Colonel Harada Kiyozo was shocked and angry. Didn't he send scouts to both wings? Why was he still surrounded by the main force of the Eighth Route Army?
The scouts under him are all the elite of the Class A division, but they are not the most elite soldiers.
The most elite group of soldiers were picked up by Yamamoto Kazuki and went to Peking to participate in special agent training.
Some of the unqualified soldiers had to be sent back to their original units after the training, but the training is not over yet.
This resulted in a great decline in the Japs' reconnaissance capabilities.
The reconnaissance companies of the infantry battalions of the New Regiment are mostly veterans and elites, and have even been trained by the troops of the Sharp Sword Brigade.
Before the large forces moved to the battlefield, the reconnaissance companies of each battalion eliminated these Japanese scouts.
Although sporadic battles broke out, the attention of Colonel Harada Kiyozo and other Japanese soldiers was almost entirely on the frontal battlefield.
After the large force of the new regiment completed the encirclement, nearly 100 75mm mountain guns assembled in the distance began to bombard the Japanese.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
400 rounds of 75mm artillery shells per minute exploded in the Japanese formation, sending up dense explosions of gunpowder smoke.
Although it is interspersed with rapid marches, the 75mm mountain gun is light in weight and can be disassembled and transported by mules.
Each infantry battalion carries 12 75mm mountain guns from each mountain artillery battery.
"idiot."
Explosions continued to occur around him. Seeing the elite members of the 12th Infantry Regiment constantly falling into a pool of blood, Harada Kiyoko Harada Sasame's eyes were about to burst.
"Retreat, retreat!"
While dodging artillery fire, Colonel Harada Kiyozo issued a retreat order.
Fortunately, the Japanese formation was relatively large, and the Eighth Route Army did not use heavy artillery, but 75mm mountain artillery.
The 12th Infantry Regiment suffered heavy casualties, but it was not hit hard at once.
If the 75mm mountain cannon is replaced by a 122mm howitzer, a high-explosive grenade with a larger caliber, greater power, a longer range, and a more terrifying explosion shock wave range will only cost half a base when the enemy does not even have a bunker.
of artillery fire.
It can directly cause the 12th Infantry Regiment to be severely damaged, and then the infantry rushes to harvest the corn.
The small roads are interspersed with penetrations, allowing only mules and horses to carry 75mm mountain guns, as well as 82mm and 60mm mortars.
The 122mm howitzer can only be transported by road and rail.
As Colonel Harada Kiyozo's order was issued, the Japanese returned to their strong nature and continued to attack the new group's encirclement defense line.
But the Eighth Route Army's 60mm and 82mm mortars, as well as M2 heavy machine guns and bazooka rocket launchers.
As well as the various firepower of Type 56 semi-automatic rifles, Type 56 submachine guns and Type 56 light machine guns, they formed an airtight firepower network.
The captains and squadron leaders of the 12th Japanese Infantry Regiment led their troops in a sudden charge, but they were all repelled.
Not far away, more Eighth Route Army troops arrived to join the battle against the Japanese.
The 26th Battalion of the new regiment is the vanguard, and the vanguard of the remaining 9 battalions is only about 5 kilometers away from the 26th Battalion.
After receiving the order, these infantry battalions rushed over like a group of sharks that smelled blood.
There are more wolves than meat in this battle. The fast one eats the meat, and the slow one doesn't get to drink the soup.
"Your Excellency, Captain, this is not the way to go!"
"Listen to the gunfire, there are more and more Eighth Route Army troops around!"
Next to Colonel Harada Kiyoko, the disgraced Saburo Takahashi said with a pale face.
At this time, Colonel Harada Kiyoko also regretted very much that he should not have rescued the 1st Squadron, otherwise the main force of the 12th Infantry Regiment would not have been surrounded by the Eighth Route Army.
Listening to the increasingly dense gunfire around him, Colonel Harada Kiyozo knew that he had stabbed the Eighth Route Army in its nest.
But now he has nothing to do. There are at least tens of thousands of Eighth Route Army troops around him, and their weapons and equipment are better than them.
Today, I'm afraid the jade will be broken here.
But as a soldier of the empire, even if it is broken into pieces, you must tear off a bone of the enemy!
"Gentlemen!"
Thinking of this, Colonel Harada Kiyoko looked at the officers and soldiers gathered around him, quickly drew out his sword, and said in a harsh tone:
"The time has come to be loyal to the empire and to the Locust!"
"The Empire of Japan is on board, His Majesty the Locust is on board!"
"Hi."
As soon as Colonel Harada Kiyoko finished speaking, all the Japanese officers and soldiers lowered their heads and spoke in a fanatical tone:
"The Empire of Japan is on board, His Majesty the Locust is on board!"
As the 12th Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Army's Type A Division, the officers and soldiers are not only powerful in combat, but also have rich combat experience. They are also fully equipped with bushido spirit and willpower attributes, and are ready to be loyal to the Locust at any time.
"Everyone, see you at Kudanzaka!"
Saburo Takahashi held a major's katana in one hand and a tortoise box in the other, speaking decisively.
"See you at Kudanzaka."
All the Japanese officers and soldiers shouted in unison.
Amidst the frantic and fanatical sound of the onboard and the continuous sound of artillery fire, the Japanese jumped up and rushed towards the Eighth Route Army's defense line.
But at this moment, a deafening roar came from the sky.
Kiyozo Harada and Saburo Takahashi looked up and saw Eighth Route Army fighter jets and bombers swooping down towards them.
