I am helping

Hearing this, the chief looked at the map on the table.

The terrain of Shanxi is quite special. To the west is Luliang Mountain, where the Jinsui Army is stationed. Although the Jinsui Army cannot attack offensively, it can still fight defensively.

To the south is Zhongtiao Mountain, which is the territory of the Central Army. It will not be easy for the Japanese to capture it.

Further west and south are the natural dangers of the Yellow River, where Chinese troops are stationed.

At present, the Jinsui Army and the Central Army have not yet broken up with the Eighth Route Army, and they will certainly not let the Japanese break through from the west and south.

Then the Japanese in Shanxi had no choice but to break out and escape north and south.

There are only two directions for breaking out and escaping north and south, Datong and Niangziguan.

As long as the two gates of Datong and Niangzi are closed, the Japanese will not be able to escape.

Datong is still in the hands of the New Regiment, and there is a combined battalion of more than 5000 Eighth Route Army soldiers guarding it.

Moreover, Taiyuan is 300 kilometers away from Datong, so there is a high probability that the Japanese will not break out from Datong.

Then.

After the defeat of the Japanese in Shanxi, they can only break through Niangziguan, and the Japanese divisions directly under the North China Front Army and the Japanese in Hebei Province will definitely attack Niangziguan with all their strength.

"Which unit is responsible for attacking Niangziguan?"

The chief drew a circle on Niangziguan on the map, then narrowed his eyes and asked:
"What is the strength of the Japanese troops defending Niangzi Pass?"

The chief of staff said: "The one who attacked Niangziguan was the 2nd Independent Brigade of the Central Hebei Military Region. The 129th Division dispatched a mountain artillery battalion for reinforcements. The headquarters of the Central Hebei Military Region gave the Independent 2nd Brigade two Type 2 infantry artillery battalions. The artillery unit has an artillery regiment. .”

"The enemy forces defending Niangzi Pass include a Japanese army brigade of 700 people and a puppet army brigade, with a total strength of about 1500 people."

The Independent 2nd Brigade is the main brigade of the Jizhong Military Region, with 3 infantry regiments under its jurisdiction and a total strength of nearly 6000 troops.

This Independent 2nd Brigade was the same brigade that was divided into the [-]th and [-]th Battalions of the New [-]st Regiment and ambushed the Japanese Infantry Regiment and Heavy Artillery Regiment on the Pingsui Railway in northern Shanxi.

After that battle, the Du 2nd Brigade was captured by the Japanese and some business equipment given by Li Yunlong, and instantly became a local tycoon force, and its military strength was also strengthened.

Although the Independent 2nd Brigade is affiliated to the Jizhong Military Region, it has been developing and growing in the Beitahang area and has not returned to the Jizhong Military Region.

Considering that the 2nd Independent Brigade had strong combat effectiveness, the headquarters ordered the 2nd Independent Brigade to capture Niangzi Pass and hold Niangzi Pass for 7 days.

But now that the commander wants to completely wipe out the Japanese army in Shanxi, those seven days are far from enough.

Because the North China Front could still mobilize tens of thousands of Japs to reinforce Shanxi, the 7nd Brigade would have to be exhausted in more than 2 days.

"With three infantry regiments and one artillery regiment, it won't be a big problem to capture your wife."

The commander sounded worried: "But the Japanese have gathered a large number of troops to attack, and the 2nd Independent Brigade may not be able to defend it."

Although the Eighth Route Army has air support, there are not many bombers and fighter jets that can be used to reinforce Niangziguan, because other battlefields also require air support.

Of course, anything is better than nothing. With air support, the battle of the 2nd Independent Brigade will be much easier to fight.

But with the 2nd Brigade alone, even if Niangzi Pass is easy to defend and difficult to attack, I am afraid that Niangzi Pass will not be able to be defended.

The chief of staff thought carefully: "How about ordering the 129th Division to detach one or two brigades of troops to reinforce the 2nd Independent Brigade?"

The chief shook his head: "Niangzi Pass is the key to whether the Japanese army in Shanxi can be annihilated in this battle. We must send a force with strong combat effectiveness."

