Takamori Takashi, Seiichi Aoki and Masao Watanabe were all silent.
In terms of losses, the 11th Division was the largest. Before attacking the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong troops, the 1st Division had already killed an infantry regiment and an infantry brigade and suffered heavy losses.
The 40th Division and the 56th Division also suffered heavy losses, especially the 40th Division, which each suffered thousands of casualties.
The 56th Division suffered the fewest casualties.
In the end, Takashi Takamori took the lead to calm down. With the battle going this far, there was no point in worrying about it.
Takashi Takamori glanced at everyone with a cold and cruel gaze: "The Locust Army suffered heavy casualties, but the Eighth Route Army on the opposite side was not much better."
At this moment, a buzzing sound sounded in the sky.
The Eighth Route Army plane has arrived.
Not long after, the sound of a plane swooping down and a rumbling explosion were heard not far away.
Some Japanese troops were bombed.
Although the Japanese infantry, artillery, and various troops were scattered and concealed.
But on this plain terrain, with excellent visual conditions, how far can it be hidden?
In the case where the Eighth Route Army has absolute air superiority, facing the Eighth Route Army's aircraft, aerial bombs and incendiary bombs to clear the ground, it can only reduce casualties, but it is impossible to avoid them.
As for the Japanese military headquarters, it is relatively safe.
The entire headquarters was built by engineers using civil fortifications, a ring-shaped fortress, and the top and ground colors were exactly the same.
Even pilots with the best eyesight would not be able to detect that this is the Japanese military headquarters.
certainly.
In such a short period of time, it was impossible for the Japanese engineers to build too many such fortifications, and most of the soldiers still took shelter in the open air.
Takashi Takamori stepped on the ladder and glanced at the bombing of Eighth Route Army planes in the distance.
In this wave of bombing, some more Locust Army soldiers were broken into pieces. His cheeks twitched slightly, and the gloomy expression on his face became deeper and deeper.
After a pause, Takashi Takamori continued: "The number of aircraft used by the Eighth Route Army to support the Jinzhou battlefield is about 80! There are two waves of bombings in the morning and two waves in the afternoon. The next time the Eighth Route Army planes arrive, it should be within three hours.
After that, within three hours, we must defeat the Jizhong Eighth Route Army, otherwise we will fail!"
The faces of all the Japanese officers suddenly showed serious expressions.
"Takamori-kun, I suggest that the troops take a rest and wait until the evening to attack again, or attack again tomorrow morning."
Lieutenant General Masao Watanabe suggested in a deep voice.
They marched 50 kilometers from Shimen City and Zhengding to arrive here last night. The Japanese soldiers were already exhausted.
We fought fiercely with the Eighth Route Army here for most of the day, and many soldiers were very tired.
The soldiers of the Class A Division of the 11th Division are well-trained and can still withstand such high-intensity rapid marches and battles.
But many recruits in the 40th Division and the 56th Division are already on the verge of collapse.
"I also recommend that the troops rest."
Lieutenant General Seiichi Aoki also said in a solemn voice:
"If our three divisions were at the peak of their combat power, we might have defeated the Eighth Route Army!"
"No rest! Absolutely no rest!"
Takashi Takamori waved his hand, holding the handle of the Lieutenant General's sword tightly with his left hand, and said without any doubt:
"Although Shimen City and Zhengding are still in the hands of the Locust Army and the Locust Alliance Army, Sun Liangcheng promised to defend Shimen City and Zhengding for two days, but you and I both know very well that the defense lines of Sun Liangcheng's Locust Alliance Army and a small number of Locust Army
, will be broken through tomorrow at the latest, and by then the Eighth Route Army will attack from our rear, we will no longer have the chance to eat the Eighth Route Army on the opposite side, which will be greatly detrimental to General Okamura’s plan to completely annihilate the main force of the Eighth Route Army and the entire battle."
"As for night battles, night battles are the specialty of the Eighth Route Army. Night battles are very detrimental to the Locust Army."
"What's more, based on the experience of the Battle of Zhengtai, the Eighth Route Army can call for air support even in night battles."
"so."
"We must defeat the main force of the Eighth Route Army in Central Hebei before dark!"
After hearing Takamori Takashi's analysis, Aoki Seiichi and Watanabe Masao fell silent.
The current situation is very unoptimistic for the Locust Army and is urgent.
Only by defeating the main force of the Jizhong Eighth Route Army on the opposite side, the balance of victory may tilt towards the Locust Army.
"Takamori-kun, in that case, how do you plan to attack next?"
Aoki Chengyi also shook the Lieutenant General's sword in his hand and asked in a deep voice.
Success or failure depends on this!
Although Masao Watanabe did not speak, there was a hint of firmness in his eyes.
Takashi Takamori glanced at everyone and said in a deep voice.
"Since the next wave of air support from the Eighth Route Army will arrive in three hours..."
"Then, let's concentrate all the artillery fire from the artillery regiments of the three divisions and attack the main position of the Eighth Route Army!"
