Taiyuan.
First Army Headquarters.
Chief of Staff Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked into the commander's office with documents under his arm.
"Your Excellency Commander!"
Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked to the desk, put his feet together, and bowed his head to Shinozuka Yoshio.
"Kusuyama-kun, you are here, please sit down!"
Shinozuka Yoshio was lowering his head to annotate documents. When he looked up and saw Kusuyama Hideyoshi, his expression changed.
"Hi!"
Kusuyama Hideyoshi walked to the chess table, Shinozuka Yoshio walked out from behind the desk, and they knelt down opposite each other.
Yoshio Shinozuka said: "Kusuyama-kun, I have good news for you. The front army has agreed to our battle plan against the China Central Army."
"Oh?" Kusuyama Hideyoshi's eyes suddenly lit up, "Your Excellency, Commander, this is good news for you and me."
This time the plan came from Kusuyama Hideyoshi again, and he made two more plans.
The first set of combat plan was to capture the thief first and capture the king first, assemble 10 divisions to cross the Yellow River westward and attack Yan'an in northern Shaanxi.
Then he captured Xi'an, and then went south to invade southwest China.
The second set of plans is to concentrate and immediately attack Zhongtiao Mountain. For the Japanese army, occupying Zhongtiao Mountain means occupying an important "bridgehead" for the southward and northward invasion. They can not only cross the river to go south, visit the Longhai Sea, and invade the Central Plains; It can go north to connect with its main occupied areas in Shanxi, relieve the troubles of its confidants, and improve the security situation in the occupied areas of North China.
More importantly, by eliminating the Central Army, at least three divisions can be freed up to deal with the Eighth Route Army.
Regarding the first set of combat plans, Shinozuka Yoshio and Kusuyama Hideyoshi knew the North China Front Command and could not agree to this plan.
Moreover, this plan will be very difficult to implement unless these 10 divisions are all permanent divisions in 1937, and the material support must be absolutely sufficient to have a chance of success.
However, the transportation lines in North China are all under the surveillance of the Eighth Route Army. Once the war breaks out, transportation may be cut off at any time. Cutting off transportation means cutting off logistical supplies.
The first set of combat plans was just a retreat for the two of them.
If you want to open a window, everyone will disagree, but if you want to lift the roof, others will agree to open the window.
As expected, Commander Tada Shun agreed to the second set of combat plans, the combat plan to attack Nakatiao Mountain.
"Yes!" Yoshio Shinozuka nodded, "The day before yesterday and yesterday, Commander Tada held a public security and integrity combat meeting at the Peking Headquarters with the commanders of each army and division."
"Commander Shun Tada pointed out that the current task is to eliminate and mop up the main force of the Central Army entrenched in the Shanxi-Henan border area and eliminate its forces north of the Yellow River."
"Expand and utilize the results of this battle to ensure the stability of North China and strengthen pressure on the Chinese government."
"The dispatched force headquarters has agreed to increase troop strength and mobilize combat materials."
"In addition to the troops of the First Army, the troops participating in this battle also include the 21st and 35th Divisions directly under the front army, the 4th Cavalry Brigade, and the 33rd Division transferred from Wuhan."
Kusuyama Hideyoshi heard this and calculated it carefully.
This force is incredible. The organic divisions include 7 divisions, including the 21st, 33rd, 35th, 36th, 37th, 41st Division, and the 2nd Guards Division.
Also included were the 14th, 18th and 4th Cavalry Brigade.
The total strength has exceeded 8 divisions.
"Commander Tada has applied to the base camp to mobilize aircraft reinforcements from the Kwantung Army." Shinozuka Yoshio added.
"Yo Xi!" Kusuyama Hideyoshi looked excited.
Although the 37th Division and the 2nd Guards Division were severely beaten, they were severely damaged.
However, the Japanese base camp did not cancel the designations of these two divisions, but transferred several regiments from the Kwantung Army and the mainland to supplement them.
However, the designations of the 225th, 226th and 227th Regiments of the 37th Division, as well as the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 36th Regiments of the 2nd Guards Division have been cancelled.
This means that in the last "Operation Plan A", the Japanese army was completely wiped out 7 regiments.
Yoshio Shinozuka adjusted his glasses and narrowed his eyes behind them: "However, although the imperial army has many troops, they cannot all be used to attack Zhongtiao Mountain. The Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi has to defend it."
Kusuyama Hideyoshi said: "In the last Sanko Operation, the Eighth Route Operation suffered a lot of casualties and consumed a lot of ammunition. We won't be able to make any trouble for at least a few months, right?"
Shinozuka Yoshio waved his hand and said: "Kusuyama-kun, never underestimate the Eighth Route Army."
"Commander, what do you mean?" Kusuyama Hideyoshi asked, "Is it possible that the Eighth Route Army will take advantage of the imperial army's attack on Mount Nakatiao to cause trouble in the rear?"
Yoshio Shinozuka said worriedly: "It's not possible, but it's certain. The Eighth Route Army's ability to attack difficulties is not what it used to be, and they will definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble."
"Either destroying roads and railway transportation lines, or taking advantage of the opportunity to retake the county seat, or even go south directly to support the Central Army."
Kusuyama Hideyoshi frowned slightly when he heard this.
Based on this analysis, the possibility of a fire in the backyard is very high.
He looked thoughtful at first, and then said: "Your Excellency, Commander, you can use 6 divisions to attack Zhongtiao Mountain, and 1 division to be deployed in Xiangyuan and Licheng to guard the Eighth Route Army and block the Eighth Route Army from going south to support the Central Army. Passage, and then use 1 division to defend the Zhengtai Railway to ensure smooth flow of logistics supplies."
"As for the bandit area in southeastern Shanxi and the more than ten counties around it..."
