Rise From Eight Hundred Chapter 1096

Chapter 1096 Crow's mouth!

The news that more than 70,000 Chinese elite troops had left the Taihang Mountains shocked the Japanese army in North China on the second day.

This time it is different from the last time when the 80th Army used its main force mixed with militia to make a pretense, this time it was real.

August 31st!

The Si Xing Regiment destroyed the road from Licheng to Shexian for more than 5 kilometers. The defenders of Licheng and Shexian occupied the city and stood in strict formation. The defenders of Changzhi and Lucheng gathered two infantry regiments and still did not dare to leave the city easily. In order to avoid reinforcements, they only dared to send out a small team of light cavalry to reconnoiter along the road.

September 1st!

The main force of the 921 Division, nearly 6,000 people, suddenly appeared on the outskirts of HD City. Captain Kudo Town, commander of the 105th Infantry Regiment under the HD 108 Division, was horrified and asked for help from friendly forces in the Xingtai area.

This is the first time that a Japanese infantry regiment with the advantage of a city and 3,000 troops has been so weak due to the threat of a mere 10,000-strong Chinese army.

It took time for reinforcements to arrive, which also resulted in the mining areas controlled by the Krupp Company of the German Empire in the suburbs being 'ransacked' by the Chinese army. Minerals and grain were transported away, and various types of machinery and equipment were damaged. It is said that the losses were as high as hundreds of thousands. Beautiful knife.

Of course the Japanese will not admit this account, but the Chinese also announced that this was not their fault, but a direct result of the Japanese shelling of the area.

In anger, Krupp simply sent a note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China and Japan through the embassy, claiming compensation from China and Japan amounting to one million US dollars. If neither company recognized it, the other two companies would have to pay compensation to me.

Just when the Three Kingdoms were quarreling over this matter, the main force of the 921st Division miraculously appeared on the outskirts of Xingtai, an important city in Hebei Province, more than 60 kilometers away from HD on the third day after the appearance. An infantry regiment of the 20th Division was scared to death.

Due to the order from the front army headquarters, they mobilized an infantry brigade to join the two infantry brigade of the 14th Division to reinforce HD. Why did the 921st Division come here again?

The 921st Division had no plans to attack the city, but the damage to the Pinghan-Han Line was huge. More than 15 kilometers of railway tracks were either pried away by the Chinese army or completely destroyed by explosives.

People have to suspect that the Chinese are crazy because of their poverty. The rails are considered steel after all. No matter how hard it is to pull them back, they can still make bayonets or something like that, but you are going to make hair out of those sleepers! As firewood?

As everyone knows, the 921 Division, from the division commander to the brigade commander and then to the regiment commander, now all have the simplest consensus that sleepers are of little use to them, but the Four Elements Regiment does! As long as you take this kind of wood that has been treated with antisepsis back, it can be deducted from your bill just like the rails, and it is almost as valuable as the ocean.

What's more, isn't destroying the railway one of the goals of this attack? Since we are going to destroy it, we must destroy it thoroughly, leaving no rails or sleepers for the little devils.

I am afraid that even the officers and soldiers of the 921st Division did not expect that these rail sleepers, which they thought could be replaced with equipment, would play a huge role in future battles with the Japanese army.

Combined these things with sandbags, a sufficiently strong fortification can be formed quickly.

In order to protect the communication lines, the 20th Division with its headquarters in Shimen, under the command of its division commander Lieutenant General Saburo Kawagishi, mobilized 5 infantry brigades, a cavalry brigade, an engineer regiment, two artillery brigades, and two The nearly 10,000 people in the tank squadron were engaged in an arduous "resistance" with the 921st Division that took the initiative.

It is true that the five infantry regiments dispatched by the 921 Division were too slippery and never stayed in one place for a long time. If the main force of the Japanese army did not appear, they would destroy it. Once they detected more than 4,000 Japanese troops, they would immediately run away.

HD, there are plains and mountainous areas around Xingtai, but if tens of thousands of people hid in the mountains, the Japanese army without an infantry brigade or above would not dare to rush in, even if there were reconnaissance planes overhead to help point the way.

It's true that the Japanese army themselves don't dare to trust their own reconnaissance aircraft pilots. Those idiots were shot down and injured by Chinese anti-aircraft machine guns in three days. Now they only dare to stay at an altitude of 1,500 meters and use telescopes. Looking down, it's easy to be fooled by the Chinese.

On September 3, Japanese reconnaissance plane pilots reported that they discovered a Chinese infantry regiment fighting in the mountains. As a result, the captain of a certain infantry regiment who hurriedly arrived was eager to win and went to kill the enemy with less than 2,800 people.

