle of Zhengtai, the fraternal troops of the Central Hebei Military Region recovered Jingxing County and the coal mines around the county.
Jingxing Coal Mine is very famous and has rich reserves. The Japanese transport a large amount of coal from here to Manchuria every year.
During the Hundred Regiments War, the Eighth Route Army occupied the Jingxing Coal Mine, but it was later taken back by the Japanese.
The mountainous area fifteen kilometers east of Jingxing County is the territory controlled by the Eighth Route Army in central Hebei Province.
After the 11th Division arrived in Shimen City, the Japanese did not dare to attack rashly and seize Jingxing County and Jingxing Coal Mine.
Takamori Takashi's eyes continued to move to the left, looking at Niangziguan.
I thought that it would be great if the Locust Army continued to occupy Niangzi Pass. As long as they defended Niangzi Pass, it would be difficult for the mechanized troops of the Eighth Route Army to enter Hebei Province.
It's a pity that there is no if.
Takamori Takashi's plan was to ambush the Eighth Route Army's transportation or combat troops on Zhengtai Road between Niangziguan and Jingxing County.
"It's definitely not possible to go through Jingxing County."
Masao Watanabe shook his head:
"It is absolutely impossible for such a large-scale troop march of the Locust Army to be hidden from the Eighth Route Army's intelligence network."
At present, all major and major traffic arteries in Jingxing County are controlled by the Eighth Route Army.
Moreover, it cannot be hidden from the eyes of ordinary people. These ordinary people may report the whereabouts of the Japanese troops to the Eighth Route Army at any time.
Refer to the 9th Division, if the whereabouts of the ambush troops are leaked.
The Eighth Route Army did not need to dispatch ground troops at all, but directly sent planes to eliminate the Japanese ambush troops.
Takashi Takamori stared at the map for a long time and said.
“Let’s take a detour from Pingshan County!”
Upon hearing this, Seiichi Aoki raised another question: "Although Pingshan County and the towns are the territory of the Locust Army, the activities of the Eighth Route Army guerrillas outside the county and towns are rampant, and it may be difficult for the large army to hide from the Eighth Route Army's intelligence network."
This is the helplessness of the occupying forces. If they want to conduct an ambush, they have to consider all factors and fear that the intelligence will be leaked.
Unlike the Eighth Route Army, Japanese ambushes can be fought anywhere.
"We can send those locust army guerrillas trained by Major General Yamamoto to explore the road."
Takamori glanced at Seiichi Aoki and Masao Watanabe and said.
These guerrillas trained by Yamamoto agents were mainly troops of the 40th Division and the 56th Division.
Takashi Takamori naturally sneered at this. It was ridiculous to imitate the Eighth Route Army and form a locust army guerrilla force. Only a brain like Yamamoto could think of it.
The outcome of the war can be determined by these dozens of locust guerrillas.
So what do you need other divisions to do?
In modern war, victory or defeat can only be determined by large corps fighting.
Unless these guerrillas can behead the Eighth Route Army commander Li Yunlong, leaving the attacking Eighth Route Army troops in a leaderless situation.
But what even the Yamamoto Special Forces failed to accomplish, can these guerrillas do?
Kazuki Yamamoto removed all the soldiers from the 11th Division to reorganize the so-called special agent team, which made Takashi Takamori very unhappy.
The eyes of Lieutenant General Seiichi Aoki and Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe lit up slightly.
This is a way.
These guerrillas were trained, put on the clothes of the Eighth Route Army guerrillas, used the same weapons as them, and were equipped with translators and puppet army elites who were familiar with the Eighth Route Army guerrillas. They looked almost like the real Eighth Route Army guerrillas.
If it's at night, it's even harder to tell.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander."
"Do I need to report this combat plan to the North China Front Army Headquarters?"
Masao Nishihara, Chief of Staff of the 11th Division asked.
Hearing this, Takamori Taka suddenly fell into deep thought.
"Aoki-kun, Watanabe-kun, it is rumored that there are senior spies of the Eighth Route Army lurking in the North China Front Army Headquarters. Is this true?"
Takashi Takamori looked at Seiichi Aoki and Masao Watanabe and asked.
"Takamori-kun, there are indeed rumors, but we don't know much about it. After all, our two divisions were transferred to North China not long ago."
Masao Watanabe heard this and smiled bitterly.
His 56th Division was transferred from South China, while Aoki Seiichi's 40th Division was transferred from the 11th Army.
"Okay." Takamori Takashi nodded and looked at Seihara Seio, "Let's report it."
Last time, the commander of the 9th Division, Higuchi Kiichiro, did not ask for instructions from the headquarters, but the intelligence was still leaked. This shows that the problem most likely does not lie with the North China Front headquarters.
"Hi."
Masao Nishihara bowed his head, and according to Takamori Takashi's instructions, he quickly drafted a telegram and asked the communications staff to quickly order it to be sent to the North China Front Army Headquarters.
"How many troops do Takamori-kun plan to dispatch?"
