Chapter 543: Raising fire to the sky to burn the stubborn (1)
After leaving the palace, Prince Kanin Palace Zaihito, Prime Minister Sugimoto Sugimoto, and North China Front Commander Juichi Terauchi left the palace and went directly to the General Staff Headquarters.
After arriving at the General Staff Headquarters, Prince Kanin Miya Zaihito ordered his subordinates to notify Hisao Tani to immediately enter the palace to meet with His Majesty the Emperor, and then report to the General Staff Headquarters.
Then, Prince Kanin Palace Zaihito urgently summoned Deputy Chief of Staff Tada Shun and Army Deputy Minister Hideki Tojo to discuss the Shandong war situation.
Hideki Tojo was born in Iwate Prefecture, Japan on December 30, 1884. He grew up in Tokyo. He was the son of Lieutenant General Eikyo Tojo, the first graduate of the Japanese Army University. In 1915, Hideki Tojo left the mainland at the age of 31.
The 27th batch of graduates.
After graduating from the Mainland University, Tojo Hideki served as an instructor at the Mainland University, staff officer of the General Staff Headquarters, commander of the regiment, section chief of the Army Department, director of the Military Investigation Department, etc. He sat on the bench for a long time and was depressed. Until September 1935, he
When he was almost 51 years old, he was recommended by Harem Jun, his classmate from the army childhood school and the personnel director of the Army Ministry, to serve as the commander of the military police of the Kwantung Army. At this time, the war madman Hideki Tojo finally found a place to use his skills.
He vowed to let the Emperor know that the Army also had a man of action named Tojo Hideki.
When he took office as the commander of the Kwantung Army Military Police, Hideki Tojo made drastic changes. First, he expanded the Kwantung Army Military Police from only 200 people to 1,000 people. Then he integrated the three police systems including the Puppet Manchukuo Civil Affairs Ministry Police, the Japanese Consulate Police and the Kwantung Agency Police.
, unified the command of the Military Police Headquarters under him, established a complete Japanese and puppet police system in the Northeast, and won the title of General Razor.
At this time, officers from the Imperial Faction within the Japanese army launched the "226" coup. Hideki Tojo, a ruling faction, immediately sent a telegram to the Emperor and the military headquarters, declaring that the Kwantung Army opposed military remonstrances, supported the Emperor, and used his Kwantung Army
As the commander of the military police, he hunted down all the imperial officers of the Kwantung Army, thus winning the trust and favor of the Japanese military headquarters, and was successfully promoted to lieutenant general.
Then, Hideki Tojo seized the opportunity of the Japanese army to suppress the resistance in the Northeast, and planned with Sasaki Toichi, who was the top adviser of the puppet Manchukuo at the time, mobilized 25,000 people from the 11 puppet Manchukuo brigades, and launched the East Side Road independent crusade.
Become famous in one battle.
By this time, Tojo Hideki had become a celebrity in the Japanese army, and he successfully served as the Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army in March 1937. In May of this year, he replaced Yoshijiro Umezu as the Undersecretary of the Ministry of War.
After Tojo Hideki and Tada Shun arrived at the office of Prince Kanin Palace Zaihito, Tada Shun was fine. After saluting, he greeted several people cordially. After Tojo Hideki saluted, he sat down in his seat with a serious face.
He took out his notebook from his bag, unscrewed the fountain pen, and wrote down the year, month, day, and names and positions of the participants in the notebook. Then he raised his head and waited for instructions from the chief executive and Mr. Lu Xiang.
Juichi Terauchi was in a very bad mood now. He had just had a quarrel with Prime Minister Konoe in front of the emperor, and he was worried that Prime Minister Konoe would take the opportunity to punish him when they met alone with the emperor.
Prince Kanin Gong Zaijin is an old man and has a clear understanding of Juichi's thoughts. He comforted him: "General, there is no need to look sad. The Prime Minister agrees with us. He is just worried about the war situation and is in a bad mood. Don't worry.
He will firmly support the North China Front in its operations."
Terauchi Shouichi smiled bitterly: "Your Highness, the war situation in North China is so corrupt, the front army does bear an unshirkable responsibility. However, the Prime Minister should understand that the war is a two-sided matter, and it is not just us who have the final say. Liu Yimin is extremely cunning and cruel, and often
It was to make a plan before taking action, and to strike at the most critical and weakest spot of the imperial army, making it difficult for people to guard against it. What I regret most now is that when a large group of troops was encircling Shandong, the net was not wide enough and the speed of action was not fast enough.
Let him escape by chance."