Then, there were actually four Chinese infantry regiments in that area. Good guy, 10,000 people surrounded the infantry regiment that could have been chasing a Chinese infantry division and beat them up.

Although the Chinese do not have heavy firepower such as mountain artillery and field artillery, they are equipped with a large number of mortars. More than 20 82-caliber mortars are extremely suitable for mountain warfare. Shells rain down on the infantry artillery and heavy firepower of the Imperial Army. On the machine gun position, no matter how brave the imperial infantry or artillerymen were, they still had to cry!

By the time another infantry regiment arrived for reinforcements in the evening, the infantry regiment had been beaten for more than 8 hours, with battle losses as high as 50%. It was really the type that was beaten to tears.

This is because the 921st Division was afraid of being entangled by the main force of the Japanese army and did not fight hard. Otherwise, the Colonel Captain would have almost no chance to be scolded **** by Lieutenant General Saburo Kawagishi, the division commander.

This kind of hide-and-cat style of fighting in the mountains is the biggest headache for the Japanese army. However, you can't ignore it during this special period. Saburo Kawagishi is not allowed to continue to mobilize the main reinforcements under his command. As for calling other divisions, forget it!

It's not just his family that is suffering now!

The 108th Division stationed in the area from Licheng to HD has long been frightened by the Chinese army in the Taihang Mountains. It would be good to be able to defend the county where they are stationed. The 109th Division that could have reinforced them was also threatened by a Sichuan army and was unable to do anything. .

It is unreliable to expect that the First Army and the Fifth Division in western Shanxi are confronting the main force of China's Second Theater. Not only are there 200,000 Chinese troops in front of them, but two elite Chinese infantry divisions are also coming from Hongdong County. They sent troops from Zuojin, aiming directly at Pingyao and Jinzhong.

Moreover, these two infantry divisions are not war-loving at all. They use tactics that are almost the same as those of the 921st Division. They fight when they can and retreat when they can't. They don't give you any chance to mobilize the main force for encirclement, and you can't find them at all. His true intentions.

Perhaps, they were just a support for the tens of thousands of Chinese troops who had made changes in the southeast of Shanxi, and had no substantive tactics, but strategically speaking, they were successful.

The 150,000 Japanese troops in western Shanxi and southwestern Shanxi were unable to spare a single soldier to support the devastated eastern Shanxi.

As for waiting for the main support from the North China Front troops stationed in Pingjin and other places, Saburo Kawagishi would not be so stupid. When those troops arrived in a hurry by train, the railway lines in Han, Xing and even Shimen might have been stripped bare. All over.

You can only grit your teeth and resist!

But as the war progressed, and the 921st Division was in chaos at the border of the two provinces, a piece of news was placed on Saburo Kawagishi's desk like a bolt from the blue.

On the evening of September 6, a Chinese army unexpectedly appeared in front of Niangzi Pass.

How they got there, no one knows. They probably just walked by day and night. These are not important. What is important is what did the Chinese want to do?

Niangziguan is the most important gateway in eastern Shanxi. From here, you can go straight west through the vast Taihang River to Yuancheng, the capital of Shanxi Province. You can also go eastward through the North China Plain to Shimen, the heart of Hebei Province.

There, it is only less than 80 kilometers away from Shimen!

What's even more terrible is that as a large number of Shanxi cities in northern, central and eastern Shanxi were occupied by the Imperial Army, China's second theater retreated to southeastern and western Shanxi. Only a few cities are still in their hands. Niangziguan is No matter how dangerous this position, which can be called the gateway to and from Jin Province, is, it does not need to be heavily guarded.

An infantry brigade is stationed at Niangziguan and Jingxing County 35 kilometers away, which is already taken seriously.

But now, it's obviously not enough!

But Saburo Kawakishi didn't have many troops anymore. He had already dispatched tens of thousands of troops before. Putting aside the thousands of troops stationed in several big cities, the remaining troops that could be drawn out were only one infantry brigade.

Just as the distress telegrams from Niangzi Pass continued to fly to the headquarters of the 20th Division stationed in Shimen, the two Chinese infantry divisions, which were still 200 miles away from Niangzi Pass, actually turned around and performed a 90-degree drift. In the early morning of September 7, it suddenly appeared in the eastern Shanxi area.

The Sichuan Infantry Division, which had been missing for more than two days, and the main force of the 921st Division, which was playing hide-and-seek with more than 10,000 Japanese troops, also appeared in the sight of Japanese reconnaissance planes.

