After the Battle of Licheng completely started, the whole Three Jin Dynasty seemed to have changed.
The Eighth Route Army troops, which had been huddled in the mountains and suburbs and could only barely compete with the Japanese army with the base areas they opened up, now dared to launch a large-scale offensive against Licheng with such confidence.
The land of China.
The whole country is excited!
Yoshio Shinozuka, the supreme commander of the Japanese First Army in Shanxi who was at the headquarters of the First Army in Taiyuan City, could not sit still at all.
He constantly mobilized troops from all parties to reinforce the city.
If the loss of Datong has caused the Japanese Empire to lose its face.
Once the defensive operation in Licheng failed, the Japanese army would suffer a devastating blow, both in terms of troop losses and the morale of the army.
This is no longer a shame.
It can even mark that the Japanese army has completely become a defeated general of the Eighth Route Army.
The proud and arrogant little devil, who is even known as the strongest land soldier on the road, may become the laughing stock of the whole world.
If it really comes to that point, Yoshio Shinozuka, as the direct commander in charge of this battle, will face not only being dismissed from his post, but also committing suicide by caesarean section.
"Asshole, there is no room for loss in Licheng!"
Thinking of all this, Yoshio Shinozuka was completely prepared.
On the one hand, various reinforcements from the First Army were mobilized to quickly reinforce Licheng.
Even some elite Japanese field troops originally stationed in southern Shanxi and responsible for important cities such as Changzhi, Yuncheng, and Linfen all received orders from the First Army Headquarters and rushed to Licheng for reinforcements.
Even the Eighth Route Army in the Zhongtiao Mountain base, Shinozuka Yoshio, couldn't care about it.
Anyway, he risked everything, and Yoshio Shinozuka was completely shameless. He lowered his always proud head and kept asking for help from the Northeastern Army, the South China Dispatch Army, and the Central China Dispatch Army.
In a word.
Licheng must not repeat the mistakes of Datong.
Such a situation, under the Japanese army's all-out defense, indeed greatly increased the pressure on the Eighth Route Army officers and soldiers to launch a critical battle against Licheng.
As the war situation continued to evolve, troops from all directions, including the Japanese and Eighth Route Army, crowded into the Licheng area.
It's like hundreds of streams gradually converging into a river.
Seeing the scale of the battle between the two sides becoming more and more intense, the Japanese troops that were quickly mobilized were far more than the First Army stationed in Shanxi.
Including the troops stationed in Mongolia, as well as some mechanized reinforcements sent by the Japanese army in central and southern China.
Even the Kwantung Army appeared.
Japanese reinforcements quickly appeared on various railway lines and highways, heading towards Licheng.
As for the Eighth Route Army, in addition to the main force of the 129th Division operating in the Taihang area, guerrilla forces including Jizhong, Jinan, Zhongtiao Mountain, and even Shandong Province were gradually brought into this battle.
The numerous postures of the Eighth Route Army troops gathered here all illustrate:
The Eighth Route Army troops were determined to break through Licheng!
This is not only believed by the Japanese army, but also by the surrounding forces, including the Shanxi-Sui Army, the Chiang Kai-shek Army, and the local National Army troops.
In the direction of Licheng, the Eighth Route Army even spent a lot of effort to pull over some heavy howitzers and enhanced heavy rocket launchers to frantically attack the city.
The earth-shattering momentum completely subverted the inherent scale of the Eighth Route Army's offensive battles in the history of the Anti-Japanese War.
The Japanese and puppet troops guarding the city were almost frightened out of their courage, and they constantly told the most critical situation and asked for help from the outside world.
…
"If the fight continues like this, the scale will get bigger and bigger, and this chaotic situation will become more and more out of control!"
The former enemy headquarters looked at the evolution of the situation through the military map, and the boss couldn't help but feel a little worried.
Over the years, the main forces of the 129th Division have developed really well, especially the main front-line forces headed by Kong Jie's team.
But in the final analysis, the foundation of the isolated Eighth Route Army was really poor. Even after the outbreak of the Pacific War, elites were constantly transferred to the Pacific battlefield, and were even forced to conduct two-front operations, and even launched attacks in Southeast Asia and other countries. third line of combat.
This skinny camel is still bigger than a horse.
Judging from the overall foundation and strength, the Eighth Route Army troops are still no match for the Japanese army.
In addition, as the deputy chief of staff was worried, “While Chiang Kai-shek’s troops were fighting on the frontal battlefield, our Eighth Route Army was still able to contain the Japanese troops on the battlefield behind enemy lines.
But this person's heart is unpredictable, and it may not be the case if it were the other way around.
Once the Japanese army shifts all its military focus to our Eighth Route Army troops, it will even gradually move the main force on the frontal battlefield to the enemy's rear.
Not only will some troops not take the initiative to launch an attack, not to mention containing the Japanese army, they may even clap their hands in private and watch the development of the battle, hoping that both we and the Japanese will suffer! "
This is even more of the problem.