After Shun Tada came to North China and worked with Juichi Terauchi for a period of time, the two had a similar affinity and their relationship became extremely strong. He was also very smart. From the conversation between Prince Kanin Miyazaihito and Juichi Terauchi, he had already guessed that Juichi Terauchi and Juichi Terauchi
There must have been some unpleasantness between Konoe and Fumuma. Needless to say, it was because of Odaka Kamezo's arrest.
Jun Tada wanted to help Terauchi Touichi speak, so he opened his mouth and said: "Earl Terauchi worked hard in North China, and his hard work has made great achievements. Last time, a large group of troops raided Shandong. Not to mention other things, it just strengthened the security of Jizhong and southern Hebei.
The job of Tubal Road in Shanxi Province was taken away. The main reason why Tubal Road in Shanxi battlefield was weak during this period was that there was a problem with their logistics supply. The Empire of Japan should be commending its meritorious ministers, so how could it be so picky?
Besides, the general in the temple was sent to Europe as an envoy and has not returned to North China yet. What does what happened there have to do with him?"
Prince Kanin Miyazaihito, Sugisugimoto, and Terauchi Juichi were essentially wearing a pair of trousers. They had almost rallied to attack Prime Minister Konoe just now. This time they saw that Shun Tada, who had previously firmly advocated not expanding the invasion, was really speaking out from his own side.
, several people feel relatively comfortable.
Prince Kanin Miya Zaihi glanced at Shun Tada with approval, and then asked Touichi Terauchi to briefly introduce the situation in Shandong and his disposal plan, and then led a few people to look at the map of Shandong.
Consider carefully.
Tojo Hideki himself described himself as a man of action, and he was right. He was indeed a politically short-sighted, ambitious, and daring guy. After hearing Juichi Terauchi's battle plan, he was very dissatisfied and thought Juichi Terauchi
The plan was too conservative. How could the Japanese Army be frightened by the little Eighth Route Army Liu Yimin and watch the 33rd Division be annihilated?
After reading the map, Tojo Hideki put forward his own idea, that is, since Liu Yimin was going to fight, the army must accompany him to the end. Even if the national and military power was exhausted, the Eighth Route Army in Shandong must be defeated in one battle.
Hearing Tojo Hideki's high-spirited words, Prime Minister Sugimoto asked him: "Tojo-kun, do you have some strange plan?"
This was what Hideki Tojo was waiting for, and he immediately replied: "Lord Prime Minister, the Empire of Japan must prepare for war with China, the Soviet Union, Britain, the United States, and France at the same time. No matter how powerful Liu Yimin is, can he be more powerful than so many countries?
?My plan is: 1. Immediately order the front-line troops in Xuzhou and Yanzhou to attack north quickly. Since Liu Yimin was originally hiding in the southeast of Shandong, his lair must be there. If our army attacks the southeast of Shandong, it will inevitably force Liu Yimin to rescue. This
This was the Chinese strategy of besieging Wei and rescuing Zhao. In order to strengthen the ability to continuously attack southeastern Shandong, the Zhengzhou frontline offensive operations were suspended, and the 14th Division was immediately deployed to defend Xuzhou and join the second echelon attack. Second, the Jinpu Road defense line could not be shaken, and the garrisoned
The 35th Division in Tai'an cannot reinforce Jinan, and the independent mixed 13th Brigade stationed in Dongping can return to defend Tai'an. It can go north with the 35th Division to reinforce Jinan at any time. It will be implemented in western Shandong, southern Hebei, and central Hebei immediately.
Emergency contraction. These areas are all plains. Our army can reoccupy them at any time. It doesn't matter if we give up temporarily. The North China Security Army, commanded by the three garrison divisions in the above three areas, rushed to Jinan's aid urgently, forming a heavy group around Jinan and marching eastward at any time.
Decisive battle with Liu Yimin. Taking into account the limited combat effectiveness of the garrison division, the Kwantung Army was ordered to mobilize urgently, secretly deploying the First Division and the Second Division to enter the pass and move south along Jinpu Road to serve as the main force in the attack on Shandong. Third, order the 30th Division
The Third Division immediately assembled towards Laizhou Bay, established a solid position, resolutely blocked the Eighth Route Army's attack, and prepared for the landing of the reinforcements. Fourth, ordered all fighter planes and ships from the Sasebo base to depart to support the 33rd Division's operations. All Kwantung Army fighter planes transferred
, stationed at airports in Peiping, Tianjin, Shijiazhuang, and Baoding. All fighter planes at the above airports transferred to Jinan, Qingdao, Dawenkou, and Xuzhou airports. All reconnaissance aircraft took off immediately. Be sure to find out the location of the Eighth Route Army Aviation Brigade airport, and concentrate the fleet to destroy it in one fell swoop.