"As soon as the artillery fire stopped, the cavalry regiment of our division immediately rushed to the main position of the Eighth Route Army, and then went straight to the artillery position of the Eighth Route Army!"
"Then the infantry presses up again."
"At the same time, your two divisions will attack the Eighth Route Army positions from the left and right wings!"
Seiichi Aoki and Masao Watanabe were suddenly startled and looked at Takamori Takashi in disbelief.
Concentrate all the artillery fire from the artillery regiments of the three divisions, and the Eighth Route Army has air support... This is a very, extremely, extremely dangerous and risky strategy.
If the Eighth Route Army planes suddenly arrive while the artillery regiments of the three divisions are firing, the consequences will be disastrous.
Then send out the ace cavalry unit in his hand.
Both of them looked at Takamori Takashi. At this time, Takamori Takashi had a feverish expression, his eyes were wide open and his gaze was hot. His left hand holding the hilt of the Lieutenant General's sword was trembling slightly.
The two of them instantly understood that Takamori Takashi was preparing for a stud.
…
As the orders from the Japanese military command were issued quickly.
After summarizing their experience, the Japanese quickly adjusted their offensive tactics.
The 75mm mountain guns and 75mm field guns scattered everywhere began to assemble in groups, and then quickly built artillery positions.
The artillery quality of the Japanese army is extremely high, especially the 11th Mountain Artillery Regiment of the 11th Division.
This chapter is not over, please click on the next page to continue reading! This artillery wing is equipped with 12 75mm mountain guns and 36 75mm field guns.
The 40th Division and the 56th Division are each equipped with 36 75mm mountain guns.
In the Battle of Shota six months ago, the mountain artillery regiments of the 40th Division and the 56th Division were almost completely lost.
Fortunately, many Japanese artillery units were not available. The base camp replenished troops, weapons and ammunition for the North China Front, and also replenished some artillery and mountain artillery for the 40th Division and the 56th Division.
The preparation time of the 40th Artillery Regiment and the 56th Artillery Regiment is slower than that of the 11th Artillery Division.
However, half an hour after the order was issued, preparations for the bombardment were completed.
"fire!"
After test firing 3 rounds of artillery shells.
At each artillery position of the Japanese army, as the headquarters issued the order to fire, the Japanese flag soldiers suddenly put down the mini plaster flags in their hands.
"Boom boom…"
From the artillery positions of the Japanese army's various brigades, a series of rapid and loud muffled sounds suddenly came out.
Muzzle fireworks continued to appear, and strong winds swept across, raising circles of dust and mist.
On the sixth artillery position, the Japanese artillerymen of the 1st Battalion of the 11th Artillery Regiment were busy in an orderly manner.
Twelve Type 94 mountain cannons were arranged in two rows, with the muzzles pointing in the direction of the main position of the Eighth Route Army in Central Hebei Province. As the order to fire was given, the Japanese gunners pulled the match ropes in their hands one after another.
The muzzles of the 12 Type 94 mountain guns lined up in two rows flashed in sequence, and 12 75mm shells soared into the sky, arcing across the sky, and then fell towards the Eighth Route Army position in central Hebei Province.
A total of 10 such Japanese artillery positions began a saturation bombardment on the main position of the Eighth Route Army in central Hebei Province.
but.
In the previous bombing of the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese lost some mountain artillery and field artillery. Not every artillery position had 12 guns.
"Boom boom boom..."
Continuous explosions, like overwhelming explosions, rose up on the main position of the Eighth Route Army in central Hebei Province.
Amidst the rumbling explosions, a large cloud of soil was rolled up from the Eighth Route Army's forward position, and the forward position was suddenly engulfed in fireballs and gunpowder smoke.
This is not over yet.
After the Japanese's artillery fire covered the forward positions of the Eighth Route Army's main position, the Japanese's artillery fire began to extend to the deep positions of the Eighth Route Army.
The billowing smoke spread out along with the shock wave, rolling up a cloud of soil and sand, and a deafening roar exploded above the heads of the soldiers.
Although the 75mm mountain artillery and field artillery were not very powerful, they were very destructive, and the Eighth Route Army's casualties suddenly increased.
…
"Are the devils ready to fight to the death?"
Listening to the deafening and continuous roar of explosions coming from the direction of the main formation, District Chief Lu, the top leader of the Central Hebei Military Region, frowned, looked at the communications staff and asked:
"Have you requested air support from the frontline headquarters?"
Not long after the sound of cannon fire, District Chief Lu judged that the Japanese had definitely concentrated the use of the three artillery regiments.
Therefore, the communications department was immediately ordered to request air support from the new regiment headquarters in code words.
The Japanese's concentrated use of three artillery regiments will inevitably cause heavy casualties to the troops in central Hebei.
But at the same time, the Japanese artillery units also showed flaws. This is definitely an opportunity to kill the three Japanese artillery regiments!