Masao Watanabe asked.
"There should not be too many ambush troops. An elite regiment is enough. This time, I want to let the Eighth Route Army know how powerful the imperial standing divisions really are!"
Takamori Taka's tone was stern, with a bit of confidence and murderous intent.
Masao Watanabe heard this and nodded. After all, it was a long-distance ambush operation, and it was indeed not advisable to have too many troops.
"Once the Locust Army's ambush against the Eighth Route Army begins, the Locust Army will be trapped in a situation where it will be attacked from both sides by the Eighth Route Army."
Lieutenant General Seiichi Aoki pointed at the map and said:
"I suggest that after the battle begins, our main force attacks Jingxing County to meet the attacking troops."
A group of Japanese officers gathered around and quickly completed an ambush battle plan and emergency response plan.
…
"The locust army stationed in Shimen City will take the initiative to ambush the Eighth Route Army?"
After listening to communications staff officer Haruo Kitani read the telegram, Okamura Neji showed a rare smile on his face.
In such an unfavorable situation, the Locust Army actually applied to take the initiative to attack.
remarkably brave.
Moreover, Lieutenant General Takashi Takamori took the initiative to report, which made Neji Okamura very satisfied.
Unlike Kiichiro Higuchi, who actually dared to commit a crime, almost ruining the elite 9th Division, and making Neji Okamura very angry.
"Arimatsu-kun, Yamamoto-kun, what do you think?"
Okamura Neji looked at Yamamoto Kazuki and Arisu Seizo.
"Your Excellency, General."
"There is a Chinese idiom that says a arrogant soldier will be defeated. The current Eighth Route Army is a group of arrogant soldiers. The Eighth Route Army has fought too many victorious battles and does not take the Locust Army seriously."
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! "If the 11th Division can take the initiative, it may be able to surprise the Eighth Route Army and ambush it."
"The current North China Front Army can continue to win battles to boost morale. I think this is feasible."
Youmo Jingsan thought for a moment and then said.
Kazuki Yamamoto then said in a deep voice: "I agree with the opinion of the Chief of Staff. The Eighth Route Army's intelligence is very powerful, but the 11th Division must be kept confidential. Once the intelligence is leaked, the consequences will be disastrous."
Okamura Neji and Arisu Sei nodded after hearing this.
After a pause, Yamamoto Kazuki looked at the map, pointed at it and said again.
"Your Excellency, General, Your Excellency, Chief of Staff."
"I'm afraid it will be difficult for the 11th Division's ambush force to penetrate from Jingxing County to between Jingxing County and Niangziguan."
"But the guerrillas trained by my special agents can clear the way for the ambush troops."
"Yo Xi." Okamura Neji nodded, "Arimatsu-kun, send a message to the commander of the 11th Division, Takamori Takashi, to win this battle but not to lose!"
You Mojingsan said: "Hi!"
…
the next day.
Datong.
Eighth Route Army North Attack Group, headquarters.
The main forces of the New Second Regiment and the Independent Regiment are gathering towards Datong.
Ding Wei convened a meeting with senior executives from the two regiments.
The commander-in-chief of the North Road Attack Group is Ding Wei, and the deputy commander-in-chief is Kong Jie.
Chief of Staff of the New Second Regiment, reporting to Ding Wei and Kong Jiehui:
"Excluding the troops left behind in northwest Shanxi, the main force we can assemble in northwest Shanxi this time and the troops capable of attacking the Japanese include nearly 60,000 infantrymen."
"Our two regiments have more than 110 tanks, and there are also two tank regiments from the headquarters with 100 tanks. This time we have more than 200 tanks for the attack."
"Including the two heavy artillery regiments allocated by the headquarters, we have more than 300 heavy artillery pieces with a caliber of 105 mm or above."
"In addition, there are more than 30,000 militia logistics troops, more than 1,000 trucks responsible for transportation, and about 3,000 mules and horses involved in logistics transportation."
"The ammunition prepared is 150,000 tons, and the grain prepared is 60 million kilograms."
"By the way, there are also 20 fighters and 20 bombers from the 1st Flying Regiment directly under the headquarters, as well as 5 transport aircraft and 5 reconnaissance aircraft, which will be stationed at Datong Airport to provide us with air support."
"Also, during the battle, we can apply to the commander-in-chief Li Yunlong for airdrop supplies from the big boss at any time."
"The total strength of the combat troops is approximately 80,000, and together with the militia and logistics troops, the total strength exceeds 100,000."
"In addition, there are more than 100,000 ordinary people who have expressed their willingness to transport supplies to our Eighth Route Army."
After listening to the chief of staff's report, the senior officers of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment who attended the meeting all had smiles on their faces.
Fighting spirit high.
There are more than 200 tanks, more than 300 heavy artillery, and a flight group of 50 aircraft for air support, sufficient ammunition, food and logistical supplies, and air support that can be called at any time.
Just listening to it makes people feel full of fighting spirit.
