After the military competition in Licheng ended, an episode occurred that surprised all parties.
A certain section chief of the Confidential Section of the Hebei-Shandong Border Military Region suddenly rebelled and defected to the enemy. With the support of the Japanese, he ran to Jinan. The Japanese immediately held a press conference to slander the Eighth Route Army.
But in fact, this confidential section chief, who showed signs of betraying the enemy, had long been targeted by Eighth Route Army intelligence officers.
The Intelligence Department of the headquarters had noticed him a long time ago and was originally planning to eliminate him directly. Later, after Kong Jie heard about this incident, he discussed with the deputy chief of staff and simply kept him temporarily and gave him the code name Poppy.
——Keep the poppies used to confuse the Japanese.
Then, Kong Jie secretly communicated with Commander Chen of Southern Hebei, Commander Lu of Central Hebei, Political Commissar Luo of the Shandong Military Region and others in advance and decided to use this confidential section chief as a chess piece.
What are you doing?
It turned out that at the secret meeting of the Military World Games, Kong Jie proposed: "We gathered forces and caught the Japanese by surprise at the Mongolian defense line. If we did not make a plan to launch a surprise attack in the Chahar area, the Japanese would probably
You won’t be fooled easily!”
"The actions we gathered at the Mengong Defense Line were too big. Just from the Japs' reconnaissance results, a large number of Eighth Route Army troops gathered in the East Mongolia area. The Japs were spying and investigating all day long. They were on tenterhooks. Who would believe that we were just squatting here?
pit?
Even if we have a series of actions from North China, we may not be able to attract all the attention of the Japanese.
So we had to make a special slingshot plan.
The first step is to lure the snake out of its hole and attract the Japanese to attack.
The second step is called Black Tiger to dig out the heart. After the Japanese are defeated and take a short rest, they directly launch an attack on the other side of the Japanese defense line and move towards Chicheng, preparing to drive a nail between Peiping and Zhangjiakou.
The third step is to take advantage of the situation and rob the troops from the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei base area and eastern Mongolia who have crossed the defense line and prepare to cut off the connection between Zhangjiakou and Peiping at the same time."
During the development of this top-secret operational plan, support from other bases was needed, so the confidential section chief was deliberately informed of the information through a meeting, and then secretly revealed to the little devil.
All plans went very smoothly.
——Doi Yuan, an old Japanese soldier, has been very depressed recently. The military cadres all blamed their intelligence departments for the defeats they fought.
This time we finally made a big gain. Through the instigator of rebellion, the Chief of the Aircraft Section of the Eighth Route Army actually detected such amazing combat intelligence secretly planned by the Eighth Route Army.
Tufeiyuan didn't dare to delay, so he quickly reported the information.
Okamura did not dare to delay at all, and immediately strengthened the corresponding defense forces.
Umezu Yoshijiro, who had already integrated the Kwantung Army and prepared to move south for reinforcements, quickly ordered to delay the Kwantung Army's southward movement after learning the news.
In the end, a confrontation between the two sides began. The Eighth Route Army penetrated the combat troops in Peiping and Zhangjiakou, and was successfully repelled by the Japanese army who had strengthened their defenses.
The Japanese army successfully defended the Peiping base camp.
But it still shocked the two old devils Okamura and Umezu Meijiro into a cold sweat.
Fortunately, fortunately!
If Dofeiyuan's information had not arrived in time, once the Eighth Route Army launched a surprise attack, the consequences would have been disastrous.
Shortly after this battle.
Umezu Yoshijiro's Kwantung Army has not officially moved south yet.
The Eighth Route Army suddenly launched a counter-offensive in North China, which was claimed as Operation August Storm.
All the troops that originally attempted to attack Zhangjiakou also withdrew.
Now Okamura completely believed that the Eighth Route Army was preparing to launch a battle plan to regain North China.
After Umezu Yoshijiro repeatedly asked for help from Okamura, he did not hesitate, almost tightened his belt, and assembled the few remaining elites, a total of five elite A divisions, to prepare to bypass the easy-to-defend and difficult-to-attack Mengdong.
After the large defense line went all the way south, it moved closer to Beiping through the Jidong area and advanced.
The plan is to cooperate with the North China Front Army to stabilize the security of the North China Rear Area in one fell swoop.
At the same time, they pushed forward in the direction of Jizhong, waiting for the opportunity to wipe out the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong base area, forming a sweeping trend from north to south.
