At the Japanese division headquarters in Linfen City, staff officers were constantly coming in and out.
"Sir, the aviation unit reported that they bombed a gathering point of the Eighth Route Army again~" reported a staff officer who had just rushed into the war room.
There was no smile on Lieutenant General Fujino's face.
The chief of staff who rushed back from the side frowned and asked: "Division commander, including this air strike, the aviation force has bombed eight times. Even if they only bombed one company at a time, the total of eight bombings would be almost a battalion!"
"
"That's the problem eight times!" Lieutenant General Fujino answered, shaking his head.
"The Eighth Route Army's exposed troops only had three infantry battalions and one cavalry battalion, but our aviation bombings bombed eight times, and these eight bombing points were very scattered. Each bombing point killed more than a dozen of our imperial troops, and also
Two cavalry squads were killed directly~"
"Do you know what this means?"
The chief of staff replied thoughtfully: "The Eighth Route Army has divided its forces!"
"Yes, they have already guessed that we will send aviation troops to bomb them today!" Fujino affirmed.
"Since they have been prepared, how effective do you think our bombing will be? In my opinion, it would be a blessing to be able to kill an infantry platoon of the Eighth Route Army in one bombing!"
"Our bombing effect is not as good as expected!" the chief of staff suddenly reacted.
"It's really possible..."
"They are too cunning. If they had been prepared, our bombing would not have had much effect. Otherwise, the Eighth Route Army in North China would have been bombed by our aviation force!"
Having said this, the Chief of Staff immediately became anxious. He glanced at the clock hanging on the wall of the war room and asked: "Division Commander, it's less than an hour until noon... We really plan to retreat and give up this
Occupied area!"
Lieutenant General Fujino replied solemnly: "The Eighth Route Army has a saying: If you save the land and lose the people, you will lose both the people and the land. If you save the people and lose the land, you will save the people and the land~"
"I didn't understand this sentence before, but now I understand. The guerrilla war they fought against us is the best expression of this sentence!"
"Since this sentence is useful for the Eighth Route Army, it must be useful for us too!"
"As long as we keep our troops, no matter how many occupied areas we lose, we will still be able to recapture them from the Eighth Route Army in the future!"
"However, without the troops, not only can we not defend the occupied areas, but we also have no strength to fight against the Eighth Route Army!"
"So, when it's time to retreat, we will retreat without any hesitation!"
"Order the troops to retreat immediately. Under the cover of aviation, retreat to this line. Rely on the defensive positions of this line to prevent the Eighth Route Army from continuing to launch an offensive towards Linfen!"
On the hilltop where Wang Ping was hiding, the bombing by Japanese aircraft had ended for half an hour. Dozens of soldiers were checking the corpses one by one around several huge craters, hoping that something unexpected would happen and someone would be found alive here.
Comrades.
The power of the aerial bombs was too great. Even after searching over and over again, no one was found alive. There were even several soldiers whose bodies were not found.
"Captain, the casualties have been calculated... 43 people were directly sacrificed, 6 were seriously injured and lost their combat effectiveness, and an entire reinforced platoon was lost. Most of the sacrificed soldiers were caused by Japanese bombings!" The company commander found Wang Ping and lowered his voice.
He raised his head and reported.
"It's all my fault. I was too careless, and I shouldn't have ordered the troops to clean up the battlefield for petty gains. If we had retreated just a minute earlier, at least half of the soldiers who died would have survived!"
"Captain, punish me! Even if you shoot me, I won't say anything nonsense. I am sorry for those comrades who sacrificed their lives!"
"I don't blame you!" Wang Ping shook his head and replied.
"If you want to blame, blame the little Japs for being too cunning. You have done a good job. You killed a Japs cavalry squad in ten minutes! Let comrades take the time to rest. Tonight, we will go and seek revenge on the Japs..."
"Yes, commander..." the company commander replied with a serious face, and a strong murderous aura exuded from his body!
As soon as the guard company commander left, a communications soldier not far away ran over.
"Captain, Captain Zhou of the Fifth Regiment of the Imperial Association Army sent a telegram, the Japanese asked them to retreat immediately!"
"The little devils we attacked last night also need to retreat. They first rushed to the headquarters of the Fifth Regiment of the Imperial Association Army, and then retreated with the Fifth Regiment!"
"Did you tell me where to retreat to?" Wang Ping's brows suddenly wrinkled.
"The Japs didn't say anything. Captain Zhou reported that the Japs will tell them where to retreat when they arrive at their station!" the operator shook his head and replied.
Wang Ping, who frowned, hesitated for a long time before speaking: "The Japanese commander is very smart!"
"Knowing that today's bombing will not have much effect, the troops continue to stand here and will definitely be killed by us tonight, and then we order them to retreat now!"
"Save people and lose land, and everyone and land will be saved. Save land and lose people, and everyone and land will be lost. The little devil has also understood this truth!"
"They want to keep their troops and then plan to counterattack in the future to retake these occupied areas from us!"
The communications soldier didn't know these truths. When he saw Wang Ping frowning and not speaking, he couldn't help but remind him: "Captain, Captain Zhou of the Fifth Regiment of the Imperial Association Army is still waiting for your order!"
"In two hours, the Japanese will arrive at their base, join them, and then retreat together!"
"They must not be allowed to join the Japanese!" Wang Ping shook his head and ordered.
"Their fighting power is too poor, and there are still many people who are still loyal to the Japs. As long as they get together, Zhou Xutian and the others will definitely be exposed. With their little strength, they will definitely be killed by the Japs..."
"What should we do?" the communications soldier asked anxiously.
"The Japs' plane is right above their head. If they disobey orders and leave the station rashly, they will definitely be suspected by the Japs and then be bombed by the Japs' planes!"
"Reply the telegram to Captain Zhou!" Wang Ping ordered after hesitating for a few seconds.
"Ask him to call the little Japs in Linfen City. The Eighth Route Army reconnaissance troops were found near the station. The Eighth Route Army may have some big conspiracy. In order to avoid being fooled, please don't go there. They will retreat on their own~"
"The first company of the newly formed fourth battalion seemed to be closest to the Japanese. We contacted them immediately. The troops were organized into squads and immediately attacked. They used guerrilla warfare and mobile warfare to harass the Japanese retreating troops along the way."
"The troops near the headquarters of the Fifth Regiment of the Imperial Association Army are divided into squads. Let me move and assume a posture of surveying the terrain and preparing to fight a big battle there!"
"The Japanese are paying more and more attention to their troops. This has advantages and disadvantages!"
The second update is here today! Please add it to your collection! Please subscribe! Please give me a monthly ticket! Please give me a reward!