The Needle Valley detachment was destroyed in one attack, but this does not mean that the entire Battle of Shipai is over!
No one expected that in the following days, a group of Chinese troops led by the Si Xing Regiment would work harder to build positions around the 231st Infantry Regiment's position, which was already less than 2 square kilometers, as if they were carefully protecting their own flocks of sheep.
Since the 15th day of the first lunar month of the Chinese New Year, even the cold guns and cold guns that had been maintained before have disappeared. The various units of the Sixing Regiment have not been idle. They have been digging various fortifications on the various positions where they are stationed. For this reason, they even
Several mountains were hollowed out.
In the eyes of Japanese intelligence personnel, it didn't look like a battle at all, but military training.
Yes, the IQs of Japanese intelligence officers are quite high. They guessed right and took advantage of this rare opportunity to 'rest'.
Under the arrangements of Ye Chenghuan, the second-in-command of the regiment, various units of the Four-Hong Regiment started various training modes in this mountainous area according to local conditions.
There are special trainings such as mountain fortification construction and mountain offensive and defensive warfare drills, as well as general training such as fully armed cross-country training, shooting, and stabbing.
But this is not enough to explain that this siege war, which even the top brass of the Japanese Army wants to end as soon as possible, will extend to results that no one expected.
Before the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Tang Dao applied to the Fifth Theater Command, using the promise of no taxation to attract businessmen from more than a hundred miles away to open theaters, restaurants and other entertainment facilities in a valley behind the defense line.
At the same time, Tang Dao issued a military order. According to the arrangements of each ministry, each officer and soldier in the encirclement will have one day off per week. Those who want to relax can sleep in the camp or go to this place named by Tang Dao.
'Resort' valley.
For consumption here, regardless of military rank, just look at Yin Yang. Although the price is 10% higher than the market price, you can drink wine and watch movies between battlefields. This increase in prices is very important for those who may lose money at any time on the battlefield.
To the Chinese officers and soldiers who were killed, it was nothing.
As for the merchants who are risking losing their heads, the most important thing for those soldiers who have won military honors is military pay. Their spending power is more than ten times that of the towns outside. The first few merchants can earn in just one week.
There was a lot of money, attracting more merchants to arrive.
The Chinese troops besieging the 231st Infantry Regiment were not just the Si Xing Regiment, but also four regiments of the 18th Army, totaling more than 10,000 troops.
"This siege is a long-term action. If the string in your mind is too tight, it will break sooner or later. Only by relaxing and resting appropriately can you better fight for the country!" These are Tang Dao's original words.
But in the eyes of many generals who are strict in running the army, Tang Dao is just an excuse to make money for themselves. They have been fighting against Japan for a long time, and their nerves are tense 365 days a year, and no one has gone crazy or stupid.
In the face of cruel war, something as trivial as human nature will not be considered by the superiors at all.
Tang Dao just hoped that his soldiers would be more like normal people after the war, instead of being like him who had to put sabers under their pillows when sleeping, otherwise they would not be able to sleep well at all.
Even if you are married, if your partner moves his arms slightly, his closed eyes will instantly shine with a heart-stopping luster in the dark night.
War Trauma Stress Disorder Syndrome, a disease that will not officially enter the psychiatric register for more than 40 years, has actually never disappeared since the war began.
I don’t know where the two division commanders Hu and Luo got it wrong. They actually followed Tang Dao to ‘play nonsense’ together. They also gave their officers and soldiers one day off a week to go to the ‘resort’ to relax.
They even went there twice, experienced the food and wine in the resort, and listened to the opera for a long time.
As a result, the daily flow of people in the "resort area" is as high as a thousand, and the average consumption of one or two silver dollars per person per day is relatively sparse. The entire valley is very lively every day.
And Tang Dao didn't even do anything to keep it secret. Even the Japanese knew about the existence of this resort through the all-pervasive intelligence system.
"Baga! The Chinese are ready for a long-term siege. They want to force the 231st Infantry Regiment to surrender as an organization. They also want to use the 231st Infantry Regiment as a bait to lure our 11th Army into the mountainous area." Hengshan Yongsi.