After a pause, the leader's eyes revealed his thoughts: "In this way, order the 2nd Independence Brigade to seize Niangzi Pass as soon as possible according to the original plan, and then send a telegram to Li Yunlong, asking one of the three regiments in northwestern Shanxi to draw one regiment to reinforce the 2nd Independence Brigade."

The current Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment are under the command of Li Yunlong.

The headquarters only needs to issue an order to Li Yunlong.

As for which regiment to reinforce the 2nd Independent Brigade, it is up to Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang to decide.

Soon, the chief of staff drafted a telegram, first praising Li Yunlong for the flying brigade's great job in killing Naosaburo Okabe, and also asking Li Yunlong to draw one regiment from the three regiments in northwest Shanxi to reinforce Niangziguan and the 2nd Independent Brigade. .

After reading the telegram, the chief signed his name, gave it to the telegraph soldier, and sent it out with a new password.

……

Peiping.

Iron Lion Alley.

North China Front Army Command.

Although the new commander of the North China Front was killed, it did not cause much trouble in the headquarters.

Because even though Naosaburo Okabe was not killed, he came to Iron Lion Alley safely and took up the post of commander of the North China Front.

That's of no use. As long as Okamura Neiji doesn't leave Peiping, the North China Front will still listen to Okamura Neiji.

"Your Excellency, Commander, Chief of Staff."

In the operations hall, the intelligence staff reported the latest intelligence to Okamura Neiji and Tanabe Moritake:
"Intelligence shows that the main force of the Eighth Route Army in southeastern Shanxi, the Eighth Route Army of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, and part of the Eighth Route Army of the 120th Division have left their bases."

Since all the aircraft of the North China Front's aviation unit were wiped out, the Eighth Route Army gained air supremacy over North China, and the Japanese had no reconnaissance aircraft to conduct reconnaissance.

The Eighth Route Army's movements could only rely on those few hidden spies and agents.

Once a telegram is sent, lurking Japanese spies and agents will be discovered by the Eighth Route Army's radio detection vehicle.

It is equivalent to saying that Japanese spies and agents are disposable and will be arrested after this time.

Okamura Neji and Tanabe Moritake's expressions suddenly became solemn.Tanabe Moritake said in a solemn tone: "Your Excellency, General, it seems that the Eighth Route Army will launch an attack on the locust army in Taiyuan and Zhengtai Railway within three days."

Previous analysis by the North China Front Army Staff Headquarters was that the Eighth Route Army would launch an offensive within five days.

But once this information comes out, the Eighth Route Army will definitely attack within three days, and some preparations by the Japanese army will be too late.

Okamura Neji's face was expressionless and his eyes narrowed slightly.

Deputy Chief of Staff Youmo Jingsan said: "Your Majesty General, it seems that the Eighth Route Army was planning this attack as early as a month ago. To mobilize so many troops to attack the Zhengtai Railway and Taiyuan will require a huge amount of combat materials. It will definitely It can’t be ready in ten days and a half.”

Okamura Neji raised his eyes and stared at the map, looking thoughtful.

Facing the Eighth Route Army's Japanese attack on Shanxi, the North China Front Army was not unprepared.

In addition to sending troops to attack the Eighth Route Army's base areas in southeastern Shanxi and northwest Shanxi, they are also preparing to assemble troops from three divisions and one cavalry regiment to attack from Niangziguan along the Zhengtai Railway.

After reuniting with the two divisions stationed in Shouyang and Yangquan, the troops of the First Army and the Fifth Division in Taiyuan transferred to Hebei Province.

Okamura Neiji carefully reviewed whether there were any flaws in his battle plan.

Finally, Okamura Neji's eyes stopped at Niangziguan, the junction of Hebei Province and Shanxi Province.

"Tanabe-kun." Okamura Neiji pushed up his round glasses and asked, "How many troops are there in the Locust Army and the Locust Alliance Army stationed at Niangzi Pass?"

"Your Excellency, General." Tanabe Shengwu replied, "A brigade of the Locust Army and a brigade of the Locust Alliance Army are stationed at Niangzi Pass."