The Japanese lacked anti-aircraft firepower, lacked camouflage nets, and concentrated their use of artillery. They were nothing more than living targets under the Eighth Route Army's fighter jets and attack aircraft.
"We have applied for air support, and the frontline headquarters responded that the air support will arrive in about 25 minutes."
The communications officer replied.
District Chief Lu raised his telescope and glanced at the shelling not far away. The flames of the explosion were reflected on the lenses of the telescope. He put down the telescope and asked, "How long will it take for the main force of the new group to arrive?"
“We’ll arrive in about an hour and a half!”
The communications officer replied:
"The intersecting troops of the new regiment have arrived in the northern area, blocking the enemy's northward passage."
District Chief Lu's expression softened slightly.
This wave of Japs is prepared to fight tooth and nail, and the Jizhong troops must use all their strength to deal with it.
Fortunately, the main force of the new regiment is about to arrive, and the intervening troops are already in place.
When Li Yunlong arrives with the new main force, it will be the end of this group of devils!
Now.
What the Jizhong troops have to do is not to be defeated by the Japanese within an hour and a half!
…
On the road from Shimen City to Jinju Battlefield.
Jiefang brand cars, which can be seen as far as the eye can see, are marching towards the Jinju battlefield.
At the rear of some cars, a 122mm howitzer was towed.
A car pulling a 122mm howitzer was loaded with infantry and artillery shells.
In addition to more than 200 tanks and armored vehicles, there are also dozens of Katyusha rocket launcher vehicles.
In addition to the motorized troops, there were also five cavalry battalions from the new regiment, which quickly followed. The strength of these five cavalry battalions was comparable to that of a cavalry division.
The lineup is luxurious!
Li Yunlong was sitting in an open jeep, with two combat staff sitting beside him, and Huang Erhu was the driver.
A radio interrogation vehicle in front stopped, and Huang Erhu also quickly stopped the jeep.
The rear double doors of the telecommunications vehicle opened. Chief of Staff Wang Dehou jumped out, walked to the door of the jeep, saluted Li Yunlong and reported: "Reporting to the head of the regiment, the Central Hebei Military Region Headquarters has just requested air support from our unit."
"Air support?" Li Yunlong narrowed his eyes slightly, "Have the Japanese started attacking again?"
Wang Dehou said: "The Japanese concentrated three artillery regiments and carried out artillery fire coverage on the main position of the Jizhong troops. I have arranged an independent fighter squadron to take off immediately to support."
Li Yunlong nodded, there was nothing wrong with Wang Dehou's arrangement.
In the morning, the independent fighter squadron of the new regiment singled out a Japanese fighter squadron and bomber squadron.
And wiped them all out, but the independent fighter squadron suffered no casualties.
The independent fighter squadron has long been ready to attack again.
As soon as the order from the regiment headquarters was issued, the independent fighter squadron took off immediately. With the Saber fighter jets at full power, it took less than half an hour to reach the Jinju battlefield.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! "The Japanese knew clearly that our Eighth Route Army had air superiority, but they dared to concentrate artillery fire and cover the Eighth Route Army's positions in central Hebei Province with artillery fire."
"This shows that the Japanese are going to fight tooth and nail."
Li Yunlong's eyebrows showed a trace of solemnity.
Now it depends on whether the troops of the Central Hebei Military Region can withstand the full blow of the Japanese from three divisions, including one Class A division!
If they can survive this tough battle, and if their equipment can keep up, the Jizhong Army will definitely become a main force like the 129th Division!
"Captain, I have a doubt."
Wang Dehou said.
"What doubts do you have, kid?"
Li Yunlong asked.
"We are only about 25 kilometers away from the Jinju battlefield."
"But the Japanese did not run away and continued to attack the troops in central Hebei."
"Don't the Japanese know that Shimen City and Zhengding have been lost? Don't the Japanese know the maneuverability of our new regiment of the Eighth Route Army?"
"I find this very strange."
Wang Dehou expressed his doubts with a look of doubt on his face.
The distance is 25 kilometers and the road conditions are good. If Li Yunlong hadn't prepared for the large troops to arrive together, the cavalry of the new regiment would have reached the Jinzhou battlefield in just one hour.
"This is indeed a bit strange." Li Yunlong nodded and asked, "Are you worried about the Japanese conspiracy?"
According to common sense, when Shimen City and Zhengding were lost, the backs of the 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division were exposed to the Eighth Route Army.
As for the maneuverability of the Eighth Route Army, the Japanese are also very aware of it on plain terrain.
However, the Japanese not only did not escape, but also attempted to attack the Eighth Route Army troops in central Hebei Province, with a desperate attitude.
This is strange.
"That's not possible." Wang Dehou said, "The Jinzhou battlefield is dozens of kilometers in radius and is under the surveillance of our reconnaissance planes. If the Japanese have an ambush, they will never escape the eyes of our reconnaissance planes."
"Then don't think too much." Li Yunlong looked solemn and said, "Order the troops to speed up their march. We have to harvest corn quickly!"