Okamura Neiji, Arisu Seizo, Yamamoto Kazuki and a group of staff officers are holding a combat meeting.
Footsteps sounded, and communications staff officer Haruo Kitani held the telegram in his hand and walked in quickly, bowing his head to report to Neji Okamura:
"Report to the General, the Prime Minister just sent a telegram."
Okamura Neji narrowed his eyes, waved his hand and said, "Read it!"
"Hi."
Kitani Haruo took the telegram and read:
"The 11th Division, the 40th Division and the 56th Division are all in pieces. His Majesty Tianchu and I have learned that Zhangjiakou and Baoding are very important military towns in North China and must not be lost, otherwise Commander of the North China Front Army Neiji Okamura
When you commit suicide to thank the locusts, Prime Minister Hideji Tojo, His Majesty the Emperor is on board, and the Japanese locust army is on board!"
After the 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division were completely wiped out by the Eighth Route Army.
Okamura Neji did not report to the base camp.
Reporting good news but not bad news, concealing news is just a routine operation of the Japanese army.
But after annihilating three Japanese divisions, the Eighth Route Army sent clear telegrams and published propaganda in newspapers, and the Japanese base camp soon learned about it.
However, contrary to Okamura Neji's expectations, the Prime Minister and His Majesty Tianhao did not blame him, not even a word of blame.
However, the content of the subsequent telegram made Okamura Neji's nerves suddenly tense.
If Zhangjiakou and Baoding fall, there is a high probability that Peiping and Tianjin will not be able to hold either.
By then, he, Okamura Neji, may really commit suicide.
After previous defeats, no general dared to come to North China to take over, so his position as commander of the North China Front was very secure.
However, due to this defeat, the North China Front Army will suffer heavy losses and may even be wiped out.
Then there is no need for him to exist as the commander of the North China Front.
With so many defeats, so many imperial generals in pieces, and so many elite soldiers of the Locust Army in pieces, someone must be responsible for this.
Okamura Neji didn't believe he could still live.
Therefore, for Neji Okamura, this battle can only be won but not defeated.
Otherwise, Neji Okamura will be ruined, and more importantly, his life will be in danger.
"Your Excellency Commander, this order from the base camp..."
Youmo Jingsan's expression suddenly became serious.
The North China Front had no intention of abandoning Baoding.
However, Zhangjiakou and the North China Front planned to give up and let the Japanese troops retreat to the mountainous areas to block the Eighth Route Army.
Okamura Neji's face was also extremely solemn. Unexpectedly, Tojo Eiji also started to do micro-managing.
As soon as the telegram from the base camp came, Okamura Neiji could only order Mitsuo Nakazawa to defend Zhangjiakou.
From Tojo Hideji's point of view, I gave you so much combat materials and locust army strength, but the North China Front Army was defeated again and again. Okamura is a waste, and the North China Front Army is a shame to the Japanese Empire.
Zhangjiakou is the capital of Chahar Province, and Baoding is the capital of Hebei Province.
The loss of these two important provincial military towns means that the Locust Army has lost its territory in these two provinces.
Therefore, you Okamura must guard Zhangjiakou and Baoding for me, otherwise you will die.
The base camp allows you Okamura Neji to be defeated two, three, four or five times, but it cannot accept your constant defeat.
even.
In the Japanese base camp, the voice that Commander Okamura Neiji of the North China Front Army was a senior spy of the Eighth Route Army became louder again.
In Okamura Neiji's view, the Eighth Route Army is too strong, and the troops and combat materials you gave me are simply not enough.
If I, Okamura Neiji, hadn't led the locust army to resist the Eighth Route Army in North China.
If the commander had been replaced, the Eighth Route Army would have wiped out the North China Front Army long ago.
"Immediately forward this telegram to Lieutenant General Nakazawa Mitsuo and order the 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division to defend Zhangjiakou at all costs."
Okamura Neji gave the order in a difficult tone.
This time Okamura Neji did not dare to defeat the opponent.
The telegram said very severely that if Zhangjiakou and Baoding fell, he would have to have his abdomen disemboweled.
"Hi."
You Mo Jing San suddenly lowered his head.
…
Zhangjiakou.
On the west city wall.
Mitsuo Nakazawa, Shigetori Kuroda and Toyama Tozan raised their telescopes and looked towards the distant battlefield.
The three old devils all looked solemn.
The roaring sound of artillery coming from the other side of the mountain indicated that the Eighth Route Army's offensive troops were already only a few kilometers away from Zhangjiakou.
In the past few days, the Japanese army had tried its best, but no Japanese troops could hold their position.
Even though the Japanese guerrillas sent out made some gains, the engineers of the Eighth Route Army quickly repaired the damaged roads and railways.
The Eighth Route Army's attack was still very fierce.
Mitsuo Nakazawa put down the telescope and asked: "I guess both Kuroda-kun and Toyama-kun have received the clear telegram sent by the Eighth Route Army headquarters, right?"
"The Eighth Route Army's clear telegram can't be true, right?"
