At the Shanxi Garrison Headquarters in Taiyuan, Yoshio Iwamatsu has been pacing around the sand table during meetings, looking very anxious.
The garrison at Niangziguan has been unable to be contacted.
The last telegram sent to the headquarters made it very clear: the Eighth Route Army had blown a hole in the Niangziguan defense line and entered the pass.
As long as the opponent's troops are strong enough, the lady's few defenders can be wiped out by sheer consumption.
Based on this analysis, 80% of Niangziguan has been lost.
But until now, I still haven't figured out the identity of the Eighth Route Army that attacked Niangzi Pass, so I can't determine the real intention of this Eighth Route Army to attack Niangzi Pass.
Most of the idle staff in the headquarters were looking through intelligence files to determine whether there were other Eighth Route Army troops equipped with tanks and large-caliber mortars in Shanxi.
Now an hour has passed, although it has been discovered that many Eighth Route Army troops have captured tanks and heavy mortars.
However, after repeated confirmation, those tanks were dismantled by the Eighth Route Army because they were not suitable for guerrilla warfare, and all the skeletons that could not be dismantled were blown up.
Heavy mortars were also buried because they had no shells.
Everyone has been busy for more than an hour, but has gained nothing.
Iwamatsu Yoshio is not a fool. The lack of news means that the Eighth Route Army attacking Niangziguan came from other places.
If you want to find out their true identities, you can only rely on the front army headquarters.
After waiting for another half an hour, the communications staff figure finally appeared at the door of the war room.
He rushed towards Yoshio Iwamatsu in a panic and said in a hurry: "Your Excellency, Commander..."
"The front army headquarters has helped us identify the enemy."
"The Eighth Route Army attacking Niangzi Pass came from Yi Zhong!"
"They want to reinforce the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi and disrupt our large-scale raids on northwestern Shanxi."
"The Front Army Headquarters has also made predictions about the Eighth Route Army's next move, allowing us to be prepared in advance..."
"only……"
Seeing that the communications staff officer suddenly hesitated, Iwamatsu Yoshio quickly asked: "Just what?"
"The Niangzi Pass has been breached by them, there's nothing else that can't be said."
"Speak quickly if you have something to say, and fart if you have anything to say..."
"Ha Yi..." The communications staff member quickly answered.
"Commander Gangcun believes that the Yizhong Eighth Route Army will continue to advance westward after breaking through Niangzi Pass and directly raid Jinzhong, threatening Taiyuan's security. Let us strengthen Taiyuan's defense..."
"Your Excellency the Chief of Staff believes that although the Eighth Route Army that raided Niangziguan was equipped with heavy mortars and tanks, their number and strength were limited and they would certainly not threaten Taiyuan's security."
"After taking Niangzi Pass, this Eighth Route Army will definitely attack northwest Shanxi and cut off the logistics supply line of the first-line mopping up troops. Let us prepare for defense in advance!"
Yoshio Iwamatsu immediately turned his attention to the sand table.
He is the successor of Yoshio Shinozuka. He has never fought against Kong Jie and Li Yunlong head-on, so he doesn't know their fighting styles.
The chief of staff next to him was an old man from the Shanxi garrison. He had fought against Li Yunlong and the others and knew this sudden opponent better than he did.
While looking at the sand table, he asked: "What does the chief of staff think of these two predictions..."
"This..." The chief of staff hesitated, and he didn't know how to answer this question.
This matter is too big, and my answer may affect the commander's final decision. If my judgment is wrong and the sweep of northwestern Shanxi ends without success, I will definitely bear the main responsibility.
He stared at the sand table and thought for a while before saying: "I think both situations are possible..."
"The commander of the Yizhong Eighth Route Army was transferred from the Northwestern Shanxi Eighth Route Army. They especially like to fight dangerous battles and take surprises..."
"Even if the troops attacking Niangziguan are limited, as long as they are given a chance, they will definitely come to Taiyuan to try their luck."
"The chief of staff's analysis also makes sense..."
"The Eighth Route Army has limited troops. It will definitely be much easier to cut off the logistics supply line of the mopping up troops in northwestern Shanxi than to attack Taiyuan."
"A rational military commander would definitely fight like this."
Iwamatsu Yoshio was very dissatisfied and said: "What is your answer..."
"It's ambiguous. It doesn't make any difference if you say it's very vague or not..."
The chief of staff had to answer again: "I think we should be prepared with both hands..."
"No, it should be prepared with three hands..."
"The Eighth Route Army in Yizhong has just captured Niangzi Pass, and the troops will definitely not leave so soon..."
"Our intelligence officers and scouts rush over and keep an eye on them, so we can judge their next move from the direction of their march..."
"At the same time, the Taiyuan garrison was ordered to strengthen vigilance for the baggage troops transporting ammunition and supplies to the mopping up troops to prevent sneak attacks by the Eighth Route Army..."
"No..." Iwamatsu Yoshio suddenly snorted and objected.
"Now I wish this Eighth Route Army would come to attack Taiyuan..."
"I heard that Commander Yoshio Shinozuka was placed in the hands of the current commander of the Eighth Route Army in the Wing. What are their names Kong Jie and Li Yunlong..."
"Commander Gangcun also suffered successive defeats at their hands..."
"If we can annihilate the reinforcements sent by the Yizhong Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop outside Taiyuan City, we can not only slap the Yizhong Eighth Route Army in the face, but also avenge Commander Gangcun..."
"I can also tell the military headquarters: I, Yoshio Iwamatsu, have a commanding ability that far exceeds that of Yoshio Shinozuka, and I am definitely capable of holding the position of commander of the Shanxi garrison."
"Immediately send someone to find the Eighth Route Army that broke through Niangzi Pass. Keep an eye on their every move and find out their strength and equipment. The more detailed the better."
"The baggage troops transporting ammunition and supplies to the mopping up troops in northwestern Shanxi have all been put on heightened alert. They can only march under aircraft escort during the day, not at night."
"All small supply points along the way were abandoned, and all troops, supplies and ammunition were concentrated at large supply points and county towns..."
"The mobile troops protecting the supply lines are all ready for battle, and the mopping up troops will also deploy some anti-tank artillery and tanks to support them, specifically to deal with the Eighth Route Army tank troops, so that they can never come back."
"Taiyuan City's defense strength remains unchanged..."
"Just do whatever you have to do as usual..."
"But the tank brigade stationed at the airport must be ready for battle..."
"If this Eighth Route Army really dares to come to Taiyuan, when they attack Jinzhong, all the chariot brigade will be dispatched, go around behind the Eighth Route Army and launch an attack."
"Join the Jinzhong garrison to attack from inside and outside, and eliminate the enemy outside Jinzhong City."
The chief of staff immediately understood what Yoshio Iwamatsu meant and admired his boldness in his heart. He immediately asked: "You want to use Taiyuan as bait to attract the Eighth Route Army to attack Taiyuan..."
"Catch the turtles in the jar again and destroy them?"
Yoshio Iwamatsu nodded: "Only when we reach Taiyuan can we gather them and annihilate them."
"If they go to raid northwestern Shanxi to mop up the army's supply lines and hit and run, we won't be able to find the target even if we want to eliminate them."
"As for Taiyuan's security... as analyzed by the chief of staff... the garrison in Taiyuan is several times that of Niangziguan, and the city defenses are much stronger than Niangziguan. No matter how strong the Eighth Route Army's attack capability is, it can't even hope to capture it..."
