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Since the occupation of Pu County, the jurisdiction of the 664th Division has expanded significantly due to the strength of the 176th Regiment.

Although Guyi is the outermost defense area of ​​Pu County, the actual control area of ​​the 176th Division is closer to the Acropolis, only 10 kilometers away from the Acropolis.

The Acropolis is just a small town and serves as a transit point. The Japanese did not focus their attention here. Perhaps Numata Tokushige was afraid and did not even deploy troops here.

Therefore, the 664th Regiment and the 2nd Independent Regiment passed through the Acropolis as if they were in an empty city, turned west directly, and marched towards Daning County.

However, anyone with a discerning eye knew that although the Japanese did not deploy troops in the Acropolis, they definitely had spies here to understand the every move of the Pu County 176th Division.

At this moment, the news that most of the 176th Division had been dispatched had already reached the 9th Independent Guard Team in Yan County, which was the headquarters of Tokushige Numata.

Upon hearing the news, Norishige Numata hurriedly summoned his officers above the rank of major to discuss the matter. If it weren't for Yoshio Shinozuka's preference for him, the remaining troops of the 114th Division would have been assigned to the 21st Division, and the 114th Division's organization would have been disbanded.

However, the original officers were retained by Numata Tokushige.

Being transferred from a semi-field division to an independent guard unit was already an obvious demotion, but all the Japs were furious; they had once become the laughing stock of friendly forces, so they had been thinking about taking revenge.

Akiyama Osaburo shouted directly: "Sir, I request to go into battle. I will lead my two infantry battalions to Yonghe and intercept the 176th Division there!"

He was originally a brigade commander with the rank of major general, and was originally stationed in Linfen to replace Tokushige Numata as a criminal. However, when the 388th Brigade attacked Linfen, he almost wiped out his troops. Although Yoshio Shinozuka did not put him to military trial, he still promoted him from major general to lieutenant colonel, and now he commands two infantry battalions.

The other two infantry regiment commanders and the engineering regiment commander were all promoted to major and each led an infantry battalion.

This is the regular organization of an independent guard. The commander is usually a major general, who manages several infantry battalions, and occasionally a cavalry squadron or cavalry squadron.

However, Yan County is located in an important position, and their troops are drawn from the entire western Shanxi, so the number of troops is relatively large. It has a total of 10 infantry battalions with a total strength of more than .

Numata Tokushige waved his hands hastily: "No, there is nothing useful in Daning and Yonghe, but the 176th Division sent two main regiments there, which is obviously to open up the road to Shuitou Town. They can't be unaware that there are heavy troops guarding Yan County, so I dare to conclude that the rest of the main force of the 176th Division will soon rush to Yan County.

What we should do now is to reorganize the troops immediately, deploy sufficient ammunition and wait for the 176th Division to arrive in Yan County so that we can stop them there!"

Okamura Katsumi also said with a worried look: "Hey, let me say something I shouldn't say. We are all serving our sentences to make up for our crimes, but we have limited troops. If we include the Imperial Army from various places, we can only mobilize 300 people.

Back then, our fully-staffed 114th Division, with a total strength of more than 176 troops, as well as artillery and cavalry regiments, was defeated by the th Division.

So, let me say something that will boost others' morale but destroy our own prestige. If we were to fight the 176th Division head-on in this battle, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to hold out for half a day."

Although all the Japanese were angry, Katsumi Okamura's words were very straightforward and correct.

If we were to say which Japanese soldier knows the 176th Division best among them, Numata Norishige and his men would dare to say they are second, and no one would dare to say they are first, except for the 21st Division.

Especially Akiyama Ozaburo and others, they were traumatized by the time they spent in Linfen.

Seeing that his men were so enthusiastic just now but became listless in the blink of an eye, Numata Tokushige sighed heavily.

"Gentlemen, I know how difficult this battle will be, but General Shinozuka Yoshio has entrusted Yan County to us to guard. Even if we die, we will repay the general's kindness. Forget it, I don't think it's necessary to make any arrangements. Everyone should be prepared to live and die with Yan County! All right, go down and prepare, and guard your positions! At least let the general know that we have tried our best!"

Before the 176th Division moved, he was able to motivate his subordinates with words. Now that the 176th Division has moved, and according to intelligence, the two advance regiments of the 176th Division are mechanized regiments, and their weapons and equipment are even stronger than when they were in Linfen.

Now, they can only play badly.

Just as the captains left the command center to deploy their troops, the Japanese signalman looked at the telegram he had just received and it took him a long time to come back to his senses.

"Report, the latest intelligence from the forward observation post!"

Numata Tokushige whispered weakly: "Read it!"

"We discovered that two enemy infantry regiments were marching rapidly towards our Yan County, and... and..."

"And what? Tell me!"

"Yes, and its advance troops are not infantry, but tanks!"

Numata Tokushige was immediately startled, pointing at the Japanese soldiers and shouting, wondering if he had heard it wrongly: "What did you say? Repeat it again, who is leading the troops coming to our Yan County?"

Japanese soldier: "They are tanks, and there are also armored vehicles, more than 100 in total!"

Click. . . .

Numata Tokushige sat down on the ground: "It's over, it's all over, 100 tanks. Why has no one ever said that the 176th Division has such a large tank unit? Quick, send a telegram to Commander Yoshio Shinozuka and tell him about our situation."

........

The 176th Division's blitzkrieg was launched again. When the 388th Brigade had just passed the Acropolis, the 664th Regiment had already started its offensive against Daning.

There are only a few strongholds on the periphery, which were used to defend against the former guerrillas. Although they were built in an orderly manner, they could not withstand a single shell from the L664 howitzers of the 118th Regiment.

The 664th Regiment almost never stopped, fighting as they moved forward, which left the 1st Artillery Regiment at the rear with no room to perform.

"The city gate has been breached. Fire one more volley to stun the Japanese. First Battalion Commander, don't wait for the artillery fire to stop. Once the intensity of the artillery fire decreases, lead your men and charge forward to capture the city wall first!"

"Second Battalion Commander, as soon as the troops rush into the county, you will lead your men to Yonghe as quickly as possible and remove all obstacles along the way!"

"Captain of the Third Battalion, have your men comfort the people in the city. When the rest of the troops have set out, leave some of them behind to handle the follow-up matters in Daning, and I will send the rest to Yonghe!"

Guo Diti kept giving orders into the walkie-talkie, looking like he was giving orders!

Once upon a time, she never thought that she could lead such a powerful army to fight the Japanese. All the resentment accumulated in the past years was now vented on the Japanese. She felt so relieved.

At this time, the commander of the 2nd Independent Regiment leaned over to Guo Tie's ear and asked, "Commander Guo, what is our mission? Give the order!"