According to the original wishful thinking of the Japanese army, the Japanese field army, led by the 3rd Mixed Brigade, first sealed the 385th Brigade of the Eighth Route Army within the 385th Brigade base area.
Then, divide the battlefield into two parts.
Part of it is to use the Huangyadong area to encircle the area and call for aid.
Use the attack on the Eighth Route Army Arsenal in Huangyadong as a guide to lure the reinforcements of the Eighth Route Army toward Huangyadong, and then let the elite troops of the 3rd, 9th, and 16th Mixed Brigades ambush along the way, as well as the troops who detoured toward Huangyadong.
More than 6,000 elite members of the 36th Division conducted reinforcement operations.
Destroy the Eighth Route Army troops who came for reinforcements.
The other part is to deal with the Eighth Route Army troops of the 386th Brigade.
In particular, the winter offensive occupied a considerable area of quasi-security areas of the Japanese army, and even the Iron Triangle Force of the Eighth Route Army in the security areas.
The mobile troops stationed in Mongolia took the lead in going south to raid the Eighth Route Army troops in the Iron Triangle.
When the two sides are fighting, the Japanese and puppet troops of the 3rd, 9th, and 16th mixed brigades that were originally advancing towards the 385th Brigade base area will simultaneously transfer some of their troops to go north.
Two groups of Japanese troops attacked the 386th Brigade from the north and the south.
In one fell swoop, the 386th Brigade was completely destroyed, the Iron Triangle of the Eighth Route Army, which was a serious enemy of the Japanese army.
This is the battle plan the little Japanese made to deal with the new first regiment, the new second regiment, and the first team.
What was the result?
The troops stationed in Mongolia came and saw the Eighth Route Army retreating on their own initiative. With pride on their faces, they stupidly occupied the strongholds and villages where the Eighth Route Army had laid mine traps long ago.
Immediately after advancing towards the hinterland of the Iron Triangle base area, the Japanese and puppet troops led by the troops stationed in Mongolia soon fell into a trap.
By the time they finally struggled out, the battle situation between the two sides had shifted from being proactive to passive.
After learning that the vanguard troops were ineffective in fighting, the main follow-up force of the Mongolian troops heading south did not dare to delay and rushed to the defense area of the Iron Triangle without stopping. The two sides began to engage in large-scale confrontations.
Each suffered casualties.
Although the little devils stationed in Manchuria are well-equipped, they are powerful in numbers.
But the defense system in the Iron Triangle Defense Zone has already been built.
The soldiers took advantage of the complex terrain of the entire defense area to deal with the Japanese army.
The battle situation between the two sides has temporarily reached a stalemate.
It is simply impossible for the little devils stationed in the Mongolian Army to quickly penetrate the Iron Triangle base area.
And it is not easy for the Iron Triangle's combat troops to eat up the main force of the Mongolian army stationed south in a short period of time.
This time they went south to reinforce the Japanese troops stationed in Mongolia of the First Army in Shanxi.
Mainly based on some elites drawn from the 26th Division of the Japanese Army stationed in Datong.
This 26th Division of the Japanese Army belongs to the elite main force of Japan's "Kwantung Army".
It was expanded from an original independent mixed brigade in Datong on September 30, 1937.
This division is mainly responsible for the security tasks from Zhangjiakou to Datong, as well as to the west and south.
In addition, temporary reinforcements will be sent to Jizhong and Taihang base areas based on the battlefield situation.
The organization of the expanded Japanese 26th Division is slightly different from that of the regular division of the First Army in Shanxi.
The main elite infantry under his command is composed of three infantry regiments, namely the 11th, 12th, and 13th Infantry Regiments.
Compared with the regular infantry division of the First Army, there seems to be one less regiment.
But the infantry regiment of the 26th Division is larger in scale.
Take for example the elite troops stationed in Mongolia, mainly the 11th Regiment of the 36th Division, which went south to reinforce the First Army.
The 11th Infantry Regiment has three infantry brigades.
Each infantry brigade has four infantry squadrons, plus a machine gun squadron.
In total, the elite 11th Infantry Regiment of the 26th Division has nearly 5,000 troops.
It is much larger than the regular full-scale infantry regiment of the First Army, which only has about 3,800 troops.
In addition, two cavalry regiments quickly moved south from Baotou.
There are about 8,000 elite field troops sent south by the Mongolian army for reinforcements this time.
Even for the Japanese army, this is a quite powerful reinforcement force.
The 8,000 elite Japanese troops could have launched an unprecedented sweep in the entire Taihang region two years earlier.
Inside the temporary army headquarters of the 11th Regiment of the Mongolian Army.
The Japanese commander Ichiro Kawatani originally believed that by assisting the First Army to move south quickly and make a surprise attack on Tubal Road in the Taihang area, the Eighth Route Army would be caught off guard.
The result was good. Before the main force arrived, the vanguard force was already frustrated, and an urgent request for help was sent.
