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"Old Li, something is wrong. The Japanese artillery positions don't seem to be firing at our attacking troops."

In the headquarters, Zhao Gang put down the telescope on his chest, looked at Li Yunlong and said.

"I saw!"

Li Yunlong nodded and narrowed his eyes slightly.

20 Sabre fighter jets and 20 attack aircraft flew by, but there was no rumble of explosions from the other side of the mountain.

Obviously, the pilots of the flying group did not discover the Japanese artillery positions.

Wang Dehou's expression suddenly became serious: "It seems that the Japanese did not play their cards according to the routine. They knew that we had planes, so in the face of this attack, all the Japanese artillery positions were hidden."

"But..." Zhao Gang said, "Our tanks and infantry are about to rush into the Japanese position."

Li Yunlong looked calm and did not stop the attack. He continued to look at the distant battlefield with the vision of the artillery mirror.

A new group of planes continued to circle in the sky, but the Japanese position was as silent as death, without any sound.

Li Yunlong judged that the Japanese would not plant explosives on the position.

If the Japanese had planted explosives on the battlefield, they would have been detonated by the Eighth Route Army's heavy artillery and aerial bombs.

With the crash of tank tracks, the Eighth Route Army, which was attacking for several kilometers from east to west, rushed toward the Japanese position like a gray water line, like rising tide.

Suddenly, the Japanese on the battlefield jumped up as if they were suddenly resurrected.

boom boom boom…

Da da da…

Among the explosions and gunshots that filled the sky, the explosions of various light and heavy firepower were no longer audible, as were the sounds of grenades, mortar shells, various explosives and tank guns.

The clashing sounds of bayonets and firearms, as well as the hoarse shouts of killing, merged into a huge sound wave.

The battle lasted for more than half an hour and ended with the new regiment's flags being planted on all Japanese positions.

After looking at the sky, Li Yunlong ordered all his troops to rest and stop attacking.

Dark as ink.

"In today's offensive battle, the casualties of various units have been initially revealed."

At the headquarters of the new regiment, Zhao Gang held a casualty list in his hand, looked at Li Yunlong and said:
"The total casualties of our regiment were more than 1. Based on the calculations based on the corpses of the Japanese, we killed more than 3 Japanese today."

"However, we captured five Japanese tunnels and anti-slope positions today..."

Li Yunlong frowned slightly when he heard this.The casualty ratio on both sides was almost 1:1.

Although he made a small profit, Li Yunlong was still a little dissatisfied with the result.

The night before yesterday, the first battalion and the flying brigade cooperated with each other to kill four to five thousand Japanese at the cost of more than 500 casualties.

Today, it took more than 1 casualties to kill more than 3 Japanese.

"The Japs used tunnels and anti-slope tactics." Wang Dehou analyzed, "Our aircraft and heavy artillery firepower are of no use. The Japs put our tanks and infantry units in and then fight, and we can't take much advantage..."

The death squads of the Fifth Division were almost entirely composed of fanatical soldiers and officers.

He was full of Bushido and loyalty to the Locust, and his stabbing skills were first-rate. He carried explosives and four-type anti-tank stabbing mines and died together with the Eighth Route Army soldiers and tanks.

Even though the new group of tanks and infantry had strong firepower, they did not take much advantage in the close combat.

Li Yunlong looked at Zhao Gang and asked, "How many tanks were lost today?"

"More than twenty tanks were lost." Zhao Gang looked at the list in his hand and replied, "But the tanks produced by Boss Chen have a high safety factor. Although the tanks were bombed, the casualties of the tank soldiers in the tanks were very small."

Li Yunlong frowned again: "We have to find a way. If we continue to fight like this, the casualties of the troops will be too great."

At present, the new regiment has more than 100 tanks in total.

More than 20 tanks were lost on the first day. If the losses continue at this rate, all the tanks will be used up in less than 10 days.

Facing the enemy's tunnel and anti-slope tactics, Li Yunlong also felt a little overwhelmed.

There really wasn't much he could do to deal with the Japs' tunnels and reverse slope tactics.

In addition to sending out ground-penetrating bombs, the only option is to send tanks and infantry to attack the Japanese positions like today.

Once all the tanks are gone, the casualties of the infantry will be even greater.

If the Japanese of the Fifth Division did not use tunnels and anti-slope tactics, the New Regiment, with its comprehensive advantages in heavy firepower such as air support, heavy artillery and tanks, would be able to grind the Fifth Division to the ground.

The New Regiment can achieve a battle loss ratio of 1 to 5 or even 1 to 10 with the Japanese army, such as the battle between the First Battalion and the Fifth Division the night before yesterday.

Zhao Gang suggested again: "Old Li, tomorrow it is time to send out medium bombers to carry Goblet aerial bombs."

Wang Dehou also nodded and looked at Li Yunlong expectantly.

The bombers and aerial bombs obtained by killing the Japanese generals must be very powerful, and may be able to crack the Japanese tunnels and anti-slope tactics.

Li Yunlong said worriedly: "I am worried that if this Goblet aerial bomb is too powerful, what if an aerial bomb blows up a Japanese position?"

"Captain, isn't this a good thing?" Wang De said kindly, "Let the Goblet aerial bombs blow up all the Japanese positions and kill all the Japanese hiding in the tunnels. We can casualty a lot of soldiers and push directly to Below Taiyuan City."

Li Yunlong glanced at Wang Dehou angrily and said, "Chief of Staff, are you stupid for being a Japanese?"