In his own office, the gloom on his face was so intense that it almost dripped out.
He had an insight into the Chinese people's conspiracy, but there was nothing he could do about it!
A few days ago, China dispatched military headquarters to use hundreds of fighter planes to carry out airdrops of supplies regardless of the cost, which proved to be extremely foolish.
The Chinese used these material packages that fell from the sky but could not be accurately thrown to carry out an organized round-up and killing of the imperial infantry who were fainting from hunger in the encirclement.
The Chinese did not have to leave their positions at all. They only needed to focus fire on areas where supplies were available, and they could easily shoot down the Empire's carefully trained elite soldiers in the wilderness. This also resulted in the Needle Valley Detachment, which was already under-strength, to be shot in the wilderness.
They lost more than two-thirds of their troops in 5 days, and finally had to abandon most of their positions and be trapped in a corner. Then they were bombarded by concentrated Chinese artillery fire, and the entire army was destroyed!
The 231st Infantry Regiment was stronger. They had already started slaughtering pack horses and war horses, and stored a certain amount of meat. However, they still could not overcome their extreme thirst for supplies when they were surrounded. It was a kind of fear for the future.
Therefore, they also fell into China's seemingly necessary tactics. In the end, when the empire stopped airdrops, there were still 1,500 capable troops in the 231st Infantry Regiment.
If you think about it carefully, perhaps the Chinese have already started their planning since they invited military attaches from the Western embassies to observe and persuade them to surrender. They used the help of Western media to stimulate the people on the Japanese mainland and facilitated the largest airdrop of supplies in the history of the Japanese Army.
At the beginning, Yokoyama Isamu, who finally figured this out, and other senior Japanese army officials set their sights on Commander Hu of the 18th Army. Commander Hu, who became famous because of the Battle of Shipai, was considered to be the youngest person in the Chinese military under the age of 45.
The title of "Three Heroes" among generals.
It wasn't until a senior spy lurking in the Third Theater Command identified through clues that the person who really made the suggestion seemed to be Tang Dao, then the top commander of China's Beidou Mountain front line and the commander of the Fourth Army Regiment, and the Japanese China Expeditionary Forces Command was shocked.
, the young colonel who once served as the commander of the North China Front Army in North China and changed hands for three terms, seems to be coming to the battlefield in Central and South China.
Moreover, the fighting strength of the Four Lines Regiment was even more fierce than before in North China. It was equipped not only with tanks, but also with cars equipped with 7mm heavy machine guns.
It was these two types of equipment that had never appeared on the battlefield before in the Four Lines Regiment that caught the 231st Infantry Regiment and the Needle Valley Detachment off guard and were disabled in the first battle.
It's just a small tank equipped with a 20mm machine gun. The main purpose of this thing is to surprise. On the plains, except for the Type 94 armored vehicle, any tank equipped by the Imperial Army can crush this kind of tank. It is only suitable for doing this.
Light tank for reconnaissance.
But that's different with a car that can run on hillsides with a temperature of more than 40 degrees. If it is placed on a plain battlefield to assist infantry in trench assaults, the 7mm heavy machine gun it is equipped with will be a disaster for the infantry in the trenches.
It is difficult for the 70mm infantry gun equipped at the brigade level to pose a threat to this highly mobile and flexible heavy firepower platform.
Old grudges have not yet been settled, and new grudges have been added! What is even more heartbreaking is that the Four Elements Group is getting stronger and stronger.
.........
In Jinling City! China Dispatch Force Headquarters!
"Itagaki-kun, you led the fifth division to fight against him when you were in North China. You should have some impression of this Tang sword!" Commander Nishio Juzo of the Chinese Expeditionary Force asked.
The name Tang Dao is no stranger to Nishiojuzo. Last year, at least two to three of the ten battle reports from the Japanese North China Front about the front line mentioned this name and the Four Lines Group.
But as a general-level commander in charge of two major front armies, the 11th Army, the 13th Army, and the 23rd Army with millions of troops, a small infantry regiment with only three to four thousand soldiers is too small, not this time the 231st Infantry Regiment
Being surrounded, he couldn't even remember the name Tang Dao.