"Takamori-kun, Aoki-kun and Watanabe-kun, are they really broken?"
Lieutenant General Toyo Nagayama of the 71st Division glanced at Mitsuo Nakazawa and Shigenori Kuroda. Even now, he still can't believe the news.
"Is it true? Ask your communications department to call the 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division and see if there is a response."
Kuroda Shigenori snorted coldly.
Lieutenant General Yuan Shanden was silent. He had ordered the communications troops to try to contact the 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division, but did not receive any response.
This news was like a blow to the head of Yuanshan Deng.
Three Locust Army divisions, including 1 Type A division and 2 Type B divisions, were all shattered in two or three days of fighting.
Although he had already greatly overestimated the strength of the Eighth Route Army.
But it was obvious that the Eighth Route Army was more powerful than he imagined, far more powerful than he imagined.
Thinking of this, Yuan Shanden began to worry about the fate of himself and the 71st Division.
Maybe one day when he climbs far into the mountains and joins the 71st Division, all of them will be shattered into pieces.
"There are only a few hours left in three days. In a few hours, we will be able to evacuate from Zhangjiakou to the mountains."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Mitsuo Nakazawa looked at the watch in his hand and said.
It was Okamura Neiji's order to stay in Zhangjiakou for three days.
Nakazawa Mizuo used echelon proportions and layer-by-layer blocking tactics, and at the cost of thousands of casualties, he had blocked the Eighth Route Army for three days.
In the mountainous terrain east of Zhangjiakou, there are a large number of tunnels and reverse slope fortifications built by the engineering regiments of three divisions.
Okamura Neiji planned to use the strength of three divisions and rely on these large number of tunnels and reverse slope fortifications to block the attack of the Eighth Route Army's northern attack group.
"Reporting to the head of the division."
"Urgent message from North China Front Headquarters."
At this moment, the communications staff officer of the 1st Division walked up quickly with a telegram in his hand and lowered his head to report.
"read!"
Mitsuo Nakazawa thought it was a telegram from Okamura Neiji urging a retreat, so he waved his hand and said.
The 11th Division, 40th Division and 56th Division were all in pieces, causing a huge blow to the morale of the Japanese army.
Even the lieutenant general and division commanders maintained a pessimistic attitude towards this battle.
Even if the main force of the Kwantung Army and the main reinforcements of the 11th Army are reinforced, there is still a question mark as to whether they can defeat the Eighth Route Army.
"Hi."
The communications staff officer held the telegram in both hands and read:
"The base camp has just issued an order that the 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division must defend Zhangjiakou, otherwise the lieutenant generals and division commanders will have to disembowel themselves to thank the locusts."
"His Majesty the Locust is on board."
"The Japanese Locust Army is on board."
After the report, the communications staff respectfully handed over the telegram, turned around and left quickly.
However.
However, the three old Japanese, Mizuo Nakazawa, Shigetori Kuroda and Toyama Tozan, were stunned on the spot, as if they had been struck by lightning.
Don't you want to retreat?
Why did you change to stick to Zhangjiakou?
Kuroda Shigenori looked disbelieving. He took the telegram from Mitsuo Nakazawa and read it. After reading the telegram, his face suddenly showed anger.
"Baga, why would General Okamura give us such an order?"
Kuroda Shigenori cursed angrily.
At one time, they would retreat, and at another time, they would defend Zhangjiakou. If they couldn't hold on, they would have to perform a caesarean section to apologize.
Isn’t this bullying an honest person?
Toyama took the telegram, looked at it, and said in a deep voice: "This should be an order from the base camp. General Okamura has nothing to do."
"Since it is an order from the base camp, we can only execute the order."
Mitsuo Nakazawa sighed and said.
Those idiots at the base camp didn't understand the situation on the North China battlefield at all, they only knew about micro-management.
As Lieutenant General Mitsuo Nakazawa who fought many (poisonous) battles with the Eighth Route Army, he knew that the strength of the Eighth Route Army was far beyond imagination.
Okamura Neiji is already considered a commander with strong combat command capabilities.
If we had replaced a commander with a commanding ability, maybe the entire North China would have been the territory of the Eighth Route Army by now.
To be able to become the division commander of the 1st Division, Mitsuo Nakazawa is certainly not a fool.
Once you reach this position, if you move higher up, you will be the commander of a group army or even the commander of a front army.
However, due to the 1st Division's battle with the Eighth Route Army in northwestern Shanxi, the 1st Division was defeated and suffered extremely heavy losses.
This resulted in Mizuo Nakazawa being unable to be promoted, let alone army commander, even the position of division commander was saved by Neji Okamura.
This war of aggression was just launched by Japanese politicians for profit, and it was far from as majestic and upright as advertised.
The Bushido, loyalty to Ten Locust, and returning one's soul to Kudanban after death are all just methods used by the government and Ten Locust to control the army.
The Eighth Route Army is now extremely powerful.
It even far exceeded the strength of the Soviet army in the Far East.
The best way for the Locust Army is to abandon North China.
But what about after giving up North China?
