Miyano Shun asked again: "According to your analysis, Yamamoto-kun, what is the current situation of the Imperial Army's independent mixed 8th Brigade?"

Yamamoto Kazuki: "Not very good."

“I have to say that the Eighth Route Army’s choice of the ambush location in Fenghuang Ridge was indeed a masterstroke, especially since Fenghuang Ridge is only about 3 kilometers away from Turkey Ridge.

After General Yamamoto passes the dangerous Turkey Ridge, his vigilance will be greatly reduced, and he will not be able to send scouts up the mountain for reconnaissance. The most he can do is let the vanguard troops conduct fire reconnaissance."

"If it is the Jinsui Army or the Central Army, the Imperial Army's fire reconnaissance may be effective, but if it is the Eighth Route Army, the Imperial Army's fire reconnaissance will be in vain.

Because we all know the tenacity of the Eighth Route Army. Even if they are shot in the body, they will grit their teeth and endure it.

Once the fire reconnaissance fails, the independent mixed 8th Brigade will completely fall into the ambush circle set by the Eighth Route Army."

"Fortunately, the Eighth Route Army must have set up an ambush hastily, and it is impossible to set too many traps. They may be able to severely damage the independent 8th Brigade, but it is absolutely impossible to annihilate them all."

After a pause, Yamamoto Kazuki changed the topic and continued: "Of course, General Yamashita will fall into the ambush of the Eighth Route Army. It is not that his military command ability is not good. The main reason is that Jinzhong is in an emergency, so he does not have much opportunity at all.

Time can be lost on the road.

Also, the commander of the Eighth Route Army was so cunning that he actually thought of choosing the inconspicuous Fenghuang Ridge as the location for the ambush.

For various reasons combined, even if it were someone else, the result would not be any better than General Yamashita's."

Yamamoto Kazuki is an extremely conceited person, so what he said was 'even if it were someone else', rather than 'even if it were himself'.

In his opinion, if he led his troops to help Jinzhong, he would definitely be able to detect the ambush of the Eighth Route Army.

Miyano Shun and others didn't know whether they didn't understand the implication of Yamamoto Kazuki's words, or they were used to his conceited character. They all nodded deeply and agreed with his analysis.

Miyano Shun only thought of forming an independent 8th Brigade, but Shinozuka Yoshio thought of the overall strategic situation.

He asked: "Yamamoto-kun, tell me your opinion on what is the most appropriate thing for us to do now."

Yamamoto Kazuki asked without answering: "Your Excellency, Commander, are you referring to the entire battle situation in Jinzhong?"

Yoshio Shinozuka nodded.

Yamamoto Kazuki asked again: "Then it depends on your intention, Commander, whether to keep it or abandon it."

Yoshio Shinozuka: "What if you keep it? What if you abandon it?"

Kazuki Yamamoto: "If we continue to hold on, we need to continue to send reinforcements, but currently there is only an independent mixed 2nd brigade and two security brigades in Taiyuan City. This is the last general reserve of our 1st Army.

Unless it is a matter of life and death for our 1st Army, we must not mobilize it easily.

As a result, we can only draw troops from several counties around Jinzhong County."

After a pause, Yamamoto Kazuki changed the subject and continued: "But this cannot solve the urgent need. First, the imperial army does not have many garrison troops in these small counties. Secondly, the garrison troops in these small counties are lacking due to the lack of troops.

It is also difficult for cars to reach Jinzhong in a short time.

Also, since the Eighth Route Army has set up an ambush on the way from Taiyuan to Jinzhong, it will definitely set up ambushes on the way to Jinzhong from other counties.

As a result, most of these reinforcements will repeat the mistake of forming an independent 8th Brigade, which may not only suffer heavy losses, but may even affect the safety of the county they are guarding."

As soon as Yamamoto Kazuki finished speaking, Communications Section Chief Ono Nobunaga added: "By the way, Your Excellency, Commander, I have one more thing I want to report to you."

Although Shinozuka Yoshio was a little dissatisfied with Ono Nobunaga's sudden interruption, he did not show it, but asked: "What happened?"

Ono Nobunaga: "Various large strongholds on the Shotai Railway just reported not long ago that the Eighth Route Army's offensive suddenly weakened a lot, and even seemed to switch from offense to defense."

"Based on Yamamoto-kun's analysis just now, did the commander of the Eighth Route Army temporarily allocate the troops originally responsible for attacking major strongholds to attack Jinzhong?"

Shinozuka Yoshio frowned and thought for a moment, then said: "No, the Eighth Route Army's attack on Jinzhong County cannot be a temporary move, so it is impossible for them to suddenly withdraw the troops attacking major strongholds."

Miyano Shun: "Your Excellency, Commander, could that be a cover-up trick of the Eighth Route Army? In fact, they mobilized their troops early and started with full firepower, just to confuse the imperial army. Now that the time is almost up, they will no longer

Disguised."

Yoshio Shinozuka nodded with deep approval: "That must be the case!"

After saying that, Yoshio Shinozuka looked at Ono Nobunaga in front of him and said in a deep voice: "Immediately send a signal to the 9th Brigade in the name of the 1st Army Headquarters and order Naoomi Hattori to immediately lead the 9th Brigade to break out!"

"Hiyi!"

Ono Nobunaga nodded heavily and was about to turn around and leave.

However, he was stopped by Chief of Staff Miyano Jun: "Wait a minute."

Calling Ono Nobunaga to stop, Miyano Shun looked at Shinozuka Yoshio again: "Your Excellency, Commander, Jinzhong is the southern gate of Taiyuan City. Once Jinzhong is lost, the south gate of Taiyuan City will be opened. At that time, the Eighth Route Army will

You can launch an attack on Taiyuan at any time. So, would you like to think about it again?"

Shinozuka Yoshio: "Miyano-kun, do you think that without reinforcements, only a regiment in the hands of Hattori Naomi can hold Jinzhong County?"

"This..." Miyano-kun was stunned by the question.

The little Chinese medicine doctor then said: "If the 9th Brigade does not break out, there will be only one final result, and that is to be completely annihilated by the Eighth Route Army.

Rather than being completely wiped out in such a meaningless manner, it is better for them to break through, preserve a certain amount of strength, and provide some strength for the imperial army's subsequent counterattack."

"As for the safety of Taiyuan City..."

Speaking of this, Shinozuka Yoshio's eyes showed a cold light and he said in a deep voice: "I really wish that the Eighth Route Army would dare to come to Taiyuan. Taiyuan City is not comparable to a county like Yangquan or Pingding.

In addition to the 2nd independent mixed brigade, the 1st garrison brigade, the 2nd garrison brigade, the 8th independent mixed brigade, the Black Island Cavalry Regiment, and the 3rd armored vehicle brigade that went out for reinforcements.

There are also the 1st Armored Vehicle Group, the 2nd Armored Car Group, and the 1st Heavy Artillery Brigade."

"What's more, the aviation troops of the First Flying Regiment can take off for combat at any time."

"As long as the Eighth Route Army comes to attack Taiyuan, it is seeking death!"

"The fact that we are voluntarily giving up Jinzhong County does not mean that we are afraid of the Eighth Route Army, but that we are exchanging space for time!"

"As long as the 77th Infantry Regiment and the 96th Infantry Regiment stationed in Luliang return to Taiyuan smoothly, and the 41st Division arrives smoothly! At that time, it will be the time for the imperial army to launch a counterattack!

Not only can we regain everything we lost, but we will also be able to wipe out all the damn Tubal Roads to wash away the huge shame it has brought to us!"

…


Chapter completed!