"Tang Dao and his four-line regiment are extremely powerful. Their weapons and equipment are well-equipped, and the soldiers' fighting will is tenacious. They can be called the strongest infantry regiment in China." Sitting across from the commander's desk, the then Chief of Staff of the China Expeditionary Force Shiro Itagaki looked at him.
He is gloomy, but he does not hesitate to praise Tang Dao and Si Xing Tuan, their old rivals.
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"But it would be extremely wrong to attribute all the powerful combat effectiveness of the Four Lines Regiment to its equipment. At the beginning, our fifth division detachment-level troops fought with the Four Lines Regiment no less than three times, at Rat Mountain in Guangde, Niangziguan in North China, and Wangwu Mountain in North China.
, our troops all had the advantage in strength, but without exception they were defeated and suffered heavy losses.
After the war, analysis showed that the Four Lines Regiment's ferocious firepower alone was not enough to defeat our Steel Army Division. The real cause of our division's defeat was due to unfavorable tactical responses.
Tang Dao, the leader of the Four Lines Regiment, is a genius in the use of battlefield tactics with tens of thousands of people. He can always find the opponent's loopholes before anyone else and decisively deliver a fatal blow.
Such people are extremely rare in my decades of military career!"
"Itagaki-kun actually thinks so highly of Tang Dao?" Nishio Juzo frowned fiercely.
From his perspective, he never imagined that one day, two senior generals of the Imperial Army would study a young colonel from China.
"It's not high. If you, Commander, look at all the battle reports about Tang Dao since it emerged from Sihang Warehouse, you will be surprised to find that there may be times when Tang Dao's men suffered heavy losses, and there were also times when they had to leave the battlefield.
, but there will never be a situation where the battle fails." Shiro Itagaki shook his head expressionlessly.
This was also an investigation he did after losing the last battle of Zhongtiao Mountain. Every time Tang Dao fought against the Imperial Army, the battlefields were wonderful from a military point of view, even from Songhu to Songjiang and then from Songjiang to Songjiang.
The crazy escape from Guangde is also amazing.
Anyway, if it were him, he would never be able to do this well.
"Furthermore, Tang Dao is very hostile to the empire. The 11th Army was defeated in the Battle of Shipai, but the Four Lines Regiment captured very few imperial officers and soldiers, less than a hundred! This shows that his cruelty is far beyond ordinary people. Such a person
If he is allowed to continue to grow, it will not be a good thing for the empire." Itagaki Shiro made his concluding remarks.
To be honest, when Itagaki Shiro thought that at least 50,000 people died under the command of Tang Dao and the Four Elements Group, his heart felt blocked for no reason. If he could, he never wanted to hear this name again.
"Look, this is a confidential document sent by the intelligence department of the base camp." Nishio Juzo handed an envelope to Itagaki Shiro, with the words top secret stamped on the fire seal.
"It seems that their judgment is almost consistent with yours, Mr. Itagaki."
"Assassination of Tang Dao?" Itagaki Shiro read it quickly, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.
"Yes, after comprehensive research and judgment, the people in the intelligence department unanimously decided that Tang Dao, a serious threat to the empire, must be eliminated. While he is still just a small army colonel, if he wants to be promoted to a general or a group army commander, then
The empire will suffer huge losses." Nishio Juzo nodded.
"Yes! He hasn't really grown up yet. But one thing is very strange. Logically speaking, Tang Dao has achieved so many military exploits in the past three years of fighting. Even in our Imperial Army, which has serious seniority issues, it is also very strange.
At least he will be promoted to Army Major General, but he has been a colonel commander for the past three years." Itagaki Shiro sighed.
"Itagaki-kun, be careful!" Nishio Juuzou felt a little bit dumbfounded.
He, the chief of staff who was transferred from the main division commander, actually did a pretty good job. He never stole the limelight from his superiors, and he didn't have to worry too much about strategic and tactical arrangements as a commander. His temperament was just a bit unruly, so how could he?
