Just when the Japanese army launched a large-scale air raid in southern Hebei, Lieutenant General Xiangyue Qingsi, commander of the First Army of the North China Front, commanded the 1st, 6th, 8th, 20th, and 109th divisions to attack the Eighth Route Army independently.
The division's base in Jinzhong.
According to the Japanese army's battle plan, the 22nd Division of the Japanese army stationed in Handan was required to launch an attack on Shexian County and Licheng, attracting the attention of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army and the National Army in Southeast Shanxi, and covering the mopping up operations in central Shanxi.
However, due to the destruction of the 21st Division and the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade, concerns about the security of the Ping-Han Line, and the fact that Touichi Terauchi initially wanted to mobilize heavy troops to encircle and suppress southern Hebei, the 22nd Division went to Shexian County to carry out the raids.
was urgently transferred back on the way and placed under the command of Lieutenant General Kenji Doihara, commander of the 14th Division. In this way, Xiangyue Qingsi had to rely on the strength of the First Army to carry out the Jinzhong mopping up operations.
Without the 22nd Division as a flank attack cover, Xiangyue Qingsi was not afraid. After all, he had six elite divisions in his hands. In addition to the 25th Division defending northern Shanxi, there were five more divisions. Among them
The First Division, the Sixth Division, the Eighth Division, and the Twentieth Division were all elite troops of the Japanese army. Therefore, Xiangyue Qingsi drove the main force of the Eighth Route Army out of the east of Fenhe River, west of Taihang Mountain, and east of Zhengtai Road.
After moving north and south of Mount Wutai, we ordered the start of the second step of the first phase of the campaign to form a north-south campaign and clear out the central Shanxi area.
Gao Erhua was from Faku, Liaoning, and participated in the "December 9th" movement. In the spring of 1937, she was assigned to Taiyuan by the underground party, and later participated in the Sacrifice League. After the Japanese army invaded Shanxi, this beautiful girl picked up a gun and stood up for the Anti-Japanese War.
First line. After the Eighth Route Army Instructor Division regained Taiyuan, Gao Erhua went to work in the Eighth Route Army Independent Division and served as the instructor of the Sixth Detachment of the Jinzhong Guerrillas of the Independent Division.
On the morning of January 29th, Gao Erhua, who was hiding near Jinci to monitor the movements of the Japanese troops in Taiyuan, suddenly discovered that a large number of Japanese troops were pouring out of Taiyuan and heading south. A closer look revealed that they should be the 20th Division of the Japanese Army. Gao Erhua was shocked. The Japanese troops
We have just occupied the Xinkou area, are we going to fight south so soon?
Gao Erhua hurriedly led the Sixth Guerrilla Detachment to evacuate Jinci and reported to his superiors via radio that the Japanese 20th Division was attacking Qingxu.
Since the main force of the Japanese army marched north and captured Xinkou, the Eighth Route Army headquarters, the Independent Division, and the 129th Division were all watching the movements of the Japanese army. The main force of the Independent Division even moved near the Zhengtai Line, preparing to attack the Zhengtai Line and support the 115th Division and the 120th Division.
. However, no one in the Eighth Route Army expected that the Japanese army would move so quickly. As soon as they occupied the Xinkou area, they would immediately return troops to attack the central Shanxi area.
At the same time as receiving Gao Erhua's report, all units of our army on the Zhengtai Line began to contact the Japanese army. The intelligence was quickly gathered at the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and the independent division headquarters. From the intelligence, it can be seen that the actions of the Japanese army this time were related to the capture of Xinkou.
The actions of the Japanese Army were all about attacking and advancing in large groups. Among them, the Japanese 6th Division led part of the 109th Division out of Yangquan and began to attack Pingding in a roundabout way. The Japanese 20th Division went south along Tongpu Road.
Directly attacking Qingxu near Taiyuan, the Japanese First Division and Eighth Division went south from Zhengtai Road, and their troops pointed directly at Jinzhong.
Mr. Zhu and Xu Xiangqian pondered on the map for a long time, and immediately understood that the Japanese army wanted to form an encirclement circle east of the Tongpu Railway, west of the Taihang Mountains, south of the Zhengtai Line, and north of Pingyao, Yushe, and Liao County to completely eliminate us.
The main force of the Eighth Route Army in the Jinzhong base area.
It was concluded that the Japanese army's attempt did not mean that the Japanese army could be eliminated. With the lesson of the loss of Xinkou, Mr. Zhu understood that the independent division alone could not defend the Jinzhong base area.
After a quick telegram communication with the chairman in Xi'an, Mr. Zhu immediately sent a message to Chiang Kai-shek, requesting the troops of the First Theater Command to launch a diversionary attack on Kenji Doihara's 14th Division in northern Henan, so that it would not be able to massively reinforce the Shanxi front.
