I am helping

In a temple about 30 kilometers north of Xuzhou City.

The Eighth Route Army soldiers armed with semi-automatic rifles had firm eyes but acted in a hurry.

This temple is called Sengge Temple, and many monks in the temple also participated in this battle.

But instead of going into battle to kill the enemy, he was serving as a logistics supporter.

Although these monks have martial arts skills, this is not the age of cold weapons.

The division headquarters of the Eighth Route Army was located in this Sengge Temple.

"Reporting to the division commander, the casualty list of each unit has been preliminary calculated."

At the division headquarters, a combat staff officer reported to Division Commander Liu with a list in his hand.

The political commissar was holding a magnifying glass on the side, lying on the table staring at the map and thinking, with a murderous intention in his eyebrows.

"How many casualties are there?" Master Liu asked with his eyes narrowed.

The combat staff officer replied: "After two days of fighting, our Eighth Route Army suffered casualties, about 2100 people."

"How many Japanese soldiers were killed or injured?" Hearing this, the political commissar looked up and asked the combat staff officer.

The combat staff replied again: "Reporting to the political commissar, according to our staff estimate, about 1 Japanese troops were killed or injured."

The 1 Japanese soldiers killed and injured were estimated by the staff and were not very accurate.

But it's not that bad.

The political commissar nodded, without much surprise on his face, and said: "The Japanese army's casualties compared with ours were five to one, which is similar to the national army's casualty ratio with the Japanese army on the front battlefield."

Commander Liu smiled slightly: "That is to say, the Japanese army on the opposite side is the elite of the elite, otherwise the casualties will be even more exaggerated."

"Yes!" The chief of staff on the side came over and said, "The combat effectiveness of the Japanese 11th Army is much stronger than that of the 1st Army."

Commander Liu nodded: "Last night, the Japanese army dispatched about 5 people to attack us. At least 200 cannons provided artillery support for their offensive troops. The enemy should not be underestimated."

Last night, Commander Liu guessed that the Japanese would attack at night.

So I made preparations in advance and fought a wave of artillery battle with the Japanese.

However, the artillery positions of both sides were too far apart, and it was night again. The artillery of both sides did not have the shooting power of the other side's artillery position, and they were all lonely.

However, the Eighth Route Army called for air support and launched a large number of flares to provide the pilots with visibility.

Coupled with the firepower of tanks and heavy artillery, the Japanese who attacked last night suffered a big loss.

However, the leaders are still very certain about the combat effectiveness of the Japanese army.

They did not feel complacent or underestimate the enemy just because their ground and air firepower completely crushed the Japanese army and had a casualty ratio of 1 to 5 with the Japanese army.

Although the firepower of the 129th Division is very powerful.

However, the overall physical quality of the infantry is still somewhat different from that of soldiers in several Class A divisions of the Japanese army.

The Japanese 11th Army has four Category A divisions, and the soldiers of these Category A divisions are battle-hardened and have rich combat experience.

Frontal combat, minus tanks and heavy artillery, as well as air support.

The Eighth Route Army infantry fought against the Japanese infantry. The Eighth Route Army infantry, equipped with semi-automatic rifles and submachine guns, had an advantage but not a big one.

In order to reduce casualties, Commander Liu decided to give full play to the advantages of the Eighth Route Army.

Using heavy artillery shells, tank shells and aerial bombs, they cooked a pot of steel broth for the Japanese army.

Obviously, this tactic is undoubtedly correct.

"After last night's battle, the Japanese 11th Army suffered a heavy loss."

The chief of staff analyzed: "The Japanese army may shift to a comprehensive defensive posture and request support from the dispatched army headquarters."

After a pause, the chief of staff said with a hint of worry on his face: "Our 129th Division is already running low on food and ammunition. Our logistics supply lines are too long."

This time the main force of the 129th Division went south to intercept the Japanese 11th Army.

The mission of the 129th Division is to go south to regain territory and develop base areas.

However, due to road conditions and transportation capacity, not all the wealth of the 129th Division could be brought over at once.

In addition, the consumption of combat supplies from fighting all the way to capture cities and territories.

And this time all kinds of heavy artillery, mountain artillery and other firepower were fully activated. The results were very gratifying, but the consumption of combat supplies was also amazing.

Xuzhou is five or six hundred kilometers away from the southeast of Shanxi. It is a long way and it is not easy to bring heavy artillery and tanks here.

It is difficult to ensure the logistical supply of the main force of more than 20 people by relying on manpower and animal power.

Even with trucks, the logistics supply line is too long, and we have to be prepared for Japanese soldiers and traitors to sneak attack the convoy.

"How much ammo are left?"

Master Liu asked with a solemn expression.

There is no need to worry about food. Li Yunlong's troops are currently conquering cities and territories in the North China Plain, and Li Yunlong can earn a large amount of food every day.

Now a large amount of food flows into Henan Province every day to provide relief to the victims, and the local troops of the 129th Division are actively developing base areas there.

The main force of the 129th Division was short of food, which was just a telegram matter.

but!

Ammunition is a big problem.

After all, the 129th Division did not let Li Yunlong take command in this battle, nor did Li Yunlong take command in name.

and so.

The 129th Division could not call Li Yunlong for airdrop supplies.

Without airdropped supplies, ammunition consumption is also consumed, and it is still only possible to get in but not get out.

