Before the meeting ended, the telegraph soldier of the New Regiment held a telegram in his hand and walked quickly into the headquarters of the New Regiment.
After Chief of Staff Wang Dehou took the telegram and read it, he whispered to Li Yunlong:
"Captain, a secret message has just been forwarded from the headquarters. The 1st Cavalry Brigade of the Mongolian Army and the 41st Division of the 1st Army are on their way from Taiyuan to attack the Shanxi-Sui Army."
Ribayashi Tadamichi's 1st Cavalry Brigade never returned to garrison the Mongolian army.
The commander of the garrison in Mongolia repeatedly requested the First Cavalry Brigade from the First Army Headquarters, but Yoshio Iwamatsu pretended not to know.
Without Okamura Neiji's order, Kuribayashi Tadamichi would not dare to lead his troops back to Inner Mongolia.
This time, the first cavalry brigade was captured by Iwamatsu Yoshio and sent to attack the Jinsui Army.
In and around Taiyuan, there are only the 14th Brigade and the 18th Brigade, as well as the regiment directly under the First Army and some guard units.
If the First Division had not arrived in northern Shanxi, even if Yoshio Iwamatsu was emboldened by his ambition, he would not dare to send the First Cavalry Brigade and the 41st Division to attack the Shanxi-Sui Army.
Because once the 1st Cavalry Brigade and the 41st Division leave Taiyuan, the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi and the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi will probably be like sharks smelling blood and attack Taiyuan.
After all, the Japanese army's attack on the Jinsui Army could not be completed in three or two days.
But now that the main force of the First Division has arrived in northern Shanxi, the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi will definitely not dare to go south to attack Taiyuan.
"Ha ha……"
"This is good news."
When Li Yunlong heard this information, he couldn't help but curl up the corner of his mouth slightly.
As a result, once a war breaks out in northwestern Shanxi, the First Army will not have many troops to reinforce the First Division.
If the First Army dares to reinforce the First Division, then the main force of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi can capture Taiyuan with a backhand.
The current headquarters has 24 B4 heavy howitzers, and has initially formed combat effectiveness. It can be said that the gods can kill the gods and the Buddhas, and the ability to attack difficult problems is unparalleled.
And this time, 24 heavy howitzers from the new regiment were also dispatched.
Because the Japanese heavy artillery wing is here, with 150mm cannons and 240mm heavy howitzers.
According to intelligence, Li Yunlong already knows that the main force of the Japanese First Division has arrived in Datong, northern Shanxi, and is expected to head to northwestern Shanxi in the next few days.
After the meeting, each battalion commander quickly led his troops to the designated location to ambush.
The main forces of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment have gathered in Dagu Town.
Under the leadership of each battalion commander, the 50,000-strong army in northwest Shanxi began to ambush at designated locations.
…
Northern Shanxi.
Datong.
The commander of the 26th Division, Shigenori Kuroda, and the commander of the 1st Division, Mitsuo Nakazawa, stood side by side on the city wall of Datong.
Although the 26th Division reoccupied Datong, some repairs were made to the Datong city wall.
However, the city wall that was blasted by the 150mm heavy howitzer was still in ruins, which was enough to show how ferocious the Eighth Route Army's artillery firepower was.
"Nakazawa-kun, from now on, the 12th Regiment of the Independence Mountain Artillery will be under your command."
Kuroda Shigetori said in a deep voice, with no expression on his face, but he couldn't help but feel a little bitter in his heart.
The 26th Division was originally called the 26th Infantry Regiment. It has the 26th Independent Artillery Regiment and the 12th Independent Artillery Regiment. It has powerful artillery firepower.
But now, Okamura Neiji assigned the 12th Mountain Artillery Regiment to the First Division with a transfer order.
The 12th Regiment of the Mountain Artillery is probably like a meat bun beating a dog, and it will never come back.
Kuroda Shigenori was a little envious. The treatment of the Class A division was good. It not only had a field artillery regiment, but also a heavy artillery brigade.
Mitsuo Nakazawa patted Kuroda Shigenori on the shoulder: "I know, Kuroda-kun, you will feel uncomfortable, but the stronger the strength, the greater the responsibility. The opponent of the first division is the Soviet army and the new Eighth Route Army." Regiment, the First Division must have strong artillery firepower to deal with it.”
After hearing what Nakazawa Mizuo said, Kuroda Shigenori no longer envied him after a second thought.
To be honest, if the 26th Division were to carry three artillery regiments, one of which was a heavy artillery regiment, to attack the New 1st Regiment of the Eighth Route Army, Kuroda Shigenori would not want to go.
The reason is very simple. The combat effectiveness of the New Regiment of the Eighth Route Army is so strong that it makes the Japanese army tremble. It is so strong that the Japanese army cannot sleep at night when they think of the New Regiment.
Kuroda Shigenori said: "Nakazawa-kun, although your first division is very strong, what you have to deal with this time is Li Yunlong. This person is very scheming and often does not follow common sense. After arriving in northwest Shanxi, we must Be more vigilant.”
"Of course I know this." Mizuo Nakazawa nodded, "But I still have to thank Kuroda-kun for reminding me."