.5. Once Wuhan is captured, the Sixth Division, the Third Division, and the Ninth Division quickly move north to Xuzhou to replenish their troops and join the Shandong battle. After capturing Guangzhou, the Fifth Division quickly moves north to Qingdao, holds Qingdao, and attacks westward.
.This time, we must eliminate the Eighth Route Army in Shandong and completely eliminate future troubles."
Seeing Tojo Hideki foaming at the mouth, Tada Jun couldn't help but interrupt him: "Tojo-kun, the troops of the first and second divisions are stationed separately. When they gather and rush to Jinan, the thirtieth division
I am afraid that the corpses of the soldiers of the Third Division have all been eaten by wild dogs. It will take at least half a month for the Fifth Division to return to Qingdao. After the Sixth, Third, and Ninth Divisions occupy Wuhan, they will probably have to replenish their supplies first.
Soldiers, weapons and ammunition can be used to set off. You have never fought against Liu Yimin's troops, so you don't understand how ferocious his tactics are. If the estimate is correct, it will be difficult for the 33rd Division to survive tonight. Have you forgotten that you
Have you forgotten what happened to the Chahar Dispatch Corps that you personally formed? Have you forgotten what happened to the powerful Eighth Division? Have you forgotten what happened to Sasaki when he became a lieutenant general? From what you said, the only way is to mobilize fighter planes
Reinforcing Shandong is effective. The rest are just words on paper."
Juichi Terauchi had a better attitude and patted Tojo Hideki on the shoulder: "Tojo-kun, if it is really as you imagined, the 33rd Division can wait for reinforcements to arrive, then Liu Yimin will not take action at this time.
.Besides, the troops on the front line in Wuhan cannot move at all. Chiang Kai-shek's troops must have suffered heavy losses in the Wuhan battle, but they can be replenished quickly and will soon return to pre-war levels. If these main divisions are withdrawn now
, then the previous results of the Wuhan strategy battle will be in vain."
When Tojo Hideki heard what these two people said, he shuddered in his heart. That's right. Sasaki is not a weak opponent. The Chahar dispatched troops are also from the Kwantung Army. After they were broken, the first and second divisions
The combat effectiveness was ensured only after the regiment was urgently replenished. As teachers who never forget the past and the aftermath, maybe what these two people said is really true! However, Tojo Hideki is a naturally stubborn person, and he has been the king of fights in the Army School since he was a child.
, is very strong-willed and will not look back until he hits the wall. He understands that now he has no room to talk in front of these people. Not to mention that his suggestions are not perfect in haste, but they are very perfect and practical.
They won't listen either. It's better to wait until you take over the power and be able to take charge of the entire army, then go and meet Liu Yimin to see if he is really a three-headed and six-armed man!
Finally, several old Japanese came to a consensus. First, they strengthened the defense of Jinan in accordance with Juichi Terauchi's deployment. However, they revised the combat arrangements of the 33rd Division and decided to increase the deployment of Kwantung Army fighter planes. The Sasebo base fighter planes entered Shandong to fight, and they must explode
A bloody road to cover the 33rd Division's breakout to Qingdao. Second, the 114th Division stationed in Xuzhou and the Puppet Manchuria National Defense Force were immediately ordered to launch an offensive to the southeast of Shandong to contain the offensive of Liu Yimin's department in central Shandong. The troops stationed in Yanzhou were responsible for the flank attack.
First, we must seek to annihilate the Eighth Route Army Air Force to prevent this aviation force from taking risks again and sneak attacks on the fleet and airports. Fourth, we order the Kwantung Army's First and Second Divisions to mobilize immediately, assemble their troops, and be ready to enter the border at any time.
After the plan was finalized, Prince Kanin Gong Zaijin said to Shouichi of the temple: "General in the temple, we must concentrate the aviation force to cover the operations of the 33rd Division. If necessary, we can order the division to disperse and break out. Luzhong is so big, there are always
There are gaps to exploit. No matter what, the division commander Lieutenant General Amakasu Shigetaro and the military flag must not fall into the hands of the Eighth Route Army."
Why doesn't Juichi Terauchi not want to withdraw the 33rd Division to Qingdao in its entirety? He's just afraid that it won't be possible. Now that we have a strong aviation backing, let's give it a try and see whether Liu Yimin's offensive is faster or the
The Imperial Army's fighter planes move quickly.