A modern army with tanks and heavy artillery without logistical supplies will quickly lose its combat effectiveness.

"Rifles, mortars, mountain guns and tank guns, there is still a lot of ammunition."

The chief of staff replied truthfully:

"However, there are only one and a half basic shells for the 105mm howitzer, 122mm howitzer, and 150mm howitzer."

"The Katyusha rocket launchers don't have many shells left."

These three howitzers are the main artillery of the 129th Division.

The Katyusha rocket launcher is also the main artillery, but the shells are basically sparing. For other small-caliber artillery and artillery shells, the 129th Division has its own production line and can achieve self-sufficiency.

Therefore, I carried more in this battle and can still withstand it so far.

But the Eighth Route Army has no other production lines for large-caliber howitzers, Katyusha rocket launchers and artillery shells.

This time when they came out, the 129th Division only carried 3 basic howitzer shells, and they were all gone.

"so?"

"Our heavy artillery shells are about to run out?"

The political commissar's expression also became slightly solemn.

A half-base shell, fired faster, can be used up in a few hours.

Save a little money and it will be polished in a few days at most.

"That's right!"

The chief of staff nodded.

Mr. Liu narrowed his eyes.

Once all the heavy artillery shells are used up, the remaining small-caliber shells and bullets may not last long, which is not conducive to long-term operations.

Now before the 129th Division, there are only two ways.

Either get logistical supplies or make a quick decision.

As for taking the initiative to retreat and make way for the Japanese 11th Army, that is absolutely not possible.

But after all, the Japanese 11th Army is the main force with strong combat effectiveness. Commander Yokoyama Yong is very resourceful. How can it be so easy to defeat the Japanese 11th Army quickly?

According to the news from the forward position scouts.

At present, the Japanese 11th Army has fully shifted to defense.

"How about we stick to the old method and put the 129th Division under the command of Commander Li?"

"In this way, we can call Commander Li for an airdrop of supplies."

A senior operations staff member suggested.

His suggestion was instantly approved by most of the officers and staff.

No soldier can refuse the overwhelming airdrop of supplies.

In the two battles to attack Taiyuan, the 129th Division received airdrops of supplies. Those two battles were so satisfying.

The political commissar nodded and said: "In order to eliminate more Japanese troops and sacrifice fewer Eighth Route Army soldiers, I think we can give it a try, whether it is commanding in name or in fact."

The political commissar's idea is not complicated. It doesn't matter whether the cat is black or white, as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.

"Row!"

Master Liu nodded and gave the order with a serious expression:

"Send a telegram to Li Yunlong immediately."

"in addition."

"Give me command of the bomber squadron and bomb the Japanese supply lines. Our supply lines are tight, and the Japanese 11th Army can't even think about it."

Chief of Staff: "Yes!"

……

Baoding.

North China Front Army Headquarters.

In the operations hall, communications staff officer Haruo Kiya held a telegram in his hand and reported to Neji Okamura:

"General."

"The commander of the 11th Army, Lieutenant General Hengshan Yong, just sent a telegram. Last night, the 11th Army's attack on the Eighth Route Army was repelled. In the Xuzhou area, the Locust Army faced the main force of the 129th Division of the Eighth Route Army."

Okamura Neiji, an old devil, also has a resolute character.

After deciding to go to Baoding to personally command the troops.

That night, under the protection of the main force of the 1st Mixed Brigade, we took a car to Baoding.

When he left Peiping, Okamura Neji was very scared.

What if he was attacked by a group of Eighth Route Army bombers on the way to Baoding?

After all, it is almost universally known that the Eighth Route Army has high-level spies lurking in the North China Front Army Headquarters.

Maybe this senior spy has reported his whereabouts to the top brass of the Eighth Route Army.

but.

His convoy was not attacked by air attacks at night. Okamura Neiji and a group of officers from the North China Front Army Headquarters had to come to Baoding.

"Nani?" Neji Okamura's pupils shrank and he asked in disbelief, "The main force of the 11th Army was stopped in Xuzhou?"

The 11th Army has seven divisions and three brigades, as well as a reinforced field heavy artillery brigade.

Among them, 4 Class A divisions have extremely powerful combat effectiveness.

The first commander of the Japanese 11th Army was Okamura Neiji, and he was naturally very aware of the combat effectiveness of this unit.

He also longed for the main force of the 11th Army and the Kwantung Army to arrive and annihilate the main force of the Eighth Route Army attacking North China.

But now, the main force of the 11th Army is blocked in the Xuzhou area, and it may not be able to reach North China in a short time.

"Hi." Haruo Kitani lowered his head and replied, "And the Eighth Route Army sent out another nationwide telegram, saying that the slogan for this attack on North China is..."

Having said this, Haruo Kiya paused, hesitating whether he should say anything or not.

"What is the slogan of the Eighth Route Army?" Okamura Neiji narrowed his eyes with an expression of interest on his face, "But it doesn't matter."

Haruo Kiya said: "The slogan of the Eighth Route Army's attack on North China is to break into Peiping and capture Okamura alive."

When Okamura Neji heard this, his cheeks twitched.

The Eighth Route Army toad yawned loudly!

If you want to capture me, Okamura, alive, do you, the Eighth Route Army, have that strength?

Okamura Neiji suddenly thought of something. The Eighth Route Army didn't kill him on the way to Baoding. Could it be that they really wanted to capture him alive?