In the combat headquarters of the theater headquarters, Xie Tian sat expressionlessly on a high chair in front of the sand table overlooking the sand table. Whenever a war was going on, this was basically his fixed position.
Zhao Gang ordered the carpenter to specially customize this high chair for Xie Tian. Although it is said to be a high chair, it is actually not too high. It is only slightly higher than the height for ordinary people to sit on. After all, Xie Tian stands on the top of the chair every time there is a war. The time in front of the sand table is too long.
At this time, the telecommunications staff quickly walked up to Xie Tian with two telegrams in hand. He looked at Xie Tian who was in deep thought and reported in a low voice: "Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief Fu of the 42nd Group Army has sent a battle report and requested punishment at the same time."
Xie Tian, who was sitting on the high chair, frowned slightly. Zhao Gang on the side reached out and took the telegram and read: "Battle report of the encounter with the Japanese Sixth Tank Brigade at Xingtang Temple. This battle has completely wiped out the Japanese Sixth Tank Brigade." The regiment had more than 7,000 men, destroyed 166 enemy tanks of various types, captured 52 enemy Type 97 medium tanks, 481 trucks and supplies, 47 field infantry guns, and 33 anti-aircraft guns... 22 of our soldiers were killed and seriously injured. 27 people, 132 people were slightly injured, one X-1 main battle tank and three rapid-fire artillery vehicles were destroyed, and 17 X-1 main battle tanks and rapid-fire artillery vehicles were damaged and need to be repaired..."
After Zhao Gang finished reading the telegram, he glanced at Xie Tian, turned over the next telegram and continued to read: "To the theater headquarters, from Fu Zuoyi, commander-in-chief of the 42nd Group Army. Fu is eager to fight in this encounter. , failed to master the fighter aircraft well, causing our unit to suffer heavy casualties, and requested the theater headquarters to impose punishment. Fu will definitely learn from this battle, guard against arrogance and impetuosity in future combat commands, fight steadily, and uphold the principle of life first , while trying to reduce battle losses while dealing heavy losses to the enemy."
Xie Tian closed his eyes and exhaled. Zhao Gang looked at Xie Tian and said: "Commander-in-Chief Fu's 42nd Army has just been formed, and it is another encounter with the Japanese Sixth Tank Brigade. It is already rare to achieve such a result. . At the end of the telegram, he asked for instructions on whether the fallen soldiers should be buried on the spot or placed elsewhere. If I don’t think so, I will go and bring back the sacrificed and injured soldiers.”
Xie Tian shook his head and said with a straight face: "I can't live without you. I arranged for Deputy Commander He to make a trip to commend and condolences the soldiers of the 42nd Army who participated in the war. He also ordered Deputy Commander He to bring back the sacrificed and injured soldiers. The fallen soldiers Sent to Dagu Town Martyrs Cemetery for burial."
Zhao Gang responded yes, and Xie Tian then ordered: "Send power to the whole country. The 42nd Army of the 10th Theater District has completely wiped out the Japanese 6th Tank Brigade. Send electricity to Chongqing. Say that our unit suffered serious battle losses in this battle and request the Military Commission." Give them strategic support, and then ask them for ten planes, steel, and food. In short, it's up to you. Whatever we lack, you need it. Be bolder. Instead of letting them allocate the supplies to those who have free food, it's better to concentrate them all. Come into our hands."
Zhao Gang showed a slight smile on his face and said yes.
This is Commander-in-Chief Xie’s style. What Chongqing wants is military exploits, what we want is benefits, and everyone gets what they need.
It would be better to cut off one of his fingers than to injure ten of them. Scattering limited strategic resources into ten war zones will not be of much use to each war zone. It would be terrible if they were all concentrated in the tenth war zone.
But Zhao Gang also knows that it is impossible for the strategic resources in the hands of the Chongqing government not to be allocated to other war zones. How much can be obtained can only be determined by one's own means, and perhaps some benefits must be given to those in charge.
Of course, the benefits mentioned are not necessarily real money. Some people want fame, and some people want profit. They need to take the right medicine.
Xie Tian saw that Zhao Gang had written it down and continued: "Also, ask Deputy Commander He to bring back the destroyed tank and give it to Jinghao to study what went wrong and make improvements as soon as possible."
Zhao Gang responded again and wrote it down. Xie Tian thought for a moment and said: "You can decide how to word your reply to Commander Fu. How is this fucking battle fought? A rapid-fire artillery truck rushed up to do nothing. This There should be no rapid-fire artillery vehicles in the war."
Zhao Gang smiled bitterly and said: "Actually, I can understand Commander Fu's mood. Our team is scared of poverty. Commander Fu saw that the Sixth Tank Brigade carried so much strategic supplies and was worried that the Japanese would destroy those supplies before retreating. That’s why we ordered all the troops to charge against the Japanese.”
"Damn it, no amount of supplies can buy back human life, this idea is wrong."
Zhao Gang smiled bitterly: "Commander-in-Chief Fu should have understood, otherwise he would not have sent this additional telegram requesting punishment. To be honest, Commander-in-Chief Fu's battle was already an unprecedented victory for any army, but only for us The Tenth War Zone will still be scolded. Commander-in-Chief, Commander-in-Chief Fu has just joined our Tenth War Zone. This is his first battle, and he is already doing very well."
Xie Tian breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Order them to continue to approach Linfen. The Qingshui Brigade Headquarters, Beida Camp, is a tough guy, but fortunately, we are alone outside Linfen City. We can use our brains to attack Beida Camp."
Zhao Gang nodded: "Commander-in-Chief Fu and I have revised the battle plan several times for the Beida Camp. There shouldn't be any mistakes."
Xie Tian hummed and looked at the sand table again, indicating that the matter had come to an end for him.
Xie Tian's train of thought had quickly come back. The outcome of the encounter at Xingtang Temple was brilliant, but it was just a surprise to Xie Tian's overall strategy.
Looking at the immediate situation first, there should be no problem in successfully capturing Linfen, and there should be no problem in the 49th Army overcoming the Changzhi problem where the Japanese army is empty.
However, after annihilating the Japanese Sixth Brigade and regaining Linfen and Changzhi, the peace talks that Okamura Neiji tried so hard to promote basically no longer have the conditions for peace talks. Then Okamura Neiji will definitely take crazy revenge actions.
Which direction will Okamura Neji choose to retaliate?
Xie Tian looked at Zhao Gang who was about to call back to Fu Zuoyi and asked: "Old Zhao, the battles in Linfen and Changzhi should not last long. I guess Okamura Neji will definitely carry out a large-scale revenge operation. Do you analyze From which direction will Okamura Neji retaliate against us?"
Zhao Gang stopped and frowned slightly, his thoughts not yet keeping up with Xie Tian's pace.
Just after the battle at Xingtang Temple, and before the battles between Linfen and Changzhi started, the commander-in-chief was already thinking about possible revenge actions that Okamura Neiji might take. This idea was a bit too big a leap.
Zhao Gang just thought for a moment and immediately gave the answer: "Commander-in-Chief, if Neji Okamura wants to cause serious damage to us, his first choice target must be Taiyuan and you. Bombing Taiyuan or killing you will seriously hit us. Morale in the 10th War Zone.”
This was Zhao Gang's intuitive answer, but it made Xie Tian's eyes light up.