By the time Hisao Tani arrived at the staff headquarters after meeting Emperor Hirohito, orders from the base camp had been transmitted to the Kwantung Army, the Sasebo Army and Navy Base and the North China Front along with the radio waves, and the Japanese tanks began to move again.
There was a small mistake, which can be considered a joke. It turned out that the 34th Division was stationed in Tai'an, and the 35th Division was stationed in Yanzhou. Terauichi Juichi ordered the 35th Division to leave a brigade
Guarding Tai'an, waiting for the independent mixed 13th Brigade to arrive in Tai'an to receive the visit. The commander of the 35th Division, Maeda Haru, called for instructions and said very respectfully: "I will obey the orders of your Excellency, Commander, but the 35th Division
The Fifth Division is stationed in Yanzhou and is responsible for the blockade of southern Shandong. Your Excellency, the Commander, has asked the 35th Division to send a brigade to station in Tai'an. It may be difficult to complete, which will embarrass the 34th Division stationed in Tai'an."
Dejiuchi Touichi repeatedly scolded himself for being old and useless, and couldn't even understand the troops' defense areas. He quickly called back and ordered the 34th Division to reinforce Jinan.
The war was urgent, and Juichi Terauchi and Hisao Tani had no time to talk anymore. They rushed directly to Qingdao by plane, and then flew to Jinan. In order to ensure their safety and to strengthen the strength of the Shandong aviation force, Prince Kanin Gongzaihito and Sugi
After discussion, Sugimoto dispatched a fighter wing from the First Flying Group that stayed behind in the mainland to escort Juichi Terauchi and Hisao Tani to North China.
Of course, Terauchi Juichi did not forget his beloved Miss Masako, and called the guards to drive to pick her up and meet her at the airport.
It is more than 80 kilometers from Pingdu to Weicheng. Under normal circumstances, it takes nearly five hours for the cavalry and nearly three hours for the car. The infantry is much slower. Even if you don't eat, drink or rest, you still have to walk more than a dozen times.
hours!
The commander of the 33rd Division, Lieutenant General Amakasu Jutaro, was a man who suffered heavy losses from the Eighth Route Army. During the bloody battle in Zhoucun, Chen Dayong commanded the main force of the 7th Brigade to attack the 33rd Division at night, killing the group that had just arrived.
The little Japanese who had not been in China for a long time were beaten to pieces and defeated on all fronts. If it were not for the 14th Division, it is very likely that Lieutenant General Amakasu Jutaro would have been a prisoner of the Eighth Route Army.
With the lessons learned from this tragic defeat, in the following days, Lieutenant General Amakasu Jutaro devoted all his attention to troop training. Not to mention, after the training and Jiaodong mopping up operations, the combat effectiveness of the 33rd Division
Great improvement. Lieutenant General Amakasu Jutaro sometimes thought that if Tubali came to take advantage of the 33rd Division now, he would keep it until they meet and fight.
Originally, the mission of the 33rd Division was to garrison Jiaodong and encircle and suppress the Eighth Route Army's guerrilla troops in Jiaodong. However, Gao Guizang made a plan for a Jiaoji Road mopping-up operation and asked the 33rd Division to hand over the defense of Jiaodong to the Qingdao garrison.
The team marched westward to Pingdu and Changyi, and assisted the 108th Division in mopping up the Eighth Route Army in the Qinghe area and Changwei area.
Lieutenant General Amakasu Jutaro did not have the worry of Shimomoto Kumaya, the commander of the 108th Division, that he might be transferred to the reserve force. He also looked at the problem more objectively. After receiving the order, he scoffed and secretly cursed Ouga Kamezo for being reckless. He was as big as Jiaodong.
In this place, even the 33rd Division felt that its troops were too weak. It would be better for him to hand over Jiaodong to the Qingdao Garrison for defense. This guy regarded the Qingdao Garrison as the Second Division, the Fifth Division, and the Sixth Division.
They are in a group and think of China as North Korea!
Although he was unwilling in his heart, Jutaro Amakasu had to carry out Otaka Kamezo's order because he didn't want to be the chicken that Otaka Kamezo killed to show the monkey!
Amakasu Jutaro had some objections in his heart, and he seemed not to be so proactive in carrying out the order of Takaguzo. As a result, when he arrived at the front line of Pingdu and Changyi, he received a new order, asking him to lead the 30th Army
The third division moved closer to the 10th and 8th divisions to form a heavy group to avoid being defeated individually by the Eighth Route Army.