Killed Li Yunlong, the most elite infantry regiment of the First Division and a heavy artillery regiment.
How dare he underestimate the enemy's carelessness?
Kuroda Shigenori added: "In case of trouble, Nakazawa-kun can call the 26th Division for reinforcements at any time. According to the order of the North China Front Army Headquarters, our 26th Division will not fight back to Baotou and Wuyuan until next month."
At present, Baotou and Wuyuan have been occupied by the Sui Army.
But this had little impact on the Mongolian Army. The main force of the 26th Division and the Mongolian Army's cavalry units would soon be able to retake Baotou and Wuyuan from the Sui Army.
"Yoshi."
"Then thank you Kuroda-kun."
Mitsuo Nakazawa didn't try to be brave and said that defeating the new group was like picking something out of a bag.
With the 26th Division behind him, even though it was just a mediocre second-line division, Mitsuo Nakazawa would feel more secure.
By the time the 26th Division returned to Baotou and Wuyuan, the First Division must have established a firm foothold in northwestern Shanxi.
"Report to the head of the division!"
A combat staff officer of the First Division quickly climbed onto the city wall and bowed his head to report to Mitsuo Nakazawa:
"Reporting to the division commander, the last batch of Locust Army soldiers and artillery squadron have arrived at Datong Station."
"Yo Xi." Nakazawa Sanfu heard this and nodded with a satisfied expression.
Originally, it only took about 10 days for the entire First Division to arrive in Datong.
However, due to guerrillas attacking the railway and stripping the tracks, the First Division arrived in Datong five days later than originally estimated.
However, enemy bombers did not bomb the First Division's columns again.
Although it was a little later than scheduled, we finally arrived safely.
Mitsuo Nakazawa arrived in Datong by plane. In order to prevent him from being shot down like Hisao Furu, Mitsuo Nakazawa's plane changed its route several times and circled in the sky over Datong several times. Only after making sure it was safe did it dare to land at Datong Airport.
"Send the order!"
Mitsuo Nakazawa said coldly:
"Send all the scouts to conduct reconnaissance along the road to northwestern Shanxi."
"Request the North China Front Army Headquarters to send a reconnaissance aircraft to reconnoiter northwest Shanxi."
Regarding the First Division heading to northwestern Shanxi, Nakaze Sanfu was still very cautious.
Although the main opponent of the First Division is the New First Regiment, there is more than one New First Regiment in northwestern Shanxi. There are also the New Second Regiment of the Eighth Route Army and the Independent Regiment, which are not good enemies.
The Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi combined has the strength to attack the First Division head-on.
Even if the enemy attacks in an ambush, the First Division may suffer relatively heavy losses.
For example, the Fifth Division was ambushed by the Eighth Route Army at Pingxing Pass and lost more than 1,000 elite Locust troops.
Only when everything is ensured, Sanfu Nakaze will order the First Division to set off for northwest Shanxi.
"Hi!"
The combat officer turned and left.
As Mitsuo Nakazawa's order was issued, the scouts of the First Division quickly dispatched to conduct reconnaissance along the highway heading to northwest Shanxi.
At the same time, a telegram from the First Division was sent to the North China Front Army Headquarters, requesting a reconnaissance aircraft to conduct reconnaissance in northwest Shanxi.
Although the base camp promised to add 100 aircraft to the North China Front, only some reconnaissance aircraft and fighter jets are currently in place.
Most of the fighters and bombers were transferred to the Southeast Asian battlefield.
…
Luliang Mountain.
Ke Nan Slope.
"Commander, something bad is going on."
A combat staff officer held a telegram in his hand and hurried into the Second Theater Command to salute Yan Xishan and report.
"Why are you panicking?"
"Speak slowly, the sky will not fall."
Yan Xishan picked up the teacup, blew slightly, and glanced at the combat staff reproachfully.
His life has been really comfortable recently, sitting on the mountain and watching the fight between tigers and tigers, watching the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army fighting lively in Shanxi and North China.
The Jin-Sui Army only had to watch the show on the sidelines, recuperate and accumulate strength.
When the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army are both defeated, the Jinsui Army can reap the benefits. Even if it cannot reap the benefits, the Jinsui Army is still safe.
Hearing that the First Division of the Kwantung Army had also arrived in northwest Shanxi, Yan Xishan felt even more comfortable. Needless to say, he knew that this First Division must have come to fight the new regiment of the Eighth Route Army in northwest Shanxi.
It would be best if the First Division and the New Regiment of the Eighth Route Army beat the brains out.
In Yan Xishan's view, the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army came to Shanxi to compete with the Shanxi-Sui Army for territory.
Now that the Eighth Route Army has the largest territory, Yan Xishan naturally holds a grudge against the Eighth Route Army, but on the surface it is still a united front and he does not dare to provoke the Eighth Route Army.
"Report to the Commander."
The combat staff tried his best to speak fluently:
"Inside information shows that the Japanese First Cavalry Regiment, the 41st Division and the puppet army are marching towards Luliang Mountain. The Japanese army seems to be attacking our Shanxi-Sui Army."
"What do you mean?"
