Rebirth: I am in Jin-Cha-Ji

It can be said that the Japanese army's mobile forces in the Pingsui Road area were almost mobilized by the 16th and 18th Regiments to attack Dajing Town and Kangzhuang Station.

After disrupting the Japanese army's deployment, the main forces of the 16th and 18th Regiments began to act.

Of course, the main forces of the 16th and 18th Regiments did not rush forward directly.

For the Eighth Route Army, no matter what the military purpose is, being able to consume the Japanese army's manpower is always the most important thing.

The Chinese Communist Party's "On Protracted War" was first published in July 1938. However, several months passed before it was circulated to the various military commands, then distributed to the sub-commands, and finally to the Eighth Column. It wasn't until late 7 that this brilliant masterpiece was finally passed on to the officers and soldiers below it, allowing them to study it. Despite this delay, the book's influence was enormous.

In particular, it played a crucial role in unifying the thoughts within the Eighth Route Army.

Previously, the ideological disunity among the central leadership had affected the troops below. Many in the Eighth Route Army were caught in a dilemma. Now, the "On Protracted War" has been promoted and studied by everyone in the Eighth Route Army, directly changing the previous chaotic situation.

Tell the Eighth Route Army commanders and fighters that victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan is inevitable. This wasn't just sloganeering; in "On Protracted War," Chairman Mao meticulously analyzed the situation on both sides, including the current global situation. Ultimately, he proved that China would undoubtedly win the War of Resistance Against Japan. Don't think this is easy.

In fact, after the outbreak of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, many people shouted slogans for victory. However, he was the first to truly analyze the balance of power from all aspects and believe that China would definitely win, as Chairman Mao did.

This proof strengthened the confidence of the Eighth Route Army commanders and fighters.

Then he explained to the Eighth Route Army commanders and fighters why the War of Resistance was a protracted war. He didn't offer a general explanation, as many do. Instead, he analyzed the situation on both sides, explaining why it was a protracted war. He also examined how China could win this protracted war. He meticulously analyzed what the Chinese military and the Chinese government needed to do.

It is completely a guide book for the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.

Don't expect to defeat the Japanese in one fell swoop. The theory of a quick defeat is misguided, as is the notion of a quick victory. The best approach is attrition—the depletion of the Japanese army's manpower and its war resources. As long as the Japanese army's manpower is continuously depleted, the strength of this resource-poor nation will inevitably decline. Once the strength of both sides changes, it will be time for a strategic counterattack.

After receiving the pamphlet "On Protracted War," the Eighth Column first began studying it with its commanders, strengthening their faith in victory in the War of Resistance, and then determining the troops' strategies and tactics.

Let the troop commanders know more clearly what to do next.

Therefore, before attacking the county town, the 16th and 18th Regiments fought several ambushes.

The 16th Regiment first ambushed a squadron of the 4th Independent Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade of the Japanese army coming from Huailai County, and then eliminated a Japanese stronghold set up on the Pingsui Road. Of course, it was only a small stronghold, with only a dozen Japanese troops and about 30 puppet troops.

The 18th Regiment first ambushed the Japanese troops supporting the Beifeng stronghold, then eliminated the Beifeng stronghold and then ambushed a Japanese squadron coming out to support from Xuanhua County. It can be said that at the beginning of the battle, the 16th and 18th Regiments of the 8th Column fought several battles in succession, annihilating nearly three squadrons of Japanese devils.

The 16th and 18th Regiments also suffered casualties.

But at this time, the 16th and 18th Regiments had no time to think about this.

1939 2 Month 23 Day.

The 16th Regiment was even faster, and its troops had already begun operating outside Huailai County. Because of the painful experience of the previous ambush on the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade at Beiling Village, the requirement for the 16th and 18th Regiments this time was that they were not allowed to station troops in open areas.

And it is not allowed to attack the city without preparation in broad daylight.

Worried about Japanese planes coming.

You can choose the evening or morning when visibility is not so friendly to aircraft. Therefore, the 16th and 18th Regiments first eliminated some Japanese strongholds outside the county town and made preparations for the final attack.

1939 2 Month 24 Day.

Just one day later, the 18th Regiment also entered its own position.

The troops began to be deployed outside Xuanhua City.

It caused a sensation throughout Chahar.

Chapter 214: The Embarrassed Mongolian Army

"How is the situation now?"

The largest and most important city in Chahar is the headquarters of the Zhang family’s Mongolian army.

Commander of the Mongolian Army, Naosaburo Okabe, asked angrily.

In 1938, during the North China Front's sweep of the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region, the Mongolian Army suffered a crushing defeat. The 26nd Independent Mixed Brigade was nearly completely wiped out, with even its commander, Major General Tsuneoka Kanji, killed. Furthermore, the 26th Division suffered repeated setbacks, with three regimental commanders killed within a year. Furious, the Japanese Imperial Headquarters purged every member of the Mongolian Army. Former Mongolian Army Commander Lieutenant General Hasunuma Han, Chief of Staff Colonel Ishimoto Torazo, and Lieutenant General Gorimiya Jun, Commander of the th Division, were all dismissed from their posts. The Imperial Headquarters transferred them back to Japan.