; Send a report to Yan Xishan, requesting the main force of the Shanxi-Sui Army to attack the west side of Tongpu Road to contain the Japanese 20th Division, preventing it from successfully capturing the Taiyuan to Pingyao section of Tongpu Road; Send a report to Wei Lihuang, requesting it
If possible, make preparations to reinforce Jinzhong operations; send a report to Mr. Peng, requesting the units of the 120th Division and the 115th Division to seize the fighter planes of the main Japanese army heading south and actively restore the base areas captured by the Japanese army. The main force of the 115th Division should move quickly
, prepare to attack the Zhengtai Line and force the enemy to return reinforcements; the main force of the 129th Division immediately mobilizes to prepare to reinforce the independent division.
Although Mr. Zhu knew that it was sheer fantasy to expect Yan Xishan and his like to reinforce the Eighth Route Army and contain the enemy, he still did not expect that Yan Xishan's mentality had changed a lot at this time. He had already begun to think again about "anti-Japanese war, preparation for alliance with Japan"
, the Soviet Communist Party must be prepared to fight against the Communist Party, and to welcome Chiang Kai-shek, it must be prepared to reject Chiang Kai-shek.”
It’s no wonder that after the Eighth Route Army entered Shanxi, its strength developed too fast and turned central, northern and southeastern Shanxi into its base areas. In addition to controlling Shanxi, Shanxi was about to become the world of the Eighth Route Army.
This made Yan Xishan, who regarded Shanxi as his own one-third of an acre of land, very uncomfortable. Of course, this was a critical period of the Anti-Japanese War, and Yan Xishan knew that without the Eighth Route Army, he would not be able to defend Shanxi. But, the truth is
The truth is, Yan Xishan felt very uncomfortable when he thought of those young people who followed the Eighth Route Army. Therefore, when he learned that the Japanese army had captured the Xinkou area and drove out the 115th Division, the main force of the Eighth Route Army, Yan Xishan felt very complicated.
I can't tell what it smells like. If Mr. Zhu knew that Yan Xishan's mentality was so complicated, I'm afraid he wouldn't waste time and energy sending telegrams everywhere.
After deploying peripheral reinforcements and diversionary operations, Mr. Zhu ordered the independent division to immediately engage in anti-mopping operations, fighting at all levels to slow down the enemy's attack. Governments at all levels in the Jinzhong base area immediately organized strongholds to clear the field, and organized and covered mass transfers. Each guerrilla detachment, county
Brigades, district squads and militiamen mobilized urgently, laid landmines, harassed the enemy, cooperated with the main force in operations, and bought time for the mass transfer.
For a time, the land of Jinzhong was filled with flames of war.
Unlike the aggressive offensive operations of the Japanese First Army Commander Kozuki Qingsi in the Shanxi battlefield, Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao, the commander of the Japanese Second Army in the Shandong direction, is now in a dilemma.
Originally, according to Nishio Hisao's campaign concept, he would first wipe out all the resistance forces in Shandong, and then immediately send his troops south to seize Xuzhou and complete the task assigned by the front army to return to the division with the Central China Front Army. Unfortunately, the 21st Division did not start well.
The main force of the regiment and the independent mixed fourth brigade were annihilated by the Eighth Route Army instructors. It turned out that Nishio Shouzou relied on the 24th Division to guard the Jinpu line, and used the 21st Division to mop up the northwest of the Yellow River.
In the vast areas on both sides of Jinpu Road, the 24th Division has now joined the Jizhong Combat Group, and the main force of the 21st Division and the independent mixed 4th Brigade have all been shattered. This time, the defense line from Jinan to De County has been completely destroyed.
The troops were weak and all the holes were opened. If Liu Yimin's instructor attacked the Jinpu line at this time, Nishio Shouzou knew that he would not be able to defend it.
Therefore, when General Terauchi Juichi ordered Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao to explain to the base camp the reason why the main force of the 21st Division was broken and mobilized heavy troops to rescue the independent mixed fourth brigade, Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao's eyebrows were tangled together, and he felt sorry for himself. While Lieutenant General Washizu Songhei was feeling uncomfortable, he secretly cursed the damned Juichi Terauchi for quickly starting to shirk the blame. He had just made Lieutenant General Itagaki Seishiro a scapegoat, and now he was making his own plans again. This old man Ordinary man, even if you can't read and touch the signboard, how can I, Nishio Shouichi, be manipulated by your temple's Shouichi at will?
After scolding Juichi Terauchi, Lieutenant General Nishio Juzuo scolded Major General Dong Dong. This arrogant guy had already invaded Linqing City in his last telegram, requesting planes to bomb the resistance forces in Linqing City. How come he was dropped in the blink of an eye? Falling into instructor Liu Yimin’s trap? If this pig can’t be beaten, won’t it run away? If it can’t even run away, then it’s really stupid!
Feeling resentful and scolding, Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao immediately ordered the 5th and 10th Divisions to stop attacking southward and defend on the spot. The 16th Division stopped its mopping up operations and the main force immediately assembled to fight with them. The 13th Independent Mixed Brigade from Tai'an and the 108th Division from Jinan traveled to De County, strengthened the Jinpu Road defense line, rescued the 4th Independent Mixed Brigade, and eliminated the Chinese instructors.