After the two parties communicated, Ichiro Kawatani wanted to know the specific situation of the frontline battle.
The communication news he learned as a result made Kawatani a little confused.
"It's in chaos, it's completely in chaos, fighting is happening everywhere, and it seems like the main combat troops of the Eighth Route Army are everywhere.
They are just like shadows, they may appear anywhere at any time and catch you off guard!"
The fighting areas are somewhat scattered, and there is not just one place at all.
The entire outer perimeter of the Iron Triangle base area, including some quasi-security areas and security areas of the Japanese army, seemed to be integrated.
I heard that not only the Eighth Route Army troops participated in the battle.
Some troops from the Jinsui Army, including some bandits, ran down the mountain to join in the fun.
After understanding the situation, Kawashima Ichiro was furious. This time he led the 11th Regiment south to reinforce the First Army. He must make sure to show the prestige of the army stationed in Mongolia.
How can we stop moving forward just because of this small difficulty?
No matter how cunning he is, he is nothing more than a chicken and a dog in the face of absolute force.
After making up his mind, Ichiro Kawatani directly ordered the entire army to speed up and advance quickly towards the Iron Triangle Defense Area of the Eighth Route Army.
……
But he talked about the situation detected by the Japanese army.
In addition to the Eighth Route Army units, there are even Shanxi-Sui Army units, and national army units in some places, including some bandits, are participating in the war.
What on earth is going on?
It turned out not long ago.
When the battle situation inside and outside Huangyadong, the battle situation in the 385th Brigade base area, and the battle situation in the 386th Brigade were completely heated.
The battle between the Eighth Route Army units, led by the First Army in Shanxi and the 129th Division in the Taihang Base Area, quickly became intense.
The various propaganda departments of the Eighth Route Army in the Taihang Mountains were all put into operation, and a broadcast was announced to the outside world, "Informing compatriots across the country to defend the base area to the death, and to fight the Japanese aggressors to the end to defend the homeland!"
The Eighth Route Army Propaganda Department carries out propaganda through various methods.
Various longwave radio stations continue to operate and transmit these radio signals for dozens of hours.
In addition to the spread of radio equipment.
In the vast Eighth Route Army base area, in the quasi-security areas of the Japanese army, including the Japanese security areas, there are a large number of propaganda papers, which are spreading rapidly in various areas like a goddess scattering flowers.
The little devil couldn't understand at all how the Eighth Route Army achieved this step.
Even in the most tightly guarded security area, there may be ordinary people who grab a handful of propaganda paper and secretly scatter it in the alley, and then quickly disappear. p>
The surrounding crowd randomly picked up the paper and took a look, and immediately knew the anti-Japanese propaganda made by the Eighth Route Army.
The headquarters of the Japanese First Army in Shanxi is not in Taiyuan City.
Japanese commander Yoshio Shinozuka looked at the anti-Japanese propaganda issued by the Eighth Route Army in his hand.
The content promoted by these damn Tubal Road is not only in Chinese, but also in Japanese.
Among them, the rhetoric is fierce and inspiring, and the words and sentences are very concise and expressive. It vividly expresses the Eighth Route Army's commitment to defend the country to the death and calls on the people and all anti-Japanese armed forces to support the Eighth Route Army in the war of resistance in all forms.
So, what's going on?
Yoshio Shinozuka originally just used some insidious means to prepare for a sneak attack on the Eighth Route Army troops in the Taihang base area and destroy the Eighth Route Army's Huangyadong Arsenal.
As a result, these damn Tubalu used this kind of propaganda to directly escalate the war between the two sides to a very exaggerated situation.
Originally it was just a battle against the Eighth Route Army troops in your Taihang base area.
After such propaganda by your Eighth Route Army.
On the contrary, it seems to have become a crucial battle that will determine the fate of China and Japan.
It also called on all people and anti-Japanese armed forces in the base area, including Japanese-occupied areas, to use all means to reinforce the Eighth Route Army in its fight against the Japanese army.
This is completely a trivial fight that has been made known to the whole country.
"These damn Tubal Road, what do they want to do?"
Shinozuka Yoshio was a little depressed and said with anger.
Chief of Staff Beichuan sighed helplessly:
"General, when things have developed to this point, the battle we originally planned against the Eighth Route Army's Huangyadong Arsenal has escalated to a new situation.
According to the Eighth Route Army’s desperate propaganda efforts.
Not only in Shanxi, I am afraid that the entire North China, and even all forces on the Sino-Japanese battlefield, including international attention, may be attracted to this battle!"
On this point, Beichuan's guess is indeed good.
The Eighth Route Army’s propaganda methods far exceeded his awareness.
In addition to the propaganda within the base area, in addition to the propaganda in the Japanese security areas, including the Kuomintang District and Jinsui District, there is also propaganda.
Not only that, one team also used special means to contact various businessmen, including businessmen from the Soviet Union, as well as the American arms dealers headed by John, and asked them to spread the propaganda information as well.