Umezu Yoshijiro sat at the Kwantung Army Headquarters and commanded remotely, cooperating with Okamura in joint operations.
These two old devils have big plans this time.
According to Umezu Yoshijiro's idea, since the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War, the Kwantung Army has firmly occupied Kantung and has rarely dispatched reinforcements to China. In recent years, with the growth of the Eighth Route Army, although there have been a few times, the scale has been small.
The final result is often failure.
This inevitably made Umezu Yoshijiro, the commander of the Kwantung Army, secretly angry.
This time, since it was decided to send heavy troops to reinforce the Chinese dispatched troops to fight.
Of course, that was no small matter.
It was necessary to win a few great victories to demonstrate the military power of the Kwantung Army.
Including this time when the Kwantung Army went south for reinforcements, there was a lot of noise, and it was not even covered up at all, as if it was announcing to the world and all parties around the world that the Kwantung Army was going to leave the country.
General Okamura, who was stationed at the headquarters of the China Expeditionary Forces in Nanjing, felt much more at ease after receiving such elite reinforcements from the Kwantung Army.
But he knew very well how powerful the Eighth Route Army was now.
Even with nearly five divisions of the Kwantung Army's elite reinforcements, they may not be able to defeat the Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop, let alone completely eliminate it.
In order to be absolutely sure, Okamura proposed: "If we fight a decisive battle with the Eighth Route Army, and inflict heavy losses on the Eighth Route Army in the decisive battle, or even completely eliminate the Eighth Route Army, I am afraid that the army in several aspects will not be able to do it.
At present, the Eighth Route Army is most rampant in North China, especially in Shanxi, Shandong, and Hebei.
And if we want to completely eliminate these Eighth Route Army, the North China Front Army of our China Expeditionary Force alone, even with the addition of the five major regiments of the Kwantung Army that are going south for reinforcements, is probably far from enough.
In particular, these Eighth Route Army tactics are cunning. Once the battle fails, they will immediately retreat to their base areas and use favorable terrain to launch counterattacks.
There is not enough power to deal with it!"
Umezu Yoshijiro was stunned when he said this, and deep down he wanted to scold his mother.
In the past few years, when the Eighth Route Army had not grown in strength and was still in its infancy, even a single division of the Kwantung Army might be able to sweep through all the major base areas of the Eighth Route Army, let alone such a battle.
Now it was exaggerated to such an extent that when he gathered the elites of his five Kwantung Army divisions, plus the North China Front, he actually had to consider whether he was a rival to the Eighth Route Army.
Not to mention defeating and annihilating the Eighth Route Army.
Of course, the culprit behind Yoshijiro Umezu's wish to scold his mother was not Okamura, who was ordered to turn the tide at the critical moment, but the former Commander-in-Chief of the China Expeditionary Forces, His Excellency Junroku Hata, who had seen the situation go badly and had taken the opportunity to slip back into the country to serve as a reserve.
Umezu Yoshijiro still admires Okamura's ability and courage.
"So, Okamura-kun, what is your plan?"
Okamura replied: "First of all, with the help of the Kwantung Army reinforced by Lord Umezu, help our North China Front Army to completely stabilize the overall situation in North China, contain the main force of the Eighth Route Army in North China, prevent the Eighth Route Army from going south to launch an offensive, and take the opportunity to help the New Fourth Army grow.
Secondly, after maintaining the situation in the north, launch a major sweep against the New Fourth Army in the southern region, central and southern China.
We must defeat the New Fourth Army in one fell swoop before the final decisive battle begins in North China."
When this old boy from Okamura prepares the persimmons, he first picks the soft ones and pinches them.
Compared with the Eighth Route Army, which is growing day by day, well-equipped, and powerful in combat effectiveness, the military strength of the New Fourth Army in the south is much weaker.
In addition, in Central China and South China, the Chinese dispatched troops basically did not suffer too much heavy losses, and they continued to defeat the national army in frontal battlefield operations to maintain their strength, and their combat strength even recovered to some extent.
Such an opportunity, since the Eighth Route Army has overhauled its defense line in eastern Mongolia, preparing to defend in the north and attack in the south.
According to Okamura:
"Strike first to gain strength, stabilize the Eighth Route Army in North China, launch an offensive in the south, take action before the Eighth Route Army, and completely eliminate the main force of the New Fourth Army."
