A few months ago, although the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong unit was known as the main force, it was not even considered a second-rate unit.
He was pinned down by a Japanese 110th Division.
The Japanese army carried out multiple raids on the Eighth Route Army in central Hebei.
The Eighth Route Army in the central Hebei area was very passive. The Japanese army conducted a large-scale raid on May 12th.
If it weren't for the main aircraft support of the Eighth Route Army.
In the last raid, the Eighth Route Army troops in the central Hebei area may have suffered heavy losses.
It was not the 11th Division's turn yet, so the 40th Division and the 56th Division took action.
Seiichi Aoki and Masao Watanabe quickly analyzed the situation and felt that this battle had a high chance of winning.
What's more, in this battle, the 11th Division was the main force, which defeated the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong troops. It can be said that they were easily captured.
then.
The three old Japanese soldiers gathered together and quickly formulated an attack plan.
The 11th Division was the main force in the frontal attack, and the 40th Division and the 56th Division were in the frontal attack on both wings of the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong Force.
Defeated the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong troops in one fell swoop.
Then transfer to Baoding.
After dark, some unimportant troops from the three divisions and almost all the puppet troops, totaling more than 30,000 people, were left to defend Shimen City and Zhengding.
The main force of the Japanese army, more than 50,000 men, marched eastward under the cover of darkness.
…
Jinju area.
This place is only about 50 kilometers away from Shijiazhuang.
The main force of the Jizhong Military Region only needs to march westward for one more night to reach the Shimen area and complete the encirclement mission together with the intersecting troops of the new regiment.
After the troops were discovered by the Japanese, Li Yunlong ordered the troops in central Hebei to stay put.
at this time.
Jizhong Army Headquarters.
"Report, a telegram from the frontline headquarters."
The communications staff officer paid a military salute to District Chief Lu and reported the report.
"read!"
District Chief Lu raised his eyes from the precise map on the table, waved his hand and said, surrounded by a group of high-ranking officers from the Central Hebei Military Region, including the political commissar and chief of staff.
"yes."
The communications staff officer took the telegram and read:
"The situation has changed. The Japanese army has become aware of our Eighth Route Army's plan to annihilate it. The Japanese army may attack your headquarters."
"Order your troops to immediately find a favorable position and prepare for the Japanese attack on your troops."
"If the Japanese army attacks you, your troops only need to hold the Japanese army back for one day until a new large group of troops arrives to encircle and annihilate the Japanese army."
"Li Yunlong, commander of the new regiment of the Eighth Route Army."
After listening to the communications staff read the telegram, the senior officers of the Central Hebei Military Region, including District Chief Lu, political commissar and chief of staff, all had serious expressions on their faces.
This telegram made it very clear.
The Japs may attack the Jizhong troops.
However, after only a brief analysis, the officers felt that this possibility was very high.
Everyone knows that picking the weakest persimmons, and the Japanese are no exception.
As for the current Eighth Route Army troops in the North China Plain, except for the troops of the Southern Hebei Military Region who are far away, their Central Hebei troops are the weakest. As for the troops of the National Army... At this time, the Japanese are almost attacking the mountain city, and the nearest National Army troops are
It is also more than a thousand kilometers.
"Can our Jizhong Military Region withstand the main force of one Japanese A-division and two Japanese B-divisions?"
A combat staff officer asked with a solemn expression.
Li Yunlong sent the Jizhong troops to Shimen City and Zhengding to besiege the Japanese. He was afraid that the Jizhong troops could not withstand it, so he specially sent 20 infantry battalions to surround them together.
But now, the troops in the Central Hebei Military Region are very likely to have to face the main attack of the Japanese alone.
The other combat staff officers also looked solemn.
Now there is no problem for the Jizhong Army to serve as a Japanese B-division.
If you fight against two Japs from the Type B Division head-on, even if you can't defeat the Japs, there is no problem in protecting yourself.
But with the addition of a Japanese A-type division, the situation becomes very serious for the Jizhong Military Region.
The combat effectiveness of one elite Japs from the Class A Division is at least as strong as that of three Japs from the Class B Division.
“If you can’t stand it, you have to stand it.”
Another combat staff officer made harsh words:
"I think as long as we can annihilate all the Japs in these three divisions, it will be worth it to all our Jizhong Military Region!"
"Isn't it just two shoulders supporting one head, who is afraid of whom?"
"right!"
"That's right!"
As soon as he finished speaking, several other combat staff members agreed.
Although the Japs are very strong, the Eighth Route Army is not cowardly. At worst, they must kill the Japs before they die. Killing one is enough to earn money, killing two is enough to earn one.
"Our current Jizhong Military Region is not the previous Jizhong Region."
The political commissar spoke, waved his hand and said confidently:
"The Japs from three divisions, even one Japs from the Class A Division, want to devour our Jizhong Military Region in one day. That is just wishful thinking!"
"The political commissar is right." District Chief Lu nodded and agreed, "What's more, this Japs from the Class A Division just lost an infantry regiment and severely damaged an infantry brigade by our main force, the New Regiment.
"
"In addition, these two B divisions were also defeated by the main force of our 129th Division and replenished their strength."
"The combat effectiveness of these three divisions is not at its peak."
"in addition…"
"We also have air support!"
On the word "air support", District Chief Lu obviously emphasized his tone a little bit.
When everyone heard this, their eyes lit up slightly.
They had seen with their own eyes how terrifying the Eighth Route Army's air support firepower was during the May 12th raids and the Battle of Niangziguan.
One explosion of an aerial bomb can kill a large area of Japanese soldiers.
The power of incendiary bombs, also known as napalm bombs, is even more terrifying. One incendiary bomb can cover half of a mountain.
If it were on flat ground, the lethality would probably be even greater!
Moreover, the Eighth Route Army now has more pilots and aircraft than during the last Niangziguan battle.
After hearing this analysis from the district chief and political commissar, all the staff members were immediately confident.
There is no doubt that this is a tough battle.
But for the Japanese, is it not a tough battle?
If the troops of the Central Hebei Military Region can withstand this tough battle, it will be a great improvement for the entire Central Hebei military region!
"Give me the order."
"All troops immediately shifted to defensive status and built fortifications."
"Prepare to meet the enemy!"
"In this battle, our mission is to create conditions for the main force of the new regiment to annihilate the Japanese!"
District Chief Lu issued the order in a serious tone.
"yes."
A group of high-ranking military officers shouted in unison.
As the Jizhong Military Region Headquarters issued the order, all troops began to get busy, building defenses in the Jinzhou area overnight.
The people in this area were relocated overnight to avoid harming Chiyu.
…
Time passes coldly and steadily.
Early the next morning.
Just when the main force of the Japs from Shimen and Zhengding areas arrived in Jinzhou area.
The main force of the new regiment, led by Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang, also arrived in the mountainous area west of Shimen City and was ready to launch an attack on the Japanese and puppet troops at any time.