Putting aside the current battle, as the Japanese army gathered in large numbers, the Eighth Route Army was on the weaker side as a whole.
Even if it could win, the Eighth Route Army would definitely pay a heavy price in casualties.
This is completely contrary to the Eighth Route Army's sustained anti-Japanese policy.
The boss fell silent for a moment, secretly thinking about how to break the situation now.
…
…
"Lao Kong, we have to hurry up. If it's too late, by the time we get to the battlefield in Licheng, the city may have been breached and we won't even be able to drink soup!"
After successfully capturing Datong, Li Yunlong and Kong Jie, who led the mechanized combat troops in a rapid detour and moved closer to Licheng, were already galloping on the way with their troops.
With various mechanized combat vehicles as foot power, the troops can move extremely fast, much faster than ordinary infantry.
This rapid detour and interspersed speed made the soldiers quite excited, and they even lamented that if there were these mechanized combat vehicles in previous years, the rapid interlude and return operations would definitely be more brilliant.
The surprise attack on Datong has been successfully completed.
It stands to reason that Kong Jie and Li Yunlong have already made great achievements this time, and their main combat tasks are basically completed.
Just a moment ago, Kong Jie had a rough understanding of the battle situation in the direction of Licheng through the communications departments of all parties.
Just as Kong Jie replied: "Old Li, according to the communication situation coming from the direction of Licheng, the surrounding area of Licheng is basically in chaos at this time. I am afraid that the troops we have invested, large and small, must be dozens of regiments." .
As for the Japanese army, the Mongolian Army, the Japanese First Army, including Central China, South China, and even the Japanese Northeast Army have sent quick reaction troops for reinforcements.
The noise is getting louder and louder! "
"Haha, that's so fucking interesting. I'm going to give him a good beating this time!" Li Yunlong became even more impatient.
Kong Jie poured cold water on it and said, "Old Li, it was a real battle in Licheng, and the terrain conditions in Datong were also different.
The terrain in northern Shanxi, especially the area close to Inner Mongolia, is relatively flat, which is suitable for us to carry out mechanized operations. However, the terrain in Licheng is rugged and there are many mountains.
On the contrary, it is suitable for regular infantry to carry out operations. Even if our quick reaction force rushes over, I am afraid it will not be of much help. It probably makes no difference whether it is present or not. "
Li Yunlong was stunned, knowing that Kong Jie was telling the truth, but he still insisted:
"At worst, we can get on the car and gallop, dismount and fight, and when we get to the place, we can all turn into infantry."
The battle to attack Licheng attracted everyone's attention, and Li Yunlong didn't want to miss such a good show.
So Kong Jie then asked: "Old Li, do you think we are right or wrong in launching this ever-increasing war?"
"ah?"
Li Yunlong didn't react for a moment, and then replied without thinking: "What else can be wrong with killing the Japanese?
We have already won many great victories this time.
I heard that in the direction of Huangya Cave, all the little Japanese who entered the cave have been wiped out.
The Japanese 36th Division outside Huangyadong has also been defeated.
Brigadier Chen also completed the counter-mopping up.
Lao Ding commanded the remaining troops of our Iron Triangle and beat the little devil until he cried for his father and mother.
In addition, we also successfully captured Datong, turning the entire northern Shanxi into a pot of porridge.
What could be wrong with this? "
Kong Jie sighed, there were some things he couldn't tell Li Yunlong.
If he had told Lao Li that the reason why the battle was getting bigger and bigger this time, the winter counterattack launched by his team was actually the trigger.
Then, the Japanese army's operations against the Huangyadong Arsenal were discovered.
The scale of the battle at this time is actually still limited.
In fact, according to the most reliable battle plan, only building the internal defenses of Huangya Cave is enough to complete the Huangya Cave defense battle.
Just successfully repel the Japanese army.
But Kong Jie was not satisfied with this. Instead, he proposed to use a large number of rapid reaction troops to quickly detour back to the Northwest Military Region, and then with the cooperation of the 120th Division, make a surprise attack on Datong.
The scale of the entire battle was like this, being enlarged step by step and evolving into the current situation.
Considering this, Kong Jie suddenly understood how difficult it was to be in the position of the boss.
When a battle is arranged, no matter whether it is a victory or a loss in the end, as a boss, you have to consider more than just victory or defeat.
Even political factors need to be considered, as well as longer-term development factors.
Take the 40-year Shota Campaign as an example. Even the general headquarters did not expect that it would eventually turn into a hundred-regiment battle.
The final result was that the Japanese's cage policy of blocking the Eighth Route Army's base areas was eliminated in one fell swoop.
However, everything has its advantages and disadvantages, and it is never uniform.
After that battle, due to the premature exposure of the Eighth Route Army's strength, the Japanese army gradually shifted its military focus to mopping up the Eighth Route Army troops behind enemy lines.