Then comes the follow-up battle plan:
"Once the New Fourth Army is defeated, central and southern China will be basically stable. As for the national army, which is more than capable of defending the city but insufficient in attacking, their military confidence has been completely shattered by the Battle of Henan, Hunan and Guangxi. How can they still have the courage to take the opportunity to counterattack?
By then, the No. 1 combat plan will be successfully implemented, and the transportation lines in mainland China will basically be opened.
I can draw out the elites from Central China and South China, put them all into North China, and then join forces with your elite Kwantung Army to launch a decisive battle with the main force of the Eighth Route Army in North China.
Eliminate the main force of the Eighth Route Army in one fell swoop."
Okamura's imagination was very beautiful, "If we win this battle, our empire's occupied area will be completely stabilized. With the help of completely opened communication lines and complete integration with our navy, the remaining national army units in the south will be completely vulnerable."
At this point, even if the Pacific battlefield and Southeast Asian battlefields suffered disastrous defeats.
Our army still has the power to mediate with the help of the Chinese battlefield.
Even if we are defeated, our empire will not necessarily weaken as a result of the fruits of victory in China."
What a magnificent blueprint!
Even Umezu Meijiro felt excited when he heard this.
All the Japanese officers who attended the meeting were also excited to hear this. Okamura was worthy of being an inspiring speaker. After some mobilization, the dawn of victory in the bullshit jihad seemed to be right in front of the Japanese.
the other side.
The former enemy headquarters of the Eighth Route Army.
The main force of the Japanese Kwantung Army moved south in large numbers for reinforcements. How could the Eighth Route Army not notice such a movement?
The specific strength of this Kwantung Army, including its marching route and even its garrison situation, and even who the Kwantung Army officers leading the team are and what their personalities are like, all kinds of information are now clearly and concretely presented in the relevant intelligence documents in the conference room.
I have to say that the comrades in the Intelligence Department of the Eighth Route Army are quite impressive.
"Five elite divisions of Class A, and more than 100,000 elite Japanese soldiers!"
The deputy chief of staff spoke and commented: "The little devil has indeed spent a lot of money this time. Once these five elite Kwantung Army troops went south, it can basically be said that they have almost mobilized the elite armed forces in the Kanto region, which was already withered.
.
I almost fell asleep and someone gave me a pillow.
The Japanese are afraid that we will not carry out the plan to advance northward, and will further create an unprecedented shortage of troops in the Kanto region for us!"
Of course, the Japanese Kwantung Army was known as an elite force and had been recuperating in the Kanto region for many years. At its peak, it was said that there were more than 1 million elite troops.
This is quite exaggerated data.
Even though China dispatched troops to occupy major regions in North China, Central China, and South China, and continued to fight on both fronts behind enemy lines and on frontal battlefields, the number of troops at its peak was only about one million.
But how big is the chassis of Kanto?
Even after the opening of the Pacific Battlefield, the Kwantung Army continued to mobilize elites. This time it continued to mobilize five divisions and more than 100,000 troops southward.
The Kwantung Army stationed in Kantung is still a giant in terms of total military strength.
Moreover, there was also the Manchurian National Defense Force that assisted the Kwantung Army in its operations.
This is why Umezu Yoshijiro dared to withstand the pressure from the Soviet side and the Eighth Route Army and send elite troops south for reinforcements.
Moreover, the five elite divisions being reinforced are operating in the Jidong region, and they can return for reinforcements at any time once the situation in Kanto changes.
So the current dilemma is:
"First, we must mobilize all intelligence forces to gain insight as soon as possible into the combat direction of the Chinese dispatched troops after the Kwantung Army moves south."
"Second, continue to implement the strategy of hiding the truth from the enemy, and further speed up the process of running-in training of troops in eastern and western Mongolia."
"Third, all base areas and recovery areas are on standby to guard against Japanese counterattacks at any time!"
The deputy chief of staff finally concluded: "Comrades, our war with the Japanese army has reached a critical juncture. The more we reach this moment, the more we must remain calm. The competition between the two sides will depend on who has the more durable power."
endurance.
In order to follow up the battle plan of advancing northward, so far, our main elite forces are basically hidden in the northern Shanxi, Mongolia and eastern Mongolia areas.
The major base areas behind enemy lines are actually in a state of emptiness and emptiness.
Once the Japanese army counterattacks, we will be forced to change our strategy and switch from offense to defense until we completely overwhelm the Japanese offensive."
This is actually quite helpless.
Even though the Eighth Route Army has grown to its current level, there is still a big gap compared to the overall strength of the Japanese army.