"The Japanese know that we have powerful aerial bombs, but they still hide in the tunnels and wait to die?"

Zhao Gang also nodded and followed Li Yunlong's train of thought and analyzed: "When the time comes, the tens of thousands of Japanese in the tunnels will either escape eastward or enter Taiyuan City and fight with us in street fights."

"It's okay if the Japanese are escaping eastward," Li Yunlong said. "If they enter Taiyuan City and start a street fight with us, they will be in big trouble."

Taiyuan City is very big, but it is not a county town.

If the Japanese were determined to engage in street fighting with the Eighth Route Army in Taiyuan, the Eighth Route Army's casualties would definitely be huge.Li Yunlong frowned, his eyes dropped, and he stared at the map in deep thought.

Taiyuan was difficult to defeat, as Li Yunlong had expected.

If the battle continues like this, the battle will last for a month or two, and Taiyuan will definitely be defeated in the end, but the casualties of the troops will be too great.

While Li Yunlong was thinking, Zhao Gang and Wang Dehou were busy with their own affairs and did not disturb Li Yunlong.

The New Second Regiment, the 129th Division and other units all sent telegrams reporting on the offensive situation on the first day.

Except for the new regiment, which captured several Japanese positions, the other troops failed to capture the Japanese positions. Fortunately, there were not many casualties.

……

Taiyuan.

Late at night, the headquarters of the Japanese First Army was brightly lit.

"Your Excellency, Commander."

Chief of Staff Hanatani Tadashi held a folder in his hand, walked quickly into the operations hall, and reported to Iwamatsu Yoshio:

"The casualties and enemy deaths of each unit have been calculated."

Yoshio Iwamatsu, who was staring at the map and thinking, raised his head when he heard the voice.

Hua Guzheng opened the folder and said: "In today's battle, the Locust Army suffered more than 3500 casualties, and the Eighth Route Army suffered about 3200 casualties. The Eighth Route Army did not continue its attack after nightfall."

Iwamatsu Yoshio frowned slightly when he heard this.

This casualty data was somewhat beyond his expectation.

This is equivalent to saying that after one day of fighting, the Locust Army lost an entire infantry regiment.

Before the war, Yoshio Iwamatsu had more than 7 people in his hands. He suffered more than 5000 casualties the night before yesterday, and more than 3500 casualties today. The total casualties of the Locust Army so far are nearly 1.

"Damn it Okamura Neji, why didn't you order a retreat?"

Cursing fiercely in his heart, Yoshio Iwamatsu said to Masaru Hanatani:

"Jun Huagu, report this casualty situation to the North China Front Army Headquarters and immediately request the Taiyuan troops to move to Hebei."

"Hi!" Hua Guzheng lowered his head suddenly.

……

Peiping.

Iron Lion Alley.

North China Front Army Command.

Although it was already late at night, the officers at the North China Front Army Headquarters were extremely busy.

Taiyuan, Yangquan, Shouyang and other important military towns on the Zhengtai Railway were heavily attacked by the Eighth Route Army.

The 110th Division, the 23rd Division and the 35th Division are attacking Niangziguan, trying to open up a way for the Japanese troops in Shanxi.

Shanxi has become a pot of porridge.

Judging from the battle at Niangziguan, Okamura Neji finally understood.

This campaign launched by the Eighth Route Army was definitely aimed at annihilating the 10 locust army in Shanxi.

"When will the 35th Division arrive at Niangziguan?" Okamura Neiji asked, staring at the map.

The 23rd Division and the 110th Division have been attacking Niangziguan for two full days.

Today, the battle broke out between Taiyuan and Zhengtai Railways. The Eighth Route Army's aircraft went to support other Eighth Route Army. The air threat of the 23rd Division and the 110th Division suddenly decreased.

It was originally thought that the 23rd Division and the 110th Division could capture Niangzi Pass today.

However, the resistance of the Eighth Route Army was still tenacious, and the Japanese offensive still made little progress. Niangziguan was firmly in the hands of the Eighth Route Army.

"The 35th Division is only about 30 kilometers away from Niangziguan and can arrive before tomorrow morning." Tanabe Moritake replied.

Okamura Neiji frowned and said: "Order these three divisions to capture Niangzi Pass within tomorrow."

Moritake Tanabe: "Hi!"

At this moment, communications staff officer Haruo Kitani walked in with a telegram in his hand and reported to Neji Okamura:
"Report to Commander, Lieutenant General Iwamatsu, Commander of the First Army, just sent a telegram."

Okamura Neji took the telegram and read it, but he couldn't help but look slightly happy.

"Yoxi..."

"First Army's tunnel and reverse slope tactics worked."

As for Iwamatsu Yoshio's request, Okamura Neji simply ignored it:
"The Locust Army was at a disadvantage in both strength and firepower, but it had a 1:1 casualty ratio with the Eighth Route Army. This is a victory."

Okamura Neji started the spiritual victory method.

Tanabe Moritake and Arisu Seizo took the telegram and looked at it. They looked at each other and were speechless.

General, how long has it been since you won a battle?

Tanabe Moritake wanted to persuade Okamura Neiji that it was still too late to withdraw the locust army from Taiyuan to Hebei.

But seeing a smile on Okamura Neji's face, Tanabe Moritake's words reached his lips and he swallowed them back.

Neji Okamura looked at Haruo Kitani and issued an order in a cold tone: "Immediately send a telegram of commendation to all units, and order all units to continue their efforts and continue fighting with the goal of killing the Eighth Route Army."

Kigu Haruo suddenly lowered his head: "Hi!"