Bright Sword: Start with Ding Blast Bridge, Homemade Sweet Potato Cake

There is no need to mention the combat effectiveness of the independent detachment. You can say that Li Yunlong is arrogant and unreasonable, and you can say that he is disorganized and undisciplined. But these guys who came from the independent regiment all crawled on the edge of a knife.

He rushed forward howling like a wolf, wishing to tear the enemy's flesh and blood into pieces.

The last time we attacked, we suffered from the enemy's support coming too quickly, which resulted in us having to give up after we had captured the city.

It caused unnecessary casualties and the cost outweighed the gain.

This time it was different. The Japanese 110th Division, 62nd Division, and 37th Division were all transferred to northern Henan, preparing to launch the Battle of Central Henan to support the so-called Operation Number One.

But before Operation No. 1 started, chaos broke out in the Jinzhong area where the First Army was located.

The available troops were stretched to the limit, so Iwamatsu Yoshio withdrew two divisions to support the North China Expeditionary Army.

One Type D security division and one Type C security division.

The only field force on hand was the 9th Independent Mixed Brigade, which was stationed in the counties around Taiyuan.

When Li Yunlong opened fire, Chu Yunfei's 358th Regiment was also ready to move, not to mention Kong Jie's Jinzhong Column, which took the initiative to press towards the Japanese and puppet army strongholds.

"Ding Wei's target is me, my headquarters."

Yoshio Iwamatsu applied for support from the North China Expeditionary Army Headquarters, but was reprimanded by General Okamura.

"Yamatsu-kun, the battle hasn't even started yet, are you ready to surrender?"

"When did the soldiers of my empire become as cowardly as mice?"

"With two independent mixed brigades and more than 10,000 military police and security forces, can't they defend the important city?"

"General..."

"Any reason is just to advertise your cowardice. You are a general of the Empire and a representative of the Empire's First Army."

Iwamatsu Yoshio called a general without even finishing his sentence.

I was scolded for half an hour straight.

Damn, that’s Ding Wei. It’s easy for General Okamura to say, why not let him come over and try?

People who stand never complain about back pain.

This matter cannot be blamed on this old guy Okamura, he is under even greater pressure.

Operation No. 1 was planned by the Army Headquarters. The North China Expeditionary Army fought the first battle. If they won, they could still survive, but if they lost, it would be the end of them.

Of course, the possibility of losing was not in the dictionary of the Japanese. If they pulled out 15 troops to push through central Henan, there would be no possibility of losing.

Once the war breaks out, the situation will inevitably change.

First of all, Ding Wei’s military forces in Rehe, Jidong and Jibei will inevitably expand their influence and block the Beijing-Fengtian Railway.

Next come the bases in Central Hebei, Shandong, Southern Hebei, and Western Shandong, where the county towns can be recaptured.

With such a long battle line, the Japanese may have only one or two hundred troops stationed in each county town, and in non-important strongholds, there may be only one or two people.

In the past, we could show off our power by relying on the artillery tower, but now it’s no longer possible.

The Eighth Route Army also had explosives, artillery shells, and a supply of bullets.

The battle in Yangquan area became one-sided. The Japanese troops withdrew their forces to the city defense, and the puppet troops had no intention of resisting.

Either retreat to Yangquan together or surrender.

Kawamura Dong was frowning and sent all the troops at his disposal to defend the city gate tower.

The soldiers marching hurriedly through the streets, do they already sense the danger of destruction?

This time there were no troops available to support Yangquan because the war in North China was rapidly becoming more intense.

Fighting broke out in many places, and the guerrillas took the initiative to attack the defenders.

Wang Tao's Fifth Column caused chaos in the Pingbei area.

Send the main force to push into Pinggu, Sanhe, Jizhou and Xifengkou areas, clear out the Japanese here, and then you can connect with Kong Yong's advance group.

The two sides joined forces in the eastern section of Yanshan and threatened the Beijing-Fengtian Railway.

