September 14th, Wuxiang County.
Since Yoshio Shinozuka suffered a big loss in the first stage of the Hundred Regiments War, in order to prevent similar things from happening again, the old devil began to assemble the troops of the First Army to prepare for a counterattack.
Considering the security issues of the headquarters, the deputy commander-in-chief ordered the station to be moved to the depths of the base area in southeastern Shanxi.
While the comrades of the three main forces are still celebrating the victory in the previous stage, the staff at the headquarters are already considering how to deploy to pursue victory in the next stage.
In fact, the deputy commander-in-chief did not want to attack again so early. First, the troops had not yet rested and recuperated, and second, the new weapons had not yet been fully installed in the troops.
What's more, Huang He specially said hello some time ago and told us that there will be a batch of artillery equipment after the 28th.
But Tada Jun and Shinozuka Yoshio are not fools. After suffering the loss of dispersed troops, the North China Front has begun to integrate existing resources.
If time continues to drag on, the enemy's lost troops in the first stage will have to be replaced, and there is a high probability that there will be no chance to expand the results.
These days, the deputy commander-in-chief and the deputy general staff have hardly had a good rest. They have repeatedly analyzed the current situation and distribution of the enemy and ourselves together.
Judging from the dynamics of the Japs in Jin and Hebei provinces, the two of them believe that the local forces should continue to monitor the enemy's actions and continue to carry out small-scale road destruction when conditions permit.
You don't have to focus on the railways, you can attack the enemy's transportation network.
The main forces of the three military regions must become familiar with new weapons while resting, and carefully sum up experiences and lessons. Strive to improve the deficiencies in the first stage and prepare for the second stage of battle.
In the headquarters combat conference room, the military map still hung under the wooden plaque that wiped out the Japanese aggressors and returned our mountains and rivers, but the original map around the Zhengtai Line was replaced by the topographic map of Shanxi and Hebei provinces.
The deputy commander stood in front of the map with his hands behind his back. He stared at the enemy-occupied area and fell into deep thought. No one could guess what the man in front of him was planning.
"Our first phase of the attack plan was successful, and the mission on Zhengtai Road was basically completed. Next, we need to broaden our horizons and launch battles on both sides based on the railway."
"The focus of the operation should be on the enemy strongholds that go deep into the base area. Since Yoshio Shinozuka dares to send troops deep into our hinterland, let's not be polite!"
"Let the three main forces reduce the enemy-occupied area as much as possible! Further expand the results."
As soon as these words came out, all the staff officers in the combat conference room nodded in agreement.
The previous battles were very successful. Not only did the whole country call to congratulate them, but even the rear area asked whether such a battle could be organized once or twice.
Everyone brainstormed and expressed their opinions, and soon a prototype of the second phase of combat opportunities was formed.
The deputy general staff officer walked to the military map. He pointed at the eye-catching enemy logos and said:
"These strongholds inserted by the enemy into our anti-Japanese base areas are like wedges and pose a great threat to the base areas. We should resolutely remove them!"
The deputy commander showed a very satisfied smile when he saw the targets chosen by the opponent.
The tacit understanding between the two people who have been partners for many years can be seen at a glance, and their eyes are unanimously focused on Yushe and Liao County in the Taihang region.
Although in the first stage, the 386th Brigade destroyed many enemy strongholds on the Shotai Line, Tada Jun's cage policy was not so easy to break.
The entire southeastern Shanxi base area is still not completely connected, and the north and south sides are cut off by Yushe and Liaoxian occupied by the Japanese.
Moreover, these two counties also threaten the security of the headquarters to some extent.
Yushe is more than 40 kilometers due north of Wuxiang County, and Liao County is more than 50 kilometers northeast of the headquarters. From the military map, the three points perfectly form a triangle.
Currently, Yoshio Shinozuka does not have enough available troops, and the First Army has not yet carried out a sweep in this direction. But once the Japanese take their breath and launch a new round of revenge, it will definitely have an impact on the headquarters.
Moreover, the geographical location of these two counties is very important to both the enemy and ourselves.
Starting from Liao County, follow the highway all the way north, passing through Heshun and Pingding, you can go directly to Yangquan, an important town in Shanxi Province.
Yushe in the west is located in the middle of the Baijin Railway that runs through southeastern Shanxi. From here, the Japs heading south can threaten Jincheng, and the Japs in Taiyuan can also directly go south to support.
In conjunction with railways and highways, the Japanese used these two counties to divide the base area in southeastern Shanxi into three parts. It was really a thorn in the side of the deputy commander-in-chief.