Speaking of this, Kusuyama Hideyoshi's eyes flashed sharply: "You can first order the imperial army in the county to evacuate back to Taiyuan to strengthen Taiyuan's defense strength."
Shinozuka Yoshio said: "Kusuyama-kun, do you mean to give up these more than ten counties?"
"Your Excellency, Commander, I am not giving up," Kusuyama Hideyoshi said, "I am giving up temporarily, but I am not giving it up to the Eighth Route Army. I am informing Yan Xishan to send troops to take over."
"This has two advantages. One is that it can increase the friction between the Eighth Route Army and the Jinsui Army."
"On the other hand, after the imperial army has dealt with the Central Army in Zhongtiao Mountain, it will be easier to recapture the county seat from the Jinsui Army."
"Yoshi!" Yoshio Shinozuka praised happily, "Kusuyama-kun's plan is exquisite."
"Your Excellency, Commander, you are so complimentary."
While Shinozuka Yoshio was in high spirits, Kusuyama Hideyoshi changed the topic and asked: "Your Excellency, Commander, has the candidate for the division commander of the 37th Division been confirmed?"
"It's not confirmed yet." Yoshio Shinozuka said as he picked up the teacup and took a sip.
Suddenly, Yoshio Shinozuka raised his head: "Kusuyama-kun wants to go to the 37th Division?"
Kusuyama Hideyoshi admitted generously: "Yes, after His Majesty the Commander retires honorably, there is no point in staying at the headquarters anymore. It is better to go to the frontline troops and make contributions to His Majesty the Emperor."
After Yoshio Shinozuka leaves, whoever takes over as commander of the First Army will definitely bring his own team with him.
And he, Kusuyama Hideyoshi, will most likely be squeezed out.
Rather than being squeezed out and uncomfortable at the headquarters, it would be more comfortable to be a division commander.
"Since Kusuyama-kun has such great ambitions, of course I have to support him. This can be considered the last thing I do for Kusuyama-kun before I retire."
"I will apply to Commander Tada about this matter."
Kusuyama Hideyoshi came up with the idea for Yoshio Shinozuka to retire honorably.
Therefore, after Kusuyama Hideyoshi proposed this idea, he planned to be a favor and give Kusuyama Hideyoshi a blessing.
"Then thank you very much, Commander." Kusuyama Hideyoshi looked grateful.
If the commander's application is successful, he will be promoted to lieutenant general.
"It's just a little effort."
Yoshio Shinozuka waved his hand and said: "Then, if the headquarters agrees to the application, before Kusuzan-kun takes up his post in the 37th Division, we will still have to trouble Kusuzan-kun with the detailed operational plan for the attack on Mount Nakajo."
Kusuyama Hideyoshi quickly expressed his position: "It is a great honor to help your Excellency, the Commander, in my humble position."
"Yo Xi!" Yoshio Shinozuka said happily, "Then I will just wait for Kusuyama-kun's good news."
If the Central China Army in Zhongtiao Mountain is dealt with first, the Japanese army can then concentrate its forces to deal with the Eighth Route Army.
No matter how good Li Yunlong is, can he defeat 8 divisions?
Thinking of Li Yunlong, Yoshio Shinozuka had a severe headache.
However, he soon relaxed physically. He would be honorably discharged soon, and he would leave the headache to the next commander.
…
at the same time.
At the new regiment headquarters.
The battalion commander and direct company commanders received Li Yunlong's order to attend a meeting at the regiment headquarters.
As soon as they walked into the regiment headquarters, this group of people knew that there was going to be another war. Everyone looked excited and chattered about whether there was going to be another war.
There were a few others there who were grinning silly.
When it comes to fighting, each of these guys is more excited than the other.
However, Li Yunlong opened the door curtain and walked out from the inner room of the regiment. With such a glance in his eyes, everyone suddenly looked serious.
"What's the fuss about? Is everyone here?" Li Yunlong asked.
"Report to the leader, everyone is here!"
The answer was Zhang Dabiao, with a loud voice. He glanced at everyone, and then asked tentatively: "Captain, are we going to fight again?"
The others looked at Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang who came out from behind Li Yunlong, their eyes bright with anticipation.
"You kid is right, yes, there is a war."
Captain Li smiled.
Zhao Gang then recounted the information he had obtained from Chen Feng and his decision to annihilate a Japanese regiment in Longwangtu.
After everyone listened, their eyes were a little brighter than before, and they were eager to try.
After political commissar Zhao made the introduction, Li Yunlong glanced at everyone and was very satisfied with their morale. He directly began to deploy combat missions in a rough voice:
"Liang Gang's county brigade is responsible for blocking the Japanese troops at Niangziguan."
Although most of the county brigade are militiamen recently transferred from various divisions, they are well-equipped.
According to the intelligence, Niangziguan only has one brigade, and up to two squadrons can be sent to increase the number of troops. Coupled with artillery support, the advantage is great, and it can just accumulate practical experience for the soldiers of the county brigade.
"The fourth battalion is responsible for blocking the Japanese reinforcements from the direction of Jingxing County."
"The first battalion, the second battalion, and the heavy machine gun battalion are ambushing on both sides of the Dragon King Bulge."
"The engineer company is responsible for laying mines, the artillery battalion is responsible for artillery support, the machine artillery battalion is responsible for air defense, and the sword squadron is responsible for reconnaissance and artillery guidance."
"The third battalion and the cavalry battalion are in reserve."
Having said this, Li Yunlong paused and his tone suddenly became more serious:
"Our battle plan this time is top secret. If anyone leaks the information, don't blame me, Li Yunlong, for turning against him."
"Everyone go back and prepare. The cooking squads of each battalion and company will prepare three days of dry food and set off the day after tomorrow."
"Yes!" Everyone looked solemn and shouted in unison, then turned and walked out.