The newly appointed commander of the Mongolian Army was Naosaburo Okabe, the chief of staff of the former commander of the North China Front Army, Hisaichi Terauchi.

North China Front Commander Terauchi Hisaichi was extremely dissatisfied with the results of the 1938 mop-up operation against the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Military Region. He was particularly dissatisfied with the performance of the troops stationed in Mongolia. In Terauchi's opinion, if it weren't for the outstanding performance of the 26th Division and the nd Independent Mixed Brigade, the mop-up operation would never have ended this way.

While the North China Front Army did encounter numerous problems in 1938, and the results of its mopping-up operations were less than satisfactory, the Mongolian Garrison was the most disgraceful of the entire North China Front Army. This was why he assigned his Chief of Staff, Okabe Naozaburo, to the Mongolian Garrison and added the th Independent Mixed Brigade. He hoped that his beloved General Okabe Naozaburo could restore the Mongolian Garrison's strength.

It's a pity that Naozaburo Okabe encountered such a difficult problem just after taking office.

The Eighth Column troops actually took the initiative to attack, and attacked at multiple points.

"Commander, this way."

Colonel Tanaka Shinichi, the newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Mongolian Army, immediately pointed at the map and said, "The current situation is that the 16th Regiment of the Eighth Route Army has begun a tentative attack on Huairou County, and the 18th Regiment has also begun attacking Xuanhua County. According to the intelligence we have received, both the 16th and 18th Regiments have dispatched their main forces. The siege force is no less than 2,000 people. They are just lacking heavy weapons at the moment, so they are being cautious in the siege."

"Where are our troops?"

"In Xuanhua County, the Imperial Army has only one squadron, belonging to the 1st Infantry Battalion of the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade. There are three garrison battalions located twelve miles north, seventeen miles west, and twenty-six miles west of Xuanhua, totaling one squadron.

"Only two squadrons?"

"Hai."

Although Okabe Naosaburo knew that the situation of the troops stationed in Mongolia was very bad, he did not expect the situation to be so bad.

Xuanhua County, the southern gateway to Zhangjiakou, surprisingly only had a single Japanese squadron. This wouldn't be a bad number if the enemy weren't numerous. Currently, many counties in Northeast China and Rehe only had a single Japanese squadron, or even just a single squadron. This was because they lacked powerful enemy rear-line forces. However, the Mongolian Army faced the formidable Eighth Column.

Facing the 8th Column, it is quite dangerous with only one squadron.

Putting aside other matters, as long as the 120th Column isn't afraid of casualties and attacks from all sides, the Japanese will inevitably be vulnerable. Even with just one squadron, it's impossible to defend all four sides. Some of these squadrons in the Independent Mixed Brigade only have 130 or men. How can you defend all four sides with such a small force?

As for the other squadron, Okabe Naozaburo simply ignored it. It was a squadron from the garrison battalion, tasked with protecting the Ping-Sui Road. Furthermore, there was only one squadron for the three strongholds combined. It was fine for protecting one stronghold, or perhaps dealing with a small force. Facing the main force of the Eighth Route Army, numbering over two thousand, it was better to stay in the stronghold.

At least it's safer.

"What about Huairou County?"

"The situation is the same. There is only one squadron of the Imperial Army in the city."

"idiot."

Okabe Naosaburo thought for a moment and said, "Zhuolu County? Over by Xiahuayuan?"

"The 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade has two squadrons in Zhuolu County, and there is one squadron of the Imperial Army in Xiahuayuan.

"What about Zhangjiakou?"

"In addition to the troops directly under the headquarters, Zhangjiakou also has the 1300th Infantry Battalion of the nd Independent Mixed Brigade. After the nd Independent Mixed Brigade suffered heavy losses last year, the th Infantry Battalion was only replenished by a little over men, and currently only has around men. Including the special forces, the entire Zhangjiakou force only has around men."

In 1938, the Japanese army had just ended the Battle of Wuhan.

That's the highlight.

The exact number of casualties suffered by the Japanese army in the Battle of Wuhan is a mystery, as the figures released by the Nationalist army and the Japanese army themselves differ greatly. However, one thing is certain: the casualties suffered by the Japanese army in the Battle of Wuhan were very heavy.

After the Battle of Wuhan, the Japanese army no longer had the ability to launch such a large-scale campaign. After the July 7 Incident, the Japanese army's continuous victory and rapid advance ended. The War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression entered a strategic stalemate.

After the Battle of Wuhan, many Japanese divisions suffered heavy casualties and had to return home for recuperation. Meanwhile, the Central China Front had a large number of new recruits in need. Consequently, the North China Front's recruitment rate slowed considerably. The 26th Division of the Mongolian Army received priority and has now been largely replenished. However, the 1000nd Independent Mixed Brigade was relegated to the rear, having only received approximately 2000 men to date, leaving a gap of over men.

