The reason for the anger is very simple, that is, the troops who went out to look for mules and horses returned empty-handed.
"Baga... Why can't even a single mule or horse be found among so many people? Why?" Itagaki Seishiro roared loudly when he saw a squadron leader returning empty-handed again.
.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander. All the people in the villages around us have already evacuated. I and my troops have searched all the villages within a radius of 20 miles. But they are all empty, and there is not a single mule in sight."
Horse..." Facing the angry-looking division commander, the Japanese squadron leader replied in a low voice.
"Baga... it must be the Eighth Route Army. They must have evacuated all the people around them. Bagaya Road, from the time we left Taiyuan City to now. Everything is a conspiracy, all against us, the fifth emperor of the Japanese Empire.
The conspiracy of the division... Baga..." Seishiro Itagaki said harshly, sitting down on the stool at the headquarters.
"Division Commander, it seems that it is impossible to find enough mules and horses. But we must find a way, and we must continue the attack tomorrow. In one day today, we have received three letters from the Commander.
The urgent telegram is all asking our troops to speed up the march..." Seeing that Itagaki Seishiro's mood calmed down a little, the chief of staff quickly reminded him.
"Chief of Staff, I know we have wasted a lot of time. However, without enough mules and horses, our artillery, and our baggage cannot move forward with the team. Especially the baggage and ammunition. Without these, we will encounter the main force of the Eighth Route Army.
Troops, what should we use to fight the other side?" After hearing what the chief of staff said, Itagaki Seishiro understood, but he still shook his head helplessly.
"Division commander, but the commander's order is that if we cannot continue to set off tomorrow... he will re-select a division commander to take over your command..." the chief of staff reminded in a low voice again.
"Baga, the damn Eighth Route Army...Chief of Staff, do you have any good ideas..." After hearing what the Chief of Staff said, Itagaki Seishiro was angry. But it was undeniable that what the Chief of Staff said was true.
"Hi, division commander. I think that in order for the battle we are about to face to proceed smoothly, we must carry the baggage ammunition of the baggage regiment. However, can we keep the heavy artillery of the artillery regiment?
Next..." the chief of staff suggested.
"Um? Leaving behind the 12 howitzers of the heavy artillery brigade? Chief of Staff, tell me your reason?" Seishiro Itagaki raised his head, a hint of surprise on his face, and asked quickly.
"Hi, division commander. I think there are two reasons that are enough for us to keep the heavy artillery brigade of the field artillery regiment. One reason is that in addition to these 12 heavy artillery pieces, our division has more than 60 various artillery pieces left, which is enough
Suppress the Eighth Route Army's small artillery force. Another reason is that the Eighth Route Army base area is located in a mountainous area, which is very unfavorable for the advancement of heavy artillery. In addition, each heavy artillery requires at least six mules and horses to draw, plus a large number of heavy artillery shells. If
We left 12 heavy artillery pieces and all the heavy artillery shells, enough to save us 150 mules and horses..." the chief of staff explained.
"Yo Xi, 150 mules and horses. If we have these 150 mules and horses, our baggage team can be mobilized enough. Thank you Chief of Staff for the reminder. Your proposal is very good and the reasons are very good. I have decided,
We will keep the heavy artillery brigade of the field artillery regiment and all the heavy artillery shells... In addition, all the mules and horses saved will be handed over to the baggage regiment for distribution..." After hearing the explanation of the chief of staff, the division commander was immediately stunned.
He paused and immediately nodded in agreement.
"Hi, your Excellency, the division commander is wise... In this case, we will have enough mules and horses tomorrow to continue moving forward." The chief of staff replied with a smile, and patted the division commander on his ass.
"Yo Xi, this is all your thoughtful thinking, Chief of Staff. However, Chief of Staff, 12 heavy artillery and a large number of heavy artillery shells are a very huge temptation for the Eighth Route Army, which is short of weapons and ammunition... On this point we
We have to be on guard... If we lose these 12 heavy artillery pieces, even if the encirclement and suppression is successful, we will not be able to escape the trial of the military court." Seishiro Itagaki once again thought of a very important issue and reminded him worriedly.