If the enemy's two major strongholds in Yushe and Liaoxian could be eradicated, it would be a complete victory.
After the Japanese lose these two important strategic transportation fulcrums, their cage policy in this area will be completely shattered. At that time, Yoshio Shinozuka and Jun Tada will have to consider how to protect the First Army.
After allocating the action plan of the 129th Division, everyone in the combat conference room began to study the situation of other military regions.
The problems facing the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei base area are similar to those in southeastern Shanxi. Even after taking into account the enemy's strength, the living conditions of the comrades there are even worse.
The deputy commander kept twisting his belt and finally decided on the target of the attack.
"This old devil Tada Jun is really changing the soup without changing the medicine! In other words, our motherland is vast, otherwise he would not be able to find four counties with such similar geographical locations even if he tried his best."
"You all come and see, this is really a serious problem for our Eighth Route Army!"
The reason why the situation is similar is that Laiyuan is located in the west of central Hebei Province and close to Shanxi Province, while Lingqiu is located in the northeast of Jin Province and close to Hebei Province.
The two counties are connected by a Lailing Highway, which is right in the middle of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei base area. Isn't this situation the same as in southeastern Shanxi?
Moreover, the headquarters of the Japanese North China Front is in North P, and the headquarters of the Mongolian Army is in Zhangjiakou.
Once Xiaotian uses these two counties as a springboard to attack the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei base area at any cost, the comrades may not be able to hold on.
On the other hand, the Japs can sit back and relax, after all, the Lailing Highway is only fifty kilometers long. The relatively flat roads made it easy for the Japanese motorized troops or cavalry to support each other.
The enemy has always regarded these two counties as important towns and important strategic nodes for dividing and destroying the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei base area.
Comrades in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region did not sit still and wait for death.
Last fall, "guerrilla warfare master" Norihide Abe led the Second Independent Mixed Brigade to launch a massive attack on Laiyuan, but he was hit head-on by Commander Yang of the First Division.
In the end, the flower of the Locust Army died on the Loess Ridge.
The Japanese who knew this important position were naturally unwilling to give up.
The North China Front Army quickly reorganized the Second Independent Mixed Brigade, cooperated with the 26th Division to completely occupy Laiyuan and Lingqiu, and established multiple strongholds nearby.
After the first stage of the Hundred Regiment War, a lot of manpower was lost due to the Japanese. As long as you are optimistic about the mobile troops stationed in Mongolia, there is a great possibility of pulling out these two nails!
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On September 15th, the new second regiment was stationed.
Our commander Li Da had just returned from the division headquarters. As soon as he entered his room, Zhao Gang and three battalion commanders walked in behind him.
As a core regiment, the New Second Regiment's presence in the first stage of the Hundred Regiment War was simply incredible.
Not only did they complete the task of paving the way, they also supported the main 772 regiment in completing the attack mission. They even made a long-distance attack to assist the 385th Brigade in breaking through Yangquan County.
What's more, Zhuzi also killed Shotarō Katayama with one shot during the operation. Even the brigade commander and division commander couldn't help but praise the new second regiment for such a record.
It is difficult to change from luxury to frugality. After everyone has done so many great things, their mentality has changed somewhat.
Although it is also important to destroy the Japs' transportation network, everyone hopes that this time they can follow some powerful people from the brigade and fight the Japs with real swords and guns.
This is not blind confidence, but the confidence brought to them by the soaring strength of the new second group.
Facing the burning gazes of the four people, Lao Li picked up the big bowl and took a sip of water. Seeing the other party's showy appearance, Zhao Gang was angered by Li Yunlong's pretentiousness!
"Drink, drink, drink! You know how to drink! Are you a buffalo? Tell me quickly! How are the combat missions assigned this time!"
The majesty of his political commissar made Commander Li shrink back. He put down the big bowl in his hand and quickly told everything that the division headquarters had told him.
"Our division's goal this time is to recapture Yushe and Liao County, and to launch a major operation in the Liaoyu area! In addition, we are also destroying the northern section of Baijin Road."
"Our brigade commander is responsible for commanding the main force of the brigade and the two regiments of the decisive column this time. The attack targets are Yushe County and several strongholds on the Yuliao line."
After hearing the missions of the division headquarters and brigade headquarters, everyone in the room was very excited. After all, after waiting for more than half a month, I finally received the order from my superiors.
Compared with the first phase, the overall combat scope of this operation is smaller and there are fewer targets. Zhang Dabiao, who was outspoken and heartfelt, was afraid that there would be no fight, so he blurted out:
"Commander! What is the mission of our new second regiment! The division commander and brigade commander have been praising us for a long time, so they can't give us the work of the local army again, right?"