"The target of the Chinese is actually Jingxing?" When the chief of staff of the 20th Division compiled all the intelligence obtained by the staff in the past two days and marked its approximate location on the map, he couldn't help but take a breath. .

At first, the Chinese army seemed disorganized and seemed to be marching in a path of pure destruction. However, at this moment, it could not be clearer. They were all pointing at Jindong.

"No, what they are interested in is not Jingxing, but Shimen!" Saburo Kawagishi said with a gloomy look in his eyes.

"This is impossible. Are they not afraid that the empire will use my 20th Division as a shield to block their front, and then deploy frontline troops to encircle them so that they cannot leave the plains?" Chief of Staff exclaimed.

The current situation is that at least tens of thousands of Chinese troops are far away from the main force in the war zone and entering the Japanese occupation area. However, the Japanese side suffers from the overstretched military line and must keep garrisons in each city. There are still nearly 100,000 main force left. On the North China Plain, these Chinese armies were like the Sun Wukong who got into the belly of Princess Iron Fan, tossing around to their heart's content! But as long as the Chinese army has a clear goal, especially if it dares to walk out of the Taihang Mountains and point its sword at Shimen, the core city of the North China Plain, as Lieutenant General Saburo Kawagishi said, then they really don't know how to die.

Only 20 divisions are needed to hold on for a few days, and another 30,000 troops are sent to block the gateway to Shanxi. When Pingjin and Tianjin send one or two divisions, these tens of thousands of Chinese troops are seeking death.

"Do you think the Chinese are stupid? The Chinese army on the western Shanxi front line must have made frequent movements and even made counterattacks. Even if it is fake, the imperial army must not dare to ignore it. How dare they easily pull out a single soldier? 108, 109 Those two idiot divisions are already good at holding their current positions, what else can you and I expect from them?" Saburo Kawagishi said coldly.

“Furthermore, the Imperial Front Army had just dispatched two divisions south to support the Central China Expeditionary Force, and the mobile forces in Pingjin and Tianjin were insufficient. Then, they came.

It can only be said that the Chinese chose their timing very well, and this was their long-planned tactic. "

Slowly standing up, Saburo Kawagishi gently rubbed his brows that were wrinkled to the point of pain: "I also believe that with the Chinese mentality, the Chinese troops that attack must be the elite that China can gather. They are confident that they can take advantage of this opportunity." When the front army mobilizes its troops, break through my stone gate and flee back to the vast Taihang Mountains! "

"They lack heavy weapons, how can they pose a threat to our city's heavy defenses? Even though our division currently only has two infantry regiments, there is still an artillery brigade and a tank squadron in the city, and all attack forces can be mobilized immediately. The army returns to the defense, no matter how many people they have, it will be in vain." After listening to the analysis of his division commander, the Chief of Staff was still full of confidence.

"Jiuzang-kun, have you forgotten how the Second Mixed Brigade was completely destroyed in the Battle of Southeast Shanxi three months ago?" Saburo Kawagishi, who was nearly sixty years old, glanced at his chief of staff with a gloomy face. One glance.

It wasn't until the Japanese colonel immediately stood respectfully and said nothing more that he tried his best to slow down his tone: "Jiuzang-kun, the attack of the imperial front army and division was too smooth, which caused many imperial officers and soldiers to be arrogant, but as a division, you Senior officers at the regimental level must have enough respect for their opponents, otherwise our division will surely follow the example of Yamashita and others!"

"Hi! Thank you, Division Commander, for your teachings!" Japan's Chief of Staff bowed his head respectfully and said yes.

I also took the opportunity to hide the cold light flashing in my eyes!

Saburo Kawagishi is over 56 years old. He is considered older among the division commanders on the North China Front. He has not shown any special features on the Chinese battlefield. He was originally supposed to be transferred from the 20th Division back to his hometown in July, which can be regarded as a retirement. of.

As a result, due to the setback in the Battle of Southeast Shanxi, in order to stabilize the situation, the base camp suspended the change of senior generals at the division commander level of the North China Front.

Even Lieutenant General Xiangyue Qingshi, who is about to resign due to the defeat in the Southeast Shanxi Campaign, Lieutenant General Xiong Yuan, who made a major mistake in judging the enemy, and Lieutenant General Okabe Saburo, the Chief of Staff of the Front Army who is about to be transferred, are still in their current posts.

As the senior staff officer sent by the Front Army Headquarters to the 20th Division as Chief of Staff, Kimura Kyuzo originally came with a gold-plated mission. If nothing unexpected happens, he will be transferred from the 20th Division and promoted to Major General before the end of the year. The position of brigade leader may even be promoted on the spot, if Saburo Kawagishi 'leave' in time enough.