"Hey, your Excellency, the division commander, is overly worried. No matter how powerful the Eighth Route Army troops are, they can only engage in some guerrilla warfare and sneak attack warfare. As for positional warfare, they are no match for our Imperial Army of the Empire of Japan. By then,
We have enough troops left, and with the cooperation of these heavy artillery, as long as the Eighth Route Army comes, I think they will be wiped out in front of the imperial army's position." The chief of staff replied confidently.
"Yo Xi, what the Chief of Staff said is very good. After listening to your words, I feel more confident about the next battle. I think the Chief of Staff is so confident that he must have a candidate for this unit in mind!" Division Commander
Itagaki Seishiro nodded with satisfaction and asked with a smile.
"Hey, it's a humble honor to serve your Excellency, the division commander. I really have an army in my heart..." After hearing the division commander's words, the chief of staff quickly stood up and answered while expressing his loyalty.
"Yoshi, I understand what the chief of staff is thinking. I know your loyalty. Sit down! Tell me about the candidate in your mind..." Seeing the nervous chief of staff, Itagaki Seishiro nodded with satisfaction and asked.
.
"Hi, division commander, I think the 11th Infantry Regiment is the most suitable unit to stay." The chief of staff replied affirmatively.
"Why?" Itagaki Seishiro didn't expect that the chief of staff's opinion was the same as his own, so he subconsciously asked.
"Division Commander, the 11th Regiment has lost more than half in yesterday's battle. The total number of combat personnel in the entire regiment is only 2,000 at most. It can be said that it is a force that has been disorganized. This force, if
If you use it to attack the Eighth Route Army head-on, the combat effectiveness will be only half of what it was before the war. However, if you use it to defend, it will be more than enough. With two brigades of infantry, plus the assistance of a brigades of heavy artillery.
As long as the two armies cooperate properly, they can block the attack of a division of the Eighth Route Army." The chief of staff said again confidently.
"Yo Xi, Chief of Staff, your idea coincides with mine. It seems that heroes really have the same idea... Haha, just follow the Chief of Staff's wishes and leave the Heavy Artillery Brigade and the 11th Infantry Regiment.
Team. All the remaining troops will set off on time at eight o'clock tomorrow morning..." After hearing the analysis of the chief of staff, Itagaki Seishiro's smile became even thicker, he nodded with satisfaction and ordered.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Division Commander, this is a humble honor. I will go and convey orders to the heavy artillery brigade and the 11th Infantry Regiment..." the chief of staff replied with a smile, and turned around to convey the latest combat orders.
In this way, early the next morning, the main force of the Japanese army began to set off and continued to march towards the center of the base area. The heavy artillery brigade and the 11th Infantry Regiment were left behind. Although these troops, from the soldiers to the top commanders, were not satisfied with this order.
They were all very dissatisfied. However, facing the vision of division commander Seishiro Itagaki who could kill someone at any time, these soldiers could only hold back their words.
"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, since the Division Commander has left us, we must properly complete the tasks assigned to us by Your Excellency, the Division Commander. Please, Your Excellency, the Wing Commander, please assign tasks to our heavy artillery brigade and delineate the garrison area." He watched the division.
After the regiment commander Seishiro Itagaki left, the captain of the heavy artillery battalion hurriedly ran to Colonel Nagano Yuichiro, the captain of the 11th Infantry Regiment, to please him. You must know that the safety of his heavy artillery battalion in the next few days is in the hands of this commander.
in hand.
"Yo Xi, Mr. Shaocun. The mission that the division commander left us with the 11th Infantry Regiment is to protect the safety of the heavy artillery battalion. How can I exceed my authority? I'd better ask Mr. Shaocun to give us the 11th Infantry Regiment.
Arrange combat missions..." Colonel Yuichiro Nagano, the commander of the regiment, replied dissatisfied.