Even the national military government, which originally provided some support to the Eighth Route Army, completely cut off military pay and material supplies.
The Eighth Route Army troops once fell into an increasingly difficult situation.
If it weren't for the variable Kong Jie, he would lead a team to quickly rise as a team, and use the team as the economic center to gradually drive the development of surrounding base areas.
The shortcomings after this battle brought hardships to the Eighth Route Army troops far worse than they are now.
..."Maybe the headquarters is also worried about the current situation!"
Kong Jie muttered a few words in his heart, and then quickly comforted himself by thinking:
Never mind it, we just launched a winter offensive and made a small suggestion to surprise Datong. What does the current situation have to do with me, Kong Jie?
"Old Li, let me give you an analogy!
Today's Licheng is like a big fat piece of meat to our Eighth Route Army troops.
Our troops from all walks of life are rushing towards Li Tong, all thinking about eating pieces of meat!
It's just obvious that there are more wolves than meat, and the meat is not that delicious. The Japs are constantly increasing their troops, and even the Japs from South China, Central China, and Northeast China are dispatched.
Maybe as the situation intensifies later, all our offensive troops will be forced to evacuate, and no one will be able to eat this meat.
Do you think we can still join in the fun if we rush there now? "
Li Yunlong's mind was spinning very fast, and he immediately realized that there was something behind Kong Jie's words: "Old Kong, what do you mean?"
"As the old saying goes, you can't catch a sheep with its wool. Now this sheep is almost bald, how much wool is left?
If we want to continue harvesting wool, we need to find more sheep! "
"Where to find it?" Li Yunlong asked.
Kong Jie said happily: "Old Li, you are so smart that you have been confused all your life.
Why, these little Japs from Shanxi are Japs, but then those from Henan and Hebei are not Japs?
Licheng is a piece of fat, but those enemy-occupied areas in central Hebei, southern Hebei and northern Hebei are not fat?
Think about it, right now the Japanese army and our Eighth Route Army are focusing all their attention on the offensive and defensive battle in Licheng.
At this critical moment, Licheng actually doesn't have much oil and water left.
Even if there is, we have so many troops and dozens of regiments to divide them up. If it comes to our hands, we may not even be able to survive.
Instead of this, why should we sharpen our heads and get inward? At present, the Japanese are obviously trying their best to defend Li City and do not want to repeat the mistakes of Datong City.
If the devils try so hard, there will definitely be gaps in the original defense line.
You said that if we take advantage of the fierce fighting between the two sides, we can take the opportunity to go south and make a profit from him in the direction of central and southern Hebei, and then directly cross southern Hebei and enter southern Shanxi and northern Henan, and even get a part of it. Head west into Luxi.
Isn’t this all full of oil and water?
Yuncheng is rich in copper mines, and there are many Japanese mines there.
The Central Army in Henan has money and food, and all kinds of military supplies are abundant.
We sell daily necessities to them in the name of Nippon Co., Ltd. in exchange for food and arms. The market is huge.
He could even completely crush the opium business that the little son of a bitch was running around in northern Henan and directly monopolize the market. Wouldn't it be a good thing to kill two birds with one stone?
The commander surnamed Tang has always loved money as much as his children! "
After hearing what Kong Jie said, Li Yunlong's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but said happily: "Haha, Lao Kong, you are such a genius!
I think this is a good idea, let’s do it! "
After making up their mind, both of them were resolute and resolute, that is to say, they did what they said and directly led the rapid reaction force to avoid some of the Japanese blockades and quickly went south.
Under the cover of comrades from central and southern Hebei, they advanced in several directions to northern Henan, southern Shanxi, and western Shandong.
…
Former enemy headquarters.
Thanks to the relatively complete overall communication system built by the headquarters in the past two years.
At present, although the entire battlefield is in a state of chaos, the headquarters is even a little confused and unable to conduct effective overall command.
However, through relatively complete communication equipment, the headquarters has a certain understanding of the situation on the frontline battlefield.
At this time, as the situation intensified, the initial sadness on the faces of the boss and the deputy chief of staff had disappeared, and the two generals seemed to have found a strategy to break the situation.
The two of them are studying the military map!
A translator took off his earphones and stood up to report: "Report to the boss, news came from the Jinan Military Region. Not long ago, the two regiment commanders Kong Jie and Li Yunlong led the rapid reaction force through the southern Hebei base area and expressed their intention to continue southward. Advance toward northern Henan and western Shandong."
As soon as these words came out.
Some cadres wondered: "Aren't Kong Jie and Li Yunlong planning to make a detour to Licheng? Why did they go to northern Henan?"
The deputy chief of staff glanced at the boss and laughed: "Boss, it seems that we just thought of this strategy to break the situation. Comrades Kong Jie and Li Yunlong have already put it into practice!"