"idiot…"
Amidst the continuous sound of artillery fire, Harada Kiyozo finally cursed in despair.
With so many troops and such strong firepower, they actually called for air support... The Eighth Route Army did not give the 12th Infantry Regiment any way to survive.
The dense aerial bombs fell like dumplings in the Japanese formation.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
Dense explosive fireballs and gunpowder smoke rose up in the Japanese formation. The power of napalm bombs and aerial bombs was dozens of times greater than that of 75mm mountain artillery.
Many fanatical Japanese officers and soldiers, including Kiyozo Harada and Saburo Takahashi, were burned to ashes by napalm bombs and torn to pieces by aerial bombs.
Wait until the plane of the 1st Group of the New Regiment flies away.
After the napalm was burned, the new infantry regiment emerged from the bunker and rushed forward to collect the last wave of corn.
…
Shimen City.
Japanese Army Headquarters.
"Your Excellency, Division Commander, the 12th Infantry Regiment just sent a farewell telegram."
The communications staff officer walked in quickly and bowed his head to Takamori Takashi to report.
"Nani?" Takashi Takamori suddenly raised his head and asked in a deep voice, "What did you say? Farewell telegram?"
Next to him, Masao Nishihara and Masao Watanabe, commander of the 56th Division, also cast incredulous looks.
The 40th Division mainly defends in Zhengding, while the 56th Division and the 11th Division, as well as some puppet troops, defend in Shimen City.
An infantry brigade of the 11th Division was severely damaged. Could it be that the 12th Infantry Regiment was about to be wiped out by the Eighth Route Army?
This is simply unimaginable. Even if the 12th Infantry Regiment encounters an encounter with the main force of the New Regiment, it cannot be wiped out within a few hours, right? The 12th Infantry Regiment has iron legs, so it cannot defeat the Eighth Route Army.
Still can't run?
Baga...what the hell is going on?
Taking a deep breath, Takashi Takamori asked again with certainty: "Are you sure this is a farewell telegram?"
"Hi." The communications officer replied affirmatively, "It's a farewell telegram! There are only two words in the telegram, the last."
"After our communications department received these two words, the radio signal of the 12th Wing disappeared."
While reporting, the communications staff officer handed over the telegram in his hand with both hands.
Takamori Takashi took the telegram, read it, and then tore it into pieces, instantly turning into a rage mode.
He first overturned all the documents, maps, cups, scales and pencils on the table, and then angrily took out the lieutenant general's command knife and slashed at them.
In just two days, an infantry brigade was severely damaged and an infantry regiment was wiped out. The 11th Division had never suffered such heavy losses.
But so far, the Eighth Route Army has already lost troops and generals before it even started its official offensive.
The combat effectiveness of the Eighth Route Army was truly terrifying.
When the Eighth Route Army begins its official offensive, it will probably be even more difficult to withstand it.
After venting his anger, Lieutenant General Takamori Takashi commanded his sword to be put back into its sheath: "Nishihara-kun."
Nishihara Masao stood up and stood at attention, waiting for instructions.
"Immediately send the news that all members of the 12th Infantry Regiment are in pieces to the North China Front Army Headquarters."
"And request tactical guidance."
Lieutenant General Takamori Takashi gave the order in a cold tone.
Seihara Nishihara: "Hi."
…
Peking.
Iron Lion Alley.
North China Front Army Headquarters.
As the Eighth Route Army deployed troops and generals, and local battles began to break out between the Japanese army and the Eighth Route Army, the officers of the entire North China Front Army became busy.
In the communications room, telegrams kept ticking, and Japanese staff officers and officers in a hurry could be seen everywhere.
All the Japanese staff officers and officers had solemn expressions.
Li Yunlong is going to attack North China!
Nowadays, when the Japs hear the words Li Yunlong, their expressions will involuntarily become solemn.
at this time.
In the operations hall of the headquarters, Okamura Neji looked at a large precise map on the wall, his brows furrowed.
The 12th Infantry Regiment, which went to ambush the Zhengtai Railway, encountered the main force of the Eighth Route Army at the junction of Pingshan County and Jingxing County. This was very unusual.
This was most likely an insertion tactic of the Eighth Route Army, so Okamura Neiji had ordered the reconnaissance plane of the 6th Division to take off from Shenyang Airport and conduct reconnaissance in the south and north of Shimen City.
The 12th Infantry Regiment must break away from the main force of the Eighth Route Army as soon as possible.
Fortunately, it was an encounter. Maybe the Eighth Route Army on the opposite side was also confused, and maybe the 12th Infantry Regiment at this time had already reached a safe zone.
However, the 12th Infantry Regiment must be dispersed and transferred into Shimen City.
If the transfer is concentrated, then the 12th Infantry Regiment may be bombed by the Eighth Route Army's aircraft and suffer heavy losses or even be severely damaged.
Things are different now.
The current Eighth Route Army is very difficult to deal with. Once a slight flaw is revealed, the Eighth Route Army may take advantage of it.
Therefore, the Locust Army must not make any mistakes in this battle.
"General."
At this moment, communications staff officer Haruo Kitani ran in quickly with a telegram in his hand:
"Lt. Gen. Takashi Takamori, commander of the 11th Division, urgent call!"
"read!"
There was another urgent call, and Okamura Neji looked stern. Could it be that the main force of the Eighth Route Army has begun to attack Shimen City?
"The 12th Infantry Regiment has been completely destroyed. Lieutenant General Takashi Takamori is requesting tactical guidance."