You know, the reason why your regiment wants to stay is to protect this so-called heavy artillery brigade. Although the captain of the heavy artillery brigade is talking to him in a flattering manner, when he thinks of other regiments killing the enemy on the front line,
Meritorious service. Although his own 11th Infantry Regiment suffered more than half of its casualties, it still achieved meritorious service. Colonel Yuichiro Nagano, the commander of the regiment, felt depressed for a while and replied angrily.
"Your Excellency, Wing Commander, please don't be angry. I know you are very uncomfortable because you were left to protect the heavy artillery brigade. But this is the decision of Your Excellency, the Division Commander, and I cannot change it. In fact, Your Excellency, Wing Commander, here, your
The regiment and my heavy artillery battalion may not be able to make great contributions." Major Shaomura Ichiro, captain of the heavy artillery battalion, said nonchalantly.
"He has made a meritorious service... and made a great contribution. I, Yuichiro Nagano, will listen carefully today. We are left behind, how can we make a great contribution?" After listening to the words of the heavy artillery battalion captain, Nagano Yuichiro said with a sarcastic face.
"Hi, Your Excellency, Wing Commander, I think you should know the reason why the division commander left two brigades to protect these heavy artillery. After the main force of the division leaves, these heavy artillery without much troop protection will definitely become
They are a piece of fat in the eyes of the Eighth Route Army. If this is the case, then the Eighth Route Army will definitely send a large number of troops to seize these heavy artillery. At that time, it will be a good time for us to make contributions..." The captain of the heavy artillery brigade said with a mysterious face.
"Um... Mr. Shaomura, tell me about your plan in your mind. How should you make contributions?" After hearing Ichiro Shaomura's words, Captain Nagano Yuichiro immediately became interested and asked excitedly.
The sarcastic remarks just made.
"Your Excellency, the commander of the regiment, is serious. This is what I think. When the time comes, the Eighth Route Army will fight to the death to seize the 12 cannons of the heavy artillery brigade. If we build a complete fortification around the artillery position before the Eighth Route Army attacks. With the help of
The fortifications and various equipment in our hands, a large number of effective forces that killed and injured the Eighth Route Army... Tell me, have we not only completed the tasks assigned to us by the division commander, but also made great contributions." Ichiro Shaomura explained with a smile.
.
"Yoshi, I understand. Thank you Mr. Shaomura for your guidance, otherwise I would have missed such a good opportunity to make a contribution." After listening to Ichiro Shaomura's explanation, Nagano Yuichiro said with satisfaction. At the same time, he did not forget to express his gratitude to Mr. Shaomura.
Ichiro Shaomura, who was pointing at him in front of him, bowed.
"Your Excellency, the commander, you are so polite... This is what a humble position should do. Please ask the commander to assign combat tasks to the heavy artillery brigade and demarcate the garrison area..." Seeing that the commander had already cheered up, Ichiro Shaomura also asked excitedly.
road.
"Yo Xi... Mr. Shao Cun. Although I have a higher military rank than you, there is no affiliation between us, so don't be polite. You proposed this battle plan. As for what happens,
The specific implementation will be discussed in detail between the two of us... This will not only make the plan more detailed, but also allow us to better utilize the strengths of our two armies..."
"Hi, your Excellency, the commander of the alliance is wise..." Major Shaomura Ichiro nodded with deep understanding.
In this way, after half an hour of discussion, the two people finally determined the specific battle plan. "Due to the threat of the Gongcun tunnel, the heavy artillery brigade was stationed under the mountain ridge about one kilometer away from Gongcun.
The two brigades of the 11th Infantry Regiment built a defensive position with a radius of two kilometers around the heavy artillery position based on the surrounding terrain. The entire 11th Infantry Regiment, except for the reserve teams of two squadrons, almost all the remaining
All troops were dispatched to the front-line positions."
Seeing his carefully planned defense plan, Colonel Nagano Yuichiro was extremely excited. After completing the plan, Nagano Yuichiro did not hesitate and immediately began to order his soldiers to dig fortifications and deploy various heavy weapons. At the same time, in order to defend against the Eighth Route Army
The threat of cavalry also dug countless horse traps on the periphery of the position...
