************ At the foot of Baodu Ridge, in the headquarters of the Japanese 41st Division.
Division commander Sakai stood in front of the map, holding a magnifying glass and carefully observing the map. Beside him, two brigade commanders stood with their hands hanging, respectfully waiting for him to issue orders.
The commander of the Sakai Division looked at it very carefully, especially regarding the terrain around Meiling Town. His eyes stayed particularly long.
After more than ten minutes, the commander of the Sakai Division raised his head and took a deep breath, "Panasonic, Nagashima, what do you think of this operation?"
The two brigade commanders hurriedly straightened their bodies and said respectfully, "Division commander, we believe that the Chinese army in Meiling Town opposite is simply vulnerable. We don't need to be so cautious."
The commander of the Sakai Division did not speak, but listened quietly. After the two people finished speaking, he said with a smile, "According to intelligence investigation, there is a regiment of the 1st Infantry Division of the Yanhuang Army stationed in Meiling Town opposite.
We have about 1,500 troops and fairly well-equipped weapons and equipment, so do you think we can capture Meiling Town with two brigades?"
"Yes, General!" Commander Matsushita Ohira Yong Brigade spoke first, he said, "According to the latest information, although there is a division of troops nominally stationed in Meiling Town opposite, two of the regiments were already stationed last night.
We set off and returned to the vicinity of Fengtian City to strengthen the defense of their administrative center. There is only one regiment left, plus some local villagers' armed forces. With such a small number of people, I believe they cannot withstand our division's attack."
"Yes, division commander, our division is equipped with the latest 105-caliber mountain guns and large-caliber field guns. In addition, there are twelve heavy tanks from the tank detachment coming to support. I believe Meiling Town can be attacked soon.
"Tanizo Nagashima also spoke, and it was obvious that he was quite confident in the strength of his side. "With the strength of our Kwantung Army, even if there are one or two divisions of the Chinese army, we can easily defeat it."
No wonder they are so confident. The previous Chinese armies were indeed very different in combat effectiveness. The combat effectiveness of one Japanese soldier was equal to four or five Chinese soldiers. In addition, there was also a gap in weapons and equipment, which resulted in the defeat of a brigade.
A matter of one or two divisions.
With two brigades, plus a tank detachment and an artillery regiment, the two senior Japanese commanders were very confident that they could easily capture Meiling Town.
The commander of the Sakai Division listened quietly without interrupting until they finished speaking. Then he said, "There is a saying in China that if you know yourself and the enemy, you will never be in danger of a hundred battles. Now there are two regiments in the Chinese army on the opposite side whose whereabouts are unknown. We are trying to figure it out."
Until their exact position is reached, the division cannot rush to attack for the time being."
"Division commander, even if there is an ambush by the Chinese army, we are not afraid with our strength." Hearing that the attack was not allowed for the time being, the two brigade commanders were a little anxious and took a step forward together, "If this continues, our opponent will
The strength will be enhanced step by step."
Although the commander of the Sakai Division seemed very easy-going, he was very firm in his actions. He waved his hands to the two people and said resolutely, "This matter has been decided. After determining the specific positions of the two opposing regiments, the division
The regiment is temporarily preparing for battle in place."
The two brigade commanders had no choice but to leave the room.
Arriving outside the tent, Matsushita Ohei Isamu grabbed Nagashima Tanizou and said, "Nagashima-kun, the general's decision will definitely delay the war."
"Yes, this is such a good opportunity. If we seize it, we can break through the defense line of the Chinese army, and then march northward to attack Fengtian, the bandit nest of the Yanhuang Army. Then it will be the end of the Yanhuang Army."
According to Japanese intelligence, the total strength of the Yanhuang Army is only two regular divisions, and in addition are some local troops. Moreover, these two regular divisions have been scattered and distributed within a hundred miles around Fengtian. In addition to guarding
There are more troops in Meiling Town and other places, but local troops are stationed in many other places and their combat effectiveness is not strong.
Therefore, many Japanese generals felt that they should concentrate their superior forces and attack Fengtianlai in one fell swoop. By then, the Yanhuang Army, which had lost its base, would be a loser and would not be able to sustain it for long.
The two people originally planned to ask the division commander to send troops immediately to attack Meiling Town to open the door to Fengtian. In this way, the large force could attack Fengtian City in one go.
But I didn't expect that the division commander Sakai would be so cautious in doing things. He would rather go slower than take risks. As a result, he missed this opportunity.
The two brigade commanders were milling around outside the division headquarters, like wolves in heat at two or three o'clock in the afternoon, almost running aside to scratch the wall.
When the two people were restless, the sound of a car's motor sounded outside the campsite, and then the car stopped at the gate of the camp.
The two men looked closely and realized that what was coming was an armored truck, which seemed to be coming from the Kwantung Army headquarters.
After the Port Arthur incident, the commander of the Kwantung Army could no longer stay in Port Arthur and has now moved to Chengde, Rehe Province.
A commander was kidnapped. This was definitely a shame for the Japanese Kwantung Army. For this reason, they had sent several brigades to the rescue. In the end, not only were they not rescued, but they fell into Luo Xiao's trap and lost their troops.
The three independent mixed brigades suffered heavy casualties, and in the end only one third escaped back to the Korean Peninsula.
Because the rescue failed, Benzhuang Fan is now undergoing labor reform in a secret base of the Yanhuang Army. He weeds, catches insects, collects water, and plows the land every day, becoming an out-and-out farmer.
Seeing that the person coming was from the headquarters of the Japanese Kwantung Army, the two brigade commanders hurriedly greeted him. They must have something to do with the combat order.
The door of the armored truck opened, and a Japanese officer wearing a lieutenant colonel's collar came out. Then he looked at the two brigade commanders and said, "Excuse me, is Commander Sakai inside?"
The two men hurriedly moved him inside and said, "Here, the division commander is studying the battle inside."
"Oh, General Sakai is working hard!" The visitor couldn't help but admired and walked towards the war room.
At this time, the commander of the Sakai Division had also received the notification from the messenger and knew that he was coming from the Kwantung Army Headquarters, so he put down his magnifying glass and went to the door of the house.
As soon as the two people met, the person who came here saluted the commander of the Sakai Division and said, "Commander of the Sakai Division, I am here to convey his latest instructions on the orders of the commander."
Upon hearing this, the commander of the Sakai Division hurriedly turned aside and said, "Then please come into the war room. There are many people here and it is difficult to talk."