Although there were many Japanese checkpoints on the way back from Taiyuan to southeastern Shanxi, because Wang Chengzhu had a tank unit in his hand, these checkpoints could be easily broken through.

Putting them aside for the moment, let’s talk about the Japanese army first.

Inside the headquarters of the Japanese 1st Army, Norihide Abe and Tomu Yamashita had successfully escaped. At this moment, both of them had their heads drooped and did not dare to look directly into the eyes of Commander Yoshio Shinozuka.

However, Yoshio Shinozuka had no intention of punishing the two of them. Instead, he patted their shoulders and said, "Abe-kun, Yamashita-kun, you don't have to blame yourself. The blame for this failure does not lie with you.

But the combat section and I miscalculated the courage of the Eighth Route Army. We never expected that their target was not just the captured underground party members, but the Wusu Airport located in the east of the city!

This led to the fact that no attention was paid to it at first, and only one large group of reinforcements was dispatched.

Otherwise, if I had sent out all my main troops from the beginning, the following things would not have happened."

Abe Norihide and Yamashita Totake were deeply moved by Yoshio Shinozuka's generosity.

You know, within the Japanese army, once a problem arises, superior officers will usually pass the blame to the people below.

But now, Yoshio Shinozuka is taking the initiative to take the blame on himself.

While being moved, the two of them secretly made up their minds that they would work hard to repay Yoshio Shinozuka in the future.

Even if the North China Front Army Headquarters takes the blame, they will still take the initiative to take the blame.

This is the brilliance of Yoshio Shinozuka. It's not that he doesn't get angry. In fact, the matter is already at this point, and there is no use in getting angry again.

Moreover, there are not many available men in the current 1st Army.

After a pause, Yoshio Shinozuka changed the topic and continued: "What makes me curious is that the underground gang members of the Eighth Route Army were only arrested for less than a day. How did the Eighth Route Army know that they were detained outside the city?

The Wusu Military Station."

As soon as these words came out, all the Japs officers couldn't help but fell into deep thought, while Iijima Mori, the head of the intelligence section in the corner, felt nervous and had a slightly unnatural expression on his face.

He glanced left and right to make sure that no one around him noticed him, and then felt a little relieved.

Miyano Toshinichi: "When the military police arrested the Eighth Route Army's underground party, they did not involve the Imperial Japanese Army. Then, Kasahara-kun intensively transferred those underground parties to the Musuku Military Station. Those who knew about it also knew a lot about it.

few……"

Miyano Jun did not continue talking.

Of course Yoshio Shinozuka knew the meaning of his words and said, "Miyano-kun, do you mean that there is a traitor within our Imperial Army of Japan?"

Jun Miyano lowered his head slightly and said: "Your Excellency Commander, it stands to reason that it is absolutely impossible for us to have traitors in the Imperial Army of Japan, because no one will betray the Empire of Japan, no one will betray the Yamato nation, and no one will.

Betray His Majesty the Emperor.

But unfortunately, apart from this reason, I really can’t think of any other possibility.”

Yoshio Shinozuka thought for a moment and said slowly: "I believe that it is impossible for our Imperial Army of the Empire of Japan to betray the Empire and His Majesty the Emperor.

So, Miyano-kun, please stop talking about it!"

"In addition, how this matter was leaked must be investigated to get to the bottom of it!"

"Hey Yi!"

All the Japanese officers nodded heavily.

At this time, Nobunaga Ono, the head of the Communications Section, hurriedly walked in from outside. He came to Yoshio Shinozuka and gave a respectful speech: "Report! Your Excellency, Commander, half an hour ago, Yin Lingzhi stronghold and Nan

Yanzhu strongholds have lost contact one after another.

I have been trying to contact him, but all the telegrams I have sent have been lost.

Therefore, I speculate that these two strongholds may have been captured by the Eighth Route Army."

Yoshio Shinozuka nodded to express his understanding. Although the fall of these two strongholds was also a great loss for the 1st Army, compared with the destroyed Takesu Airport and the severely damaged 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade,

regiment, and the 1st Armored Vehicle Battalion and other units, this loss is nothing at all.

Therefore, after hearing the news, Yoshio Shinozuka's face did not show any emotion.

Seeing that Commander Yoshio Shinozuka just waved his hand without any other instructions, Ono Nobunaga nodded again, turned around, left the war room, and returned to the communications class.

Miyano Toshidao: "Your Excellency, Commander, including Yin Lingzhi Stronghold and Nanyanzhu Stronghold, half of the 12 large strongholds of the Imperial Army in the Shanxi section of the Zhengtai Railway have been captured by the Eighth Route Army.

Next, the Eighth Route Army will definitely concentrate its forces to storm the remaining six strongholds.

By then, the Eighth Route Army's forces will become more concentrated, and the pressure on the remaining Imperial Army strongholds will increase exponentially.

Even Shouyang County has become an isolated city. Even if the Eighth Route Army does not have heavy artillery and other offensive weapons, they can still break it with their superior strength.

We have to prepare early."

Shinozuka Yoshio's face still showed no expression, and he asked: "Miyano-kun, what do you mean?"

Miyano Jun: "Right now, our imperial army in the southeastern region of Shanxi is no longer enough to compete with the Eighth Route Army. Therefore, my suggestion is to temporarily withdraw the remaining six strongholds and the imperial army in Shouyang County to reduce the number of unsafe forces.

Necessary loss."

Before Shinozuka Yoshio could speak, Deputy Chief of Staff Junichiro Uehara said: "Miyano-kun, the Imperial Army's 41st Division, the Imperial Army's 77th Infantry Regiment, and the 96th Regiment will arrive in two days at most.

Near Taiyuan City.

At that time, it will be time for our Imperial Japanese Army to launch a counterattack.

If those large strongholds and Shouyang County were abandoned at this time, the imperial army's counterattack would be greatly affected.

Therefore, I think we should stick to the stronghold and Shouyang County."

Miyano Jun: "But the problem is, our imperial troops who have occupied the store may not be able to hold on for two days."

Uehara Junichiro thought for a moment and then said: "Miyano-kun, what you said is not unreasonable. The imperial army in those six strongholds may not be able to hold on for two days.

However, within two days, the Eighth Route Army, which lacked heavy firepower, determined that it would be impossible to break through the city defenses of Shouyang County.

Therefore, can we let the imperial troops in those six strongholds withdraw to Shouyang City first?

In this way, not only can the defense strength of Shouyang County be greatly improved, but at the same time, when the imperial army launches a counterattack against the Eighth Route Army, we can also use Shouyang County as a springboard."

Miyano Shun: "This is a good way to get the best of both worlds."

Immediately, the two set their sights on Yoshio Shinozuka. He was the one who had the big idea in the entire Japanese First Army, and he was the only one who could make the final decision.

However, Yoshio Shinozuka turned his attention to the combat staff of the combat section: "What do you mean?"

The combat staff discussed quietly for a while, and finally Chief of Operations Section Masan Kurai said: "The chief of staff and deputy chief of staff are right, and the junior ranks also believe that the imperial army in those six strongholds will definitely not be able to hold on for two days.

However, the specific decision is up to you, Commander."
Chapter completed!