After issuing the order, Nishio Juzo sat down honestly and drafted a general situation report for the base camp on the 21st Division's garrison and operations in De County. To be honest, how did the 21st Division defeat Nishio? How could Shou Zao know? He just stated the mission he had given to the 21st Division.
Unexpectedly, before the troops had completed their assembly, the second order from General Terauchi Juichi arrived. He said that the independent mixed fourth brigade had been collectively destroyed, and ordered him to strengthen the defense of the Jinpu line. He also said that if a clearing campaign was carried out in the direction of Western Shandong, no It is carried out with a single division or brigade, and more than three permanent divisions must be concentrated to advance together.
After reading Juichi Terauchi's telegram, Lieutenant General Nishio Juzo no longer resented Juichi Terauchi. He understood that making Juichi Terauchi so fearful showed that Liu Yimin's instructor was very powerful. He really couldn't figure out when China With such a unit that even the commander of the North China Front is afraid of. If such a unit had been discovered earlier, what kind of North China Incident would it have caused? Let the Chinese fight for themselves. Maybe their civil war would destroy this unit. Consumed.
However, there is one thing that makes Lieutenant General Nishio Hiszo's mind entangled, and that is the issue of the responsibility of Yusei, who was independently formed into the fourth division. Yusei, the main force of the 21st Division, was mainly because Lieutenant General Washitsu Songhei acted arbitrarily and ordered him to do so. Mainly to clear out areas north of the Yellow River, east of Jinpu Road, and south of Cangxian County. This guy actually sent the main force to Western Shandong. This can be verified by telegram records. He is responsible, but the responsibility can be defended. He formed an independent fourth brigade. Things are different with the regiment. The attack on Liaocheng and the capture of Linqing were all based on my own orders. At least, I would be charged with a command error. Seeing that I was about to be promoted to a general, it would be troublesome to be charged with such a crime. .
The more Nishio Shouzou thought about it, the more annoyed he became, and he no longer bothered to ask about the affairs of the troops. He sat down again and honestly wrote down why he ordered an independent fourth brigade to attack Liaocheng and capture Linqing, and how he should The intelligence they were responsible for was unclear, and the responsibility for the command errors was clearly stated, and then it was sent to the North China Front Army headquarters and base camp.
After handling this matter, Nishio Shouzou felt relieved. He felt that it was time to question the instructor Liu Yimin about the formation of the army, so he called the chief of staff, Major General Suzuki, to inquire about the 108th Division, which was independently mixed into the 13th Brigade.
Where is the 16th Division now?
Major General Suzuki reported that the 108th Division had moved to De County and set up defenses along the Jinpu Line. The independent 13th Brigade was driving to Jinan, and the 16th Division was gathering troops.
Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao interrupted the report of Major General Suzuki, directly accused the 16th Division of moving too slowly, and ordered that the 10th Division and the 5th Division on the railway line each detach a brigade.
Regiment, vehicles transported to Jinan, and the heavy artillery brigade, armored troops, cavalry, engineers, and heavy supply troops directly under the Second Army were unifiedly organized. He wanted to personally command the troops to prepare for the attack on Liu Yimin's instructor division.
After Lieutenant General Hisao Nishio issued the order, he urged all units to act quickly. Unexpectedly, after the combat plan was reported to the North China Front Army Headquarters, he received an order from General Toshiichi Terauchi in the evening, stating that the operational direction of the Second Army was still Xuzhou and that the Jinpu line was safe.
The 108th Division should be responsible for coordinating the railway regiment, and the 24th Division stationed in Cangxian County to the north of Dexian County should be responsible. The Second Army should be an independent mixed 13th Brigade stationed in Jinan, serving as the 108th Division.
Support troops.
Nishio Hisao simply didn't know what General Judaiji Teruchi was thinking. He had been clamoring to eliminate the instructor Liu Yimin. Now that he finally found the instructor's position, he was indecisive and even said that the operational direction of the Second Army was still Xuzhou. This was simply
Unbelievable!
Nishio Hisao already knew that Prince Kanin Miya Zaihito called General Touichi the temple a wretch, and he began to curse the old wretch in his heart again. He was just giving random orders, causing the army to run on the road every day, doing anything.
No. He just talked and left his Second Army wondering what to do. Attack Luxi, the order does not allow it. Don't attack, the troops have been assembled and are walking on the railway! This unlucky Juichi Terauchi
General, this is simply inexplicable!
At this moment, Lieutenant General Nishio Hisao's respect for General Touichi Terauchi had completely disappeared.
Nishio Hisao didn't know that General Terauchi Juichi did not approve the Second Army's combat plan because he had already reported his strategic intentions to the base camp. Moreover, General Terauchi Juichi had a new idea at this time.
General Shouichi Temple got the broadcast content from the Eighth Route Army Jinan Radio Station at night.