The reason why Wang Xuexin thinks that there are still two weeks is because the tactic of attacking the supply line and implementing a blockade is relatively lagging... It is impossible to cut off the enemy's supply line today, and the enemy will soon be out of food and hungry, right? What can the enemy say?
There is some food left!
Therefore, Wang Xuexin estimated that it would take at least two weeks for Naosaburo Okabe to launch a full-scale offensive.
In the first week, the Eighth Route Army's supply lines were bombed indiscriminately.
In the second week, the Eighth Route Army's food reserves were almost used up.
During this period, the Japanese would not use only aviation to encircle and blockade the Eighth Route Army, as this would have little effect.
The Japanese are likely to launch feint attacks at Duolun County and Chifeng... This will further increase the logistical pressure on the Eighth Route Army. The Eighth Route Army's ammunition will be replenished immediately after it is consumed, so less food can be transported under the same transportation capacity.
Thinking of this, Wang Xuexin issued several orders in succession:
"Be prepared for battle in the direction of Duolun County. Once the Japanese attack, they will focus on defense and gradually shrink!"
This order was issued because the Eighth Route Army marched more than 100 kilometers in the direction of Duolun County and built several lines of defense... This was to better defend Duolun County and protect the safety of the rear side of Chifeng.
The reason why Wang Xuexin ordered the "shrink" was because the defense lines were not protected by fighter planes or air defense systems in the wild. The troops stationed on the defense lines would have nothing to do if they were bombed and blockaded by Japanese fighter planes!
Send fighter planes to compete for air supremacy?
That played into the enemy's hands... The enemy just hoped that the Eighth Route Army would send out fighter planes and shoot them down one by one with BF109.
Send air defense system reinforcements?
The target of this thing is too big. I'm afraid it will be paralyzed by Japanese fighter jets before it reaches its destination.
Therefore, Wang Xuexin believed that at this time, we should trade space for time and adopt the tactics of gradually shrinking the defense line to fight against the Japanese.
"Pay attention to saving ammunition in the direction of Chifeng!" Wang Xuexin ordered again: "Focus on defense and do not attack unless necessary!"
"yes!"
This order was actually directed at Li Yunlong's independent regiment.
Wang Xuexin knew that Li Yunlong had a bad temper and that he would not be able to stop fighting if he got angry. In addition, the Eighth Route Army had mechanized troops in its hands.
Mechanized troops are not suitable for defense and are more suitable for offense. Considering this aspect, Li Yunlong might use "defense instead of attack" to lead the troops out.
As for the orders from his superiors... If Li Yunlong was willing to obey the orders from his superiors, would he still be called Li Yunlong?
Obviously, if the mechanized troops launch an attack at this time, they will fall into the enemy's trap:
Mechanized troops need air superiority and fighter plane cover. If Li Yunlong's independent regiment is trapped outside, the Eighth Route Army Air Force will have to dispatch!
As soon as the air force was dispatched, it broke away from the cover of the air defense system and started an air battle with the Japanese air force in the airspace outside the city. By then, the fight would probably get bigger and bigger and eventually the Eighth Route Army's air force would be wiped out.
Therefore, Wang Xuexin added: "Especially the independent regiment, they are not allowed to go to war without orders!"
"yes!"
Wang Xuexin had thought about the third order but did not say it out loud because he thought it was not the right time to issue it yet.
He just called Chen Songyong over and said: "As soon as the war started and our army's supply lines were blocked, we gradually reduced the army's food supply and ammunition supply!"
Chen Songyong asked strangely: "Commander, war is a time when we need food and ammunition. Why do you reduce the supply at this time?"
Wang Xuexin replied: "If we don't do this, the Japanese won't feel that they are right!"
"What?" Chen Songyong was stunned for a moment after hearing this, not understanding it at all.
The reason is actually very simple.
Naosaburo Okabe was not a fool. If he found that the blockade was completely ineffective or had little effect on the Eighth Route Army, he would immediately turn the "blockade" into a frontal attack.
This is not what Wang Xuexin wants to see, because the Eighth Route Army needs more preparation time.
Therefore, Naosaburo Okabe could only see the hope of victory. For example, under their blockade, the Eighth Route Army's rations and ammunition had been significantly reduced or even in shortage, and its firepower was also much smaller.
Only in this way will Naosaburo Okabe believe that his plan is right, so he should continue to blockade it like this.
Chen Songyong suddenly realized it after listening to Wang Xuexin's analysis. He said yes, and then suggested: "Captain, in this case, should we do something to the warehouse?"
"What hands and feet?" Wang Xuexin asked puzzledly.
"That's what I think!" Chen Songyong said: "If the Japanese plan to block our army's supplies, they will probably use spies or the mainland advance team to attack our army's warehouses, or they may use fighter planes and bombers to attack!"
Wang Xuexin nodded and said: "You're right, I didn't expect this!"
Chen Songyong continued: "We can first transfer the materials in the warehouse secretly, and then use our old method to find a place to bury them!"
This is indeed the old method of the Eighth Route Army.
When I was fighting guerrillas with the Japanese in the past, in order to travel lightly and speed up the march, I would find a place to bury whatever I couldn't take away, but of course I had to take precautions and record the location.
Just dig these things out when you come back one day, it’s safe and convenient!
The same can be done with these supplies today.
Wang Xuexin thought that Chen Songyong's suggestion would end here, but he did not expect that he continued: "We don't have much left in the warehouse. When the Japanese spies attack, we will pretend to be defeated, or set a fire ourselves, or pretend to be hit by stray bullets."
The hit caused an explosion, so..."
Wang Xuexin immediately understood, and Naosaburo Okabe blocked the blockade even more vigorously, because he saw a greater hope: the external supplies of the Eighth Route Army were blocked, and the internal warehouses were burned and bombed. Such a good opportunity should certainly be
Continue to block.
Therefore, it is possible to buy more time for air-to-air missiles.
"Not bad!" Wang Xuexin glanced at Chen Songyong unexpectedly and praised: "Commander Chen, you are so smart, you can actually think of this method!"
Chen Songyong smiled "hehe" and replied: "Captain, didn't I... learn this from you?"
Chen Songyong's words are really not flattery. He has been following Wang Xuexin for a long time, so he tried to think about problems in advance and make preparations like Wang Xuexin did. It really came in handy today.
Then things were arranged one by one.
Wang Xuexin also made a special trip to the research institute to ask Su Xin to speed up the research and development of air-to-air missiles... Although Wang Xuexin knew that the researchers had worked very hard, the military situation was urgent and there was no other way. Wang Xuexin could only add another layer of pressure to them.
Naosaburo Okabe on the other side probably didn't expect that his blockade plan had not yet been implemented, and the Eighth Route Army was already ready!