Finally, after nearly a day of hard work by more than 2,000 little Japs, a complete defensive position finally appeared in their eyes. After walking around the entire defensive position, Nagano Yuichiro once again had a confident smile on his lips.
.Because he believed that with the fortifications here, without the cover of heavy artillery, it would be almost impossible to break through the enemy's 11th Infantry Regiment's defense line.
"Yo Xi, Your Excellency, Captain, the fortifications you have set up really opened my eyes. I believe that with such strong fortifications, as long as the Eighth Route Army comes, this place will become their meat grinder after all..." Look
Seeing the large-scale fortifications in front of him, Ichiro Murura, the captain of the heavy artillery brigade, said excitedly.
"Haha, Mr. Shaocun... You are flattering me. Compared to positional warfare, the cunning Eighth Route Army cannot compare with our excellent Imperial Army. Now let's just sit at the headquarters and quietly wait for the arrival of the Eighth Route Army!"
After hearing the compliment from the captain of the heavy artillery brigade, Colonel Nagano Yuichiro nodded very helpfully.
Of course, such a big change occurred in Gong Village, so naturally they could not escape and were closely followed by the special operations brigade of the 5th Division. Just as the Japanese 5th Division left Gong Village, two brigades of infantry and heavy artillery were left behind.
The telegram from the special operations brigade was delivered to the commander Liu Hua as soon as possible.
"Chief of Staff, what do you think of the Japanese army's actions today?" After reading the latest enemy situation report from the Special Operations Brigade, Liu Hua frowned and asked Chief of Staff Li Qing, who was also deep in thought beside him.
"Commander, Seishiro Itagaki is really cunning... He knows that the heavy artillery he carries will not be of much use to the Eighth Route Army in the mountainous area. More importantly, these heavy artillery will also drag them back. Just
Taking the initiative to keep these heavy artillery, he also saved a large number of mules and horses... This old boy is really cunning." The chief of staff said bitterly.
"Chief of Staff, the weapons and ammunition of a heavy artillery brigade. You must know that they are 150mm heavy howitzers! He is not afraid that our independent division will snatch these cannons." Liu Hua said equally depressed.
"Commander, you are right! There are two brigades of elite Japanese troops surrounding the heavy artillery brigade. If these little devils set up their positions in Gong Village, we may be able to win by relying on tunnel sneak attacks. However, if we and the little devils
We can't afford the loss if the Japanese attack us head-on..." After hearing the commander's words, the chief of staff quickly reminded him.
"Haha, this time I am going to do the opposite and go head-to-head with the Japs. Chief of Staff, I have decided to modify the original battle plan, suspend the attack on Taiyuan City, and eliminate the Japs' first enemy.
Let’s talk about the Fifth Division.” At this moment, Liu Hua suddenly discovered a huge fighter plane in the Japanese army’s arrangement.
"Commander, I heard you right! Destroy the Japanese Fifth Division. This is more than 10,000 well-equipped and well-trained Japanese troops... Don't be impulsive..." After listening to Liu Hua's words, the staff officer
Chief Li Qing stared blankly at the brazen commander Liu Hua in front of him.
"Haha, you heard it right. It means annihilating the Japanese Fifth Division. This time, even if we lose all our wealth, it is worth it... Chief of Staff, immediately organize the operational staff of the General Staff Department to formulate an encirclement plan.
The plan for a spot attack and reinforcements has come out. Today I will surround the Japanese heavy artillery brigade and provide the little Japanese with a spot attack for reinforcements." Liu Hua did not hesitate at all, nodded affirmatively, and ordered to the stunned chief of staff beside him.
.
"Yes, division commander, I will do it right away, but I still hope you will think about it... After all, they are more than 10,000 well-equipped little Japanese." The chief of staff nodded, turned around and began to worry about the combat staff, formulating new operations.
plan.
In less than half an hour, the chief of staff handed a plan into Liu Hua's hands. Liu Hua took the plan and said nothing. He began to read it carefully, and while reading it, he made modifications with a pen.
Ten minutes later, Liu Hua closed the plan and handed it into the hands of Chief of Staff Li Qing again.