The Eighth Column suddenly took action and directly exploited the weak point of the Mongolian troops.

No soldiers at hand.

"There are no other Imperial Army units?"

Naosaburo Okabe had previously been in charge of the combat plans of the North China Front Army.

I never expected that the situation of the troops stationed in Mongolia was so dire.

Where is Zhangjiakou?

Zhangjiakou was a major city in Chahar, a political, economic, and military center. Apart from anything else, it possessed an astonishing amount of supplies. The arsenal alone contained enough weapons and ammunition to equip two Japanese divisions. And not just three, but four regular divisions. In other words, Zhangjiakou currently possessed enough weapons and ammunition to equip approximately 50,000 Japanese troops. If captured by the Eighth Route Army, their power would expand rapidly.

Not to mention a whole host of other supplies.

But how many people were there in Zhangjiakou right now? Adding up the troops directly under the Mongolian Army, the entire Japanese combat force in Chahar only had about a thousand men. There were, however, quite a few logistics personnel and other miscellaneous personnel. These men could fight with weapons, but their combat effectiveness was certainly not impressive.

How could Okabe Naosaburo not be shocked when the mighty Zhangjiakou only had such a small number of troops?

"We still have three squadrons of Imperial Army troops in Zhangbei, Chongli, and Huoyuan. However, the Eighth Route Army there has been quite a stir lately, and these troops cannot be mobilized. In Huaian, Tianzhen, and Yanggao, there is a battalion from the 12th Regiment of the 26th Division, but the Eighth Route Army there is much stronger. These troops are also difficult to mobilize."

"Baga. So, tell me, what troops can we mobilize in a short period of time?"

"A squadron in Zhuolu County, and a squadron in Xiahuayuan.

"Okay. Call Abe Nobuhide. Have the Second Brigade send a squadron from Zhulu to support Xuanhua, and a squadron from Xiahuayuan to support Huairou."

"Yes."

This is just an emergency measure.

There are only two squadrons, but the 8th Column mobilized nearly 10,000 people this time.

The two squadrons are unable to resolve the current predicament.

Okabe Naozaburo carefully examined the map, then considered his next move. After giving orders to the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade, Tanaka Shinichi approached Okabe Naozaburo and said, "Commander-in-Chief, the current situation cannot be resolved by the 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade alone. Neither can our Mongolian troops resolve it on their own."

"Ah."

Okabe Naosaburo nodded.

He took a pen and began to draw circles on the map, saying, "We have two troops nearby that can be mobilized."

Naosaburo Okabe was the Chief of Staff of the North China Front Army.

Because he had just arrived at the Mongolian garrison, he was not very clear about the most specific situation of the Mongolian garrison. However, Okabe Naosaburo had a clear understanding of the deployment of the entire North China Front Army.

"Dispatch the 26th Regiment of the 11th Division, and also transfer the rd Mongolian Cavalry Division stationed in Jining."

"Commander, Fu Zuoyi's forces in Suiyuan and the Eighth Route Army in Daqingshan are both very formidable. The 11th Division suffered repeated setbacks in Suiyuan due to the strength of Fu Zuoyi's forces. The th Division has only just received new recruits, and they are already understaffed in Suiyuan, with fewer than men. If the th Regiment is transferred back, the situation in Suiyuan will deteriorate. Fu Zuoyi's forces are among the most powerful in China."

Tanaka Shinichi was quite wary of Fu Zuoyi.

In 1938, the 26th Division suffered repeated setbacks in Suiyuan and was severely beaten by Fu Zuoyi's troops. Fu Zuoyi's troops killed two of the 26th Division's commanders within a year. This was one of the best performances in the entire Nationalist Army.

"I can't care less. Nothing can happen to Zhangjiakou."

The 26th Division was originally part of the Mongolian Garrison Army, so Okabe Naozaburo could directly order its deployment. As for the Puppet Mongolian Army, although it was affiliated with the Puppet Mongolian Government, it had always fought under the command of the Mongolian Garrison Army, so it could also be directly mobilized.

Of course, Okabe Naosaburo knew that the situation in Suiyuan was not good.

After the Japanese army entered Shanxi, the Shanxi-Suiyuan Army was defeated. However, the 35th Army in Suiyuan was a fierce bandit with strong combat effectiveness.

The Japanese army suffered several losses at the hands of the 35th Army. In particular, the 26th Division and the puppet Mongolian Cavalry Division were hit hard by the 35th Army several times over the past year.

And there is that annoying Eighth Route Army unit in Daqingshan.

Every time they fought against the 35th Army, this group of Eighth Route Army troops would disrupt the situation. They would attack the Japanese army's logistics during battles and chase down the defeated Japanese troops after they were defeated. They worked very well with Fu Zuoyi's 35th Army.

As long as their two troops are in Suiyuan, there will never be peace in Suiyuan.

Okabe Naosaburo certainly understood that the return of the 11th Regiment and the rd Mongolian Cavalry Division would affect the situation in Suiyuan. But he had no way to do anything about it. Suiyuan was no more important than Zhangjiakou.