It was even spread back to China, and some domestic newspapers were asked to report it.
It is almost foreseeable that the attention of all countries in the world will focus on this war situation.
And this matter can be said to accomplish multiple things with one stone...
"Let's make a fuss. The bigger the fuss, the better. If we don't cause a big scene, who will we show our Eighth Route Army's victory in such a big battle this time?"
"As the ancients said, those who have gained the right will have many help, while those who have lost the right will have little help.
We defend our homeland and fight against foreign humiliation. This is a just war, if we can still maintain momentum.
There will definitely be more and more international forces supporting China's war of resistance, and there will also be more and more international friends and overseas Chinese who are willing to lend a helping hand to our Eighth Route Army troops.
In addition, if the international attention is gathered, if the Chiang Kai-shek Army and the Shanxi-Sui Army side have been standing by and watching, it may not be justified on the surface.
Maybe we can also use this to attract foreign aid!
This is definitely a sure-fire deal!"
Not long ago, when Kong Jie, Li Yunlong, and Ding Wei talked about the propaganda offensive after the war, Kong Jie expressed his opinion.
"Those who have money will contribute money, and those who are capable will contribute. Our Eighth Route Army vows to fight the Japanese invaders to the end and defend the country.
Through these methods, we can allow all the people and the anti-Japanese armed forces of all parties to participate in the battle, and at least give them a sense of participation.
In this way, we have won the battle, which is a great encouragement to the people.
This victorious war is not only a victory for our Eighth Route Army, but also a victory for our compatriots.
The common people will also become more aware of what a true anti-Japanese team is.
Which team is the one who will shed the last drop of blood for the destiny of the motherland and these magnificent mountains and rivers?
Maybe after this publicity.
Those who are waiting and watching have to squeeze their heads to defect to our Eighth Route Army!
They should understand that a force like our Eighth Route Army that serves the country and the people is the future of China!"
"So, we either don't make a fuss, and if we want to make a fuss, we'll make a big fuss about him, or we don't fight, and if we want to make a fuss, we'll hit him and go to northwest Shanxi!"
……
When analyzing this matter, Yoshio Shinozuka became more and more troubled:
"In this case, the international situation is not good for our empire.
All the focus was focused on the final outcome of this battle against the Eighth Route Army in the Taihang Base Area.
If this battle is won, no matter what the international situation is, our Empire of Japan will finally take the initiative.
But if this battle fails, not to mention the loss of the majesty of our First Army, it will definitely lead to the image of our empire as a strong one in this war plummeting."
In the end, Yoshio Shinozuka’s words were firm:
"Therefore, in this battle, we can only win! No defeat!"
……
……
After Ichiro Kawatani finally led the main force of the 11th Regiment into the defense area of the Iron Triangle of the Eighth Route Army, he directly ordered the troops to attack fiercely and meet up with the vanguard troops.
With the arrival of the main force of the 11th Regiment of the Mongolian Army.
The Eighth Route Army, which was originally fighting the vanguard of the 11th Regiment and the Japanese and puppet troops of the Security Army, has indeed experienced a sharp increase in pressure.
Fortunately, it relies on the solid defensive foundation that the Iron Triangle has been operating for more than two years.
Even with the help of mobile warfare, guerrilla warfare, and ambush warfare, it is enough to contain the main southward force of the Mongolian army and delay the time.
Then just wait quietly for the implementation of the follow-up combat plan from the headquarters.
Ding Wei, who is in charge of the temporary joint command, is not anxious at all.
Sit tight on the Diaoyutai!
Ding Wei is not in a hurry, but the little devil is as anxious as an ant on a hot pot.
First, the troops stationed in Mongolia went south to reinforce the First Army, and it was only a short-term reinforcement to deal with the Eighth Route Army troops in the Taihang base area.
In order to ensure the safety of the Datong generation, the 11th Regiment cannot be separated from the 26th Division for a long time and fight in the Taihang Mountains.
Secondly, the Eighth Route Army operates within the base area, can attack and defend, and has solid logistical support at any time.
After all, this is their territory.
The same cannot be said for the Japanese army. For such a large-scale operation, the daily supply of troops puts great pressure on logistics.
In addition, it was separated from the stable security area of the Japanese army, and the transportation line to ensure logistics for the frontline combat troops was stretched very long.
The Eighth Route Army was very cunning and attacked everywhere.
These long and fragile transportation lines of the Japanese army naturally became the favorite targets of sneak attacks by the Eighth Route Army.
Amidst a series of raids, the Japanese army was unable to guarantee effective logistical supplies.
This means that even if the First Army of Shanxi and the troops stationed in Mongolia are combined, the timing of this premeditated attack launched by the Japanese army cannot last too long.
It must be resolved quickly.
This has always been the shortcoming of the Japanese army in attacking the Eighth Route Army base areas.