At this time, the situation of the 33rd Division was: the 33rd Regiment of the Division Search Regiment cooperated with the 213th Infantry Regiment to occupy Changyi, taking over the 108th Division to supplement the defense of the First Division. The 214th Infantry Regiment
The team and the tank squadron rushed to Mingcun, fifty miles east of Pingdu, and deployed defenses in the Hachiwangbu area. Jutaro Amakasu led the division headquarters, the 33rd Infantry Regiment Headquarters and the armored vehicle squadron directly under the division, and the 33rd Mountain Artillery Regiment.
The Engineer Regiment and the Baggage Regiment are stationed in Pingdu County.
Jutaro Amakasu couldn't understand. In the past few months, the Eighth Route Army had been chased by the Imperial Army. Why did it suddenly start an offensive? It wasn't until the Twelfth Army sent a notification that it was judged that the main force of Liu Yimin's instructor had returned to Shandong.
, the combat target should be the 108th Division and the 33rd Division. Jutaro Amakasu became vigilant at this time, thinking that his 33rd Division only had 12,800 people at full strength, not to mention that it was not as good as the permanent division.
regiment, even a special division like the 108th Division can't compare. If Liu Yimin's Eighth Route Army instructor really comes, I'm afraid they will aim their attack arrows at themselves first.
With this thought, Jutaro Amakasu no longer considered how powerful his 33rd Division was in combat, nor did he dare to let the Tubal Road get into trouble. He quickly ordered the troops to be gathered and collected mules, horses, carts and bicycles.
Prepare to advance towards Weicheng after dawn to join the 108th Division.
Amakasu Jutaro was still cautious. He kept in mind the instructions of Juichi Terauchi, commander of the North China Front, not to march at night but to camp in a stronghold to guard against sneak attacks.
At this time, Japan's economy was still good, and its army equipment could still be guaranteed. Like a permanent division, its baggage regiment generally had three brigades, each with 50 vehicles and rubber-tyred trucks. Thirty-three
Although the division is a three-unit garrison division, it is also equipped with a tank squadron, an armored vehicle squadron, and 50 vehicles. Later, after the Japanese army further adjusted its organization and expanded its army, a garrison division like the 33rd Division
It is difficult for a division to have a car.
At 5 o'clock in the morning, it felt like it was getting brighter. Amakasu Jutaro couldn't wait any longer and ordered the troops to set off. Armored vehicles took the lead, cars, rubber-tired carts and collected mules and horses pulled the infantry, baggage, and infantry without vehicles and horses.
Follow behind and move quickly towards Weicheng.
After the troops set off, Jutaro Amakasu received a telegram from the Twelfth Army and the 108th Division, inquiring about the progress. Later, a report came that Commander Odaka Kamezo had fallen into the hands of the Eighth Route Army. The Twelfth Army
Chief of Staff Asaburo Kobayashi was already a little frustrated in the telegram, and strictly ordered the 33rd Division to speed up its action, join the 108th Division as soon as possible, and be sure to rescue Commander Otaka Kamezo. Immediately afterwards, the 108th Division
A telegram from Nagashita Moto Kumaya also arrived, saying that both he and the chief of staff were injured in a traffic accident, and begging Jutaro Amakasu to speed up and rush to Weicheng to take command of the two divisions.
At this time, Amakasu Jutaro became anxious. While ordering the 213th Regiment in Changyi and the 214th Regiment near Mingcun to speed up the march, he also ordered his directly affiliated troops to continue to collect mules, horses, carts, and bicycles along the way for transportation.
Troops, speed up the march. And order the car team to transport the infantry back and forth, speed up the march, save the soldiers' physical strength.
Jutaro Amakasu could have formed a formation of motorcycles, cars, and armored vehicles, and led a brigade to Weicheng first. In that case, he could arrive in three hours at most. However, this guy was afraid of being beaten, and he was unwilling to leave the army.
Not only do we want to move forward, but we also want the armored vehicle squadron to stay behind to escort the troops under direct control. In this case, we have to burn more gasoline and let the car team, rubber-tired carts, and mules and horses move the infantry section by section like ants moving.
.
Fortunately, the journey was safe and the march was very fast. By 10 a.m., the 213th Regiment reported that it had arrived at Kaiyuan Town, less than fifteen miles away from Weicheng, and requested instructions. The 214th Regiment also reported that the troops had arrived.
Clear the pool and ask what should be done.
At this time, Amakasu Shigetaro hurriedly rushed and had just crossed the Jiao Lai River. Therefore, he ordered the 213th Regiment to rush to Weicheng immediately to prepare for the defense of Weicheng. He ordered the 214th Regiment to go directly to Fangzi and meet with 108
Contact division troops to assist in operations.
Just after issuing the order, he received a telegram from Juichi Terauchi that he personally translated.