Soon, a piece of intelligence compiled by Nakamura was sent to Major General Ono.
After staring at the information for five minutes, over and over again, Ono asked with a calm face: "Nakamura-kun, how is this possible? Is your information wrong? Even if China has the best equipment and the strongest combat effectiveness
No regiment of the Central Army can be the opponent of an infantry brigade of the Imperial Army!"
"Now you are telling me that the Eighth Route Army, which even needs to raise its own supplies, can actually defeat an infantry brigade of the Imperial Army with one regiment. How is it possible?"
Nakamura quickly explained: "General, please calm down. Not all the Eighth Route Army has such strong combat effectiveness. The independent regiment we are facing is just a special case. For ordinary Eighth Route Army troops, the imperial army only needs to dispatch one or two infantry squadrons to easily defeat them."
them."
"The equipment of this independent regiment is really good. The firepower of a company is twice that of a squad of the Imperial Army. The powerful firepower advantage directly offsets the disadvantage of the Eighth Route Army's poor individual combat effectiveness!"
Ono had a gloomy face and said nothing. The chief of staff analyzed in due course: "General, I finally understand why we have been defeated by the Eighth Route Army again and again. One reason is that the Eighth Route Army is too cunning, and another reason is that we underestimate the enemy. Even though
We paid attention to our rival Independent Regiment time and time again, but still far underestimated their strength, resulting in disastrous defeats time and time again!"
"Yo Xi, Chief of Staff, you are right, the Intelligence Department did a very good job this time!" Although the opponent's strength shocked him, from now on, Ono no longer has to be blind when dealing with the independent group.
So, after listening to the chief of staff's analysis, Ono became more relaxed.
Then he stared at the Chief of Staff and asked: "Now that we know the strength of our opponent, we are not afraid. Chief of Staff, facing the Independent Regiment of the Eighth Route Army, we have been defeated again and again, and the morale of the army has been greatly affected. I decided to dispatch the main force to besiege the Eighth Route Army.
Station, before the decisive battle with them. Find a way to find a fighter plane, hit them, and win. Through a victory, restore the confidence and morale of the warriors against the Eighth Route Army Independent Regiment!"
"It's best to wipe out one main battalion of the Eighth Route Army. If that's not possible, just wipe out one of their main companies!" the chief of staff agreed.
Seeing Ono nodding in acquiescence, the chief of staff immediately took the order: "General, don't worry, the General Staff and the Intelligence Department will definitely not let you down this time."
At the independent regiment's station, after a steady stream of new soldiers were sent to the three main battalions, the independent regiment once again returned to full strength.
At this time, Wang Ping became more relaxed.
In the small headquarters, I picked up the battle summary reports submitted by each company to see if I could find some talents from these reports.
Before seeing much of the report, the chief of staff and political commissar came hand in hand and sat in front of Wang Ping.
"Commander, although the troops lost a lot of people in this battle, the troops must have been trained. I just walked around outside and the morale of the troops now is definitely not what it was a few days ago. As for the combat effectiveness, it goes without saying.
, is rising every day. If this momentum continues, it won’t take long for our independent group to become a well-deserved main force." Political Commissar Cheng Xiao said very happily.
Wang Ping affirmed very readily: "That's for sure. As long as the troops have experienced bloody battles and seen the blood, it will be much easier to form combat effectiveness. It just takes time. Besides, we still have hundreds of layers.
The wounded are still lying in the hospital, and when they return to the army one after another, the combat effectiveness of the army will definitely be stronger!"
At this point, Wang Ping changed the subject and continued: "However, Lao Cheng, and the Chief of Staff. The two of you came together, certainly not just to talk about this. If you have any other ideas, tell us and we will discuss it together.
Down!"
"Then I'll tell you the truth!" Cheng Xiao said very readily.
"The bloody battle a few days ago not only demonstrated the combat effectiveness of our independent regiment and achieved the purpose of training troops, but also established the prestige of our independent regiment. In Laiyuan, ordinary people will put up big flags if they get angry with our independent regiment.
thumb!"
"Especially after the news spread that we sent all the pensions of the fallen soldiers to their families, our independent regiment was seen by everyone not only as a force to fight against Japanese invaders, but also as a force of benevolence and righteousness."
"Although there is no base area established yet, the people's support for our independent regiment is no worse than in the base area!"
Wang Ping suddenly interrupted: "That's good! Why do I think you are in a bad mood, Lao Cheng!"
"Commander, let me say it! It is indeed a good thing to have the support of the common people. But don't forget that as soon as we gained everyone's support, a large number of people asked to join our independent regiment and fight the Japanese with us." Chief of Staff Zeng Quan
He opened his mouth and explained.
"Captain, you don't know that the mountain pass outside our station has been busy since yesterday. People who have come from all over Laiyuan to join the Eighth Route Army are all gathered there. In just two days, more than 500 people have gathered at the mountain pass.
People, and there are more people coming from behind!"
"It doesn't matter if we accept it, or if we don't accept it, I can only make the decision with you, the leader!"
Wang Ping understood immediately that although the troops lost many people in this battle, the Independent Regiment still had more than a thousand new recruits. Under such circumstances, continuing to recruit troops would definitely put great pressure on the independent regiment's logistics supply.
It won't work if you don't accept it. The people support the Independence Regiment so much. If they can't even satisfy their wish to join the Independence Regiment to fight the Japanese, it will definitely have a great impact on their enthusiasm for resisting Japan. The Independence Regiment's future plans to build a base here will also be affected.
.
After some hesitation, Wang Ping finally decided: "Accept it, why not accept it!"
"But there are also requirements. If you are not recruiting alone, if you are the backbone of the family, if your physical fitness is too poor, you will not be recruited. But there is one exception, that is, educated people, as long as they are willing to join our independent group, all of them will be hired!"
"Okay, I'll be relieved with what you said, commander. I'll arrange for people to recruit troops after we get down!" Political Commissar Cheng Xiao replied.
Chief of Staff Zeng Quan then added: "Commander, there is one more thing I have here. The main force has been replenished, but a lot of heavy equipment has not yet been distributed. There are still three battalions, and they are still using domestic equipment. I
What I mean is to switch to Japanese equipment as soon as possible, which will also facilitate ammunition supply!"
"Okay!" Wang Ping agreed without thinking about it.
"Mortars and heavy machine guns are enough. Rather than being blocked in the warehouse and rusting, it is better to strengthen the firepower of the three main battalions."
"In this way, the heavy machine gun platoon and mortar platoon of each main battalion are merged to form a firepower company, which has a heavy machine gun platoon with three heavy machine guns, an artillery platoon with three mortars, and a guard infantry platoon to provide protection during combat.
Security for both platoons, help transport ammunition during the march!"
"The firepower of the security company directly under the regiment headquarters should also be strengthened, and a heavy machine gun squad should be added and equipped with a heavy machine gun."
"The artillery company directly under the regiment headquarters has two infantry artillery platoons and one guard infantry platoon!"
"The reconnaissance platoon has been expanded into a reconnaissance company. The personnel will remain unchanged for the time being. Soldiers will be selected from several main battalions once a month! It is better to be short-lived than chaotic!"
"All three battalions were replaced with Japanese-style equipment. The replaced domestic equipment was used to form a garrison battalion with a total strength of 500 people, including a heavy machine gun platoon. Feng Tao also served as the battalion commander, and He Wen also served as the instructor. They will continue to train the new recruits.