While we were chatting, he started complaining about the biggest problem in the Imperial Army?
The matter of seniority ranking has not existed for a day or two in the imperial navy and army. If promotions are strictly based on military merit, how will the emperor, the prince, the great nobles and the subordinates of the senior generals be arranged?
What, is it possible to let those aristocratic young men who come to gild carry guns and go to the front line of the battlefield?
When you go out to hang out, there must be someone behind you.
It's like Lieutenant General Itagaki Shiro, you are all based on your military exploits. Without the person behind you, it's just based on your background. No matter how hard you work, a Lieutenant General's division commander is the pinnacle.
At this point, Nishio Juzo, who had heard rumors of his resignation, also knew that with his departure, the Chief of Staff, who was about to be promoted to Army General, would also become a marginalized role.
The emperor has begun to eagerly appoint the new people under his sect, and a trace of gloom that no one can detect flashed through Nishio Juzo's eyes.
If it weren't for the order from the base camp, he wouldn't have even bothered to do so.
Naturally, I can't tolerate Tang Dao, who is a close confidant, in this position. I don't care about my football affairs anymore in this position! In fact, when he thinks that the stronger Tang Dao is, the more trouble he will cause for those who come after him, there is a feeling deep in his heart that says no.
The feeling of pleasure.
Of course, Itagaki Shiro didn't know the various thoughts that were running through his immediate boss's heart. He was just happy that the intelligence department at the base camp made a judgment that was consistent with his.
"The headquarters has approved the assassination plan of the Intelligence Division and has activated the No. 3 secret agent who has been lurking in China for many years." Nishio Beast lightly tapped his fingers on the table. "As for the question you just raised, Mr. Itagaki, I can accept it."
answer."
"Tang Dao offended their top leader, so that his promotion for many years has been fruitless. This time the assassination plan made by the Intelligence Section, which obtained this secret information on the 3rd, is different from the past where elite special agents were sent to lurk into enemy areas.
, but to make full use of these to find the right opportunity to kill them in one fell swoop.”
"What do you mean, Commander, use Chinese against Chinese?" Itagaki Shiro took a deep breath.
"That's right! Before telling you about this matter, I have already talked with Wang and Zhou. They said that they will fully support the actions of our personnel. Those Chinese people are old friends with them in the past. For their own future,
, many people still have certain connections in private." Xiwei Beast said.
"Brilliant! Your Excellency, Commander, this move is really brilliant! No matter how powerful the Tang Dao is, how could they have thought that there would be so many hidden guns aimed at him in the area they control!" A rare look on Itagaki Shiro's face.
He smiled and gave a thumbs up.
Little did he know that he was scolding MMP in his heart! I am sorry that the chief of staff found out later than the Chinese who surrendered, so you might as well not let me know!
"This operation is codenamed "Tora! Tiger!" and is assisted by the China Dispatch Forces Command. Itagaki-kun, you will be the supreme commander in charge of this operation and be responsible for coordinating all matters." Nishio Yuuzou tapped the table again.
, which explains the last reason why I told Itagaki Shiro.
Previously, his rank was not high enough, but now he is needed to do things. After all, a dignified commander commanding millions of troops cannot stare at a small colonel in China every day, right? That status is too mismatched.
"Who gave this operation the code name?"
What kind of code name is this? Shiro Itagaki, who has been living in Tohoku for many years, was stunned.
The Japanese Army Lieutenant General knew that the word "tiger" was synonymous with "two" in Northeast China. When these two tigers appeared, didn't they all mean "two"?
"Of course it's me! How about it? Isn't it very charming? It can not only mean killing the tiger, but also show the power of the tiger of our Imperial Army." Nishio Juzo clearly 'copied' himself and was originally supposed to appear in 10
The codename on the radio waves over the Pacific Ocean after the moon was very satisfactory.
"Very good, very good, very domineering. It is indeed your work, Commander!" Shiro Itagaki smiled and gave a thumbs up again.
The subtext is actually: If you are a tiger, your whole family will be a tiger!
Anyway, from the moment he heard this code name, Lieutenant General Shiro Itagaki had an ominous premonition!