"Damn it, the little devil's plane is here again, take cover!"
The roar of the aircraft came from the clouds, and then two Japanese reconnaissance planes appeared. After making a circle over Shangqiu, they flew to the north and south respectively.
It wasn't until the Japanese reconnaissance planes had gone away that the soldiers crawled out of the fortifications. They had long been accustomed to Japanese aircrafts and recognized them as just two reconnaissance planes at the first time.
"This is the third time the Japs' planes have been dispatched today. It's a bit too frequent!"
"If I guess correctly, the 13th and 14th brigades must be at war with the Japanese!"
"How do you know, so sure?"
"Because I have a brain!"
"screw you!"
The soldiers who witnessed this scene burst into laughter. The bickering between the company commander and the instructor was more interesting than watching a drama. This was also a rare joy in hardship.
The temporary headquarters of the Japanese Second Front Army is stationed at the Niuwang Lake stronghold on the Longhai Railway.
A combat staff officer was holding a folder and was making a report: "The North China Expeditionary Army Headquarters sent a message. It has been found that the Eighth Route Army located in Shangqiu is Li Yunlong's unit of the 16th Brigade of the Hebei, Shandong and Yu Column."
"We fought in Shandong a few months ago and were equipped with organic artillery, with complete light and heavy firepower. We recently returned to Hebei, Shandong and Henan with about 10,000 troops. The unit's combat effectiveness is strong and should not be underestimated!"
"Go down!" Yamashita Fengwen nodded when he heard this. There were more than a dozen black and white photos in front of him, which seemed to have been taken by Japanese reconnaissance planes.
"Hi!" The combat staff officer glanced forward quietly, then quickly walked out of the room.
The atmosphere in the room was a bit strange. Hideo Yamaji, the leader of the chariot training brigade, stood quietly aside, not daring to express his anger.
"Ishihara Wan'er is right. The Hebei, Shandong and Yu column of the Eighth Route Army is a powerful enemy. Its commander's deployment is very sophisticated. He wants to invite you to the urn!"
Yamashita Tomofumi had to admit that this battle was not that easy. The strategy of north and then south advocated by Ishihara Kanji might be the safest, but the strategy of dividing the troops could not be said to be wrong, but he did not expect Doihara Ken at this time.
The second one is still deliberately holding back.
"Shanji-kun, what do you think?"
Yamaji Hideo was obviously relieved, but he still showed great respect. He leaned down and came to Yamashita Fengwen: "Commander, judging from the current battle situation, the Eighth Route Army has deployed a considerable number of troops in Yucheng and Xiayi.
The purpose of armed personnel is to contain our army so that our army does not dare to deploy its formation too quickly!"
"Once the war goes against our army, the Eighth Route Army's troops on both sides will change from containing it to blocking our army's retreat, and we have to guard against it!"
"I think a steady and steady strategy should be adopted. Each of the 57th Division and the Guards Division will continue to struggle with it. With the cooperation of our chariot brigade, we will concentrate the main infantry force to advance towards Shangqiu!"
"Capture Shangqiu, open up the connection with the 35th Division, and ensure the smooth flow of the Longhai Railway transportation line, then our army will be in an invincible position!"
"Yo Xi!" Yamashita Tomon was greatly appreciated when he heard this. He was famous for his resourcefulness in the Japanese army. The British army in the Philippines had abandoned their armor. He had a clear understanding of the current battlefield situation. He only wanted to ask Hideo Yamaji what he thought.
Take a stand.
Japan's tank corps was formed by Yamashita Tomofumi, and Hideo Yamaji, the leader of the tank training brigade, was a direct lineage within the direct lineage. However, as people go higher and water flows lower, the direct lineage is not necessarily very reliable.
Yesterday evening when the teaching brigade was conducting a personnel check, they suddenly discovered that Yamashita Tomita's headquarters had lost contact. After a night of searching to no avail, Yamaji Hideo came to report with anxiety.
At the moment, I was worried about being offended by Yamashita Tobumi because of this incident, so I had to pinch my nose to show my loyalty, but I was also worried about making Tojo Hideki dissatisfied.
"Sanji-kun, you have a good idea. This battle is related to the success or failure of the empire in North China and even the whole of China. Now please return to the command position!"
"Hi!" Yamaji Hideo stood at attention and immediately asked hesitantly: "Commander, it's just..."
Yamashita Fengwen suddenly stood up and shouted loudly: "Nothing. As a commander, I only care about the success or failure of this battle. Personal matters are insignificant!"
"Hi, Commander Yingming!"
Before Yamaji Hideo left, the adjutant walked in at the right time and reported to Yamashita Fengwen the disappearance of Yamashita Tomita. How could a father not care about his son's whereabouts?
"Commander, the soldiers of the 57th Division once witnessed Second Lieutenant Yamashita's troops marching westward, towards the hinterland of the Chinese people, and many people pointed out that Second Lieutenant Yamashita had a quarrel with Tojo Toshio before he disappeared!"
"Tojo Toshio?"
The sound of fingers tapping the table suddenly stopped, and Yamashita Fengfumi suddenly shouted: "Does he think that what he did will not be noticed by others, or does he think that I will not pursue this matter?"
The adjutant is Yamashita Fengfumi's confidant. It is the subordinate's duty to share the leader's worries. If it is not convenient for the leader to express his opinions, the subordinates have to step forward.
Then he turned his attention to Hideo Yamaji and made a gesture on his neck. Hideo Yamaji broke out in cold sweat when he saw this scene and couldn't help but secretly moan.
Hideo Yamaji had heard about the political struggle in Japan, and the voices within the Kwantung Army were not unified. Even though he was the commander of the Major General Brigade, Tojo Hideki could be dismissed and returned to the country with a transfer order.
With the development of science and technology and the advancement of weapons, the combat methods of modern wars have undergone tremendous changes. When the defense system outside the city is broken, there is no need to hold on to the city.
Yucheng, Shangqiu, and Xiayi are like a pocket waiting for the Japanese army to enter. Retreating can contain the Japanese army and force it to divide its forces, and advancing can cut off the Japanese army's retreat.
"Based on the current situation, the Japanese army is only a partial division on both sides, and the number of troops is not large. Counting artillery and auxiliary arms, the number of troops is 5,000. On the other hand, our army has a main brigade and an artillery battalion with more than 10,000 troops!
"
"The strength of the troops is two to one, and they occupy the defensive fortifications. The advantage is extremely obvious. In my opinion, if the 13th and 14th brigades are allowed to take the initiative to counterattack, it may have unexpected effects!"
The Kwantung Army was making every effort to fight the Eighth Route Army to the bitter end in Shangqiu. This was in line with the Eighth Route Army's intentions, so the attitude of Zhao Bingzhang and others became optimistic again.
Zhou Weihan heard this and shook his head: "It is not safe enough for the 13th and 14th brigades to counterattack now. We need to wait until the main force of the Kwantung Army sinks deeper in Shangqiu!"
"The Japanese reconnaissance aircraft have been quite quiet in recent days, and it is not polite to come and go. Tomorrow morning we will also send two reconnaissance aircraft to explore the real situation of the Japanese army!"
"As long as the main force of the Kwantung Army distances itself from its partial divisions, and the 13th and 14th brigades find ways to kill the enemy in front of me, I would like to see how much combat effectiveness the famous Kwantung Army still has!"