Such a person would put too much emphasis on the outgoing lieutenant general division commander, especially when the old guy criticized him in a condescending manner.

However, the Japanese army has a strict hierarchy, and no matter how unhappy the Japanese army commander is, he never dares to slack off on Saburo Kawagishi.

Kawagishi Saburo may not be able to be promoted to his military position, but it is very easy to ruin his affairs.

Seeing the respect from his subordinates, Saburo Kawagishi, who was already in his twilight years, was quite satisfied, and his voice became even softer: "As for the heavy firepower you mentioned, Jiuzang-kun, Yusui's second mixed brigade originally carried 24 75mm mountain guns! "

“Your Excellency, the division commander, means that these Chinese troops may have captured these 24 mountain cannons and put them into the army?” The Japanese Army Colonel was stunned for a moment, and then reacted. "No, they can defeat the second mixed brigade with 24 mountain guns, then they"

"Yes, they can defeat the second mixed brigade, how could they not have enough artillery?" Saburo Kawagishi's face was full of coldness. "If you add in the mountain artillery they captured, maybe they have more artillery than you and I thought! Even if they haven't displayed it in previous battles."

"I will order the attacking troops of the division to return with all their strength now! At the same time, I will order the 7th Infantry Battalion to reinforce Niangziguan and hold on for at least three days! This will provide enough time for our division to gather strength." The Japanese Army Colonel's expression changed drastically.

"It's too late. The returning divisions will be blocked by the Chinese army, and the Niangziguan side must have been heavily besieged. It will be a matter of time before it is breached." Saburo Kawagishi sighed.

If possible, the Japanese Army Colonel would like to immediately step forward and cover the crow mouth of his division commander. If his memory is correct, he predicted the Battle of Southeast Shanxi three months ago when the Second Mixed Brigade was surrounded. Passing the second mixed brigade will cause heavy damage to the Chinese side.

The result was good. The entire second mixed brigade was shot to death by the Chinese, leaving almost no one left.

Now, how about predicting your own division? The Japanese Army Colonel was already panicking at this time, even more panicked than when he saw five Chinese infantry divisions pointing at the headquarters of the division, which was defended by only more than 10,000 people.

As if in order to verify the crow's mouth of a certain division commander as quickly as possible, as soon as Saburo Kawagishi finished speaking and Kushimura Kyuzo's little heart began to beat violently, a report from the staff of the Communications Department came outside the house.

That was sent from the headquarters of the 7th Brigade stationed in Jingxing.

“The 1st Squadron, 2nd Squadron of the 7th Infantry Brigade, the 1st Heavy Machine Gun Squadron, the Infantry Artillery Squadron, Yusui Niangzi Pass!”

The dazzling "Jade Broken" telegram made the faces of the Japanese generals extremely difficult to see.

They all thought that Niangzi would be lost, but no one thought it would happen so quickly, not even a certain person with a crow's mouth.

The position with advantageous geography and solid fortifications, as well as 2 infantry squadrons with nearly 400 men, 4 heavy machine guns and 2 infantry cannons, fell into the enemy's hands in less than 3 hours.

This speed far exceeds the most pessimistic estimate of Saburo Kawagishi.

The nickname of Saburo Kawagishi's crow's mouth has finally come true.

If possible, the Japanese Army Colonel would never want to hear some **** prediction from a crow's mouth again.

　The good ones are not very effective, but the bad ones are 150% fulfilled, which is almost impossible.

"Immediately ask for reinforcements from the front army headquarters. We need at least one division of reinforcements in the direction of Shimen to ensure peace of mind!" Saburo Kawagishi no longer hesitated.

The Japanese Army Colonel has not yet bowed his head to accept the order.

The report of the communications staff came from outside the house again. The Japanese generals looked at each other, their faces turning a little green.

The current situation is already very bad. Is it possible that there is even worse news to come?

Fortunately, this time there is good news.

Eagerly, he could not wait to unfold the telegram signed by the commander of the North China Front, Gen. Daimyo Sugamigi. Saburo Kawagishi read the telegram as quickly as possible, and his expression quickly changed from gloomy to bright.

"Haha! Your Excellency, Commander, Zhuge Kongming is still alive! Now the Chinese have lost both their wives and their troops!" Saburo Kawagishi smiled loudly and handed the message to his confused subordinates.

In fact, the Japanese army commander is a little scared, Zhuge Kongming has been dead for more than two thousand years, okay?

(End of this chapter)

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