If the National Army and the Eighth Route Army could truly unite, the overall strength of both sides would be much closer.
What a pity! What a shame!
When analyzing the battle situation at the Special Experimental Zone Headquarters, Ding Wei even pointed out:
"If the Japanese troops of more than 100,000 Kwantung Army troops are going south to reinforce this time, if they really launch a large-scale attack against our base areas in Shanxi, Shandong, Hebei, and northern Henan, we may not be able to withstand it without the main force in each of our base areas.
live.
Even with the help of the fortifications built over the years on the outside to withstand the Japanese attack, the lack of elite troops will definitely be noticed by the Japanese army.
The Japanese will then discover that our recent deployment of Mongolian and Mongolian troops southward was just an illusion.
If it is further determined that we are planning for the troops to advance north.
We have laid so much groundwork for so long, and have built up one link after another, and I am afraid that all of them will be completely ruined."
Who says it’s not?
War is always full of too many uncertainties. Before the strength cannot completely crush the enemy, who can guarantee the absolute direction of the war situation?
Kong Jie breathed a long sigh of relief and said: "I can only gamble!
Let's just bet that the Japanese have launched one major raid after another against our base areas behind enemy lines in recent years, but in the end they failed miserably and have completely lost the confidence and determination to carry out raids.
Judging from various aspects of analysis, it is not very likely that the Japanese will use our various artillery towers and fortification groups on the outside to sweep the base area.
Especially after the equipment level of our troops has developed, the little devils will often suffer big losses when fighting in unfavorable terrain."
"I hope so!" Ding Wei agreed.
——This is the final battle of fate!
The Eighth Route Army tried its best to do what human power could do to the best of its ability.
Facing the reinforcements of the Kwantung Army, the Eighth Route Army in North China quietly changed its strategy and no longer pursued an active military offensive, but chose to retreat for defense.
When necessary, some recovered areas can even be given back to the little devils.
This allowed the Chinese Expeditionary Forces and the Kwantung Army in North China to win some battles for a time, and they felt quite proud.
During the temporary calm behind enemy lines in North China, the comrades of the New Fourth Army in the south took the opportunity to launch a summer offensive to first attract the attention of the little Japanese.
to the end of August.
The joint combat plan of the old Japanese Okamura and Umezu Meijiro finally launched.
The Japanese army gathered forces in central and southern China to launch a large-scale raid on various base areas of the New Fourth Army.
The news was quickly passed to the former enemy headquarters of the Eighth Route Army.
To be honest, the generals such as the deputy commander-in-chief, deputy chief of general staff, and teacher commanders all breathed a sigh of relief after hearing the battle situation.
In the end, destiny still went to the side of the Eighth Route Army.
The Japanese army's seemingly flawless strategic direction ultimately made the wrong choice.
As for the next thing to do, it is natural to bluff and hide the truth.
The Eighth Route Army base areas in North China, which had long been depleted of elite troops, actively launched offensives, claiming Operation August Storm, and actively coordinated the New Fourth Army's anti-summer raids in the south.
At the same time, this paralyzed the Japanese army's judgment and prevented the Japanese from seeing the fact that the Eighth Route Army base area was already empty of troops.
After the military meeting at the former enemy's headquarters ended, Kong Jie stayed and held a special meeting with the deputy commander-in-chief and deputy chief of staff, the commanders of the main divisions, and the main persons in charge of each base area.
During the meeting, the deputy chief of staff worked on the military map in front of him, marking Houhe, Guisui, Datong, Zhangjiakou, Licheng, Shimen, Baoding, Hengshui, Handan, Cangzhou, and Tianjin one by one, and then
Completely connected in a line.
"Then according to the next direction, where is the rest?"
Kong Jie smiled and replied: "Next are Liaocheng, Weifang, Pingdu, Puyang, Yancheng and other places. When these places are all connected, our plan is almost completed!"
"So after the launch of Operation August Storm, on the whole, we fought everywhere, fighting everywhere, and it was a complete mess.
But our ultimate goal is to completely open up the transportation lines of these last few counties." The deputy chief of staff concluded, and specifically explained:
"As I said before, this strategic plan is classified as a military secret and cannot be publicized to the outside world until the plan is completed."
"Comrades, whether this plan can succeed or not depends on this last success!"
"Once it is accomplished, the victory we will achieve will be no less than the bullshit No. 1 combat plan that the Japanese made with all their manpower and material resources!"