Okamura Neji's face darkened and he cursed: "Baga, why are there only so few troops stationed in such an important position?"

"Your Excellency, General." Tanabe Shengwu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, "Some time ago, the locust army gathered forces to attack the Eighth Route Army's Jizhong Military Region. There are not many troops left, so there are relatively few troops stationed at Niangziguan."

"However, I have ordered Major General Sakuma, commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade, to lead the 25th Cavalry Regiment to Niangzi Pass. We expect to arrive at Niangzi Pass at noon tomorrow."

The 4th Cavalry Brigade consists of the 25th Cavalry Regiment and the 26th Cavalry Regiment.

However, the 26th Cavalry Regiment had been completely annihilated by the Jizhong Military Region and the New Regiment's flying brigade. The 25th Cavalry Regiment also suffered heavy losses in the Eighth Route Army's aircraft bombings.

Okamura Neiji frowned: "That's not enough. Order the defenders of Jingxing County to abandon the county and immediately go to Niangzi Pass to strengthen the defense of Niangzi Pass."

"Hi!"

Moritake Tanabe suddenly lowered his head.

……

Dark as ink.

It was getting dark soon, so Li Yunlong ordered the soldiers to rest on the spot.

Because they were marching along the road, the soldiers walked relatively quickly, covering nearly 60 kilometers in one day.

The cooking teams of each company began to cook, and the aroma of various meats filled the entire road.

The guard companies of each battalion are responsible for vigilance to prevent enemy sneak attacks in the middle of the night.

Although the possibility is very low, we have to guard against it.

At the temporary headquarters of the new regiment, Wang Dehou held an oil lamp, pointed at the map and said to Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang: "Regiment leader, political commissar, you see, we are here now, and we are still about 140 kilometers away from Taiyuan. According to the current situation With the marching speed, it will take about 2 and a half days to reach Taiyuan."

The base area of ​​the New Regiment in northern Shanxi is about 200 kilometers away from Taiyuan.

If it is a car, it only takes half a day to reach Taiyuan from northwest Shanxi at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour.

However, even the New Regiment has only achieved semi-mechanization, and there are currently not so many cars to transport soldiers to Taiyuan.

Because the car also has to pull cannons and combat supplies.

Therefore, most soldiers can only march on foot.

Li Yunlong nodded and said: "Immediately send a telegram to the headquarters of the Independent Regiment and the New Second Regiment to inquire about their locations."

"Yes."

Wang Dehou quickly drafted two telegrams. After Li Yunlong signed them, they handed them over to the telegraph soldier behind him.

At this moment, the telegraph soldier's decoder translated a telegram, stood up and saluted with a military salute: "Report to the regimental commander, political commissar, headquarters telegram!"

Wang Dehou quickly took it and walked quickly to the oil lamp. Li Yunlong and Zhao Gang also came together to watch the telegram.

"Didn't the headquarters order the 2nd Independent Brigade to guard Niangzi Pass?"

Wang Dehou sounded surprised after reading the telegram.

Wang Dehou, who flew to the headquarters to attend the combat meeting with Li Yunlong, naturally knew the entire combat plan.

"It seems..." Zhao Gang narrowed his eyes, "The head of the headquarters wants to play a big game."

Li Yunlong held the oil lamp and looked at the map again and again. He quickly understood the thoughts of the head of the headquarters: "I know what the head of the headquarters is thinking. The head of the headquarters wants to close the door and kill the dogs and annihilate all the Japanese in Shanxi!"

Wang Dehou and Zhao Gang instantly understood. No wonder the head of the headquarters ordered a regiment to be selected to reinforce the 2nd Independent Brigade.

If a dog is killed by closing the door, the door must be closed first, otherwise the dog will jump over the wall in a hurry.

Li Yunlong's tone was cold and stern: "Order the Independent Regiment of the Right Attack Group to immediately give up going south to Taiyuan and take a detour from Mount Wutai to Niangziguan. They must reach Niangziguan within 2 and a half days!"

……