After hearing this question, Li Yunlong originally wanted to answer it directly. But he had been teased by Huang He a lot recently, so he had an idea to do something fancy.
Lao Li pretended to be aggrieved, just like a little daughter-in-law, and hesitantly said to the four people in the room:
"The division commander said that although our new second regiment has good combat effectiveness, its strength is too small. After participating in the first phase, the actual combat experience is enough."
"In order to preserve our strength, is it not our group's business to attack Yushe County?"
As soon as these words came out, the political commissars and battalion commanders showed surprised expressions.
As the only regiment-level unit of the 386th Brigade with experience in siege, the four of them never expected that the candidates for the main attack this time would not be the New Second Regiment.
Zhang Dabiao asked tentatively: "Did the brigade commander want us to be the reserve team?"
If you don't get the main attack task, the reserve team is actually not bad.
As far as the first phase of the operation is concerned, basically all reserve teams went to the front line. After all, the Hundred Regiments War was an unprecedented battle, and unexpected enemies appeared in many places.
Under the expectant gazes of the four people, Captain Li still shook his head and denied his battalion commander's speculation.
This coquettish look made Zhao Gang get angry. He frowned and abandoned the elegance of a scholar, and slapped the table heavily.
"Li Yunlong, what's the matter with you! You've been training this and yelling at that in the regiment all day long, and you've only become a quarrel after making trouble for a long time! It's you who went to the division headquarters for a meeting! Why don't you argue with the division commander?"
"Did the 772nd regiment compete with you for the main attack again? It's really a waste of time to save Cheng Shifa! Supercilious! Don't know how to be humble! Did we do a good job in the first stage?"
"While others are attacking county towns and strongholds, our New Second Regiment is going to seize the railway line! Are you, Li Yunlong, stupid because of your studies? Why don't you dare to fight with the brigade commander and division commander! Why are you being cowardly?"
It's not that Zhao Gang wants to disobey his superiors' orders. As a political commissar in the regiment, no one has a firmer belief than him, so he must obey his superiors' orders absolutely.
The reason why he shouted this was entirely because he wanted to take advantage of the new second regiment and use its existing siege experience to reduce the damage to the main force of the 386th Brigade.
However, Zhao Gang's appearance really calmed everyone present. Thinking of his political commissar's past tactics, Li Yunlong simply had shivers down his spine.
"Okay, okay! I won't make trouble with you anymore. The division commander and brigade commander are not fools. How can they not know that making the best use of materials and making the best use of people's talents?"
"Our regiment will be divided into two parts this time. Old Zhao, you will lead the first and second battalions to assist in the siege, and I will lead the third battalion to destroy Taiyuan Airport!"
"Isn't this a bad mission? Hey, blind man Cheng will never be able to ride on my head in this life!"
In fact, the idea of attacking Taiyuan Airport was also proposed by Li Yunlong.
Once Yushe is attacked, Taiyuan in the north will definitely not remain indifferent. Yoshio Shinozuka will definitely send reinforcements to support this important town.
The division headquarters has deployed multiple blocking troops along the route. Even if the First Army has mobilized some of its troops, it will definitely fall into the same embarrassing situation as in the last war.
At that time, his optimal solution must be to dispatch Army Aviation! As long as the Japanese can lose their air superiority, our 386th Brigade's attack will be unstoppable!
Moreover, the defensive force near Taiyuan will definitely be very weak at that time. Even if the airport cannot be blown up, it will make the old devil Yoshio Shinozuka afraid to add reinforcements unscrupulously.
"What's the point of attacking the county town? There is a brigade of Japanese soldiers in Yushe who are ready to fight. When the brigade headquarters is surrounded by thousands of people, it will be the same as catching a bastard."
"The enemy's planes are different. That's one less aircraft to fight! Our army currently does not have air defense capabilities. I do this for the overall good."
"Comrade Zhao Gang, your ideological awareness is not high yet and needs to be strengthened."
Although Li Yunlong pretended to be a coward again, he did not deny that what he said was very reasonable.
Unless Yoshio Shinozuka abandons Zhongtiao Mountain or the Mongolian troops can arrive in time, Yushe and Liao County will definitely not be able to hold on. Rather than just joining in the fun, it would be better to do something more meaningful with the troops.
Thinking of the crazy behavior of his regiment leader in shooting with Japanese fighter jets last time, Zhao Gang said with some lingering fear:
"Everything should be safe! Don't mess around!"
Come, come, ask for everything!
(End of chapter)