Ding Wei stared at the map. Although his eyes and expression were calm, he couldn't help but feel happy in his heart.
Ding Wei thought to himself.
To use the words of that boy Li Yunlong, labor and capital have never fought such a rich war.
Compared with Li Yunlong and Kong Jie, Ding Wei already had a junior high school education before joining the army, had a solid foundation in military theory, strong intelligence and investigation capabilities, and a forward-looking strategic vision.
"When will the two artillery regiments and two tank regiments from the headquarters arrive in Datong?"
Seeing that Ding Wei didn't speak, Kong Jie looked at the chief of staff of the New Second Regiment and asked.
"I received the latest telegram from the frontline headquarters in the morning. The headquarters' two artillery regiments and two tank regiments have completed their assembly and are fully prepared. They can be loaded immediately."
The chief of staff looked at Kong Jie and replied:
"At noon the day after tomorrow at the latest, these two artillery regiments and two tank regiments can be transported by train and reach Datong along the Beitong-Pu Railway."
At present, the entire Tongpu Railway is under the control of the Eighth Route Army.
Of course, it is faster to transport artillery regiments and tank regiments by train.
The Eighth Route Army had air superiority, so even if the Japanese got information about the artillery regiment and tank regiment's transportation, they would not be able to send planes to bomb the Eighth Route Army's columns.
"Captain Ding, when will we start attacking the Japanese?"
Shen Quan, the second battalion commander of the Independent Regiment who is good at playing dirty tricks, sounded eager to try, and the other battalion commanders also looked expectantly.
"After the troops are assembled and the command issues orders."
Ding Wei looked fiercely and said:
"Tell the officers and soldiers below not to worry, the Japanese can't escape."
"In this battle, the mission goal of our Eighth Route Army is to kill 200,000 little Japs!"
"yes!"
A group of high-ranking military officers suddenly agreed.
…
at the same time.
Yangquan.
New Regiment, Frontline General Headquarters.
With the new regiment's combat supplies, pre-war mobilization and other pre-war preparations completed, Li Yunlong issued the order to assemble the troops.
The 150,000 main troops of the new regiment were transported by road and railway and first assembled in Yangquan.
Then they went to the Jingxing area in batches to start a battle with the Japanese who were defending Shimen City.
Li Yunlong's frontline headquarters also arrived in the Yangquan area.
"The news that we are going to attack cannot be concealed from the enemy. Maybe the enemy has already made preparations."
Li Yunlong pointed at the map and said to the senior officials who came to the meeting, including the deputy leaders.
"Although our Eighth Route Army did not deliberately publicize this large-scale offensive operation, we did not launch a surprise attack. The Japs' intelligence capabilities are not weak, and they should have received the intelligence long ago."
"And the Japanese know that we will definitely attack North China."
Zhao Gang followed Li Yunlong's words and briefly analyzed the current situation.
The Japanese vigorously increased troops and combat supplies to North China. It can be seen that the Japanese have been preparing for the Eighth Route Army's attack for a long time.
Wang Dehouhui reports:
"According to intelligence, the Japanese have deployed three Japanese divisions in the Zhengding area of Shimen City, namely the 11th Division, the 40th Division and the 56th Division."
"According to the situation reported by the scouts, these three Japanese divisions have built a large number of fortifications, dug tunnels, and constructed ultra-wide anti-tank trenches on the roads leading from Jingxing County to Shimen City and Zhengding County."
"Some anti-tank cones were even built with concrete and heavily defended."
When Li Yunlong heard this, he nodded with a half-smile: "The Japs are still doing the same thing, there's nothing new about it. It seems that Okamura Neji can't do anything fancy anymore."
Tunnel fortifications can be used to hide troops, and anti-tank cones and anti-tank trenches can block tanks.
But it’s a pity…
On the plain terrain, the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery, aircraft and tanks, and the Xiaomi and rifles designed to deal with the Japanese.
Zhang Dabiao looked at Li Yunlong with sharp eyes and said: "Captain, we still have to be on guard against small tricks by the Japanese. For example, the Japanese send out small groups of troops to attack our logistics supply lines. This is the specialty of Yamamoto Kazuki, and now Yamamoto is fooled."
The deputy chief of staff of the North China Front will definitely not give up his special skills."
"That makes sense." Li Yunlong nodded and said, "That Japs Yamamoto still has some skills. The task of protecting the logistics supply line will be left to the brother troops in the Jizhong Military Region."
"Taking a step back, even if the Japanese can cut off our supply lines, can't we still call for airdrops of supplies?"
"That's true." Zhang Dabiao smiled and nodded with a happy expression. Boss Chen's large transport plane was probably already hungry and thirsty.
Li Yunlong stared at the map, smiled slightly, and said: "What I am thinking about now is how to completely annihilate the Japanese 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division."
"Total annihilation?"
A group of senior officials from the New Group, including Zhang Dabiao, Wei Dayong and Lu Yingjun, suddenly became interested.