Should Central China, South China and Northeast China give up?
At this moment, Mitsuo Nakazawa had no choice.
The order from the base camp is obviously to let the 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division use all their strength to consume the Eighth Route Army's troops and strength and delay the Eighth Route Army.
As for surrender?
Since the war between China and Japan began, many Japanese soldiers may have surrendered.
But there has never been a precedent for an entire division to surrender.
Therefore, they can only fight to the death.
After finishing speaking, Sanfu Nakazawa spoke in a cold voice and said in a deep voice: "Jun Yuanshan and Lord Kuroda, readjust your deployment, withdraw the main force into Zhangjiakou City, and order a small portion of the Locust Army and the entire Locust Alliance Army to enter the peripheral positions of Zhangjiakou."
"Get ready for street fighting with the Eighth Route Army!"
"Hi!"
Kuroda Shigetori and Toyama Toyama both bowed their heads.
The current Japanese army in Zhangjiakou is less than 40,000 at full strength.
However, there are still more than 20,000 puppet troops to assist in the defense.
It is impossible for puppet troops to engage in street fighting.
However, these puppet soldiers are the best candidates for cannon fodder.
Let a small number of Japanese troops and a large number of puppet troops eat the Eighth Route Army's artillery shells.
Then let a large number of Japanese troops fight a war of attrition against the Eighth Route Army in the city.
In fact, Hideji Tojo at the Japanese base camp had this kind of calculation.
The 11th Division, the 40th Division and the 56th Division, a total of 60,000 elite Japanese troops on the front line, were all in pieces, but they only caused a few thousand casualties to the Eighth Route Army.
In vain, the important military towns of Shimen City and Zhengding were handed over to the Eighth Route Army.
If Neiji Okamura's battle plan is followed, it is very likely that not only Zhangjiakou and Baoding will not be able to be defended, but more than 200,000 Japanese troops will be wiped out, which may only cause tens of thousands of casualties to the Eighth Route Army.
But it was different in street fighting. The casualty ratio between the Eighth Route Army and the Japanese army was about 1:1.
If a Japanese soldier kills an Eighth Route Army soldier, it is a loss; if he kills two Eighth Route Army soldiers, it is a blood gain.
Even if all the Japanese divisions were destroyed, the Eighth Route Army would still feel uncomfortable and would pay the same price in terms of troops.
…
Following the order from the Japanese Army Command in Zhangjiakou.
The Japanese outside the city quickly reduced their defenses.
Most of the Japs began to retreat into the city, and a small number of Japs and a large number of Japs entered the fortifications outside the city.
Naturally, the actions of the Japanese and puppet troops could not be hidden from the eyes of the leading troops of the Eighth Route Army.
The information quickly reached the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army's North Attack Group.
"Are the Japanese really planning to start a street fight with us?"
In the headquarters, Ding Datuanzi touched his chin, his expression faintly showing a hint of excitement.
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! According to intelligence and aircraft reconnaissance, the Japanese army built a large number of fortifications in the mountainous areas from Zhangjiakou to Peiping.
There are also many tunnel fortifications. The Japanese want to rely on the terrain and tunnel fortifications to prevent the Eighth Route Army's North Road attack group from entering the North China Plain.
But judging from the current situation, the Japanese do not intend to retreat, but are going to engage in street fighting?
"As expected!"
Kong Jie smiled slightly, looking like he was in control.
Ding Wei also smiled slightly.
Since the Japanese want to fight in the streets, don't blame me, Ding, for picking the head of Neji Okamura!
"Pass my order to use all artillery firepower to bombard the positions outside Zhangjiakou City!"
Ding Wei issued the order.
If the heavy firepower unit of the Eighth Route Army wants to bypass Zhangjiakou, it must first clear Zhangjiakou's peripheral positions.
"yes!"
The chief of staff straightened up, turned around and went to deliver the order.
"The main force of the Japs is stationed in Zhangjiakou and is always a threat to our rear."
After a pause, Kong Jie worriedly said to Ding Wei:
"If the main force of the Japs from these three divisions does not attack from our rear and instead attacks Datong and northwest Shanxi, then the situation will be a little unfavorable for us."
"The Japs from the 1st Division and the 26th Division did this last time!"
"Then what do you think we should do?" Ding Wei narrowed his eyes. It was not impossible, and immediately asked, "Lao Kong, what do you think we should do? It's impossible for our 100,000 main force to attack Zhangjiakou and fight with the Japanese, right?
?”
Kong Jie said conveniently: "I suggest that I lead the Independent Regiment to surround Zhangjiakou, and that you lead the New Second Regiment and the main force of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region to attack Peiping and pick off the heads of Gangcun."
After a pause, Kong Jie added: "Just leave me one artillery regiment and one heavy artillery regiment."
"Do you want to kill the Japanese 1st Division, 26th Division and 71st Division alone?" Ding Wei saw through Kong Jie's thoughts instantly.
Kong Jie chuckled and was noncommittal.
Ding Wei said: "I have to ask Lao Li for advice on this."