Yan Xishan's hand holding the tea cup suddenly shook, and his eyes suddenly opened wide:
"The First Army attacked our Jinsui Army?"
"Yes!" The combat staff lowered his head, "The Ministry of Communications has confirmed this information. There are about 25,000 Japanese and puppet troops advancing towards Luliang Mountain."
"How is this possible?" Yan Xishan quickly calmed down, but there was still a hint of shock and anger in his eyes.
The current Jinsui Army has been reorganized. Except for the 358 regiment and other directly affiliated units, the infantry brigades have all been reorganized into temporary border divisions.
14 temporary divisions were successively established, ranging from the temporary 37th Division to the temporary 50th Division, and the 4th Cavalry Division was established.
Although there are 14 divisions and 1 cavalry division, which looks like a lot of troops, in fact, each division only has a few thousand men, and there is still a situation of empty pay. The Chongqing government often does not provide enough military pay, and the combat effectiveness is poor.
For example, the 358th Regiment is already considered a relatively capable unit in the Shanxi-Sui Army.
Damn, the Japanese First Army did not dare to fight the Eighth Route Army, so they came to fight the Jinsui Army.
Isn’t this bullying an honest person?
"Send the order!"
"Have officers above the division commander go to the headquarters immediately for a meeting."
Yan Xishan also got angry.
In his opinion, although the Jinsui Army only had 60,000 to 70,000 people, a cavalry brigade and an infantry division wanted to defeat the Jinsui Army. Iwamatsu Yoshio thought too much.
Soon Yan Xishan held a combat meeting and ordered all divisions to defend to the death.
Afterwards, Yan Xishan himself hurriedly crossed the Yellow River west to Qiulin Town, and commanded the Shanxi-Sui army to fight remotely.
…
There is a distance of 60 to 70 kilometers from Datong to northwest Shanxi.
The scouts of the First Division conducted reconnaissance along the highway, and at the same time, reconnaissance planes taking off from Peiping Airport also flew to northwest Shanxi for reconnaissance.
The earth seemed to be covered with a thick snow-white carpet.
In fact, there is not much snowy weather in northwest Shanxi.
Most of the weather is dry and cold, and the fields and mountains look particularly empty. The northwest wind penetrates into the mountains of northwest Shanxi, whistling among the peaks and valleys, and seems to be able to freeze the exposed rocks to crack.
The soldiers wore snow-white shirts and lay motionless in the open fields.
The Japanese reconnaissance plane passed by at low altitude.
A cave about four kilometers away from the highway is the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army in Northwestern Shanxi.
Listening to the roar of the Japanese reconnaissance plane going away, Xing Zhiguo sighed: "This is already the third reconnaissance plane. I'm afraid the First Division will not come today."
When the snow was falling last night, the soldiers had already taken advantage of the darkness to enter the ambush position.
Moreover, in the three regiment base areas in northwestern Shanxi, the Eighth Route Army militiamen put on the military uniforms of the main force for training, pretending that the main force was still in the base area.
After winter, each main soldier received two sets of thickened cotton-padded clothes, and there was no problem in giving one set to the militiamen.
"Just wait." Li Yunlong said, "We can only wait three days at most. If the first division does not come after three days, we will retreat."
Although the snow is more suitable for large troops to hide, in such cold weather, the soldiers cannot freeze in the snow for a long time even if they wear thick cotton clothes.
The flying formation of two Kawasaki Type 88 reconnaissance aircraft circled in northwest Shanxi. Under the wings of the aircraft, the northwest of Shanxi was endless, except for snow.
Even if it is snowing, it can still be seen from the reconnaissance plane that the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi is still training outdoors.
Subsequently, the two Japanese reconnaissance planes went to the three counties of Ping'an, Anhua and Heyuan for reconnaissance. They did not find the Eighth Route Army and then left.
…
"Reporting to the head of the division."
The next morning.
Datong.
At the headquarters of the First Division, a combat staff officer bowed his head and reported to the division commander Mitsuo Nakazawa:
"The scouts sent news and found nothing unusual."
"In addition, yesterday, the North China Front Army Headquarters sent 13 reconnaissance aircraft to conduct reconnaissance in northwest Shanxi."
"According to the reconnaissance situation of the reconnaissance aircraft, the main force of the Eighth Route Army in North Shanxi is still in its base area."
"The three county towns of Ping'an, Anhua and Heyuan are not defended by the Eighth Route Army, and there are not many Chinese people in the cities."
The combat staff reported to Mitsuo Nakazawa one by one what the scouts and reconnaissance aircraft had discovered in northwest Shanxi.
"Yoshi!"
Mitsuo Nakazawa nodded with satisfaction.
The two-pronged reconnaissance on the ground and at high altitude shows that there is really no ambush on the road to northwest Shanxi.
Moreover, Li Yunlong gave up the three counties of Ping'an, Anhua and Heyuan.
This was expected by Mitsuo Nakazawa.
Sanfu Nakaze said: "Send the order and all regiments will set off immediately to the northwestern part of Shanxi."
"Hi!"
The combat staff member suddenly lowered his head.
(End of chapter)