The Japanese in the city dared not come out unless more troops were transferred from the Kwantung Army.

Wang Tao had the Datong Arsenal and Wucheng Gun Repair Shop behind him, and the artillery camp was able to push forward.

Mountain artillery, field artillery, heavy mortars, and infantry artillery provided cover for the advance.

The local guerrillas responded one after another and joined the battle spontaneously, ambushing the supporting Japanese and puppet troops and severely attacking their logistics and transportation personnel.

The guerrillas specifically targeted transport teams because they were easy to attack and the rewards were great.

By 44, the Japanese rarely equipped infantry battalions with infantry artillery, and most of them were replaced by 81mm mortars.

The combat effectiveness has declined, and the weapons, equipment and logistics are also slightly tight.

Coupled with the disadvantage in military strength, they were unable to stop the offensive in the Pingbei area.

The 63rd Division stationed there is a Type D security division with a total strength of just over troops.

Most of those recruited were young Japanese soldiers, or stupid and wounded soldiers.

To deal with these people, Wang Tao's Fifth Column did not leave any troops behind.

As long as they hold weapons, they are enemies and damned beasts.

The three independent regiments in the central Hebei direction pressed southward along the Pinghan Railway, fighting as many as they could. Their expected goal was to reach the Shimen area and cover the operations on the Zhengtai Line.

After the 110th Division withdrew, the remaining military police and puppet troops were all of the same level as Captain Jia and Huang Jinbiao, and were completely useless.

When the Japs came, we were grandsons, and when the Japs left, we still had to be grandsons.

The Pinghan Railway was the supply line for the Battle of Central Henan and must not be lost. The 18th Independent Mixed Brigade in the Handan area was transferred northward to stabilize the situation in Central Hebei.

At least the railway line must be kept open for traffic.

There were also small-scale battles in western Shandong and northern Henan, and the brigade commander's main force was active in southern Hebei.

Taking advantage of the enemy's lack of military strength, we decisively pressed from southern Hebei to western Shandong, recovered more towns and villages, and expanded the base there.

Before Operation No. 1 even began, fighting in North China was already underway.

Since the North China Expeditionary Army didn't care about the First Army, Yoshio Iwamatsu could only find a way out on his own.

This old guy’s method is very simple, to go against Okamura.

Since no reinforcements are coming, I have to escape as soon as possible.

After successfully angering the headquarters, Okamura used his best method: replacing personnel.

Since Iwamatsu Yoshio is unreliable, we should change the commander of the First Army and apply to replace him with Yoshimoto Sadaichi, so that he can enter the First Army and control the situation inside and outside the mountains and rivers.

Can changing people solve the problem?

The First Army was once glorious, with more than 100,000 people at its peak.

Now, there is not even a complete division. The independent brigades, guards, and affiliated forces together have only more than 6 people.

The equipment and weapons were reduced one after another, and the heavy artillery brigade was transferred away.

What's the point of hitting?

Yoshimoto Sadaichi arrived in Taiyuan by plane and completed the handover with Iwamatsu Yoshio.

The former commander of the First Army packed up his belongings in large and small bags without stopping, and he couldn't wait to leave.

I was afraid that I would encounter an unexpected crisis at night.

With the change of the commander of the First Army, it seems to indicate that this evil Japanese army is heading towards decline.

Ding Wei's troops marched from the Suiyuan area to Xin County, and Wang Chao brought some surprises.

Some time ago, we had some contact with the troops in Yulin, hoping to recruit and incorporate two brigades, and this has basically been accomplished.

Zuo Shiyun Brigade under the 86th Division and the newly formed 41st Brigade were both interested in being recruited by Ding Wei.

There is also some not-so-good news. Gao Shuangcheng, the commander of the 22nd Army, who had a good relationship with the Eighth Route Army, is not in good health.

If he dies, who will take over as the army commander?

What is your attitude towards the Eighth Route Army? You need to think about it carefully.